Kobe Bryant Vs. Michael Jordan - Who's Better?
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Who's Better - Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant?
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.

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
Sheed says:
http://aol.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2011-03-14/phil-jackson-says-kobe-bryant-not-in-michael-jordans-company There is once again what phil said, he has NEVER said what you just posted, there would be an article or video somewhere proving it but there isnt so please come with a FACTUAL argument why kobe is better or SHUT THE FUCK UP okay little pathetic kobetard!?
Posted February 14, 2012
Sheed says:
YOU are fucking retarded dude! He never said that! If he did post me the motherfucking link where he said it!!!! SHOW ME KOBERTARD!
Posted February 14, 2012
Sheed says:
If you base your own opinions on other peoples opinions your nothing but a sheep, but for the record this is what phil has said most recently on this subject:
“Kobe has patterned himself after Michael, and there are a lot of identical things there, but it’s one thing to hope to be like him, it’s another thing to be like him….
“I’m with [ESPN's] Bill Simmons on this,” he says. “We have to take Michael Jordan out of the equation. Stop comparing anyone to Michael Jordan. It’s just not fair. He was remarkable. Kobe’s in his own sphere.
“He doesn’t shoot the same percentage [.455] as Michael [.497]. He has the same characteristics as Michael, but he’s not the same player. It takes nothing away from him — he’s a great player in his own right.”
read what you want into that but please dont just puke out other peoples statements like, this guy said that so that must mean this and this guy said this and that guy said that yada yada yada fuck you!
Look into the numbers, achievements, awards, games played, minutes played, shots made, shots missed, playoffs etc etc and then tell me kobe is better i dare you!
Posted February 12, 2012
SOOBAMA says:
MjIsOverated you're an idiot!!! Lay off the crack pipe son!!! All the greats say that MJ is better than kobe! When they talk about kobe they compare him to Magic, Kareem, Shaq, D-Wade or Lebron!!! If he isn't the best in basketball now, how can he be better than the greatest?!!!! You brain dead la faker fans need to get a life! Like I said before, kobe lovers = MJ haters! kobe's is still living his legacy and if he is the best he should perform great against the best in the NBA! What happened in Dallas? SWEEP!!! And don't give me that he was hurt crap! He was out there! The fact is kobe always over perfoms against under performing teams(see Toronto)! Let's see what he does against the Heat, OKC, Dallas, Portland and the CLIPPERS! If he is who you kobe riders say he is, he should at least do great vs the best that the NBA has to offer! Not against the scrub teams, like the Knicks and Jeremy Lin, oh I'm sorry they lost to Knicks! W/o Carmelo & Stoudemire! The bottom line is kobean will NEVER EVER be as good as MICHAEL JEFFERY JORDAN!!!!!!! So you idiots need to argue who's the best laker!!! (Magic)
Posted February 12, 2012
mua says:
michael has an excellent achievements
Posted February 11, 2012
David says:
Michael is Boss vs Harder defense
Posted February 09, 2012
Kobe is the Man
MjIsOverated says:
Wow you MjLovers are just retarded. Phil Jackson says these exact words "Kobe Bryant is a more skilled and better basketball player than Michael Jordan." so again, unless your smarter than Phil, there's no argument.
Posted February 13, 2012
MjIsOverated says:
SOOBAMA, look it up. All the real basketball experts say Kobe's better. You know who would know better than anyone? Phil Jackson. And who does he say is better? KOBE BEAN BRYANT! So it doesn't matter what all you MjLovers say cause your just trying to make an argument with the greatest coach in NBA history! So unless you think you know more about b-ball than Phil, you have no argument.
Posted February 12, 2012
MjIsOverated says:
So many people say Mjs better. If you go to wal-Mart and ask everyone who's better MJ or Kobe? They say MJ. But if you go to espn and ask the REAL experts and ask who's better MJ or kobe? They say who? Kobe. Phil Jackson, the man that would know better than ANYONE else says Kobe's better. Scottie Pippen who helped MJ win all his rings say LeBrons better than Jordan, but Kobe's better than LeBron. Dennis Rodman says the same thing. Earvin Magic Johnson says Kobe's better, Bird says Kobe's better, Shaq states that he deserves to be compared with MJ and who else says that? MICHEAL FLIPPING JORDAN!
Posted February 09, 2012
tbird1000 says:
blaise u better check ur stats cuz kobe has played 100 more min than mj look it up. people this argument is officially OVER. stats, achievements, and entertainment and talent wise mj OWNS kobe and hes done it all with LESS TIME! u kobe homers have got to get that thru ur thick skulls. the only argument u guys had in the past was " well the black mamba has played less games and minutes than mj so its not fair to compare them yet" well its fair to compare them now and guess what? black mamba isnt even close and hes been playing in the SOFTEST ERA IN NBA HISTORY! case closed.
Posted February 07, 2012
drey says:
kobe is better because he has that win take all mentality unlike mj, just cause his name is mj that doesnt mean anything,mANY PEOPLE THINK KOBE IS BETTER, LOOK AT SPORTSCENTER
Posted February 01, 2012
màrcoss fàél says:
i say that kobe bryant is so better than michael jordan because he's so young and he can be the invencible champion of nba and of basketball.
Posted February 01, 2012
For Kobe Fans...
For MJ Fans...
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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dexter-yarbrough
Sep 11, 2011 @ 4:57 pm | delete
- Michael Jordan all the way! Great, fun lens!
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Phillyfreeze69
Jul 31, 2011 @ 7:53 pm | delete
- Michael Jordan said quite succintly..."that he had a lot of respect for the game" One can readily see how his respect for the game allowed him to play professional ball on a level that is unprecedent in todays games.
MJ's all-round game included defense, scoring, assists and rebounding and all the intangibles that make a athlete of his statue great!
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Flipsignore
Jul 8, 2011 @ 1:18 pm | delete
- I think with personality and IQ, I think MJ wins in those categories too.
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jamezsquidoo
Jun 7, 2011 @ 5:01 pm | delete
- no comparison here(MJ) : but, is there any way you can get higher quality videos on here? they're really grainy.
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jamezsquidoo
Jun 7, 2011 @ 5:01 pm | delete
- no comparison here(MJ) : but, is there any way you can get higher quality videos on here? they're really grainy.
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Recession-Proof
May 24, 2011 @ 11:25 am | delete
- Great lens, I love watching both, but grew up watching MJ.
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bryanwang23
May 20, 2011 @ 8:15 am | delete
- It is a very great topics with which I watched MJ's and Kobe's motion many times. We all admid Kobe is a very great player in the leage, but Michael combines too many traits in his moves which makes him into different level. You watch Mj and it is like " timeless, distantless, speechless, breathtaking, graceful, my god, this guy is from Mars or somewhere out of the spaces. And with MJ's strongest will, he never ever takwe 4-0 swept by any other team. As a team leaders for both, i think leadership set them apart.
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milkcananime
Feb 14, 2011 @ 3:30 am | delete
- Kobe is exceptionally great but Jordan is a Legend in Basketball!
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Margo_Arrowsmith
Nov 6, 2010 @ 7:06 am | delete
- Maybe its because they play too many games these days, but I can't watch the NBA these days, too slow. Give me a good college game!
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pyle_mountain
Oct 20, 2010 @ 12:49 pm | delete
- Nice lens and good debate to stir people up - I like it. :) MJ > Kobe
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