Lakers author Roland Lazenby & L.A. Times' Mark Medina on Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant

[StephenEmmanuel]

Kobe = good player

MJ = GOAT

Main reasoning:

1. Atheltism (e.g. flight, dominance, hands, etc.)

2. Clutch (-- even with 2 years off! ... and general complex understanding of the game)

3. Era (pre-2000 the NBA game was very different ... more brutal defensive systems)

4. Determination (never give up attitude -- flu game)

5. Leadership (the ability to drive greatness in those around you)

Aside:

notice how Kobe _all_ emulates MJ's move (E.g. fade away)

[ilovefrankandbeans]

People need to realize that the NBA in the 90's was a lot tougher. Hand-checking was legal, fouls would go uncalled, a flagrant foul today was a regular foul back then etc. Ever heard of the Jordan Rules? Also, people only analyze the offensive side instead of both offense and defense. Michael was the complete package. Kobe is a GREAT player don't get me wrong, but it's hard to eclipse MJ even for someone like the Black Mamba. (Btw Roger Mayweather is the original Black Mamba)

[Knbballa]

To real basketball players and minds, this is not a surprise. Said this for years, Kobe is the closest to Michael, and everyone else is not even close.

[wizardhype]

Kobe is a great player but MJ is the best player.

[Strutization]

Kobe Bryant is no where near the plaer MJ was, if he played with Shaquile Oneal as soon as he came into the league they would won every championship until they retired. If MJ played with Pau Gasol & Andrew Bynum they would be championship contenders. Michael Jordan played in a much tougher NBA where they actually played defense, and flagrant fouls meant someone was bleeding and that's why Jordan had to make his body tougher. MJ made his teammates better, while Kobe's teammates make him better.

[Jonreynols]

@Strutization How does shaq make kobe better? He and Penny were swept a couple of times in the playoffs and against the rockets in the finals.. And ppl forget kobe avg 29, 7rebs, 6ast in the playoffs in 2001 and 27, 6rebs, 5ast in 2002.. Shaq didn't become a champion until he played with Kobe.. he didn't carry the team by himself

[Jonreynols]

@Strutization And I do agree that MJ is a better player but he didn't do it alone.. He also had Scottie Pippen who was there best all around player and primary ball handler and defender

[Narutotar]

@Jonreynols but think about it like this Bulls won the championship from 1991-93 with Michael on the team then he retired in 93 and bulls won no championships, he comes back from retirement in 95 and the bulls won the championship again from 1996-98. He was the difference maker on the Bulls even with Scottie Pippen

[Jonreynols]

@Narutotar yes you're right but if Scottie Pippen left the bulls or retired the same way MJ did during that time the bulls still wouldn't have a won a championship.. I think they made each other better.. Jordan didn't win without Pippen and vice versa..

[Strutization]

MJ missed most of a regular season due to a broken foot, he then missed 1 & 1/2 seasons bcuz of his first retirement, then he missed another 3 season when he retired before playing for the Wizards. So when u think about Kobe passing Jordan on the all time scoring list u have to take that into account, plus Kobe came into the league right out of high school so he's supposed to pass Jordan actually he should've passed Jordan on the scoring list sooner. Lebron James will shatter the scoring record.

[unioncity]

@Strutization

Kobe was a bench player for 3 years. The second scoring option until 2004. The main playmaker on his team since he became a starter. Phil Jackson admits that Kobe is a better playmaker than Jordan. As a starter Kobe's career average is 28 a game. If Kobe was a starter from the get go he would be averaging 30 points per game. And do not bring up Field Goal Percentage because when you factor in the 3 point makes Kobe's FG Percentage is 49 Percent and Jordan 51 percent.

[Jonreynols]

@unioncity good point

[DaMysteereusMon]

lol

[AndrewQuiroz24]

Kobe's ultimate competition is MJ, that's why MJ watches him.

[TheEliteplayer13]

kobe is kobe and mj is mj.....

[ThePoloman24]

yay

[MrBIGMACK19]

THE BEST MEETS THE BEST AFTER HIM! =) MJ to Mamba.