Kobe: best ever?

Mr Abrahamson,

Thanks a million time for such kind words and a honest comparison that you have made about the Greatest. I hope some Kobe Hitters will read this article and come to their senses and give the young man his flowers while he is alive. I made this same observation a couple years ago, but no one around me could agree with me including my dear wife. If you read some foreign news papers, many people around the world have expressed greater admiration about this guy then most of us in the United States.

I appreciate the comparison, but for a long time, there has been a taboo to not mention Kobe as gaining the slightest hairline of leads above Jordan. Regardless of the reason, the biggest difference that I see between the two is that Michael knew going into any game that he could score 50 within the game, whereas Kobe can pretty much pick and choose the exact range of time where he would like to do most damage, knowing full well that he will be unstopable. Bryant still has at least 5 years left in the league. There's a huge likelyhood that he will leave this league with a few more titles than Jordan. When all is said and done, and as difficult as it might be for some to swallow, Kobe bryant will retire from this league as the greatest player who ever played basketball.

Let's all remember this for a minute. Had Jordan not left for two seasons, the Bulls would have won 8 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN A ROW. Kobe is a couple steps above the rest right now, but Jordan is several steps above him. Jordan could also dominate defensively, dont forget, and led the league for several years in steals.

Kobe is great, but Jordan is once in a lifetime.

Interesting thoughts on a player who I think will be known as the best ever. I know there are a lot of Kobe-haters out there but one thing we've all got to agree on is this; Kobe is the best closer in the NBA since Michael Jordan. Jordan had the uncanny ability to score at will and lead his team to victory no matter how far behind they were. Kobe has that same ability and leadership and now his game has vastly improved since he's learned to trust his teammates and involves them in the offense.

Kobe; you either love him or hate him but we all agree that he is an amazing player.

Kobe needs to have awesome players around him to succeed. He's had Shaq and now another franchise player in Gasol. Jordan had Pippen. While I love Pippen he was nowhere near as talented as Shaq or Gasol. Those two were centerpieces to their franchises and could win. Pippen without Jordan became very subpar.

Did Shaq win all 3 Final MVP awards of the titles shared with Kobe? yes. Has Kobe ever won one since that? no. It wasn't even considered his team! It's seems as though people are already crowning a man who hasn't truly won anything himself yet. Looking back, I believe Michael "strung" together 6 titles in 8 years (along with Finals MVP honors each year), second only to Bill Russell. Bottom line, he's being compared to JORDAN, the pinnacle of excellence in all of sport. A year ago, it was all about LeBron and his comparisons. Next year it might be Dwyane Wade for all we know. On a scale of 1-10, it's fair to say I'm a 1 and Michael is a 10. Kobe's a 9. Not quite folks.

Kobe is every bit as good as Jordan. You Jordan supporters are stuck with splitting hairs to find a difference. To say that the Bulls would have won 8 in a row is a pipe dream. To say that Pippen was sub par without Jordan is just plain disrespectful, he may be the best defensive forward of all time, not to mention his many offensive skills. I doubt any of you even knew who Kobe was until he was in the league for 2 seasons. Kobe was schooling pros in summer leagues when he was 16, I believe Jordan was struggling just to stay on his high school team at that age! Get over it, Kobe is the most dangerous player to ever play the game!!!

Very difficult to make comparisons, but if you replace MJ with Kobe on those championship Bulls teams, would the Bulls still have won those 6 championships?

As a Laker fan I would love nothing better than to say Kobe is better than MJ. But it is simply not true and it will never be true. Why? First of all, although their game is similar in some regard, Kobe is now barely playing the role MJ did with the bulls. During the Shaq era he was playing more the Scottie Pippin role. Second, although physically they are similar, MJ was blessed with huge hands and long fingers which enables him to do things Kobe simply cannot do. Third, although they are both the most competitive athletes ever, Phil was ablt to earn the 100% trust of MJ and he listened to Phil which made him better every year. Kobe really matured this year, but I don't see him having the same career track as MJ. Stop comparing him to MJ. That is the problem. Kobe will still have an unbelievable legacy.

As a Laker fan I would love nothing better than to say Kobe is better than MJ. But it is simply not true and it will never be true. Why? First of all, although their game is similar in some regard, Kobe is now barely playing the role MJ did with the bulls. During the Shaq era he was playing more the Scottie Pippin role. Second, although physically they are similar, MJ was blessed with huge hands and long fingers which enables him to do things Kobe simply cannot do. Third, although they are both the most competitive athletes ever, Phil was ablt to earn the 100% trust of MJ and he listened to Phil which made him better every year. Kobe really matured this year, but I don't see him having the same career track as MJ. Stop comparing him to MJ. That is the problem. Kobe will still have an unbelievable legacy.

Do you your umbrella with you? If not please get one because my man Kobe his making rain. I am verry excited for him because the media judge him and the people.

Collin & Stephen both got it right on the money and I'm glad to see there are some Laker fans who speak with some sort of common sense. The FACT is and will always remain: Kobe will NEVER be as great or surpass Jordan, NEVER! No matter how many times it is printed from this pathetic idiotic writers, for as many times as they wish it, it won't be done. When Kobe can lead his team as the PRIMARY reason they win the title 6 times, 3 in a row TWICE, then talk to me. Forget those 3 championships LEAD by none other than Shaquille Oneal who won the Finals MVP for all 3 of those titles and the teams PRIMARY MVP during those years; but when Kobe leads the Lakers to SIX, count em SIX NBA titles as the MVP & primary catalyst then even I will consider him the greatest player ever. Until then get over it and keep on wishing it but it will NEVER come ot fruition. He's a great player but that's about all it will ever be, he's a carbon copy, a close to none other than Jordan and he will live his life in Jordan's shadow, always being compared to the GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER of ALL TIME, Michael Jeffrey Jordan!

Interesting talk tracts about two great players. The problem I see, in the comparision is this. Michael took the game to new heights from Magic and Bird. Kobe, can't take the game any higher which by standards will only be second to Michael, sure Kobe, will probably win more championships than Jordan, there skills are similiar but, remember Jordan redefined the game with a skill level that is only being duplicated by Kobe, thus the similarities.
However, Kobe is the best player in this era as was Jordan in his. The game has not been taken to new heights since Jordan, Kobe is only doing skill wise what has already been done that transcended the game long ago. Will he break records? Sure, that is what they are there for. Has he redefined the game, NO! I don't see any team instituing "KOBE rules" as they did for Jordan! That simply says they had to totally redefine how they played the game against Jordan. The NBA changed because of Jordan which, made it fun to watch, that is not the same in today's era with Kobe. I wonder if Kobe would just be Kobe, and not try to define himself by another player, then Kobe will have his own place in history admid the comparisons to Jordan, these are two of the greatest players that have played the game, let's just leave it at that!

