The KOBE vs JORDAN Debate

[grovestreet]

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read below

[grovestreet]

Why Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan:

Reason 1: Better defense, better players, more competition, and better basketball overall.

Kobe plays in the modern defensive era of traps, doubles, and zone defenses. From the year 2001, the NBA effectively legalized zone defensive, thus discouraging 1-on-1 play. Compare this to Michael Jordan's weaker era, where had to luxury of playing "iso" all game long. Kobe cannot even post up without getting doubled.

Many people think zone's are weak defenses, that is because so many teams don't play it properly. While they may be weak against great passing teams with shooters, if played properly, zone defenses are great against dominant individuals (Kobe, Garnett, etc) that have a weak supporting cast. The whole world plays zone. Even in College basketball, the "purest" form of basketball, the teams play almost entirely zone defense. Around the world, other countries use zone all the time. And if you want to see its effectiveness, just look at the 2006 summer games.

Furthermore today's NBA is far more competitive. Not only does Kobe have to deal with zone, he goes up against taller, bigger and stronger defenders than Jordan ever did. Back in the 1980's most of the shooting guards Jordan played against were 6''2 to 6''4. Kobe can shoot over shorter players like that with unbelievable efficiency, yet he plays against players that are 6''5 to 6''9. In the 80s, outside of a few good teams (Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Knicks) there was really not that much competition. Today, even the worst teams in the league (i.e bobcats, hawks) are good and can hold their own with any team they face.

Sure, the 80's was a more physical brand of basketball. But physicality, does not translate into effectiveness. If you ask any great scorer which is harder: 1) Playing with double and triple teams or 2) Having to deal with stiff-arms and armbars, they would chose the former. And furthermore, you think Kobe doesn't face armbars/stiff-arms? How can you guard Kobe without using your hands? It is impossible. With the rules the way they are, Kobe should be getting two free throws on almost every trip down.

Reason 2: Individual skill sets

Michael Jordan revolutionized the game of basketball and defined the future of the SG position. Then Kobe Bryant came along, and perfected this. When you compare their two skill sets, it goes like this:

Kobe Bryant: Better shooter, better ball-handler, better range, better play maker, better passer, better off-hand, better scorer, better killer instinct.

Michael Jordan: Smarter player, more efficient, more consistent defensively.

The both have the about equal footwork and "clutch" abilities.

In 2006, Phil Jackson said that "Kobe is better than Michael with the basketball." Even when Kobe was only 21 years old, Phil already said that Kobe is a better playmaker:

"I think it's the best that I've ever seen a player of mine play with an overall court game. I'm asking him to do so much, and he's accomplishing it. I never asked Michael to be a playmaker."

Link: http://espn.go.com/page2/s/clo ser/020212.html

So why is Michael Jordan revered while Kobe Bryant is not?

Michael Jordan had such a big impact on basketball financially and economically. In the early 80's, the league was in recession and basketball wasn't that big. When Michael Jordan came around, the league and its sponsors (Nike, Gatorade, etc), took a great player in Michael Jordan and turned him into an icon. Michael was a master of controlling his image, and appealing to the people. This is something Kobe has not managed to do. Jordan could do no wrong with fans, and possessed an almost saint-like status. It is this nostalgia and this image of Jordan that fans have come to love. This is why they cannot accept that Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan. By better, I don't mean statistically. Jordan will always have better numbers, averages, and accolades than Kobe. Period. But skill-wise and ability-wise, Kobe has surpassed him in this tougher era of basketball.

Lastly, there is a popular myth that Jordan won 6 titles as a one-man show. This is far from the truth. He played with:

-3 All-Stars (Pippen, Rodman, Grant)
-2 of the games best defenders (Pippen and Rodman)
-1 of the 50 greatest players of all-time (Pippen)
-2 The games best 3 point shooters (Kerr and Kukoc)

Even without Michael Jordan, Pippen and the bulls managed to get a staggering 55 wins.

[punad]

MJ of course...

[am_believer24]

nice one groovestreet...clap! clap! clap!
♥♥♥

[nolex]

i'd have to say michael jordan since he was a better defender than kobe. even jordan said that in both their primes, he'd win, no contest.

YouTube of the Day: Michael Jordan, 45 years young - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

At the beginning of the Q&A:
Q: Who would win in a one-on-one game — you or Kobe?
MJ: Kobe would win because I'm older. In my prime? Not even a contest. Let's just say I have a better chance of stopping him than of him stopping me.

i totally agree... MJ in his prime will be too much for kobe to handle.

MJ got lots of tricks down the court..

[vanguard]

Even without Michael Jordan, Pippen and the bulls managed to get a staggering 55 wins.

Is this trying to imply that MJ is not really that of a great factor for Chicago? Simply put, where was Kobe and the Lakers as soon as Shaq, Malone, and Payton left? And going back to the Finals series against Indiana, Bryant sprained his ankle and the Lakers still managed to win the game, thanks to Shaq and Glen Rice.

[pollybusngiw]

mismatch pod ani oi...JORDAn of course......

[ironman]

Ahhhh the chants of "YOU'RE NOT JORDAN!!!" from the Boston crowd in the dying moments of Kobe's supposedly "perfect" season and the look on his face...^^

PRICELESS!!!

The last i checked; kobe never said he wanted to be MJ... it just so happen that they pretty much have the same height and position.... you can't blame kobe for that.

[ironman]

Michael Jordan is Better.

There was already a press conference with Phil Jackson, if Jordan played with the current defensive rules right now he would average 45+ points a game, and currently Kobe Bryant averages only 30+ points with this rule.

Slight Hand check? and a foul ? i miss the good old bball days. rubo jd tanan! mao to sak2. Every foul in the old days was like a flagrant foul.. Little fouls like hand-checking or a slap wouldn't be called a foul. Does anyone remember Jordan Rules? from Detroit Pistons LOL.

Kobe scores more points in Free Throws because of little fouls.. Jordan scores with hard fouls.

Kobe needs to carry his team and make them better, Jordan did it.. but Kobe Can't



I agree.

talent wise, i think both are on the same level... JORDAN just had a better team that kobe (post shaq lakers team)... it would be a slap on the other bulls if we say JORDAN carried the team on his back... why dont you watch the whole season/s... NOT THE HIGHLIGHTS.

[ironman]

You're a dreamer...

i'm a laker fan bro... and a hell of a KOBE BRYANT fan but thats a pretty difficult goal to reach... surpassing MJ would mean KOBE getting the best teamates there is... for 5 more seasons. and he'll be 35 by then....

Still..... KOBE's the best!!!