RealGM

This series isn't over (soon to be) but let's get this idiotic notion that Kobe is on the level of Jordan dismissed once and for all.

MJ was never down 2-0 in the finals, never down 3-1 in the finals. MJ never lost in the finals. Kobe did that with Shaq and will do so again without him.

MJ was a much better and more consistent defender.

MJ never let another team come back from 24 down to beat his team in the playoffs.

MJ won 6 rings without any dominant post presence. He could have had more if not for his little baseball fantasy camp vacation. Yeah, he had Pippen but c

The national media could... But, they won't... The NBA or I should write David Stern yearns for that one player that stands atop of every other star in the league. The prevailing notion is that Kobe Bryant is the "closest" to being that player. However, in my opinion, the problem you've from a marketing standpoint is that players such as Bryant or LeBron James is they aren't likable people.

The NBA has failed in the past to find a heir apparent to Michael Jordan with such players as Anfernee Hardaway, Grant Hill and Vince Carter. It's hard to replicate a mega superstar that was "Air" Jordan. It rarely happens in professional sports, I think. Players need to be themselves and make their own names in the league. Besides, Jordan, the same problem exist for finding another "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird. Remember that interview with Bird, Johnson, (LeBron) James and (Carmelo) Anthony? You've seen players come and go that have exhibited similar skills as some of these hall of fame players, but not yet have these same players become those iconic players.

Nothing wrong with comparisons. He's the best SG in the NBA, he has scoring titles, and his style of play is similar... but if people try and make the case he's actually better, then I just don't think it's a valid argument. Kobe's a superstar, an exceptional ball player, a future hall of famer, but he's not one of the top 5 players of all time. Just my opinion...

Kobe wishes he was MJ, but he will never be on his level. Compare their career stats, and you will see that Kobe loses in every category but a 1% advantage in 3pt%. And that is despite all of MJs comeback seasons. Kobe will never win another MVP (he was lucky to get his only), and I can't see him getting more than one more championship (if a healthy Bynum gets them back to the finals next year).

He'll never be defensive player of the year. Kobe is way behind (and will never catchup) MJ in both career achievements and stats. He's the best in the league (for now) but the comparison to MJ is unwarranted

NO COMPARISON!


BEAT LA!!!

Kobe never said he was as good as Jordan. It's the media that needs to believe there is a next Jordan or that someone in the league is like Jordan. Why can't they just acknowledge that Jordan was a special player and move on?

It's just the same nonsense as attacking Pierce because he copied Willis Reed.

Pete

BadMuthaCeltic wrote:Nothing wrong with comparisons. He's the best SG in the NBA, he has scoring titles, and his style of play is similar... but if people try and make the case he's actually better, then I just don't think it's a valid argument. Kobe's a superstar, an exceptional ball player, a future hall of famer, but he's not one of the top 5 players of all time. Just my opinion...

Agreed. Kobe is a great player, thus he draws comparisons to the greats. Too bad the media won't get it through their minds that their will never be another MJ. And especially, no one, NO ONE will be better then MJ.

It is not as bad as the Morrison comparisons to bird, but close.

phuck kobe bryant...he's not damn jordan..he never was one.

The media will beat that drum as long as it makes money and sells shoes, like bonsai said. Oh well! Championship >>>>> MJ comparisons.

^^This

The problem with Kobe-MJ comparisons is that they are comparing different generation. When MJ was playing, his skill sets were enough to be the most dominant player ever. However, the same skill set doesn't make someone as dominant any more.

For example, when Cousy was dribbling behind back, no one has ever seen it. Now, every 12 year old kid on the playground is doing it, so dribbling behind your back doesn't mean you're the greatest PG any more.

That's why the only player that should be compared to MJ is Lebron because he brings skill sets never before seen. What Kobe's doing has been done. And his ceiling has been matched by player from 10 years ago. Just like Doctor J, one-uped Elgin Baylor and Jordan one-uped Doctor J, Kobe has to one-up Jordan, if he wants to be in that discussion.

^^And from a competitveness standpoint and a making-his-teammates-better standpoint, he falls woefully short. And I grew up watching Dr J, Magic, Bird, and Jordan.

The last game just proved he's only a fraction of MJ anyway. Kobe is a bootleg version of Jordan Definitely the closest thing you'll get to Jordan game-wise, but that's about it.

tombattor wrote:The problem with Kobe-MJ comparisons is that they are comparing different generation. When MJ was playing, his skill sets were enough to be the most dominant player ever. However, the same skill set doesn't make someone as dominant any more.

Wait... that sounds like you're saying if Jordan played in the league today he would not be dominant. Is that what you believe?

Cyclical wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Wait... that sounds like you're saying if Jordan played in the league today he would not be dominant. Is that what you believe?

It is blasphemy! Burn him at the stake!

Jordan had Pippen and a solid supporting cast. However in a league diluted by overexpansion and a lot of weak talent coming in, the Bulls might not have been able to construct such a team around MJ today. He still would be one of the greatest of all time, though.