Kobe is the most complete player I have ever seen. The only thing Jordan had that Kobe doesn't is "the machine" that fed his mythology and EXTREME preferential treatement by officials. All top players get it. But Jordan got more than anybody before or since.

Conversely, Jordan never had the three point shot that Kobe has. Jordan should still be considered the best. But now there is a legit debate that Kobe is right there with him.

Kobe is a true wonder of the hoops. He has an incredible eye for the basket, and his moves are unequaled in today's NBA. He has, however, a major drawback that will forever distance him from Jordan: Michael Jordan not only played the best basketball in the world, but also and very importantly, he made those around him play their best game. Guys like Pippen, Kukoc, Grant, Longley, Kerr, say that it was worse for them to dissappoint Jordan than to dissapoint Phil Jackson. Bryant, on the other hand, is a vedette. He is spoiled to the point that the Lakers had to taylor-make a team around him. They have accomplished that. A team of very quick, talented young players that will not compete for the marquee and will not take away the spotlight from him. Right now, he is all generosity toward this team of foreigners and rookies. wait until one of them starts to shine enough to steal protagonism from Kobe: then you'll see his true colors once again.

Please. Kobe is no Jordan. Kobe is not a clutch player and he is still very selfish with the ball. He'll be better in a few years, but he'll still be no Jordan.

You have to be kidding.Kobe Bryant is a great player, the best in the NBA right now, but Jordan was/is in another league. As someone wrote earlier, if MJ had not taken his gambling timeout, the Bulls would have won 8 championships in a row.

The whole Kobe/Jordan argument over who's the greatest is irrelevant because it is based on a false premise - that Jordan until now was the greatest.

Sorry to burst the bubble of anybody under 30, but they played NBA games before Jordan and there were many players who were superior to him. Among those on this list include Kareem, Wilt, Oscar Robertson and Magic. They make a big deal when someone today scores 40. Well, one year Wilt AVERAGED 40. 20 rebounds was nothing for him. One year he led the league in assists. I don't have the time to go through all the arguments about all the other players who were greater than Jordan. I might put Jordan in the top five, but no higher. And I do think Kobe will end up above Jordan on this list, but somewhere below some of the others I have mentioned.

Honestly, I am dumfounded at all you Michael Jordan mouth breathers. Don't tell me Pippen wasn't good, Horace Grant wasn't good, Rodman wasn't good, and Pax and Kerr weren't money. Jordan had great players around him as has Kobe. One cannot watch the two of them and tell me there is one bit of difference in their skill level. Jordan didn't do anything Kobe can't do and vice versa. Kobe doesn't win without Shaq and Jordan doesn't win without Pippen. Neither win without Phil Jackson. And Jordan didn't redefine the league. Julius Erving had done that years earlier.

What I like about Kobe is that he can do anything. Go right, left, fade away, dunk... he has more range that Jordan can ever have. But, I think it's too early to crown him. I can only crown him as the best player now. We will see what his legacy will hold after.
Btw, Jordan has never won without Pippen. And does that mean Barkley is better because of the Barkley rule? There is no rule that needs to contain Kobe because you can't create a rule to stop him. Peace.

I have been one of the types to say that you can't compare Jordan and Kobe, because no one will ever match up with Jordan. But I have to face the facts. The game has changed. Kobe is awesome. We will never see Kobe and Jordan play together in thier prime, too bad cause that would be awesome. I will always like Jordan more than Kobe, but have to admit that these days I can't hate on people for comparing Kobe to MJ because Kobe is an exceptional ball player and has the ability to become the greatest of all times if he can keep playing like he does. I think a lot of the critisism Kobe faces is also due to his character, and hopefully he can keep out of trouble and realize that kids look up to him now and to not only be a role model, but act like one.

Interesting comments out there. However, I must throw in my few cents. I want to address Tim on the Pippen issue. Pippen was an all star and voted as 1 of the top 50 players of all time, so don't tell me Pippen isn't as talented as Gasol, as of right now he was better. Also, as much as I love MJ and all his accomplishments I believe you can throw Kobe's name right next to MJ. I believe we are stuck on the physical part of the game and totally leaving the mental aspect out. MJ could score at will, we no that. What a lot of people tend to miss is that his mental game was untouchable. Kobe also can score at will, but his mental game is unbelievable as well. I don't want to say Kobe is better than MJ, but I do believe if you put Kobe on those Bulls teams they would have won as well. MJ is MJ and Kobe is Kobe. Take your pick! I just have one question for everyone. If MJ didn't have the talent around him, and yes he did have talent around him, would he have had won 6 titles? I will leave it at that.

Kobe is a great player, but M.J is the greatest. They both have incredible skills, they both have won championships true. the true test of greatnest is not all of the above but the ability of a man to inspire as M.J had and still does. Think about the Original DREAM TEAM led by AIR JORDAN won the GOLD. What does Kobe do he leaves USA hanging and does not play we dont earn gold and that has been the case ever since. Jordamn laid it all out for basketball and the public Kobe has yet to show me that and until he does the is no comparison.

Are you kidding me? Kobe isn't even the best Laker ever. Magic, Kareem, Jerry West. Enough said. This discussion is only for stat geeks who love 1/1 basketball. If you rank Kobe for "making his teammates" better and having any class...he doesn't make the top 50.

JORDAN 6 titles, 5 NBA MVP, 6 FINALS MVP

KOBE 3 titles, 1 NBA MVP, 0 FINALS MVP

THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES...

Bryant will never be as great as Michael Jordan. He is missing one important characteristic: CLASS

Hellsfrozenover is exactly right...Kobe isn't even the greatest Laker ever. MJ averaged 2 blocks a game..unheard of for a shooting guard. Tell Kobe to step his D up and when 6 or 7 titles without the most dominate center of our era then we can have this conversation.

like dimaggio in the 40's.
he retired at the end of 1951

DiMaggio reference changed to 1940s instead of 1950s, and thanks for that. - Alan

As good as Kobe is, he is no Jordan, at least not yet. The big difference is how Jordan made the TEAM better by making the players around him better. True, there were times he had to be reminded by Jackson that there were open shooters at crunch time but on the whole, he made those around him better players for the sake of the team and he did it for many years. Kobe, on the other hand, has done it only noticeably, this past season. So although, he has similar abilities, Kobe still falls short.

