Kobe's hand size vs Jordan's hand size

[Tim_Hardawayy]

yawn...another of these threads...

but what i always say is kobe and jordan = ken and ryu from street fighter...mostly interchangable.

Fail. Jordan is Ken and Ryu put together... hell, he's Akuma.

Kobe is Dan Hibiki.

[Nothingface]

Kobe needs Denis Cyplenkov's hands. Who cares about palming the ball, when you can just crush it.

[CowsMoo]

Jesus Christ.

I'm sorry Kobe, but Michael Jordan is in a whole other league.

After Hoopsencyclopedia, and watching Jordan just tear apart the Detroit Pistons, I can't believe people are making this a discussion. Jordan's athleticism and skills are just disgusting. Those hands are disgusting. His ability to just instantly charge at you with disgusting speed, weave through the defense and leap into a dunk is just wrong. Kobe's footwork is maybe the best I would give him to matching Jordan, but those hands and leaping ability are disgusting.

I think if Lebron had Kobe's footwork and shot-making ability, his athleticism is good enough to be put in the discussion of possibly having close to Jordan's skill.

Overall though, he truly is the GOAT, and anyone who just throws around GOAT and thinks it's Kobe hasn't truly watched and appreciated Michael Jordan's work.

I'm just happy Kobe has that drive and mentality to reach the highest point. His skills and abilities are up there, but I am now convinced Jordan is in a tier of his own.

[DC2]

Hand size has a ton of effect on your jumpshot. I can't shoot above my head because my hands are so small that I have to have both hands on the release or the ball will slip off. It sucks.

[Veez]

I'ma tell it like it is!

first off, if you think that hand size isn't so relevant to playing basketball, then you're absolutely clueless. Not only do bigger hands give you better control of the ball, you can dunk it easier, pass it with better accuraccy, catch better, shoot better in traffic, pump fakes...hand size is so critical in this game it aint even funny. cause think about it..you seen kobe dunk? he has to cup the ball...much more difficult than drivin down the lane, palming the ball and jump up and flush.

Kobes athleticism dropped off faster than Jordan's did if you're comparing a 30 year old jordan. However, at the same age, Kobe being 30 and jordan back when he was 30..Kobe has got so much more mileage, and we're starting to see it. im in no way saying that kobe is un-athletic, but perhaps if i said the atheticism of a 30 year old kobe = that of a 33 year old jordan..perhaps thats a bit more feasable.

and if you were to take kobe in his athletic prime and jordan in his athletic prime...i dont think you could tell much difference between their speed. however, jordan does got a couple inches on kobe's vertical...and his bigger hands make that difference look even bigger (cupping vs palming)

HOWEVER, kobe has slightly more offensive skill than jordan, which enables him to make work with them midget hands

PS..to the kid raving about MJ's Free throw dunk..impressive yes. I haven't seen kobe do a FT dunk, but i've seen kobe take off 2-footed, a step inside of the FT line...its safe to say that kobe could've probably jumped from the FT line to dunk, but the lack of grip on the ball would not enable him to convert it as easily

[Jordan23Forever]

PS..to the kid raving about MJ's Free throw dunk..impressive yes. I haven't seen kobe do a FT dunk, but i've seen kobe take off 2-footed, a step inside of the FT line...its safe to say that kobe could've probably jumped from the FT line to dunk, but the lack of grip on the ball would not enable him to convert it as easily

You've seen nothing of the sort. What you saw is Kobe taking off with his inner foot at the hash mark (still a good distance, but nowhere near the FT line or a "step inside" as you said), and then dunking it with the hand closer to the basket. Kobe absolutely could not dunk from the FT line, ever. He is neither fast enough (which would compensate for his weaker vertical vis-a-vis Jordan) nor does he have a higher vert or more length than MJ (which would compensate for lesser speed).

[Veez]

actually they're literally almost the same height and they have the same wingspan..but whatever, you're not willing to budge i can already tell..so i'll just agree to disagree

[Jordan23Forever]

actually they're literally almost the same height and they have the same wingspan..but whatever, you're not willing to budge i can already tell..so i'll just agree to disagree

They don't have the same wingspan (Jordan's hands alone are at least 4" longer than Kobe's - 2" on each hand). And even if they had the exact same wingspan, Kobe would have to be BOTH as fast and have as high a one-foot vertical leap as Jordan. He was and had neither. Any deficiency in one area would have to be made up for in the other area (e.g., Dr. J was not as fast as Jordan, but he has a comparable one-foot vert, and was actually longer than Jordan).

