Many people say that Kobe Bryant is the new Michael Jordan or even better then him.How do you think about it?P.S. Only Post if you are serious not because you are a Lakerfan...<div align="center">VERSUS </div>
It's not even close and I hate how people started saying that after the 4 great games he had this year. He'll be fighting his whole career to be top 10 of all time...just because there hasn't been another shooting guard as talented as those two doesn't mean that he's close to being as great as Jordan.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>It's not even close and I hate how people started saying that after the 4 great games he had this year. He'll be fighting his whole career to be top 10 of all time...just because there hasn't been another shooting guard as talented as those two doesn't mean that he's close to being as great as Jordan.</div>Why do people always say that? They always say sh*t like "Kobe isn't even close" like Jordan's untouchable or something. I mean, I don't care too much about this sort of comparison, in the end I just want Kobe to be the best Laker ever (being the best Laker ever is more prestigious than being the best Bull ever). But, the two players are INDENTICAL when they play. I mean they do the same things. It's hard not to wonder. But you really can't make this comparison when one of the players is the most beloved and the other is hated by everybody. Both players are judged by bias and ignorant opinions. Jordan that he's never going to be touched (bullsh**) and that Kobe is nowhere near him (also bullsh**). People are too biased towards Jordan while been to biased against Kobe. If the guy becomes better than Jordan it's because he earned it with hard work. Kobe busts his ass when he plays, he lives and breathes basketball, I think he deserves just a little bit more respect than what he's getting. These Jordan lovers are ridiculous and blind.What bothers me is, that Kobe is the closest thing since MJ yet everybody says that he can't even be compared. But LeBron James on the other hand, is a mirror-f*cking image. Let's get real.
Kobe is better than people give him credit for. Skills wise he is as good as Jordan was. I'm not sure why but people view Jordan as untouchable and seem to skip over his personal problems yet focus on Kobes.
To be compleltey honest with you, I think thier skill level and talent are pretty equal. Both are good defenders, both are amazing scorers with similar moves (Kobe has even more range), both can pass the ball well, and both can rebound the ball. If you want to ask me who I tihnk is better tough, I have to give you MJ. He accomplished so much and reached milestones that no other players or teams have done. He lead a team to a 72 game win season which is a record, he won 6 rings in a good era, he won MVP's, and all that great stuff. I think that if at the end of each of their careers, they had the same exact accomplishments, it could definitely go either way, but thats just not the case...so you have to give it to MJ.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Michael Bryant @ Apr 14 2007, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why do people always say that? They always say sh*t like "Kobe isn't even close" like Jordan's untouchable or something. I mean, I don't care too much about this sort of comparison, in the end I just want Kobe to be the best Laker ever (being the best Laker ever is more prestigious than being the best Bull ever). But, the two players are INDENTICAL when they play. I mean they do the same things. It's hard not to wonder. But you really can't make this comparison when one of the players is the most beloved and the other is hated by everybody. Both players are judged by bias and ignorant opinions. Jordan that he's never going to be touched (bullsh**) and that Kobe is nowhere near him (also bullsh**). People are too biased towards Jordan while been to biased against Kobe. If the guy becomes better than Jordan it's because he earned it with hard work. Kobe busts his ass when he plays, he lives and breathes basketball, I think he deserves just a little bit more respect than what he's getting. These Jordan lovers are ridiculous and blind.What bothers me is, that Kobe is the closest thing since MJ yet everybody says that he can't even be compared. But LeBron James on the other hand, is a mirror-f*cking image. Let's get real.</div>I think Kobe is great, but he is not Jordan. He is a similar player, but a little worse at every single part of his game and hasn't led his team to a championship like Jordan did 6 times. He hasn't had the supporting cast either so we'll see how it ends up. I don't think Jordan is untouchable at all. I think many of the other greats like Wilt, Russell and whover else are close to him, but I don't see Kobe as a top 15 player of all time yet.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Why do people always say that? They always say sh*t like "Kobe isn't even close" like Jordan's untouchable or something. I mean, I don't care too much about this sort of comparison, in the end I just want Kobe to be the best Laker ever (being the best Laker ever is more prestigious than being the best Bull ever).</div>And being the best player ever is more prestigious than being the best laker ever. And Kobe is unlikely to be the best laker ever unless he wins them a couple more rings<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>But, the two players are INDENTICAL when they play. I mean they do the same things. It's hard not to wonder. But you really can't make this comparison when one of the players is the most beloved and the other is hated by everybody.</div>First of all, here's the difference between Kobe and MJ; MJ got his teammates involved. I watch Kobe enough to know that he's a great passer and isn't a ballhog anymore, but he also isolates his teammates. Kobe is the only guy in the history of the game who will take a 30 foot shot off the inbounds pass in the first quarter if he's feeling it. Even if he makes that shot, it makes his teammates less successful when they have a guy who carries himself like he's at another level than anybody else. Kobe is as good at scoring, rebounding, passing, and defending as Jordan, but he'd rather be better at scoring and worse at everything else. Kobe has no MVPs (nor does he deserve any thus far), no championships as the #1 guy, and doesn't make his teammates better. Until he does all of the above, he is not as good as Jordan. A better comparison to Kobe, success-wise, not style-wise, is Elgin Baylor. Elgin Baylor racked up some incredible stats, and many great individual feats, but never won an MVP or a championship as the #1 guy. Kobe's slightly different because he has three rings, but it merits a comparison.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tHe_pEsTiLeNcE @ Apr 14 2007, 09:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>but he also isolates his teammates.</div>You obviously haven't watched that much of Jordan then. He was an awful teammate at times, getting into fights with many of them.