I also believe he will fall short in actual number of rings as well in the end (Kobe won't make 6). Jordan, had the two years away and the GM and owner broke up the team when they could have competed easily for another.

I think this is a crap article and while impressive that the Laker beat the Spurs as someone who watch Jordan his entire career I don't think they are comparable.

Jordan was the single most dominate player in his era. Kobe is one of the best but not head and above the rest of the league. I am not sure why people feel the need to compare. We also have to remember Jordan led the league in scoring for a decade. I don't know anyone in this current NBA era who could do that and that includes Kobe. Let Kobe be Kobe because he is not Mike thats for sure.

Perhaps when Kobe wins 6 titles without Shaq he should get some consideration, but until then, Jordan is the best ever.

“I think he’s God disguised as Michael Jordan.” -- Larry Bird,

Enough said.

There are only a couple of people qualified to make this comparison: Phil Jackson, Johnny Bach, Jim Clemons, Frank Hamblin and Tex Winter. All coached both Jordon with the Bulls and then Kobe with the Lakers. They and only they are uniquely qualified to make those comparisons.

My guess though is that they would say: Kobe is great; Michael is the greatest.

Kobe will NEVER be remembered like MJ was! It will not happen no matter what he does on the court. MJ was a legend due to his skills, history, and persona. Yes, he actually had a personality!! Kobe fans --- please tell him that his arogant self-absorbed attitude keeps him off at least my list of the greatest ever. Michael did it with an air and grace that seems to elude Kobe.

MJ was the leader and primary player with the Bulls. If the Lakers win the championship this year it would be KB's first title as leader and primary player. It seems the Lakers have the right pieces to continue winning championships. If kobe can win 6 more titles as the leader and primary player then the comparison would be closer.

It’s a completely different era of basketball. Jordan would live at the foul line if he or any of the stars of his era played with the hand checking rules they are using now. Kobe Bryant had only averaged 30 points once in his career before they changed the rules. Jordan accomplished a lot of things that Kobe Bryant simply never will be able to do and Kobe has done some things that Jordan didn’t. I think it’s like comparing apples to oranges. They’re two similarly built players with similar skills who played for the same coach for a number of years but I think it depends on what you’re looking at specifically. Personally I think Jordan is the better player. He was more explosive and more of a physical force on defense than Kobe is. He shot 50 % or better in his career for 5 seasons, Kobe’s best percentage was 46.5 and that was once. MJ is 6-0 in his NBA Finals appearances with 6 Finals MVPs. Kobe is 3-1 so far with no Finals MVPs and I do believe Kobe shot his team out of his last Finals appearance with his horrible 35% FG. I mean numbers-wise it’s not even close.

But I honestly don’t even think you can really compare the two simply because how differently the game is officiated now

Let me start off by congratulating my Los Angeles LAKERS for a job well done. Is Kobe better than Jordan ? If you compare the both by stats, accomplishments, tenacity to win, killer instinct, the whole package, they both are the best in the business. People have always downtalked KOBE on his always wanting to be like MIKE and why not. He is the only person who can imulate and or exceed his talent. KOBE in my eyes has a tad bit more of talent than MIKE. He might not have the swag that JORDAN had on and off the court, but he has made some plays that are just breath taking. JORDAN doesnt have a 81 point game, KOBE doesnt have 10 scoring tittles. The league is a bit more competitive than it was 15 years ago. There seems to be not just a star but a superstar on every team now. I just think we enjoyed watching MIKE he left his print on the game, we thank him for that, but its time we as NBA fans start enjoying the fine talent of this young man before hes put away in the history books because when hes gone there will be no more and greatness
will passed us by in a blink of an eye.
Lebron, Garnett, Chris Paul, Pierce, SHAQ, there all great and all but they are not beast like KOBE and MIKE.
To answere your question is KOBE better than MIKE ?
YES !!! GO LAKERS !!

Its hard to compare both these players...because they played in different era...however...i beleive it was much easier to win championships then than it is now. So for those that said if Jordan hadnt left, the bulls would had won 8 in a row....tell me if Jordan could win 8 in a row if he played in todays west conference....or if he would have the best record in da league with the subpar talent kobe had for most of the yr...until they traded for gasol...the lakers had Fisher, radmanovich, odom..and a 20 yr old bynum.....i think pippen, grant, kerr, and whoever the center was is much better... to me Kobe, if he wins a couple more championships will surpass MJs legacy..

Anyone that says Kobe will NEVER be better then Jordan is discredited right there. Kobe's career is not over and you don't know what he will accomplish in the next 5 years. To be so closed minded and say NEVER, discredits anything you have to say about the Jordan vs Kobe comparision. You don't know the future and when you say NEVER, that just means you're not open to other possibilities and that you're MJ lovers for life, but don't let that influence whether or not someone is better then someone else on the court.

A little bit of perspective..

Jordan's titles came while he was the best player on his team and in the league.

Kobe's titles came while he was the second best player on his team.

To even be in the same league as Jordan he has to pick his team up on his back and win a half dozen championships. And that isn't going to happen...

give me a freaking break, why don't you go write about the rodeo, comparing kobe to mj is like comparing crack to oatmeal. Kobe hasn't even won a single championship as the lead star yet, please go do something worthwhile

The finals haven't even started yet, what makes you so sure the Lakers will win? That would make zero (0) championships without shaq..

I was in Grant park every year after the Bulls won, I still have a poster in my corner office of MJ and im 30 . I saw him play at the old Chicago Stadium when you couldn't hear the PA over the crowd and later at the United Center when it was almost imposible still. There is simply no comparison other than on paper, but you all said it last year about labron.. Plus Kobe is classless, sounds downright retarded when he speaks and from the looks of his face is cooking meth in his kitchen.

Jordan and LeBron lovers are about the most closed minded people I know. It's funny that the same people that discredit all that Kobe has accomplished so far are willing to compare LeBron to Jordan when LeBron doesn't even have one ring.

.MJ also won 6 titles without a dominate big man in the era of the dominate big man (Ewing, Hakeem, Robinson, Shaq etc). He was the best player in the league when the league was at its best (1986-1996). He also led the league in scoring for a decade and six of those times he led his team to NBA championships. No one had lead the league in scoring and lead his team to a championship in the same season before that. Jordan has accomplished so much in basketball that every time LeBron, Kobe or Chris Paul did something new this year the announcers always had to preface it with "no one has done this since Michael Jordan in "whatever" year. I think Kobe/MJ comparisons are good for sports radio but realistically I think MJ is better. I like Kobe, I live in LA but you have to give credit where credit is due. Most of the NBA records Kobe owns are "youngest ever" records that are being broken every year by LBJ. Kobe is great and this is his time but lets keep things in perspective

Kobe isn't even on the same level as Lebron, on or off the court, comparing him to MJ is silly.

