Kobe Bryant: Comparing His Accolades to Michael Jordan's

From the time Kobe Bryant broke into the NBA as a rookie in 1996, he has been compared to the great Michael Jordan.

Whether you are a Kobe Bryant fan, a Michael Jordan fan, a fan of both or a fan of neither, there is no denying that these players are two of the greatest of all time.

While this article will not give any opinion on who the better player is, it will provide a comparison of both players’ accolades.

13. Slam Dunk Contest

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8 Feb 1997: Guard Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the Slam Dunk Contest trophy at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Michael Jordan won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and 1988.

Kobe Bryant won the contest in 1997 as a rookie.

12. Scoring Titles

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Michael Jordan laughs during the press conference announcing his retirement from the NBA Chicago Bulls. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT

Kobe Bryant was the NBA scoring champion in 2006 and 2007, averaging 35 and 31 points, respectively.

Michael Jordan won the scoring title a record 10 times ('87–'93; '96–'98).

Jordan's career high for scoring average in a season is 37 points per game (1987).

11. Zen Is in

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 03: Coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers argues a call by referee Ron Garretson during the game against Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on April 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

Besides being two of the most talented, accomplished players in NBA history, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan have something else in common.

They both had Phil Jackson as their head coach for each of their combined 11 championships.

10. Strong Supporting Casts

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24 Apr 1997: Forward Dennis Rodman and forward Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls speak to each other during a playoff game against the Washington Bullets at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Jonath

Both Kobe and Michael have had their share of quality teammates.

Jordan played with two Hall of Famers in Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.

Kobe played with Shaquille O’Neal in the prime of his career, and now he has the privilege of playing alongside Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.

9. All-Star Accolades

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ATLANTA - FEBRUARY 9: Michael Jordan (Washington Wizards) #23 of the Eastern Conference All-Stars talks with Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) #8 of the Western Conference All-Stars at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game on February 9, 2003 at Philips Arena in Atl

Michael Jordan took home the All-Star Game MVP three times (1988, 1996 and 1998).

Kobe has won the award four times (2002, 2007, 2009 and 2011).

In addition, Kobe and MJ have been selected to play in 13 and 14 All-Star games, respectively.

8. Career Averages

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12: Former player Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls addresses the crowd during a 20th anniversary recognition ceremony of the Bulls 1st NBA Championship in 1991 during half-time of a game bewteen the Bulls and the Utah Jazz at the Un

In 1,072 regular-season games, Jordan averaged 30 points, five assists and six rebounds.

Through 1,103 regular-season games, Kobe has averaged 25 points, five rebounds and nearly five assists.

Jordan's Regular-Season Career High

69 points, March 28, 1990 vs. Cleveland

Kobe's Regular-Season Career High

81 points, January 22, 2006 vs. Toronto

7. Career Playoff Averages

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot over Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User

In 179 career playoff games, Jordan averaged 33 points, six rebounds and nearly six assists.

Up to this point, Kobe has played 198 playoff games. In those games, Kobe has averaged 25 points, five assists and five rebounds.

Jordan's Career Playoff High

63 points, April 20, 1986 vs. Boston

Kobe's Career Playoff High

50 points, May 4, 2006 vs. Phoenix

6. All-Time Scoring

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14 Dec 1996: Guard Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls (left) moves the ball as Charlotte Hornets guard Tony Smith covers him during a game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 87-82. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /All

Kobe Bryant has been working his way up the all-time scoring list recently. Bryant currently sits in sixth place with 27,832 points.

Jordan retired in third place on the all-time scoring list with 32,292 points.

Considering Kobe probably still has a few good years left in the tank, it will be very interesting to see if he is able to pass Jordan.

5. All-Defensive Teams

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11 Dec 2001: Guard Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers rests during the NBA game against the Seattle SuperSonics at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The SuperSonics defeated the Lakers 104-93.Mandatory Credit: Jeff Gross /Getty Images

Michael Jordan made the All-Defensive First Team nine times throughout the course of his career.

Kobe has made the All-Defensive First Team eight times in his career and the All-Defensive Second Team twice.

Jordan also won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988. That's quite possibly his most overlooked, underrated accolade.

4. All-NBA Teams

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6 Dec 1995: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls makes a lay-up as Patrick Ewing #33 of the New York Knicks tries to block at the United Center in Chicago,Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 101-94. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that th

Michael Jordan made the All-NBA First Team 10 times and the Second Team once.

Kobe Bryant has made the All-NBA First Team eight times. In addition, he has made the Second and Third Teams twice for a grand total of 12 All-NBA selections.

Jordan was selected to his first All-NBA First Team in his third year in the league (1987).

Kobe was selected to his first All-NBA First Team in his sixth season (2002).

3. MVP Awards

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 07: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers smiles before receiving the MVP Trophy before the start of Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2008 at Staples Cent

As strange as it may seem, Kobe Bryant has won only one MVP award (2008).

Conversely, Jordan took home the award five times (1988, 1991, 1996, 1996 and 1998).

2. Finals MVP

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13 Jun 1997: Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls holds the 1998 NBA MVP trophy after the Bulls win game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 90-86 to win the series and claim the championship. Ma

Michael Jordan took home the Finals MVP award six times (1991, '92, '93, '96, '97 and '98).

Kobe Bryant has won two Finals MVP awards (2009 and 2010).

1. NBA Championships

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: NBA Finals Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy is covered with a protective cloth as it rest on a stand during the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at the Toyota Center on September 25, 2010 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USE

Michael Jordan finished his career with six NBA championships.

Currently, Kobe has five championships, and he has a good chance to get his sixth this year.

However, Kobe’s teams lost twice in the Finals (2004 and 2008).  On the other hand, Jordan's Bulls were a perfect 6-0.

With that being said, are Kobe’s championships more impressive?

Consider this: Jordan never had to play with an elite center in the prime of his career, and he never had to go through a rebuilding period like Kobe did from 2005–2007.