Kobe vs Michael: 15 Seasons of Defense

Kobe Bryant is averaging 1.2 steals and 0.1 block per game in 2011.

Rarely is defense mentioned when fans attempt to compare Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan in the all-time race of great players.

If defense was mentioned when comparing these two SG's, Jordan would reign supreme.

And here, defense is mentioned alot, because I go season by season (regardless of age) and compare these two players defensive output by stating steals per game, defensive rebounds per game and blocks per game.

Defense wins championships, and Jordan went 6-0 in the Finals. 

Let us just see how prolific each of these players were in statistical output of defensive prowess.

Rookie Year

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - APRIL 1985: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls moves the ball at the parameter during an Eastern Conference First Round Playoff game April 1985 game at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks won the series 3-1. (Photo by Jonat

Jordan—2.4 steals per game

Kobe—0.7 steals per game

Jordan—4.5 def rebounds per game

Kobe—1.2  def rebounds per game

Jordan—0.8 blocks per game

Kobe—0.3 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan  

Second Season

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - APRIL 1985: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls passes the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during an Eastern Conference First Round Playoff game April 1985 game at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks won the series 3-1. (Ph

Jordan—2.1 steals per game

Kobe—0.9 steals per game

Jordan—2.3 def rebounds per game

Kobe—2.1 def rebounds per game

Jordan—1.2 blocks per game

Kobe—0.5 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan 

Third Season

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

1987-1988: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls moves to steel the ball during the game. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport

Jordan—2.9 steals per game

Bryant—1.4 steals per game

Jordan—3.2 def rebounds per game

Bryant—4.2 def rebounds per game

Jordan—1.5 blocks per game

Bryant—1.0 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan

Fourth Season

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

1989: Ron Harper of the Cleveland Cavaliers holds the ball as Michael Jordan plays defense in Chicago, Illinois during the 1988-1989 NBA season. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Jordan—3.2 steals per game

Bryant—1.6 steals per game

Jordan—3.8 def rebounds per game

Bryant—4.7 def rebounds per game

Jordan—1.6 blocks per game

Bryant—0.9 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan

Fifth Season

Joe Patronite/Getty Images

1989: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls walks and looks on from the court during the game. Mandatory Credit: Joe Patronite /Allsport

MJ—2.9 steals per game

KB—1.7 steals per game

MJ—6.2 def rebounds per game

KB—4.3 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.8 blocks per game

KB—0.6 blocks per game

Advantage - Jordan  

Sixth Season

Getty Images/Getty Images

1990: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls runs to get the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport

MJ—2.8 steals per game

KB—1.5 steals per game

MJ—5.1 def rebounds per game

KB—4.1 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.7 blocks per game

KB—0.4 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan 

Seventh Season

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 28: Jiri Welsch #44 of the Boston Celtics drives to the hoop past Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Staples Center on December 28, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 105-82. NOTE TO USER: Us

MJ—2.7 steals per game

KB—2.2 steals per game

MJ—4.6 def rebounds per game

KB—5.6 def rebounds Per game

MJ—1.0 block per game

KB—0.8 blocks per game

Advantage—Bryant

Eighth Season

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

1992-1993: Center Shaquille O''Neal of the Orlando Magic (right) confers with guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls during a game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Danie

MJ—2.3 steals per game

KB—1.7 steals per game

MJ—5.3 def rebounds per game

KB—3.9 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.9 blocks per game

KB—0.4 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan 

Ninth Season

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

11 May 1993: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls looks on during a second round playoff game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 91-84. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

MJ—2.8 steals per game

KB—1.3 steals per game

MJ—5.0 def rebounds game

KB—4.5 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.8 blocks per game

KB—0.8 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan 

10th Season

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

24 Mar 1995: Center Shaquille O''Neal of the Orlando Magic looks to pass the ball as Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan covers him during a game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Magic won the game, 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel

MJ—1.8 steals per game

KB—1.8 steals per game

MJ—5.4 def rebounds per game

KB—4.4 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.8 blocks per game

KB—0.4 blocks per game

Advantage: Jordan 

11th Season

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

16 Jun 1996: Seattle Supersonic Shawn Kemp works to the basket between Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan and Luc Longley during fourth quarter action of game six of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls went on to defeat the Seatt

MJ—2.2 steals per game

KB—1.4 steals per game

MJ—4.8 def rebounds per game

KB—4.7 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.5 blocks per game

KB—0.5 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan 

12th Season

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 20: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic attempts a shot over Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers on December 20, 2008 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl

MJ—1.7 steals per game

KB—1.8 steals per game

MJ—4.5 def rebounds per game

KB—5.2 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.5 blocks per game

KB—0.5 blocks per game

Advantage—Bryant

13th Season

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

29 May 1998: Travis Best #4 of the Indiana Pacers is guarded by Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during an Eastern Conference Final game at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Bulls 92-89.

MJ—1.7 steals per game

KB—1.5 steals per game

MJ—4.2 def rebounds per game

KB—4.1 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.5 blocks per game

KB—0.5 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan 

14th Season

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 17: Guard Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards fouls forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim #3 of the Atlanta Hawks as he tries to dunk during the second half of the game on December 17, 2002 at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The Wi

MJ—1.4 steals per game

KB—1.5 steals per game

MJ—4.8 def rebounds per game

KB—4.3 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.4 blocks per game

KB—0.3 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan 

15th Season

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 21: Richard Jefferson #24 of the New Jersey Nets drives against Michael Jordan #23 of the Washington Wizards during the NBA game at MCI Center on February 21, 2003 in Washington, D.C. The Wizards won 89-86. NOTE TO USER: User expr

MJ—1.5 steals per game

KB—1.2 steals per game

MJ—5.2 def rebounds per game

KB—4.2 def rebounds per game

MJ—0.5 blocks per game

KB—0.1 blocks per game

Advantage—Jordan 

Conclusion

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

8 May 1997: Guards Michael Jordan and Toni Kukoc of the Chicago Bulls double team forward Christian Laettner of the Atlanta Hawks during a playoff game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Hawks won the game 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan

MJ = 13

KB = 2

See what I mean—Kobe fans never mention defense when trying to vault KB over MJ as the best of all time.

Get serious—MJ = defensive mastermind, KB = overrated defensively—especially when compared head to head, season by season against MJ

Let's see you make up some excuses for this......I can't wait