Lebron, with no supporting cast, led a crappy team single handedly to the playoffs. Kobe has help ..and good help at that.

The NBA is much tougher now than it was during Jordan's time. Just look at the build and physical stature of the men Kobe has to play against. then compare that to those during jordans time.

I grew up watching Jordan and just watching highlights from his career brings back good memories. Everyone really wanted to be "Like Mike". With that said, Jordan was highly marketable. His relationship with Nike, gatorade, etc., played a big part of who Jordan was. Brands and companies are now diversified with going to different sports and players like LeBron and CP3. Kobe's likability factor just cannot compare with Jordans.

ALSO, the biggest difference is the INTERNET. During Jordan's days, there was no outlet for fans. It was all sportswriters and their column in the newspaper. No message boards, no chats, no youtube, no comments etc. Now, everything is talked about and everything is closely watched. This plays a big part in likability factor between the two.

Im babbling..but my conclusion..
Once Kobe is done with his career, he will be known as the greatest ever.

Mike said:
The finals haven't even started yet, what makes you so sure the Lakers will win? That would make zero (0) championships without shaq..

I was in Grant park every year after the Bulls won, I still have a poster in my corner office of MJ and im 30 . I saw him play at the old Chicago Stadium when you couldn't hear the PA over the crowd and later at the United Center when it was almost imposible still. There is simply no comparison other than on paper, but you all said it last year about labron.. Plus Kobe is classless, sounds downright retarded when he speaks and from the looks of his face is cooking meth in his kitchen.

-------

Case and point. This is the kind of stuff Jordan never had to go through. Senseless and idiotic criticism. I know it has no personal effect on Kobe, but combine this with the thousands of Kobe Hater comments you read everywhere..it lowers kobe's and other player's likeability.

Kobe's probably not as good as MJ, but only by a slight margin. For early maturity and otherworldly competitiveness, go back to that close-out game with the Trail Blazers during Kobe's first championship run.

Against a Scottie Pippin trying to prove himself without Jordan, and a great Blazers team, the Lakers were down by 15 in the fourth quarter. Kobe Bryant, at 22 years of age, elevated *Shaq's* game, making MDE better, not the other way around. He took the entire team on his back, jump shots, dishes out of double, triple, and quadruple teams, along with tenacious defense. Kobe won that game--the biggest comeback in Game 7 history. Twenty-two years old.

The numbers? 25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 blocked shots.

This whole maturity thing is a crock. Kobe may not be MJ, but it ain't over yet. He may just surpass him.

As I sit here in my office looking at a picture of #23 up in the air tongue out hitting the winning shot of the 1982 NCAA championships, I am pondering the question. It is probably true that as Jordan was in his era, Kobe is the most talented person out on the court every game. Kobe is as talented as Jordan was. Remembering Jordan, however, brings you back to a time where superstars weren't as bitchy, players weren't getting fined left and right, people weren't flopping on the ground one quarter as much, and all of sports / players were respected instead of being thought of as steroid filled, bad attitude, babies. People defend Jordan not just because he was an awesome player but because of the nostalgia aspect of those times.

Hey jeremy, stop dreaming. It wouldn't be the end of the world be one of the best which Kobe is. I don't think Kobe is a better player than even Magic let alone Jordan. Its like the media has to or wants to replace Jordan with actually knowing the game.

It was tougher to play in MJ's era because you were allowed to hand-check and bump players with body. In today's game they don't let very much fly as the league would rather see offensive players score than play defense. Why do you think there is such a push for more scoring.

I'll give Kobe credit as being the best in the game now but to me thats not hard say considering all the youth in the league.

The difference is Michael was a true professional and Kobe is a miserable human being. He has way too much of his father in him. Michael worked hard his whole career. Kobe has Hillary disease and believes he's entitled. Michael made everyone around him a better ball player. Can you truly say that about KOBE! Please, if your answer is yes!

Kobe can do everything Michael did, and even a few things Michael couldn't do.

Common people !!!! More range ??? What does that mean ? Nobody found fault with Jordans game when he was playing, why now ? There is not one stat that Kobe beats out Mike. FT % is EVEN 3 point % EVEN. Where Mike stands out is RINGS and FG%. MJ's worst FG% seasons are Kobes best. MJ shot 50% for his career, even counting the last 2 years w/Washington. Kobe is at 45 %. BIG DIFFERENCE !!!! MJ never played with a dominant big man or a great point guard. This is not even an argument. Talk to me again in 5-10 years !!!

Amen to Gerald

You hit the nail on the head.

I agree with much that has been said. In my mind, I think we're equivocating on the meaning of "better." I think Kobe is the *better* talent (i.e., more naturally gifted and skilled). However, Jordan is "better" in the sense that he matured earlier and accomplished more than Kobe probably will. Furthermore, Jordan came along at a once-in-a-lifetime place in the NBA - when the excitement of the NBA met the exploding marketing/internet boom.

I think if Kobe (at his prime) played Jordan (at his prime) one-on-one, Kobe would win. However, if Jordan's TEAM played Kobe's TEAM at their prime, I think Jordan's team would win. As someone said in another article, if KB played MJ one-on-one, there'd be blood on the floor at the end.

So, regarding who's better, choose your definition and proceed accordingly!

Kobe is the best player in the league right now, and in my opinion a more complete player than Jordan. Without getting the benefit of calls that MJ surely would have gotten last night, Kobe took over that game and willed the Lakers to a win. Not at the free throw line, but by hitting jumpers and driving to the basket. His shooting range is much greater than MJ's as well.
As far as the greatest, I will probably always think that Magic Johnson was the greatest. He was the only player who could only score 6-8 points in a game, yet you felt that he was killing you the entire time. He played a part in so many points scored that you never knew that he wasn't the one scoring them.

A lot better than the days of "Javier Rodriguez".

Jordan brought shame to his team and the league for his gambling and manipulation of games. Jordan left basketball for two seasons as "punishment" for his NBA violations.

Jordan was one of the greatest players ever, but any argument based on “Jordan is the best because of championships won" is ridiculous…Based on that argument, Bill Russell would be the best.

