Do any of you think that Kobe Bryant will ever be able to eventually attain the same status as Michael Jordan? He's obviously proven himself to be the BEST player in the NBA for the last several years now... The 3 rings doesn't hurt either... Though he's not won any MVP's yet, but I'm sure he'll be due this year or the next... An 81 point game is something Jordan never got close to achieving either....So let's say Kobe racks up a few MVP's, continues his reign as Scoring Champ... Wins 3-4 more NBA Championships... I believe Kobe's already set to be an eventual Hall of Famer... But will people remember him, and believe him to be the "greatest" player, like they do for Jordan now? I'm not sure if that's possible... Jordan's popularity and notoriety went beyond just the NBA... People who didn't follow the NBA all over the world knew who he was... I'm willing to bet that not as MANY know who Kobe is...Regardless, I just thought I'd pose this question.... In my own opinion, I don't believe Kobe Bryant will ever reach "Jordan status" in his career... He's still pretty young and has several years left to prove me wrong... But Jordan is Jordan, there's NO better (81 point game or not! )
Kobe Bryant will NEVER reach Jordan status... We all know Kobe is arguably the best player in the league right now, and there is no denying the things Kobe has achieved in his career thus far. However, he still needs to prove that he can win without Shaq... he still needs a few MVP awards... a few scoring titles... a few more rings (two or three) before I'd even consider putting him next to Jordan. And that is just talking about the basketball side of things.You made a great point, a point which many people often overlook... Jordan had such an impact OFF the court and OUTSIDE of the sport, and I don't think anyone currently (except maybe LeBron when it's all said and done) can match that. Michael Jordan was the ambassador of basketball and the NBA during the 1990s, and I don't necessarily see Kobe in that same light right now, nor any NBA player for that matter.
Nobody will ever reach Jordan's level not LeBron,Wade,Kobe or anyone else who seems to be getting all these comparisons to him. Jordan is on another level than all the comparisons people have been talking about. Jordan di everything and when he was 40 he still dropped at least 17 on us.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinoy Balla @ Nov 14 2006, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nobody will ever reach Jordan's level not LeBron,Wade,Kobe or anyone else who seems to be getting all these comparisons to him. Jordan is on another level than all the comparisons people have been talking about. Jordan di everything and when he was 40 he still dropped at least 17 on us.</div>Dont judge them until its all set and doneKobe will not reach his status becuase of people like Pinoy Balla, I dont think he will but he has a opputunity to. But I think he will go down as the 2nd greatest guard...or atleast most talented.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz76 @ Nov 14 2006, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Dont judge them until its all set and doneKobe will not reach his status becuase of people like Pinoy Balla, I dont think he will but he has a opputunity to. But I think he will go down as the 2nd greatest guard...or atleast most talented.</div>Are you kidding? That's blatant hypocrisy.
Nope. Jordan is untouchable right now. Jordan was the better scorer, defender, leader, he has 6 Finals MVP's, 6 championships, way better driver, and just the better player. The only thing Kobe has on Jordan imo is 3pt shooting.
I don't think Kobe will. He will lock up the #2 shooting guard spot and a spot in the all-time top 10 but I don't see him reaching Jordan status. Wade might, but I doubt it. If LeBron improves his D over the years then I definitely think he has a good chance.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz76 @ Nov 14 2006, 03:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Dont judge them until its all set and doneKobe will not reach his status becuase of people like Pinoy Balla, I dont think he will but he has a opputunity to. But I think he will go down as the 2nd greatest guard...or atleast most talented.</div>Dude I'm a Kobe fan but Jordan's level is impossible he had 6 rings, unbelvable stast numerous MVP awards but Kobe hasn't got one yet because look at his team he has been carrying a huge load for them last season thats why he didnt win MVP because it wasn't enough.
This is the most ridiculous question ever.The answer is obvious...NOKobe will never win a championship by himself, he will never be able to motivate himself, and his teamates, he's the most talented ballplayer, but he lacks some skills that you don't see in the stats.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Nov 14 2006, 04:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>This is the most ridiculous question ever.The answer is obvious...NOKobe will never win a championship by himself, he will never be able to motivate himself, and his teamates, he's the most talented ballplayer, but he lacks some skills that you don't see in the stats.</div>You are an obvious Kobe hater...people like you give Kobe his motivation, and Kobe is by far the most motivated player in the NBA. He lacks skills that you don't see in the stats? What skills do you speak of?
