"It's just God disguised as Michael Jordan," said Celtic great and Hall-of-Famer Larry Bird after Michael Jordan put up 63 points against the Celtics in game two of the 1986 NBA Playoffs.
Today, I keep hearing the argument that Kobe Bryant is the next Michael Jordan and he is just as good as Michael was. Whenever I hear this, whether it be from a distinguished commentator from the TNT network or just a friend, I can't help but strongly disagree. While watching the NBA Finals, I heard Marc Jackson, former point guard for the Knicks who played against Jordan, say how Kobe is more of an offensive threat now than Jordan ever was simply because Kobe had a much larger repertoire of shots than Jordan had. To me, having a variety of different shots doesn't make you a greater offensive threat.
Then I started focusing intently on Kobe Bryant and how he was faring against the Celtics in the Finals. I watched Kobe closely on both ends. After observing him, there is no doubt in my mind that Bryant is a great player, and in today's NBA, he is by far the best all-around player in terms of playing on both ends of the court. However, one thing stood out to me while watching him play the Celtics and it wasn't just a problem in the Finals, but all season.
Throughout the Finals, Bryant would go through scoring droughts and wouldn't really influence the game the way he should have or was capable of doing. In game four of the Finals, he scored just three points the whole first half and couldn't get his team out of a jam toward the end of the game. It was moments like that where I would think back to the comparisons to Jordan, and completely dismiss them. When Jordan played, he wasn't going to be denied - no matter what. He would never let the opposing team dictate what he did on either end of the court. He was always attacking and always aggressive, and he did it with such elegance making opponents look silly.
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Dead on article. Jordan won 6 championships (and 6 Finals MVP's) as the leader of his team. Kobe has 3 championships and 0 Finals MVP's. Kobe was the second best player on his team during those championship years. That was when Shaq was in his dominant prime, putting up ridiculous 40pt/20 rebound games in the Finals. Jordan rose his game in the Finals each year. Kobe has shot 35% in his last 2 Finals appearances (11 games). I could go on and on with stats and how the rule changes of today allow players like Kobe to go to the free throw line if they are breathed on (defenders were allowed to hand-check Jordan and he still shot 50% for his career; Kobe shoots 45 with easier defenses), but I will spare you. It seems like people have short memories and want to think they are watching the best, but they are watching someone who isn't even close. Kobe is great, but Jordan was about 2 or 3 levels ahead of him.
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Athletically the games moved on...physically Kobe is arguably more skilled,his zones hotter and his outside shot better.He does compete against better athletes and while he competes against 'softer' defences,NBA coaches are far more used to designing defensive schemes to stop players of that mould.Nobody will ever rival Jordans career becasue everything from marketing to timing to luck to his abilites combined to make it a fairytale but the truth is to sti there and say Kobe has three titles etc is only half the picture.Jordan played on the best team.its easy to look good on the best team...throughout the western playoffs Kobe looked like Jordan.Watch what happens when he has the best team...Kobe still has to prove it but he has the skill,mentality and tenacity to rival Jordan when all is said and done - he just needs the situation to prove it.In reality theres very little difference between the two but like it or not its tough to argue Kobe is a serious rival right now...but hes one of the few guys that will ever be in palce to even have a shot at challenging the throne.The lakers win 4 straight titles starting next season and its a genuine discussion....and that could happen.
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Jordan played against Bird and Magic, 2 of the greatest of all time. Somehow, he managed to be unquestionably the best player in the world by a FAR margin. Kobe, on the other hand, got severely outplayed by Paul Pierce in the Finals. Paul Pierce isn't even a top 10 player in the NBA, yet shut Kobe down on defense and scored at will on him on offense. You can argue that LeBron is better than Kobe is right now. Jordan never would have been part of such a debate. Jordan revolutionized the game, while Kobe stole Jordan's style,hence the comparisons. Jordan had a better Finals game with the flu (38 points against the Jazz in terrible condition) than Kobe had healthy in any of his 6 games against Boston. Does anyone honestly think that Jordan would lose to Kobe head-to-head if they were both in their primes and met in the Finals? Ha, I thought not. First Kobe should work on outplaying Paul Pierce. Oh, and one more point. Jordan was the best DEFENSIVE player of his time also, ranking second in steals ALL TIME.
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Dan, Jordan was on the best team? I think that's because he was on it! You are telling me that Will Perdue, BJ Armstrong, Horace Grant, and Scottie Pippen (the only other skilled player) is a better lineup than Kobe, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol (all star) and the deep bench unit? I agree Kobe had a great Western Conference playoff run, but that was the best 2 months he ever had shooting the ball (close to 50%). Jordan played at or above that level for 10 years. Jordan shot 54% for a season at guard, so I find it funny that people argue Kobe is somehow the better shooter of the 2. THey have identical 3 point percentages, Kobe just shoots it WAY more frequently. Don't tell me that players are athletically superior these days either. THink of all the soft Euros that are in the league now to make it a global game, not to mention kids straight from high school who don't have developed games.
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Kobe is my favorite player and prob the best right now but does not belong in the discussion with MJ truthfully..
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No, i think that's bret hart....
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Come on dude, the NBA has evolved light years. Do you honestly think that Craig Elho or John Paxon could play in today's NBA? The list could go on. Snap back into reality, your childhood red and black goggles are on too tight.
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I wouldn't say Kobe is physically more skilled though for the comment down below. Jordan, when he first came into the league, was a much better pure athlete than Kobe ever was. Just watch clips of him around 87-88 or 85-86 and you'll see what I mean. Also, Paxson was never a great player and in fact I don't know if you could say he was a good player so I don't know where you got that idea that they could even really play back then. Oh, who is Craig Elho again? See my point. Neither one was ever a standout or even average but I'm sure they would be better than the modern day Darius Miles' of the league. How about asking whether or not Joe Dumars, Scottie Pippen, Isaiah Thomas, Ron Harper, "Coop" from the "showtime" lakers could play in today's game instead. I think we know the answer would have to be yes. I'd also take my red and black goggles to your naivete any day.
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I'm not disputing the fact that Jordan was a better athlete when he came into the league, he was 3 or 4 years older than Kobe. I just don't agree on your assessment of talent in Jordan's era NBA. I love Michael Jordan as much as the next guy but with the NBA's evolution of talent both domestically and internationally I do not think there is any question to who plays in a tougher league. And the naivete comment is completely uncalled for "constructive criticism" ever heard of it young author?
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Jordan did not shoot 50% for his career. You need to get your facts straight kid..
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Jordan while with the Bulls shot 50 % field goal average. Jordan including his Bulls and Wizards days shot .497 Field goal Career. Amazing. Kobe has shot worst than his team 9 out of his 11 years
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Jordan while with the Bulls shot 50 % field goal average. Jordan including his Bulls and Wizards days shot .497 Field goal Career. Amazing. Kobe has shot worst than his team 9 out of his 11 years
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