The “8 Championships in a row” claim is garbage because it didn’t happen. (I would have won 10 Tour de France’ races if I had not given up racing my “Big-Wheel” in the third grade.) See what I mean…
To those who say Shaq won those 3 titles and not Kobe, is not only certifiably stupid
but is biased as well. Three words “hack-a-shaq,” Shaq nearly cost us games with his inability to make foul shots. Players like Fisher and Horry hit big shots, Fox was a defensive nightmare, and Kobe was Playing with a “double-team” on him the entire series. The same fact that Jordan didn’t win all those titles by himself did he? That what I thought...
How many Finals’ games did Jordan play with two defenders on him the entire series? Kobe plays every game with two defenders trying to stop him…And guess what…nobody can.
Sure Kobe doesn’t have Jordans 6 NBA titles and 7 MVP trophies…Yet! But he will have at least 7 Championship Rings before he retires…he wont retire until he has more than Jordan…Oh Yeah, Jordan is retired. So for those of you who base your argument on that statment…which is pretty much most of you…What will you say then? That MVP trophies are more prestigious than championships?
It is simply bad form (and stupid) to compare a finished career with one only 2/3rds complete. Can you compare 2/3rds of Ferrari to a Complete Lamborghini? Can you compare 2/3rds of a breast job to a complete one?
And finally for those who say “us” Kobe fans are “fanatically” trying to come up with reasons and opinions of why Kobe is better than MJ, I say this…why are you so fanatical about defending Jordan and telling us he is the best of all time and end of story? Isn’t it really just your opinion as well?
Kobe one day will be known as the greatest player of all-time, but it may not last long…Lebron could be next. Either way, give it up you douche bags…Jordan cant
hold that title forever…that’s a FACT!

MJ has better stats for offense and defense. Won more championships and MVPs. He was more clutch, and he never hindered his teams as much as Kobe (even in his younger selfish days). All this talk about Kobe being soooo much better from long range is hogwash. 34% to 32.7% in Kobe's favor is hardly significant. Jordan's overall field goal % even late in his career when he became a shooter (other than his final sad season in DC) is better than Kobe's in his prime. Jordan could drive the basket better (as evidenced by the fact that in his prime years he barely ever shot under 50% for a season. kobe never shot 50%. closest he got was 46.9%. Jordan's best? 53.9%! MJ is number 1 no matter which way you slice it. stats. clutch. leadership. Championships. It all points to Jordan.

And really, is it so bad that Kobe is not quite as good? We're talking Michael Jordan here people!

Kobe Bryants entire game is mocked after Jordan! Everything he does looks like Jordan. Although Kobe is a great basketball player, he nor anyone else will ever compare to MJ!

It's funny how you guys compare stats.

kobe isn't even finished with his career and you guys are talking stats!!!
WOWWWWW
Not once did Alan Abrahamson write about ONE stat.

We're talking about overall basketball skills - the ability to take over a game, the ability to play defense AND offense, the ability to attract so much attention that your teammates are wide open, the ability to make shots when they count, the ability to put a game away when it seems the opposition was about to make a push.. Indeed Jordan was able to do the same. But like i said before. Kobe can do all things that Jordan did, and a few things Jordan couldn't.

23<24 How's that for a stat.

Kobe studied Jordan, all the greats. he knows so much about the game. I saw someone write he's got 5 years left..Jordan won his first title at 28! Kobe's 29! He could be relevant easily 6-10 years from now. It's his smarts in conjunction with his talent. No question Jordan was the greatest I've ever seen. Kobe's the only one I've seen come close. Jordan did destroy the game. What he's done for the sport no one else can erase and re-do. Shoe's, marketing, interviews, style..but when you put basketball, just basketball in proper prospective..Kobe being arguably the greatest basketball player ever is not so far fetched as many of us Jordan lovers make it out to be

The day Kobe has won 6 Championships (on a team full of good players where he's not a ball hog), 5 NBA MVPs, and 6 Finals MVPs, AND has the class and attitude MJ did, then and only then will Kobe be considered as good as MJ. Oh yes, character counts.

But then, even though the case was dismissed since the accuser didn't want to testify, Kobe still has the question of whether he raped a girl in a hotel hanging over his head. How's that for an Hall of Fame asterisk?

MJ was only a gambler.

Without question, Kobe is the second best ever. Wilt, obviously was the best the game ever saw. MJ was merely 4th best (as Magic Johnson was superior) and had the good fortune of coming out of the East and at a time of the leagues nadir (Magic had to play against Dr J's philly team and the Celts of the 80s).

As for Kobe, he's been better for longer. Has better range, is also a superior defensive player and had to carry Shaq for all of those years. Were it not for Kobe, Shaq does not win the titles. Kobe wins the games in the 4th.

kobe is very similar to jordan in almost every aspect of the game, but you cannot compare the two. today's game is way different from jordan's. it's difficult to compare kobe to a player that pretty much revolutionized the sport and sports marketing. i personally think tiger woods is closer to jordan than kobe. kobe is definitely great, but he's not jordan. there will never be another jordan. there will never be another kobe. if you want to know who's the best basketball player ever, ask barkley, ewing, malone, stockton, wilkins, and reggie miller. olajuwon and drexler would be on the list, too, if jordan didn't take a break.

kobe is very similar to jordan in almost every aspect of the game, but you cannot compare the two. today's game is way different from jordan's. it's difficult to compare kobe to a player that pretty much revolutionized the sport and sports marketing. i personally think tiger woods is closer to jordan than kobe. kobe is definitely great, but he's not jordan. there will never be another jordan. there will never be another kobe. if you want to know who's the best basketball player ever, ask barkley, ewing, malone, stockton, wilkins, and reggie miller. olajuwon and drexler would be on the list, too, if jordan didn't take a break.

So funny that I was just thinking the other day about Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Kobe is a great player, no doubt about it. But we probably won't see another phenomenon like Michael Jordan again in our lifetimes. How easily we forget! When Kobe Bryant leads a team to six championships, then we can talk.

All of the young folks out here need to be educated. Its not even close. Jordan was THE MAN for 6 NBA Titles, Kobe rode Shaq's coattails for his 3. In 4 NBA Finals, Kobe has shot over 41% just once!!

Yes, Kobe is supremely talented with the iron will to match, but let's not forget that MJ was the Man for the Bulls for every one of those 6 NBA championships; he won the Finals MVP each time. Until Kobe can lead his team to several rings like that, he can't be rated above MJ. Let's see if Kobe can still excel in his 30's like Jordan did. Remember that MJ modified his offensive attack to compensate for his age and loss of sheer athleticism, and still killed the competition. To be fair,when his career is over, Kobe should be on any top 20 all-time NBA players list.

