RealGM

Who was the better player?

Box-score metrics slightly favor Jordan. Not sure what certain impact metrics say.

On-off seems to favor Jordan too.

I do think Jordan would play slightly better than Kobe vs the Celtics, but that's still conjecture. You could argue Kobe might fare just as well as Jordan did vs the Jazz.

I do think the Lakers supporting cast that season was better than the Bulls in 98.

Would lean Jordan, but it's certainly close.

TheGOATRises007 wrote:Box-score metrics slightly favor Jordan. Not sure what certain impact metrics say.

On-off seems to favor Jordan too.

I do think Jordan would play slightly better than Kobe vs the Celtics, but that's still conjecture. You could argue Kobe might fare just as well as Jordan did vs the Jazz.

I do think the Lakers supporting cast that season was better than the Bulls in 98.

Would lean Jordan, but it's certainly close.

Would you say either is clearly at an all-time level, or moreso strong MVP caliber? (If you’re using such a framework to assess)

rk2023 wrote:

TheGOATRises007 wrote:Box-score metrics slightly favor Jordan. Not sure what certain impact metrics say.

On-off seems to favor Jordan too.

I do think Jordan would play slightly better than Kobe vs the Celtics, but that's still conjecture. You could argue Kobe might fare just as well as Jordan did vs the Jazz.

I do think the Lakers supporting cast that season was better than the Bulls in 98.

Would lean Jordan, but it's certainly close.

Would you say either is clearly at an all-time level, or moreso strong MVP caliber? (If you’re using such a framework to assess)

I think they're both strong seasons, but a clear level below all-time great.

I do think Kobe's peak was arguably 2008 and not 2009. The poor finals hurts how that 2008 seasons is assessed, but his RS and playoff run seem more impressive than 09.

I also think Jordan's finals vs the Jazz is extremely underrated. His scoring efficiency was league average, but his turnover economy was extraordinary.

Never mind.

It’s a shame that Kobe ran into the Celtics and had a poor series, otherwise all his prior rounds he was excellent. But I don’t think 98 Jordan would have done much better either, and I think overall Kobe was a tad better, just unfortunately ran into a defensive powerhouse