Yeah, it took a loooooong time for Jordan to finally "grow up". Why nobody brings that up is beyond me.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>And being the best player ever is more prestigious than being the best laker ever</div>Michael Jordan isn't the best player ever either.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Michael Bryant @ Apr 14 2007, 01:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, it took a loooooong time for Jordan to finally "grow up". Why nobody brings that up is beyond me.</div>Yes, but Kobe currently plays like "pre-grown up" Jordan - like around 1987.
Okay, so it's safe to say that this little comparison is still premature. Right? Maybe we all should let it go until Kobe finishes up. So at least then, the argument is fair.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Michael Bryant @ Apr 14 2007, 01:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Okay, so it's safe to say that this little comparison is still premature. Right? Maybe we all should let it go until Kobe finishes up. So at least then, the argument is fair.</div>yeah, that's the thing is that I could see kobe maturing and becoming more of a 28-8-8 guy and winning some MVPs and rings, but I could also see him staying like this his whole career and finish about top 15 all time with the Elgin Baylors of the world.
Well, there is only one Elgin Baylor, the rest are just immitating.As for Kobe, we are just going to have to wait it out.
I would address this issue, except that I have homework to do. I'll write something up later.All I have to say is, no one gives a F*ck about "Jordan is a cheater and gambler" or "Kobe is a rapist liar" when comparing basketball legend. Shut up and don't refer to it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Michael Bryant @ Apr 14 2007, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why do people always say that? They always say sh*t like "Kobe isn't even close" like Jordan's untouchable or something. I mean, I don't care too much about this sort of comparison, in the end I just want Kobe to be the best Laker ever (being the best Laker ever is more prestigious than being the best Bull ever). But, the two players are INDENTICAL when they play. I mean they do the same things. It's hard not to wonder. But you really can't make this comparison when one of the players is the most beloved and the other is hated by everybody. Both players are judged by bias and ignorant opinions. Jordan that he's never going to be touched (bullsh**) and that Kobe is nowhere near him (also bullsh**). People are too biased towards Jordan while been to biased against Kobe. If the guy becomes better than Jordan it's because he earned it with hard work. Kobe busts his ass when he plays, he lives and breathes basketball, I think he deserves just a little bit more respect than what he's getting. These Jordan lovers are ridiculous and blind.What bothers me is, that Kobe is the closest thing since MJ yet everybody says that he can't even be compared. But LeBron James on the other hand, is a mirror-f*cking image. Let's get real.</div>..................Kobe is not in MJ's class yet because MJ just has too many rings. People aren't as biased as you think if you sit down and look at what they are talking about. Most of the times it is when they compare Kobe to one of the greats like MJ, or about Kobe being the best player ever. Once Kobe's career is over, he will be more in Jordan's class, if he gets an MVP and some more rings, as previously stated. I have nothing wrong with Kobe. My problem comes with too many people trying to defend him when he is compared to MJ or on any other occasion.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tHe_pEsTiLeNcE @ Apr 14 2007, 03:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe is the only guy in the history of the game who will take a 30 foot shot off the inbounds pass in the first quarter if he's feeling it.</div>Never heard of Tracy McGrady? Gilbert Arenas? Vince Carter? All 3 of these guys, 2 of which I have seen over 40 of their games this season, are worse than Kobe in terms of horrible, horrible shot attempts if they make a few shots in a row.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Yes, but Kobe currently plays like "pre-grown up" Jordan - like around 1987</div>No, Dwyane Wade plays like pre-grown up Jordan. Kobe, right this second, is a mix of MJ in the '80's and '90's. He is stilla thletic and still the 35PPG scorer like MJ was in the '80's, and the jumpshooter and very intelligent player that MJ was in the '90's.Anyway, as for this comparison, it is very simple....in terms of pure skill, Kobe is BETTER than MJ EVER was. Kobe is a better ballhandler than MJ ever was, is more multi-fasceted than MJ was, and has a FAR better jumpshot than MJ EVER did.With that said, MJ was EASILY the better player for one reason: Smarts. Kobe's talent to shoot the long range jumper is also the reason he has never been the scorer MJ was. MJ always shot over or near 50% due to willingness to take ball to rim, to take 10-15ft midrange jumper, and to use his trengths to their absolute fullest extent. MJ, while just as athletic as Kobe, was a smarter defender and could do a much ebtte rjob at locking down the opponents best player. He was also much more willing and determined to be that guy early in his career (later in his career he had Pippen to take that load off him). Both could take over the game at the end, Kobe possibly moreso, but MJ was far better at hitting the game winner due to his shot selection. When MJ needed to be, he could get the job done as a playmaker, could grab 6-8 rebounds, etc...Simply put, Kobe is more skilled while MJ was smarter in using his skills, and he was more determined than Kobe ever was. Not to mention the long list of accomplishment he has trumps Kobe's.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>..................Kobe is not in MJ's class yet because MJ just has too many rings. People aren't as biased as you think if you sit down and look at what they are talking about. Most of the times it is when they compare Kobe to one of the greats like MJ, or about Kobe being the best player ever. Once Kobe's career is over, he will be more in Jordan's class, if he gets an MVP and some more rings, as previously stated. I have nothing wrong with Kobe. My problem comes with too many people trying to defend him when he is compared to MJ or on any other occasion.</div>Kobe doesn't have to win any rings or MVP's. Those are out of his hands. He can't control what the MVP voters feel is valuable and he definately can't win a title on his own. The comparison has to be between the two players and what both can and can't do without including any variables that can sway the argument.BTW, Nitro's above post was probably the most thought out I've seen so far.
In terms of greatness it isnt close. Jordan wins hands down. In terms of who was more skilled. Kobe is the better 3 pt threat and the more explosive scorer. Jordan is more clutch, better from withtin 18 feet, and played in a far weaker swingman era.