Kobe Bryant played 8 seasons with Shaq and won 3 championships (thanks to Shaq). If Jordan had Shaq for 8 seasons he would have won 8 championships and probably gone undeated for an entire season at least twice. This is stupid to compare Kobe to Jordan. Without Gasol the Lakers were so-so. Now all of a sudden Kobe's better than Bird, Magic, Kareem, Shaq, Dr. J, Jerry West, Oscar Robertson? In his prime Tim Duncan was much better all around player and right now LeBron James is better than Kobe. Steve Nash for 4 years was the best player before LeBron. Put Kobe on the Cavs and they don't even make the playoffs probably not even .500 for the season Kobe's clutch and plays really hard and certainly is a great one on his generation. But when he wins about 4 championships as the leader on a team don't get carried away.

Jordan could lead. Kobe hasn't shown this capability until this year.

For those who think Kobe has it harder, did you ever see how the Pistons continually knocked MJ down? Has anyone ever tried to devise a defense known as the "Kobe Rules"?

MJ never had a legitimate center. Kobe did and it is doubtful that he would have 3 rings if he hadn't had Shaq.

Lebron "The king" James is better than both.. and will pass all their records before he's 30.. Recognize.

And don't forget these weak rules for hand-checking these days to make it easier for perimeter players. Jordan got his share of calls of course, but he got roughed up quite a bit by the Pistons, Knicks, etc. With these weak ass hand checking rules you can't do anything on the perimeter. Also, Jordan shot 50% for his career, the last and ONLY time Kobe shot that well was in High School. As far as 3-pointers, Jordan averaged about .5 3 point attempts a game his first few years. Obviously most of those were last second heaves at the end of quarters and halves.

I think you probably mean 'dominant' center rather than 'legitimate" center. I agree with your arguments though.

Kobe has the drive but not the ability to lead up until this season. Up until now, he has been selfish on offense, taking ill advised shots while his teammates stood around watching. No way he has made his teammates better. This is the first season he has shown any inclination of leadership or willing to make the team better.

Frankly, I've read every post here and a lot of people have it completely wrong. To get this out of the way, Kobe is actually better than Jordan. A lot of people are arguing that Jordan would have won 8 rings if he stuck around for those two years. Great point, but what other dominant teams were there back then that Jordan's Bulls had to play against. The Lakers, Celtics, and Detroit eras were over. So which dominant team gave them problems through their run. The competition is 10x tougher now than was when Jordan was playing. Second, why are people arguing that Jordan's supporting cast was not as good as Kobe's. Does anyone remember what happened to Pippen when Jordan left for a year and a half? PIPPEN WAS MVP!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Of the league)!!!!!!!!!!!! So please don't compare Jordan's Bulls to Kobe's Lakers. Third, everyone that argues that Kobe is no Jordan argues on the fact that they simply don't like Kobe. That's funny, because I remember a lot of people hating Jordan for being an arrogant, selfish player, who got his GM fired, hit his teammates during practice, and rarely passed the ball in 4th quarters. Sounds more vicious than Kobe? I think so. Lastly, in regards to their skill, Kobe and Jordan are on par with each other, but the difference is that Kobe puts up unimaginable number, especially in the past 5 years, with the whole opponents team trying to gaurd him. Everything that a team does to beat the Lakers revolves around stopping Kobe, and frankly they have all given up on that. Kobe is better defensively than Jordan, since Kobe always gaurds the other team's best player. Jordan always gaurded his position. I can keep at this all night long, but the facts are apparent. People that like Jordan, and hate Kobe, will always try to justify why Kobe will never be as good as Jordan, but facts are facts, Kobe is in fact better than Jordan.

I have been a lifelong Laker fan. (well at least since I was old enough to know what basketball is). Despite this loyalty to the purple and gold, over the last 20 years I never thought there would be anyone as great as Jordan was in his years with the Bulls. He...did.....well, he did it all and with a different cast of characters each time. Now, I can without a doubt, can say there is another who can be put into the same sentence as MJ, and that is #24, KB..Kobe Bryant. From the day the trade was made that got the Lakers the rights to sign Bryant in 1996, and his pairing with #34, I knew the Lakers would remain relevant for years and years. While we all talk about the MJ and KB comparison, why not just let each stand on his own meritts. Who was the better boxer, Ali or Tyson? Who was the better baseball pitcher, Seaver or Glavin? The better QB, Brady or Unitas? I leave this by simply stating..MJ or KB? Both the best to play the game. MJ..best there ever was..KB best there is and possibly the best there ever will be. Soon we may begin to beg the questions KB or CP (Chris Paul). I'm out............

Hands! Hands! Hands! Respectable debate but one point I mentioned earlier which unfortunately for the pro-Kobe guys sums up the debate. Hands! I wish Kobe were the greater player but I have seen all of Kobe's games and love him but he will never be MJ because his hands are no where near the size of his. Rent an MJ greatest games video and see how much ball you can see when MJ has the ball. Kobe simply cannot control the ball like MJ and do the things he did. Kobe cannot palm it, dunk it, pass it, or change direction with the ball like MJ did. He could not get the steals or blocks MJ did. It is an unfair comparison. Also, note if your a Laker fan you know Kobe has a tendency to force shots and have a 25% night once in a while and we have learned to take the good with the bad. While Kobe may have more 60 point games when it is said and done, MJ was more consistent and rarely had those 25% shooting nights. Again, I am a Laker fan but reality is reality.

MJ is by far the best basketball player of all time. Consider this: if MJ were to play basketball today following the current officiating rules, his average would be at least 50+. If Kobe were to play basketball during the Bad Boys era, he would have been a cry baby because he couldn't score points. David Stern changed the officiating rules to promote high scoring games. Therefore, with just a touch, a foul is called. During the MJ era, he had been brought down regularly and no fouls were called. Another note worth mentioning: MJ never cried to get top players to play with him in order to win, Kobe did; MJ was not selfish, Kobe is and will always be; MJ thinks highly of those around him, Kobe is egocentric. Didn't you see Kupchak last night? He didn't even want to look at Kobe, and I don't blame him. Again, MJ is the best and most complete player ever to play the game of basketball. Period!

