Kobe Bryant vs Michael Jordan: Will Sixth NBA Title Put Kobe on MJ's Level?

It is the question that has been asked by NBA fans for years: If Kobe is able to get to six rings, would that put him alongside Michael Jordan in the pantheon of NBA players?

It would be a much easier question to answer if these two had played against one another. Sadly, we don't have that luxury, all we can do is offer up our own thoughts.

This is a very sensitive subject for a lot of people because there are fans that will defend Jordan and there are fans that will defend Kobe.

So how do we determine the answer? We need to breakdown a number of factors that go into winning a championship, their individual performances, etc.

Teammates

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 03: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over Luther Head #9 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Staples Center on December 3, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

Both men have played on great teams, obviously or they wouldn't have won any championships.

The Bulls teams of the 90's were loaded with talent starting with Jordan and Pippen. Other standout teammates on those great Bulls teams include BJ Armstrong, Horace Grant, John Paxson, Jud Buechler, Ron Harper, Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley, and Dennis Rodman.

Kobe's Laker teams have had their share of talent as well, including the best center in the NBA at the time, Shaquille O'Neal. Other notable players on the Lakers five most recent championship teams include Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Robert Horry, Brian Shaw, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Ron Artest.

Kobe has undergone more roster turnover then MJ had to, a lot of that was his own doing. The Bulls teams basically replaced one player with a player who was a carbon copy of the previous player. The Lakers had to rebuild an entire roster after Shaq was traded in 2004.

Evolution As A Player

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 11: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball upcourt against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 11, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Lakers 118-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ackn

It's scary how similar this particular category is for these men. When Jordan first came into the league in 1984, he was a great scorer. He would make sure that he touched the ball and made sure that he took the shot for the team.

As time went on he learned that in order for the team to be successful he would have to defer to his teammates from time-to-time. When Jordan got other people involved his game evolved and he became a great shooter. When he did that the team really started to take off and started their first run of three straight championships.

When Kobe was drafted in 1996 he wanted to be exactly like Michael Jordan, and when looking back on their career trajectory it's eerily similar. For the longest time Kobe wanted to do it all himself, that's why he had performances like his 81 point outburst against Toronto in 2006. As time has passed, and Kobe found that he could not do everything himself, he has gotten his teammates more involved and the Lakers have become a force once again.

Will To Win

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 02: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game at Staples Center on November 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 124-105. NOTE TO USER: User e

Michael Jordan's drive to win is something of a legend in the NBA. He treated practices like real games and demanded perfection from himself and his teammates no matter what. It was like having a second coach when he was on the Bulls. Jordan was going to win, it didn't matter who he was playing, anything and everything that he could do to lead his team to victory he was going to do it.

Kobe Bryant has that same drive and determination to win. I haven't heard or seen anything about Kobe's practice habits but I would have a hard time believing that he demanded anything less than the best. His arrogance, his cockiness is what makes him so great. He needs to have everyone following his lead because he knows that if they are then they will be successful.

Leadership Ability

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after defeating the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 14, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and a

Every great team needs a leader. When Jordan first started teammates hated him. They hated the attitude, they hated the way he talked to them, they hated the way that he carried himself. Then, when the Bulls started winning, people may have hated him still but they listened to him because the results were there.

Kobe has been ragged on by everyone, including his current coach in a scathing book that came out in 2004. He was selfish, immature, uncoachable, etc. That may have been true early in his career but lately he has stepped up every facet of his game and become a real leader. Taking control at the right time, knowing when to step out of the spotlight those are the kinds of things that make a great leader.

Killer Instinct

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against the Sacramento Kings during their preseason game at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

One of the great questions in sports: Game on the line, who do you want taking the last shot?

MJ and Kobe are two of the best ever when it comes to the end of the game situations. We all remember Jordan against the Jazz, for what should have been his final game, in game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. That was just the capper to a career that was built on putting daggers in the hearts of fans and players all over the world. If the Bulls had the ball at the end of the game with a chance to win, you knew that they would.

Kobe is that same kind of player with that same kind of instinct. He wants to beat you and there has to be no better feeling then getting the ball at the end of the game and knowing that you are going to take that shot and make it, completely deflating your opponent.

So What Would Number Six Mean For Kobe?

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SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Kobe Bryant #24 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk off the court for halftime after the Lakers made a last second shot against the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena on November 3, 2010 in Sacramento, California.

Kobe has gone through numerous peaks and valleys throughout his career. He has rebuilt his image, even after people thought that it was impossible to do so. He was the "other" guy when Shaq was in Los Angeles. He wanted to be THE MAN and he was given that opportunity.

When he got that opportunity he failed, initially. He was to the Lakers what Jordan was in the late 80's, a guy who did not trust his teammates at all. He wanted to put up the big numbers and he figured that would be good enough to win championships.

He learned that was not the way to go, he knew the team had to get better. The Lakers built up a solid team around Kobe and he was able to put his ego aside (at least to a point) and let other people get in on the act. In doing so, the Lakers have won back-to-back championships and have a great chance to win three-in-a-row this year.

Championship number six would at least put Kobe in the conversation with Michael Jordan. He has all the other accolades that Jordan got during his career. He has won MVP's, he is a first team all-NBA defender, he has one of the most complete games that the game has ever seen. He has evolved his game to become a better teammate and a better basketball player.

Right now the conversation about best basketball player in the modern era usually starts with Michael. With another title, Kobe will join Michael on that pedestal.