Kobe vs. Jordan at age 33

[Mamba Venom]

_________________Kobe_____ MJ
Games___________1,103_____734
Points___________27,868___23,544
All-Star___________13_________9
Championships_____5_________3
MVPs______________1_________3
Finals MVPs________2_________3
All-star MVPs_______4_________1
Gold Medals________1________2
All-D selections____11________9
All NBA selections__13________8
DPOY______________0_________1
Career high points__81_______69

*Jordan played in 369 less games by age 33

Who is the more accomplished player at age 33? I really think its Kobe.
I think Jordan's 96, 97 & 98 seasons are what puts over the top for GOAT IMO, to win that dominantly by that age WOW.

But, that means that IF(by some miracle) Kobe wins 2 more chips & a gold medal, he could become GOAT. Currently its hard to think its even possible, Jordan's 2nd 3-peat was incredible. But I think we should really be thankful that Kobe is a Laker, because he wants to win next season SOOOO bad.

[Mamba Venom]

Really the debate is what is more impressive to you.

Are Jordan's scoring titles w/ Pippen OR Kobe's championships as a top 3 player w/ Shaq more impressive. I'll take the championships.

[tugs]

Jordan's 2nd 3peat was 33+?! wow. now I have no doubt in mind that Kobe can still do it. MJ had Pippen, Rodman, Harper, Kerr and Kobe has Gasol, Bynum, Odom. though one can argue the competition during that period wasn't as close as this generation.

but is it fair to compare the 2 with stats? I mean Kobe got in the league earlier/younger than MJ.

[Slava]

Only thing funny is Kobe leading Jordan in DPOYs.

[Mamba Venom]

DPOY: Kobe has 0 to Air Jordan's 1.

MJ won his DPOY in '88. Kobe will probably never win one, although 9 1st team selections is pretty good, just not MJ good.

MJs 2nd 3-peat, the 72 win season and his DPOY are 2 achievements that Kobe doesn't have much of a chance to match.

Happy 33 birthday KOBE

[Slava]

I meant all D selections.

[frozt]

MJ went to college...

[jc23]

Personally I think Kobe needs to do more than just tie all of Jordans accomplishments. Kobe has to do some things that people can say in no way shape or form Jordan could have done (given the same opportunity).

The all time scoring title would definitely be impressive.

But outside of that and winning 2 more titles there really isnt anything out there for Kobe to eclipse Jordan.

[Imadogg]

Here's their career per36 stats until they hit 33 years old

Kobe:
45% FG
33.9% 3pt
83.7% FT
25 points
5.2reb
4.6ast
1.5stl
.5blk
2.9TO

MJ:
51% FG
33.2% 3pt
84.4% FT
29.8 points
5.9reb
5.3ast
2.5stl
.9blk
2.7TO

Michael Jordan wins FG%, points, reb, ast, stl, blk. Kobe wins 3pt% by a little, basically negligible. MJ wins FT% and TO by a little, negligible.

MJ also wins advanced stats, PER, eFG%, TS%, Ortg, Drtg, WS you name it.

MJ's playoff stats destroy Kobe's in every way too so let's not mention that.


I hope Kobe can bring us a few more titles, but he'll have to do more than just 7 titles to pass Jordan.

[RJM]

MJ has the edge in efficiency, and also managed to stay close despite missing two years due to retirement and one more due to a broken foot in 1986. I think he eclipses (if not overtakes) the relatively injury-free Kobe if we adjust the two of them for major injuries and time spent away. Lastly, Kobe came into the league at 17, whereas MJ was already in his 20s.

[Sedale Threatt]

Here's their career per36 stats until they hit 33 years old

Kobe:
45% FG
33.9% 3pt
83.7% FT
25 points
5.2reb
4.6ast
1.5stl
.5blk
2.9TO

MJ:
51% FG
33.2% 3pt
84.4% FT
29.8 points
5.9reb
5.3ast
2.5stl
.9blk
2.7TO

Michael Jordan wins FG%, points, reb, ast, stl, blk. Kobe wins 3pt% by a little, basically negligible. MJ wins FT% and TO by a little, negligible.

MJ also wins advanced stats, PER, eFG%, TS%, Ortg, Drtg, WS you name it.

MJ's playoff stats destroy Kobe's in every way too so let's not mention that.