I think Jordan's game is seen by many as an innovation, whereas I see it as an evolution of Dr. J's. I'm not sure we'd have had one without the other preceding it. I feel the same about Kobe's game; it is a mirror of MJ's, but there is also an evolution to it and I think it's significant. What Kobe has done, is take Jordan's unmistakeable style, and use it to score whenever he wants. The best comparison I can think of is if MJ could "flip the switch" as the Bulls would in the playoffs, Kobe can throttle that intensity by the minute or even the second. He also can call his shot - a play in game 5 in the fourth quarter against the Spurs, while running down the clock he motioned for a pick and every person in the building had to know exactly when and where he was going to score, and he did it without anyone getting within two feet of him. During the Western Conference Finals, his droughts were self-induced simply because he didn't even try to score. Two quarters later he could have 30 or more no problem. Jordan could turn it on better than anyone, but not at the rate Kobe is now, not with the consistency and not at Kobe's age. It's just the next evolution. If Kobe gets a few more championships, and with this young squad in which Kobe seems like an relative old man, this could be quite a run. They could blow it too and Kobe isn't immune to injury, but if they do make a run, it won't be too much to mention Bryant and Jordan in the same sentence. One other thing that might raise Kobe's stature over Jordan's in the end - Bryant appears not only as competitive, but also so focused on basketball that I can't ever picture him leaving the sport for something like baseball (I realize there were other things involved, yet still I would be shocked to see Bryant walk away - he didn't hint at it during his problems). Shouldn't that count for something if his career plays out like that?

It's funny reading the comments that say Kobe will win 7 titles when he hasn't even won four yet!!! Talk about putting the horse before the wagon!!! If these people are so good at predicting the future, they should play the lottery.

There is no comparison...people who think Kobe is better than Jordan are either too young to have seen Jordan play every night or they are Laker fans.

Once more, Jordan didn't have the luxury of playing with Shaq as soon as he came into the league, and riding him for three titles. If Kobe is so great, he would have been winning titles without Shaq years ago.

Hey Tim-
First of all, Shaq was a beast when Kobe was just a young pup. Shaq was the #1 guy for the first 3 quarters, and Kobe was the #1 guy in the 4th quarter. But Shaq was one of the all-time greats, I'll give you that one. Regarding Gasol being better than Pippen though, let me help you with some perspective. While Pau Gasol has been an NBA All-Star 1 time (same as Horace Grant, who was also 2nd team Defense 4 times)and had never won a playoff GAME in his 7year career. That is also 1 fewer all-star appearances than Dennis Rodman (who was also 1st Team Defense 7 times!). Also, don't forget that Pippen was on the 50 greatest list. He is a shoe in first ballot hall of famer. Don't forget that there seemed to be a leaguewide cliche/consensus at the time that Jordan was the league MVP, and that Pippen was the best all-around player. Pippen was an 10-time All-NBA Defense 1st team, and 8-time All-NBA 1st Team (both 2nd most in league history). Over the Bulls 8 year run, he averaged 20pts, 6assists, 7.5 rebounds, 2+ steals, 1+ blocked shot. Also, he led the '94 Bulls team (sans Jordan) to 2 fewer regular season wins than the previous year WITH Jordan, to a loss in 7 games in the conference semifinals in the 1 year that Jordan was gone to a Knicks team that lost in 7 games to the Rockets in the Finals (1994 playoffs), and he finished 3rd in the MVP voting that year. In the 2 previous years (1992 and 1993 playoffs), the Bulls beat the Knicks 4-3 and 4-2 respectively. This should give you some perspective as to how good that Bulls team was, even without Jordan. Don't slight Jordan's roster. They were better with him, but they were still contenders even without him. MJ put them over the top. For Pippen, the best individual comparison to a current player would be KG. A guy who fills up the stat sheet, is a defensive SUPERSTAR, a legit #1 option offensively, and a guy who creates for everyone else. Meanwhile, Pau Gasol was never a legit #1 guy, and Lamar was never a great #2 guy. This Laker team would be looking up at the Clippers in the standings without Kobe. It only works because with Kobe, Pau is the #2 guy and Odom is a #3, where they are both at their best. The main point is, don't undersell Pippen. He without question belongs in any conversation of the greatest all-around players in the history of the game. The scary thing about Kobe is that 10 years from now, Kobe will have 3 rings by playing the Pippen role (except Kobe was the 4th quarter CLOSER), and another 2, 3, 4, or 5 rings laying the Jordan role. The sad thing for you is that one day you will wake up and realize that you completely missed the career of the 1st or 2nd best perimeter player in league history because you were too busy building your MJ statue in your back yard.

Kobe was asked this question Friday night on ESPN by Stephen A. Smith. He personally said that no one will compare to Jordan and that Jordan is the greatest. He also resisted the comparison, saying that he just wants to be the best HE can be - he really would like the question to stop coming up.

One more thing: Kobe gets a bad rap because he idolizes - and in many ways imitates - Jordan. However, that's natural. Jordan himself, by his own admission, idolized Dr. J and patterned his game after his. If it's okay for Jordan, it should be okay for Kobe.

KOBE IS THE BEST PLAYER TO PLAY THE GAME.. ITS DONE.. JORDAN CANNOT EVEN COMPARE TO KOBE WITH ALL HONESTLY.!

JORDAN DOMINATED BECAUSE HE HAD NO OTHER GOOD COMPETITION DURING HIS ERA WHILE KOBE GOES UP AGAINST LEBRONS IVERSONS MELOS TMACS

PLEASE STOP DISRESPECTING KOBE BY COMPARING HIM TO JORDAN... KOBE IS THE GREATEST

Ah, the great Kobe/Jordan debate. There are many things you could say about both players. I think in some ways each of them have some things they do better and some things the do worse, but in the end they will both be known as one of the greatest players ever. Kobe is a better ballhandler than jordan, a better long range shooter (jordan was pretty bad). Jordan was a better defensive player, and probobly a smarter and better team player. Both are the NBA's greatest closers of their era, both have similair styles and shots (yes im talking about their unbelievable slashing ability and their infamous fadeaway), both have long legacies and won many awards. They are very similiar players. Personally I don't think we can truely compare the two until Kobe puts his jersey down for the last time. Until then we can acknowledge them as some of the all time greats, and thats as much as we can do.

MJ's work stands by itself. It's too early to compare Kobe's to it at this point. Although Kobe is a great talent, he hasn't accomplished the things MJ has to this point.

Kobe hasn't been the dominant player on his championship teams. That distinction belongs to Shaq no matter what any Kobe fan thinks. Oh, you say Pippen was great? Yes he was but not at first, try telling that to MJ in the playoffs with Scottie begging out and crying at the end of the bench because of the rough play of the other team ("migraine"? Baloney)

To say todays teams are tougher, try telling that to MJ who was beat up constantly by the Riley Knicks and Pistons. Has Kobe been a great leader or make his teammates better? Up until this season, absolutely not.

Kobe also hoists up a greater percentage of bad shots. You never saw MJ take bad shots like that.

Until Kobe wins a few rings as THE dominant player on his team, you cannot even compare him to MJ. You have to look at more than just pure talent.

