Skills: Kobe > MJ / Athleticsm: Lebron > MJ

[blessofcurse]

Which one do you agree more, Kobe is more skilled than MJ or Lebron is more athletic than MJ?

[HornetJail]

Kobe was not as skilled as MJ.

Lebron is matched only by Chamberlain and Shaq IMO in terms of athleticism.

I think my answer is pretty clear.

[Texas Chuck]

Basketball: MJ>>Lebron or Kobe

[Shot Clock]

Kobe was not as skilled as MJ.

Lebron is matched only by Chamberlain and Shaq IMO in terms of athleticism.

I think my answer is pretty clear.

Agreed

[The Infamous1]

Even phil said Kobe is more skilled than Jordan and he coached them both in their primes

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LtvRatRkevw

[NO-KG-AI]

Well Phil is a liar.

I'd believe the LeBron one first. Kobe isn't better at any skill except shooting the 3, and he doesn't do that at an amazing level anyway, nor has it ever made him close as a player.

I'd take Mike's physical package for basketball because I think it makes it easier for him to blow by, and beat help defense to his spots, and he still finishes at that LeBron level despite not having the bulk, but I could see where the argument is.

[kooldude]

Well Phil is a liar.

I'd believe the LeBron one first. Kobe isn't better at any skill except shooting the 3, and he doesn't do that at an amazing level anyway, nor has it ever made him close as a player.

I'd take Mike's physical package for basketball because I think it makes it easier for him to blow by, and beat help defense to his spots, and he still finishes at that LeBron level despite not having the bulk, but I could see where the argument is.

Are we talking about technical mechanics or comparable performance?

Having more skills doesn't mean you can utilize them to the utmost.

[Brenice]

Heart and competitive fire: Jordan>>>Kobe>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LeBron

[tsherkin]

Kobe certainly shoots the 3 better than Jordan. Jordan's career FT% in Chicago is identical to Kobe's thus far, but with his Wizards years included, Bryant has a slight edge.

Very similar in terms of mid-range shooting. Similar post skills. Jordan was considerably better at working without the ball, though, and seemed to have noticeably superior body control mid-air.

I'd agree with the second statement a lot faster than the first.

[DwnShft2Xcelr8]

I'd ignore both statements and focus more on

"Overall player: Jordan > everybody."

[KyletheDingbat]

I think MJ is more skilled and athletic than both. Lebron doesn't move as well as Jordan, which isn't saying much because Lebron moves amazingly. There was just a fluidity and grace to MJ, and I consider that part of athleticism.

[aal04]

Heart and competitive fire: Jordan>>>Kobe>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LeBron

id actually say Kobe > MJ for competitive fire. And thats no dig at MJ. Kobe was borderline mental in regards to basketball.

[Regulio]

MJ was psycho competitor, I wouldn't agree that Kobe was bigger in that regard.
Skill-wise I think it's debatable, Kobe might have a more diverse arsenal of offensive moves, give him that. Didn't make him more effective than MJ though.

As for athleticism, MJ is basically as good as it gets in SG athleticism category. It is hard to compare LBJ vs MJ as they play different positions. But I could agree that LBJ is a better athlete.

SO basically both statements are ok to me, though MJ is clearly superior BB player.

[bbms]

Was Kobe more skilled than Jordan? This is a tough one to argue on for Kobe outside of pure aesthetics, but Jordan's IQ and Shot selection allowed himself to utilize his skillset way much more effectively than Kobe.

[Fadeaway_Jumper]

Well Phil is a liar.

I'd believe the LeBron one first. Kobe isn't better at any skill except shooting the 3, and he doesn't do that at an amazing level anyway, nor has it ever made him close as a player.

I'd take Mike's physical package for basketball because I think it makes it easier for him to blow by, and beat help defense to his spots, and he still finishes at that LeBron level despite not having the bulk, but I could see where the argument is.

I love how you think you know more about Kobe & Jordan than Phil Jackson

[Texas Chuck]

Fade,

You seem to be missing the obvious:

The Zen Master is known for saying things for reasons other than simply stating what he believes to be the case.

Take a guess which player was playing for Phil when he made those comments and which one wasnt?

[NO-KG-AI]

Well Phil is a liar.

I'd believe the LeBron one first. Kobe isn't better at any skill except shooting the 3, and he doesn't do that at an amazing level anyway, nor has it ever made him close as a player.

I'd take Mike's physical package for basketball because I think it makes it easier for him to blow by, and beat help defense to his spots, and he still finishes at that LeBron level despite not having the bulk, but I could see where the argument is.

I love how you think you know more about Kobe & Jordan than Phil Jackson

I can't believe anyone would take Phil's statements seriously when he constantly contradicts himself and changes his mind based on how he's trying to work a crowd or situation.

[Masigond]

Heart and competitive fire: Jordan>>>Kobe>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LeBron

id actually say Kobe > MJ for competitive fire. And thats no dig at MJ. Kobe was borderline mental in regards to basketball.

Kobe may have been more obsessed of reaching certain goals in regular season games and he has those 81 and 62 point games and going for some record scoring streaks but in the playoffs? Come on. He has nothing left on Jordan who I've never seen giving up as I have seen Kobe. That was some lackluster performance against the Mavs in the decisive game of the 2011 series, and there have been some other games when Kobe didn't give it all quite early when the game wasn't yet decided. Sometimes even just to prove something (this game 7 against the Suns in 2006...).

I'd say that Jordan was the more competitive player of those two in important games.


Furthermore Kobe allegedly better skills come from him needing a (somewhat) more versatile game as he didn't have that sure money game that Jordan had. Jordan was very versatile himself but so good in some aspects that he didn't need the three-point shot for example. He could concentrate on his drive, post-ups, fakes (way better hands than Kobe to do some ridiculous tricks) and of course his mid-range shooting. That was all he needed to do damage almost at will.

[tsherkin]

Heart and competitive fire: Jordan>>>Kobe>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LeBron

id actually say Kobe > MJ for competitive fire. And thats no dig at MJ. Kobe was borderline mental in regards to basketball.

There is no evidence that Kobe is more competitive. Given some of his performances, there is some to suggest he was less so. He's still a vicious competitor to a degree not matched by anyone off of the top of my head currently in the league but Jordan was quite literally pathologically obsessed with victory. Kobe's got a touch more "I wanna look good" than MJ.

[NO-KG-AI]

Kobe is more prone to getting frustrated and dogging it. Jordan when frustrated will drive his head through a brick wall trying to get to the rim.

I think Kobe busts ass as much as anyone in the gym though, that's for sure.