Who's Better - Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant?
During the Game 1 telecast of the 2008 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers, ABC/ESPN commentator and former player Mark Jackson asserted that while a year and a half ago he took a different view, he now believes that Kobe Bryant is as good a player as Michael Jordon was.
Will the Kobe Versus Michael Debate Ever End?
Is Kobe Bryant better than Michael Jordan??
Debate won't go away: who is best in basketball? Taking a closer look at the comparison of Jordan and Bryant requires more than just subjective standpoints based on fan bias and common assumptions. Most longtime fans would agree that Michael Jordan is the superior player. However, some of the younger fans choose Kobe over MJ. When taking full analysis, it comes quite clear that MJ is the better basketball player, and possibly the best of all-time. Jordan globalized basketball during his career with his unique athleticism and graceful style of play. When asked for the complete basketball player, he has the whole package. Jordan has a keen sense of putting the ball in the hoop by any means necessary as well as making the highly improbable look easy. It should be noted that Jordan played in the best defensive era in NBA history, which is largely due to the lack of sensitivity when calling fouls. Bryant is the closest thing to Jordan we've seen in the history of basketball. He shares that same rare ability to score at will, no matter what a defense throws at him. So, who do you choose?
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Just the Facts Please, Just the Facts
There are the Kobe-lovers and Jordan-lovers, and it's fun to talk about which player is really better with a beer in hand and the game on the tube. But an objective look at the facts leaves only one conclusion: There is no doubt. Michael Jordan was the better player, with the better stats, and the greater achievements.Despite what the Kobe-lovers may think about such a seemingly one-sided statement, we need only look at offensive output and defensive outut by career and individual season to see that MJ gets the nod.
Just because in 2008 we are able to witness Kobe's amazing athletic feats live on HD flat screens everywhere, it doesn't mean that Kobe compares favorably to MJ simply because many younger fans never saw Jordan play live.
Here are the facts...
Offensive Output: Jordan Has the Numbers
Scoring, assists, rebounds...
Defensive Output: Jordan Comes Out on Top
Again, whether looking at steals, blocked shots or rebounds - by career or overall best season - Jordan is the man.What many who never saw MJ play fail to realize is that he was one of the most feared defenders in the league. He had a way of disarming his opponents with smiles, jokes and back-slaps, just before the whistle blew and he once again stole the ball from an opponent who was suddenly not laughing.
Jordan was the rare offensive master who was also so effective on defensive, in 1988.
Career Achievements: Jordan Takes the Gold Ring (Literally)
Michael Jordan played on an NBA Championship team six times, Kobe, three. The 2008 Championship series didn't help make the case for Kobe either. Certainly, being able to lead a team to the Big Prize must be one of the most important characteristics in a truly great player.
Jordan was also voted NBA League MVP six times. That's five more than Kobe, and speaks to Jordan's all around abilities and ability to lead and inspire his team.
Jordan was named as NBA All-Star 14 times to Kobe's 10. But Kobe still appears to be going strong, and it was Kobe who set a recored for youngest player ever to achieve All Star status.
As already noted, Jordan was not just a great offensive threat but a great defender as well. Rarely does a truly great offensive player receive Defensive Player of the Year honors as MJ did in '88.
Then there were Jordan's two Olympic Gold Medals. Kobe's not there yet either.
Jordan and Bryant on YouTube
Poll Time! Michael Jordan Versus Kobe Bryant All Time
OK You Voted - But What Do You Think?
Here's your chance to weigh in on the whole Kobe vs. Michael debate!
So who is it? Who's better and why?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byMJ is the Man
jay says:
Jordan is undefeated in every championship game. Kobe will never be able to match that feat.
Posted September 02, 2008
Derek says:
The icon status, the rings, the finals mvps, the way he made his team BETTER, the stats...kobe is dang good...DANG good..not top ten of all time..not even CLOSE to the AIR
Posted July 31, 2008
Dave says:
It's like comparing Michael Jackson with Usher. Usher may be a good dancer, make good music, be a hell of an entertainer, but to compare the two... the best you can put it is to say "like father like son." Usher will NEVER even come close to making the amount of noise Jackson made; fans fainted, world leaders praised him, martians even knew who Michael Jackson was. Michael Jackson's competition was Prince. Usher's? Ne-Yo? Usher is the present, but will never be more of a presence, and I think that is what needs to be, but can never be compared, because it is an unconscious enigma. I'm sure if you drive far enough... "Who's Usher?"
Posted July 05, 2008
davonte williams says:
micheal jordan because kobe got a long way but
it will be close wene he does get there
Posted June 22, 2008
snake says:
For Lizard who says Jordan didn't have competition... HA! Jordan had tougher competition than Kobe ever did!! Barkley, Malone, Payton, Isiah, Bird, Ewing, Miller, Magic, David Robinson, Hakeem, Dominique, among numerous other all-stars were much better than Kobe's competition today. You're living in a dream world.
Posted June 18, 2008
Dan says:
There's no question the impact that Jordan had on the game, and his legacy will live on much longer than Kobe's ever will. Kobe will forever be remembered as the guy who couldn't win a championship without Shaq. This should not even be a debate, Jordan is the greatest basketball player to ever play the game, and for the time being, will forever BE the greatest.
Posted June 18, 2008
Kobe is the Man
Eagle says:
I believe Jordan is overated. Yes i said it notice that when he left in 94 i believe the bulls won two less games then they did with jordan the previous year. Only reason they did not win the playoffs in 94 the bulls lost to the knicks because of a bad foul call. The Bulls were eliminated from the playoffs in 95 with jordan because of their terrible rebounding. Although Jordan is still one of the best for you Jordan fans :).
Posted August 02, 2008
lizard says:
When Jordan was in his prime he had no competition in the league. Kobe has to play night in and night out against far superior competition. Even with all that weak d Jordan never got 81 pts in his dreams. One on one Kobe would run circles around MJ.
Posted June 16, 2008
For Kobe Fans...
Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers #24 Replica Adidas NBA Basketball Jersey (Gold)
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Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers Purple Youth Replica Adidas NBA Jersey
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Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers 2008 MVP T-shirt
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adidas Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant 2008 NBA MVP T-Shirt
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For MJ Fans...
Ultimate Jordan (20th Anniversary Three-Disc Collector's Edtion)
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 10/07/2008)
Michael Jordan: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)
Amazon Price: $28.00 (as of 10/07/2008)
Read More on the Kobe Versus MJ Debate
Comparison of the two great athletes when they were each 22 years old.
The Gretest Basketball Player Ever
One writer's point of view, from the LA Sentinel.
Kobe Bryant May Be Better Than Michael Jordan
Another take on Kobe's overall, and recent, performance.
Squidoo Member Comments
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Matthew_Ferry
Michael Jordan is far far far more better than Kobe Bryant..and that's the fact =) Posted June 30, 2008 |