[shobe_81]

In general to this thread:

This is what makes Kobe's game so much more appreciating.

-He's not the most athletic, he has dropped off in that department considerably
-He doesn't have big hands at all, he has to cup the ball to freaking dunk
-He doesn't have the best vertical like Lebron, or speed like Barbosa

-Yet he has the most polished offensive game arguably in the history of the game
-He can shoot from anywhere inside the half-court line
-He has a perfect mid-range game
-He has amazing footwork, especially with the lack of most athleticism to get to spots whenever he wants
-He has had Vicious dunks on players and in open court even with small hands
-He not only has great dunks, he jumps off of BOTH FEET.

Anyone who's played basketball, knows how hard it is to jump off of both feet and dunk the ball, rather it is so much easier to jump off of 1 foot. That's really impressive to jump off of 2 feet to cover so much ground.

You watch Jordan's videos, he holds the ball like a tennis ball when going for a dunk, Kobe holds it like a beach ball when going up for a dunk.

[Veez]

actually they're literally almost the same height and they have the same wingspan..but whatever, you're not willing to budge i can already tell..so i'll just agree to disagree

They don't have the same wingspan (Jordan's hands alone are at least 4" longer than Kobe's - 2" on each hand). And even if they had the exact same wingspan, Kobe would have to be BOTH as fast and have as high a one-foot vertical leap as Jordan. He was and had neither. Any deficiency in one area would have to be made up for in the other area (e.g., Dr. J was not as fast as Jordan, but he has a comparable one-foot vert, and was actually longer than Jordan).

lol actually you're just wrong

and you can stop trying to convince everyone that jordan was so much faster than kobe..you can hardly tell which one of them is faster

oh, and they both had a wingspan of 6'11
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4020805

so in essence, if you were to cut their arms off at their wrists, kobe's arms would be longer. damn, are you sad now? sorry

[Nbafanatic]

In general to this thread:

This is what makes Kobe's game so much more appreciating.

-He's not the most athletic, he has dropped off in that department considerably
-He doesn't have big hands at all, he has to cup the ball to freaking dunk
-He doesn't have the best vertical like Lebron, or speed like Barbosa

-Yet he has the most polished offensive game arguably in the history of the game
-He can shoot from anywhere inside the half-court line
-He has a perfect mid-range game
-He has amazing footwork, especially with the lack of most athleticism to get to spots whenever he wants
-He has had Vicious dunks on players and in open court even with small hands
-He not only has great dunks, he jumps off of BOTH FEET.

Anyone who's played basketball, knows how hard it is to jump off of both feet and dunk the ball, rather it is so much easier to jump off of 1 foot. That's really impressive to jump off of 2 feet to cover so much ground.

You watch Jordan's videos, he holds the ball like a tennis ball when going for a dunk, Kobe holds it like a beach ball when going up for a dunk.

I think this is a good point. Everybody Knows that Jordan is the better player, but it doens't mean that he is better in every aspect of the game. Jordan was better phisically, had better Bball IQ, shot selection, he is the better overall player, but Kobe is not that far away, and, in my opinium, Kobe has the best skillset. But again, this doens't mean he is better than Jordan. Jordan was more effective, but I think we have to give a lot of credit to Kobe, who is a amazing player.

[Frosty]

-He not only has great dunks, he jumps off of BOTH FEET.

Anyone who's played basketball, knows how hard it is to jump off of both feet and dunk the ball, rather it is so much easier to jump off of 1 foot. That's really impressive to jump off of 2 feet to cover so much ground.

This is a vid of Jordan dunking left handed in all shots, going off his off-foot and both feet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNJiuUShTNo

He doesn't even look unnatural. It's like, hey I didn't even realize he went left handed.

[Frosty]

OT

Anyone notice the mits on Rubio??

[LebronsCavs]

It really comes down to who has bigger b4lls

This.