Leadership, will to dominate, rooting for/supporting teamates, challenging teamates, diving for loose balls, hustle...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Nov 14 2006, 04:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Leadership, will to dominate, rooting for/supporting teamates, challenging teamates, diving for loose balls, hustle...</div>Leadership...Kobe is always pushing his teamates wheather in practice or in the game, he yells at players and comforts them all the time just to push them to the next level,he leads by example and helps Phil teach the offense. Will to dominate...The man scored 62 points in 3 quarters and out scored the whole Mavericks team before he sat down and he scored 81 points in a single game...that is called DOMINANCE. Rooting/Supporting teamates... Kobe can always be seen rooting for his teamates on the sideline..don't know where you got that idea.. Also, diving for loose balls and hustling...wow...just wow...when healthy, Kobe can be seen running across the court just to block a shot...to get a steal..whatever he has to do to help his team win. I don't think Kobe will reach Jordan status because of the way people perceive him out of ignorance. Besides that he still needs to win another ring. Just stop making excuses and understand that Kobe is the closest thing to Jordan than any other player since.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lakaboy42 @ Nov 14 2006, 04:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Are you kidding? That's blatant hypocrisy.</div>Its obvious Kobe isnt going to reach his level, if he was he wouldve won tons of MVPs, a ring on his own etc etc<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinoy Balla @ Nov 14 2006, 04:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Dude I'm a Kobe fan but Jordan's level is impossible he had 6 rings, unbelvable stast numerous MVP awards but Kobe hasn't got one yet because look at his team he has been carrying a huge load for them last season thats why he didnt win MVP because it wasn't enough.</div>Im agreeing with you on Kobe, cause its kindve late for him... but Wade and Lebron still can...actually, I think Lebron will be better or just as good.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Nov 14 2006, 08:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Leadership...Kobe is always pushing his teamates wheather in practice or in the game, he yells at players and comforts them all the time just to push them to the next level,he leads by example and helps Phil teach the offense. Will to dominate...The man scored 62 points in 3 quarters and out scored the whole Mavericks team before he sat down and he scored 81 points in a single game...that is called DOMINANCE. Rooting/Supporting teamates... Kobe can always be seen rooting for his teamates on the sideline..don't know where you got that idea.. Also, diving for loose balls and hustling...wow...just wow...when healthy, Kobe can be seen running across the court just to block a shot...to get a steal..whatever he has to do to help his team win. I don't think Kobe will reach Jordan status because of the way people perceive him out of ignorance. Besides that he still needs to win another ring. Just stop making excuses and understand that Kobe is the closest thing to Jordan than any other player since.</div>Really? You think all of what you've said is true? Cause I've never seen any of those things - except for blocked shots, but that's a stat. (I'm taling about Dennis Rodman style - getting the ball no matter what). 81 points against the Raptors (one of the worst teams)? well, ok, he had a great game I'm not being ignorant. 81 is amazing. But I'd rather see 81 assists 81 points is not going to happen in the playoffs. The regular season is important, but he will never drop 81 in the playoffs. He won't even be able to get 62 points - Jordan style, agianst the best team in the league, while injured, in the playoffs. Kobe is one of the closest players to Jordan, but understand this, he's still a million times far away. D-Wade might actually be the closest thing to Jordan, anyway.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz76 @ Nov 14 2006, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Its obvious Kobe isnt going to reach his level, if he was he wouldve won tons of MVPs, a ring on his own etc etc</div>MJ was 27 when he won his first ring. Kobe is 27 now I believe and has 3. And MJ didn't win any rings on his own....he had one of the best perimeter defenders of all time in Pippen (who was a 20/8/6 type guy), and very good role players. later in his career he had arguably the best rebounder of all time in Rodman.But to answer the topic, no her won't. He is not purely loved by everyone like Jordan was, not the icon Jordan was, and had many flaws early in his career that Jordan didn't have. Skill-wise I feel Kobe is actually better than MJ, but he doesn't have the same discipline offensively that Jordan did, not as smart of a player, and not as good of a defender. Pacersfan-I had the same questions about Kobe's leadership up until last year. He averaged 35PPG, and totally CARRIED a VERY young and below average team to 7th seed in the WEST. In playoffs he realized his teammates were playing well and became playmaker. When his team needed him to score he dropped 50+ in game 6. When his team needs him he can dominate like no other in the NBA....moreso than Wade, Bron, T-Mac, Pierce...all of 'em.