And yes, MJ was unbearably arrogant and smug and the refs looked the other way more often than they should have and he had to be reminded that Kerr or Paxson were open on the wings at crunch time, but his work still stands head and shoulders above Kobe's at this point. That could change later but that's the way it is.

And please, don't even try injecting Lebron into this argument. As good as he is, his work is no where near MJ or Kobe at this stage of his career. He gets away with traveling everytime he has the ball and he whines if he doesn't get a call. Come on now...

kobe is actually better becuz u see lebron right now and he is domonating the game....kobe did not have that chance he had to be the 2nd man over the young years of his carreer./.......so yes u are right kobe bryant is the greatest baketball player who has ever been on earth

When asked that same question regarding Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant laughed and quickly defused any comparisons. That is what he has to say in order not to sound too arrogant or pretentious. There hasn't been anyone like him. Just like there has never been anyone like His Airness. It's hard to quantify greatness especially over time and eras. Yes, Michael has more rings, MVPs, and scoring titles, but he never had to share the stage with a future Hall of Famer. [note to Bulls fan: Scottie Pippen will not be in the Hall of Fame, as great as everyone thought he was.] And yes, everyone talks about the fierce competitiveness and refuse-to-lose mentality that they both have. As a basketball fan I cannot take anything away from MJ, but as a diehard Laker follower I gotta take my man. In either case, I wouldn't be wrong and that's the beauty of this game and how it evolves---why we love it so much. Once in lifetime we can watch a truly gifted athlete at the top of his game and at the peak of his powers and just marvel. Fortunately for us, we've been witness to two.

Everybody will you all wake up please. Jordan is the best every, why? 1. the fade away shot, Jordan perfected that shot where opponets had trouble trying to defend that shot. (Jamal Mashburn is the only player ever come close perfecting that shot.) 2. Jordan can do everything else kobe can do for example cross people over, shoot the jump shot, and score at will. Kobe had a better team than Jordan. People don't understand the bulls last 3 championship reign with the players Jordan had around him. Starting 5 of MJ, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, Luke Lonely, Denise Rodman. Kobe had shaquille O'Neal Karl Malone, Robert Horry Gary Payton and ever guy on that roster is hall of famers kobe ranned that whole team out of town. I like Kobe don't get me wrong he is one of the best players of today, Lebron James is right now killing what legacy Kobe is trying to create. Lebron is the new prototype of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. Dude doesn't have a legitimate team to shine and he's all ways carried the team on his back, let him have the team Kobe has. We'll be talking about Cleveland than the Lakers. Lebron is a speciman I never seen before in any era and he's getting better as the years goes and comes. MJ the greatest ever Kobe will leave his mark and Lebron will come wiped some of his records away. King James baby number 23 bigger and stronger with gifted mental basketball I.Q. Oh I forgot Jordan had more game winning shots than any player in NBA history, tell Kobe to top that please. If I can remember Robert Horry and Dereck Fisher was two difference makers why the Lakers advance to two of there finals, not Kobe. So please kill the crap because it doesn't make no sence. (holla atcha boy) Lerisco

Shut up all of you! We haven't mentioned competiion. The league is and has been watered down for the past 10 years. We'll never know who's better. To me Kobe is Mike Tyson...amazing but never challenged. Defense is a lost art, Kobe has it easier compared to the more physical play of the 90s (Jordan Rules). Laker fans are not basketball fans. They only watch Laker games but they comment on everything else. Shutup!

Every NBA dynasty has had a dominant point guard and/or center. Jordan and Pippen won 6 rings without those elements. What Kobe has done this year is amazing. This year is MJs path...its much harder without help.

Jordan is Ali, Babe Ruth, Jesse Owens, Gretzky, Jim Brown

Kobe is Mike Tyson, Barry Bonds, Carl Lewis, Sidney Crosby, Walter Payton

Kobe is great but he's not an "Icon".

But...his carreer is not over.

nice comment Collin, but dont you think Kobe gave a lot of efforts too? if hes not on the floor for lakers before, will the lakers won 3 titles in a row?
and kobe is the closest man to MJ right now, dont trip

nice comment Collin, but dont you think Kobe gave a lot of efforts too? if hes not on the floor for lakers before, will the lakers won 3 titles in a row?
and kobe is the closest man to MJ right now, dont trip

Hopefully, after last nights performance, we can put this debate to bed. MJ would have NEVER allowed that !!!!!!

Kobe and the Lakers CHOKED Thurs night (Game 4). I agree with above comment. MJ would have never allowed that to happen. Keep trying Kobe. Maybe one day you will approach TRUE greatness. Kobe couldn't even shake Paul Pierce (with a bum knee). Oh and by the way..did you see his jump shot get blocked ????

A lot was said about why Jordan was better than Kobe and lot was said about why Kobe is as good as Jordan. I'd like to take folks here back in time. I don't think people would debate my claim here that the current Celtics are not as good as the Celtics of '86, led by Bird, McHale and Parrish, or that the current Celtics is not has great a defensive team as the '86 team. Yet, in his second NBA year and way before his prime, Jordan scored 63 points (an NBA record at the time) in an playoff game against the fabled Celtics with no supporting cast. In comparison, look what happened to Kobe in this championship series.

Jordan is not remembered by his stats (Wilt is much better in terms of scoring), but his ability to control the game and how he can make his teammates better.

Jordan controlled the game even when hand checking was allowed and there was no restricted area. It's fun to watch his game, because his team may still win the game when they were trailing 20+ pts.

Kobe can almost do something like that (that's why I like him too), but he needs more time in order to be as good as Jordan.

I recalled Jordan was smashed on the floor many times when he played against pistons and knicks, but he had the heart to attack the hoop over and over again. Kobe needs more time to be like that.

To that idiot Daniel who wrote:

'JORDAN DOMINATED BECAUSE HE HAD NO OTHER GOOD COMPETITION DURING HIS ERA WHILE KOBE GOES UP AGAINST LEBRONS IVERSONS MELOS TMACS': you are so stupid! You are obviously young and do not know enough about the history of the NBA!!!! Are you telling me that Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Isiah Thomas, Clyde Drexler, Shaq, Olaguwon, Hardaway were not good competition for Jordan? Do you think Kobe could LEAD a team against these types of players to six championships? Kobe is a fantastic player but does not have the proffessionalism of MJ to LEAD a team to championships. He is far more concerned with his own statistics - Jordan was more concerned at winning championships. Basketball is a team game, Kobe has done his best to try and replicate Jordan, but a Jordan he will never be.

Jordan came out of retirement TWICE and still smashed records and won titles! People are fogetting this on this blog.

Kobe plays great, but Jordans a great player!

ummmmm

Jordan is in a different league. No comparison at all.