[kooldude]

OT

Anyone notice the mits on Rubio??

Wow. Kobe would kill Pau Gasol for those.

[Lakers05]

Jordan also played against a lot of midgets, guys Courtney Lee's size and under. His early year PERs were due to incredibly soft defense and because Pippen was undeveloped, so he was still a one-man team, much like Kobe from 05-07.

The best defender Jordan went up against was John Starks . If the Knicks dared to let such a guy defend Kobe without help, he would drop at least 40 on him EVERY game.

[bballcool34]

actually they're literally almost the same height and they have the same wingspan..but whatever, you're not willing to budge i can already tell..so i'll just agree to disagree

They don't have the same wingspan (Jordan's hands alone are at least 4" longer than Kobe's - 2" on each hand). And even if they had the exact same wingspan, Kobe would have to be BOTH as fast and have as high a one-foot vertical leap as Jordan. He was and had neither. Any deficiency in one area would have to be made up for in the other area (e.g., Dr. J was not as fast as Jordan, but he has a comparable one-foot vert, and was actually longer than Jordan).

lol actually you're just wrong

and you can stop trying to convince everyone that jordan was so much faster than kobe..you can hardly tell which one of them is fasteroh, and they both had a wingspan of 6'11
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4020805

so in essence, if you were to cut their arms off at their wrists, kobe's arms would be longer. damn, are you sad now? sorry

I don't know if you're trying to be funny or what- but Jordan was clearly faster than Kobe (end to end speed) though I'd say the difference there is less than the difference when it comes to the quickness between the two. And anyone who has seen the two can verify this.

[yongaz]

I think this is a good point. Everybody Knows that Jordan is the better player, but it doens't mean that he is better in every aspect of the game. Jordan was better phisically, had better Bball IQ, shot selection, he is the better overall player, but Kobe is not that far away, and, in my opinium, Kobe has the best skillset. But again, this doens't mean he is better than Jordan. Jordan was more effective, but I think we have to give a lot of credit to Kobe, who is a amazing player.

Like that will EVER happen with the haters here. 99% of the Laker fans easily agree that Jordan is the better player, because well, he is duh. But to give credit to Kobe for what he's done?

I know I probably will get a warning for calling out posters, but their comments are getting to the point of absurdity and pure comical stupidity. A good example are the posts below.

It's not his hands, it's the fact that he absolutely sucks in every regard to Jordan. He can't do anything better than Jordan except MAYBE shoot from a wider range, but even then he sucks ass in comparison, since during Jordan's prime the three wasn't attempted as much as today. Like I said, it's like comparing Duncan to Antonie Walker, and even then I'd take Duncan to shoot a three over Walker when the game is on the line, any day. Same comparisons when comparing Kobe v Jordan, IMHO I truly believe this.

I lol'd, but agree

Jordan vs Kobe is like Duncan vs Walker?

that REALLY reveals your basketball knowledge.

At least I can respect posters like J23F and JordanBulls who back their claims and arguments up logically. I may not necessarily agree with them, but I can certainly respect their opinion.

[Jordan23Forever]

lol actually you're just wrong

No, I'm not. Wingspan measurements weren't taken back in Jordan's day like they are now. Again, MJ's hands are a total of AT LEAST 4" longer than Kobe's (MJ's hands are nearly 10" long from bottom to top). Do you REALLY think Kobe's arms are 4" longer than Jordan's?

and you can stop trying to convince everyone that jordan was so much faster than kobe..you can hardly tell which one of them is faster

You're kidding, right? Can hardly tell? It's actually the first thing people notice when watching '87-'92 MJ vs. Kobe.

oh, and they both had a wingspan of 6'11
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4020805

What's their source, considering that players didn't take wingspan measurements back then? I've read dozens of MJ books and articles and have never come across a wingspan measurement for him.

[Jordan23Forever]

Jordan also played against a lot of midgets, guys Courtney Lee's size and under. His early year PERs were due to incredibly soft defense and because Pippen was undeveloped, so he was still a one-man team, much like Kobe from 05-07.

The best defender Jordan went up against was John Starks . If the Knicks dared to let such a guy defend Kobe without help, he would drop at least 40 on him EVERY game.