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

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

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Lakers
• Kobe Bryant
• Michael Jordan
• Chicago Bulls
• NBA
• basketball
• Tex Winter
• Phil Jackson
• Roland Lazenby
• Mark Medina
• Los Angeles Times

[MrBIGMACK19]

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

[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)

[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)

[Jonreynols]

@unioncity good point

[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.

[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.

[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..

[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

[wizardhype]

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

[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

[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