MJ has spoken ... (Again) ...

[dAdo dA dEvil]

... just a good read ... what do you think guys ...?

http://ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba ... --nba.html

In a video promoting the NBA 2K14 video game that is being released today, Jordan said there's a long list of players he would've liked to have played one-on-one — Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Julius Erving, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, [Kobe] Bryant and [LeBron] James, who dons the cover of this year's game.
"I don't think I would lose," Jordan said in the video, before smiling and adding, "Other than to Kobe Bryant, because he steals all of my moves."

[ak7]

This very topic was murdered by the Anti-Lakers cult on the GB, but truthfully, I don't think MJ would lose to either of Kobe or that guy in Miami.

[Alienware]

Being better 1 on 1 doesn't necessarily mean he is a better player, but yeah LeBron doesn't struck me as a dominant player in that area, probably has better handle than MJ and is stronger, but mj is faster and sneakier so he would probably use that and win the match up.

Kobe is much more similar and has probably a better chance of beating him, but I don't know. Doesn't seem likely.

[BEazy]

I just don't get why people always say Kobe is a "copier" or he's not "original" and all that. People may have forgot that Kobe has developed those skills by himself and with a little help from the greats that want him to achieve what they achieved and by studying tapes and games. The guy's game grew as he grew up. Of course he's going to use some of the moves other people have. I mean why wouldn't you want the skyhook or the one legged fadeaway in your arsenal? Along with the other moves that he supposedly "stolen". It puzzles me that people just don't want to give Kobe his due diligence because they find that copying somebody is blasphemy...

The game grows from the past. The moves intensify and the game expands. People really piss me off with that stuff about Kobe. It's not like some other huge superstar isn't going to learn from Kobe and not take his moves...

Jordan is right, Kobe is his best challenge. LeBron has the strength and the physique but like i've been saying this whole entire time about this guy when the strength and leaping ability is gone will his true skill show or will he fade into mediocrity? That is the question and only time will tell...

[twix2500]

I really believe a prime Kobe wouldnt be a hard challenge for a prime Jordan. One because Kobe does not have a physical advantage, they both the same height and size, and yes Kobe game is a spin off of Jordan. So I would assume he can premeditate his moves and where he wants to score on the court. I can see Jordan forcing Kobe in to his bad shooting spots quickly. It would be a good game thou.

[soxfan2003]

In 1 on 1, I'd literally be shocked if prime Jordan beat prime Kareem or Shaq. Maybe he beats Shaq if he gets unlimited fouling and puts him at the line but that is not how 1 on 1 normally works. And I'd take Magic as well since he had a very strong post up game. Frankly I would take another 25 bigs before Jordan as well including players like Hakeem, David Robinson, KG, Duncan and Kevin McHale. If McHale/Kareem could both score against double teams in the post including against bigs, they would feast with Jordan guarding them. (McHale wasn't someone you wanted dribbling in a 5 on 5 game but he would have been good enough dribbler to back down Jordan or any SG with no one else on the court). Young Kareem could handle the ball. It's really only the centers like Mutombo who I wouldn't trust enough of their dribbling skills to beat Jordan. I'd even take young Ewing over Jordan in 1 on 1 since when he backs him down, it is a dunk.

Jordan is the best 1 on 1 player IMHO in nba history of guys around his size or less and he may have enough to beat a Lebron....but guys with lots of size and some skill would give him major problems.

Now if their was an 8 second shot clock so the bigs couldn't methodically post up Jordan, the bigs would have much less of an advantage.

[soxfan2003]

I really believe a prime Kobe wouldnt be a hard challenge for a prime Jordan. One because Kobe does not have a physical advantage, they both the same height and size, and yes Kobe game is a spin off of Jordan. So I would assume he can premeditate his moves and where he wants to score on the court. I can see Jordan forcing Kobe in to his bad shooting spots quickly. It would be a good game thou.

Kobe has enough athleticism/skill/moves to beat him some of the time but Jordan was still more athletic(quicker/stronger) so he would win more often then not. I suspect if they played 100 games up to 20, Jordan wins 75 of them. But I honestly think Kareem would beat Jordan about 95 out of 100 times in games up to 20 by 1.

I certainly believe Kobe takes some bad shots in nba games but 1 on 1 is a bit different since he doesn't have to be as concerned with a 2nd defender.

[N8isScofield]

I honestly think Michael meant what he said about Kobe in a complimentary way. The line about Kobe "stealing his moves" was meant for Kobe to hear. I think it's well documented that Michael and Kobe worked out together in the offseason when Kobe was a young player and a lot of his game is not just patterned on Jordan's game but actually learned directly from working out with him. In my view it was a little nod to Kobe being a student of the game and Michael acknowledging that Kobe had done a good job of implementing the things he learned from him.

[Kilroy]

If prime MJ was even remotely getting beat by Prime Kobe, prime Kobe would wake to find himself on his ass and the refs with whistle sized lumps in their throat...

No way MJ lets the game finish if he's even remotely getting beat... He was way too competitive and if he couldn't humiliate you one way... He'd invent another way....

[kblo247]

Prime Kobe could go off on some 30ft bull **** shooting spree where he hits ridiculous falling, fading, lefty types 3s. That's the hardest thing to stop comparing Kobe to any other wing scorer in history, that range with the ability to score off the bounce

[Swagalicious]

Prime Kobe would be the best perimeter player at one-on-one imo.

- GOAT post game for a wing along with Dantley, MJ. (He has been top 3 in FG% and points per possession from the post for 6 straight years, on high volume at that...as a shooting guard)
- GOAT level one-on-one perimeter defender
- GOAT shot maker without question
- Unlimited range in prime
- Really strong and athletic, weighed around 215-220 in his prime
- Great handles, too (before the finger injury his handles were way better)

[Wavy Q]

lol Kobe was never a GOAT level perimeter defender.