I hope Kobe can bring us a few more titles, but he'll have to do more than just 7 titles to pass Jordan.

Exactly. Kobe can surpass him with accolades, but in terms of pure playing ability, he's really got zero chance. The fact that Kobe's inserted himself into the conversation is impressive enough.

But surpassing Jordan as the best player ever? It's just not going to happen, because he's not as good, and he's at the point of his career where it's impossible to bridge that gap.

The difference would be even greater if you look at the playoffs, where Jordan, despite producing at a ridiculously high level in the RS, actually got better. Kobe, on the other hand, has obviously had some nice runs, but he's also had some bad spells as well.

[crazyeights]

Exactly. Kobe can surpass him with accolades, but in terms of pure playing ability, he's really got zero chance. The fact that Kobe's inserted himself into the conversation is impressive enough.

But surpassing Jordan as the best player ever? It's just not going to happen, because he's not as good, and he's at the point of his career where it's impossible to bridge that gap.

The difference would be even greater if you look at the playoffs, where Jordan, despite producing at a ridiculously high level in the RS, actually got better. Kobe, on the other hand, has obviously had some nice runs, but he's also had some bad spells as well.

Well if you're going to undervalue that .7 difference in three-point percentage...

[tugs]

Here's their career per36 stats until they hit 33 years old

Kobe:
45% FG
33.9% 3pt
83.7% FT
25 points
5.2reb
4.6ast
1.5stl
.5blk
2.9TO

MJ:
51% FG
33.2% 3pt
84.4% FT
29.8 points
5.9reb
5.3ast
2.5stl
.9blk
2.7TO

Michael Jordan wins FG%, points, reb, ast, stl, blk. Kobe wins 3pt% by a little, basically negligible. MJ wins FT% and TO by a little, negligible.

MJ also wins advanced stats, PER, eFG%, TS%, Ortg, Drtg, WS you name it.

MJ's playoff stats destroy Kobe's in every way too so let's not mention that.

I hope Kobe can bring us a few more titles, but he'll have to do more than just 7 titles to pass Jordan.

Exactly. Kobe can surpass him with accolades, but in terms of pure playing ability, he's really got zero chance. The fact that Kobe's inserted himself into the conversation is impressive enough.

But surpassing Jordan as the best player ever? It's just not going to happen, because he's not as good, and he's at the point of his career where it's impossible to bridge that gap.

The difference would be even greater if you look at the playoffs, where Jordan, despite producing at a ridiculously high level in the RS, actually got better. Kobe, on the other hand, has obviously had some nice runs, but he's also had some bad spells as well.

these two points hit it. we can be homers and say 2-4 more rings for Kobe and he passes Michael. reality is he just inched closer.

[Anklebreaker702]

I'd love to be a homer & say Kobe, but the truth to the matter is Jordan was just smarter & was always willing to do what was best for the situation. That to me is & will always be the difference between those two.

[Gek]

I was going to say Jordan, but I have the sudden urge to say Kobe.

[chefy]

I'd love to be a homer & say Kobe, but the truth to the matter is Jordan was just smarter & was always willing to do what was best for the situation. That to me is & will always be the difference between those two.

x999

[TruSkool]

had kobe beaten the celtics and pistons, and chasing his 8th ring next season, + 1 more regular season mvp...then he'd have a chance

[spree2kawhi]

it is kobe to me. and i don't understand why it is so impossible to so many to admit that jordan in the end was also only human and may very well have been overtaken by what has to be the most skilled player to ever play in kobe bryant.

[Sedale Threatt]

Because it's not true.

[semi-sentient]

had kobe beaten the celtics and pistons, and chasing his 8th ring next season, + 1 more regular season mvp...then he'd have a chance

This would have been an interesting scenario. It would have taken a couple of epic series from Kobe to overcome the Pistons and Celtics, and that's what he really lacks on his resume. I think for most enthusiasts the Kobe vs. Jordan debate really died after that Pistons performance, and while the conversation picked up a little steam in the years to follow due to Kobe's high scoring seasons, the '08 Celtics series once again killed that talk.

Jordan's resume is practically spotless and that's why it's so difficult to challenge him as the GOAT (outside of the fact that he also happens to be one of the best two-way players ever). He just flat out got it done when it mattered.