The Lakers team also had good role players and Jordan did not have the most dominant player of that time on his team. Kobe is great but it was Shaq as the clear #1 guy on that team. About Kobe's leadership. I don't really know if that playoff series proved it but I know he does pass it around and he's an older player and more mature than he was a few years ago. I don't think he really has any problem there. I don't ever see him passing MJ though. His chance to win another ring will be in 3 years when the top teams should be weaker and the younger teams right now will flourish. We'll see how he does then with Odom but right now I really doubt he will win another.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Nov 14 2006, 06:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Really? You think all of what you've said is true? Cause I've never seen any of those things - except for blocked shots, but that's a stat. (I'm taling about Dennis Rodman style - getting the ball no matter what). 81 points against the Raptors (one of the worst teams)? well, ok, he had a great game I'm not being ignorant. 81 is amazing. But I'd rather see 81 assists 81 points is not going to happen in the playoffs. The regular season is important, but he will never drop 81 in the playoffs. He won't even be able to get 62 points - Jordan style, agianst the best team in the league, while injured, in the playoffs. Kobe is one of the closest players to Jordan, but understand this, he's still a million times far away. D-Wade might actually be the closest thing to Jordan, anyway.</div>First of all, Dennis Rodman had an entirely different role than Kobe does on the Lakers. Dennis Rodman's job was to do the little things and rebound...that's it. Kobe's role is to be the innitiator in the offense and get everybody involved and score. Did you mention the 81 points enough times? lol Kobe outscored a whole team in 3 quarters against the DALLAS MAVERICKS, a team that went to the finals (not one of the worst teams like toronto which you stated) Also, if you think Dwyane Wade is closer to being Jordan status than Kobe then please kill your self or work at ESPN. :Swoon:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Nov 14 2006, 10:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>First of all, Dennis Rodman had an entirely different role than Kobe does on the Lakers. Dennis Rodman's job was to do the little things and rebound...that's it. Kobe's role is to be the innitiator in the offense and get everybody involved and score. Did you mention the 81 points enough times? lol Kobe outscored a whole team in 3 quarters against the DALLAS MAVERICKS, a team that went to the finals (not one of the worst teams like toronto which you stated) Also, if you think Dwyane Wade is closer to being Jordan status than Kobe then please kill your self or work at ESPN. :Swoon:</div>Jordan's 60+ points in the playoffs is more impressive. Dallas may have gone to the Finals, but before last season they were considered one of the SOFTEST DEFENSIVE SQUADS IN THE LEAGUE. They STILL aren't one of the best defensive squads, as their horrible start can attest to. They developed a greater emphasis on defense than before because of Avery Johnson, but they still needed a lucky foul from Manu Ginobli to make the conference finals. So Kobe's 62, while impressive, was still not against championship caliber defense.Jordan's was.If nothing else Kobe won't reach Jordan status because of the whole rape charges thing. The fact is Jordan was the face of the NBA and never got in NEARLY that much of an off-court drama. If only because of his tarnished image Kobe won't get to Jordan's level. And let's not overplay Kobe's leadership. Notice how when Kobe's in the game Lamar Odom is almost a different player? If Kobe was a good leader he could help Lamar Odom be the same force regardless. Instead Kobe seems to have a negative impact on Odom's play.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (falconman1130 @ Nov 14 2006, 08:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Jordan's 60+ points in the playoffs is more impressive. Dallas may have gone to the Finals, but before last season they were considered one of the SOFTEST DEFENSIVE SQUADS IN THE LEAGUE. They STILL aren't one of the best defensive squads, as their horrible start can attest to. They developed a greater emphasis on defense than before because of Avery Johnson, but they still needed a lucky foul from Manu Ginobli to make the conference finals. So Kobe's 62, while impressive, was still not against championship caliber defense.Jordan's was.If nothing else Kobe won't reach Jordan status because of the whole rape charges thing. The fact is Jordan was the face of the NBA and never got in NEARLY that much of an off-court drama. If only because of his tarnished image Kobe won't get to Jordan's level. And let's not overplay Kobe's leadership. Notice how when Kobe's in the game Lamar Odom is almost a different player? If Kobe was a good leader he could help Lamar Odom be the same force regardless. Instead Kobe seems to have a negative impact on Odom's play.</div>I'm guessing that you didn't watch the game on Sunday Kobe changed his position back to SG and the innitiator of the offense which got Lamar 20 points and Kobe still scored his. Also, while Michael never had the same drama that follows Kobe he still had his problems..such as the so called gambling problem...the media really burned him on that one. But I understand what you are saying.
