Listen, you can't compare their careers until Kobe retires, anyway. It's completely pointless.
Yes, Kobe IS the best player in the game right now, but even as good as he is, right now, he's nothing close to the greatest basketball player of all time, like Jordan is. He might be in the top 10 of all time already, though.
Comparing them by age is pointless, too, because Jordan went to college, so Kobe has a three year head start. Kobe didn't win a National Title in college, and never will.
Michael Jordan is the greatest player of all time and his career averages are ALL better than Kobe Bryant with the exception of 3pfg per game and 3pfg% per game.
2007-03-21 14:37:14 · 17 answers · asked by Adam C 4 in Sports ➔ Basketball
There's nothing wrong with trying to emulate the best of all time, in my opinion.
Also, Kobe Bryant has the passion to win games, which Garnett has shown he doesn't. I'd rather have the ball in his hands with 3 seconds on the clock than any other player. Now that Kobe trusts his teamates and his sharing the ball, his game is more complete than ever, and he IS the best player. (Steve Nash is the MVP though, but MVP and the best player aren't always the same.)
2007-03-21 15:02:21 · update #1
LOL at the people who don't think MJ is the best of all time.
Bill Russell? Come on, he played in an era when he was the ONLY seven footer in the league till Wilt came along. That's just rediculous. Oh, and that whole thing about how many "blocks and steals he would've had"? He also played in an era when turnovers weren't counted, so I wonder how many turnovers a big, somewhat inathletic guy who played in an era of small gaurds swatting at hte ball all game would've had. Seriously, if you're going to make an argument for someone other than Jordan it HAS to be Magic or Kareem.
2007-03-21 17:14:56 · update #2
People compare them because there so similiar..SKILL.. wise...period.
who cares about stats.!..and FG%?..
.MJ is not! the greatest because of STATS!.....Bill Russell is!.....
Heart ..Skill....there similiar....that's why people compare!
oh yeah...NCAA champion?.....jee thanks James..and Sam..
without them he could'nt do nada!
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Bil Russell was 6'9...he played against some of the greatest
players and teams ( Lakers with West and Baylor )the NBA has ever seen...including a man who was the most dominant center ever! ( WILT )....In Russell's prime he was a 20ppg...20rpg...10bpg...6apg!...2time NCAA champion..
gold medalist...and he won 11 NBA championships as the leader of his team....he won with and without great players..
MJ never won anything without Scottie!.....And if your tall and play against shorter people how come Yao Ming aint winning?
HE"S 6"...TALLER THEN SHAQ!.............here you go!
Let me start off by saying I love MJ..............but if your going off stat's.......he aint got nothing on BR.......oh! yeah....they didn't even count blocked shot's or steal's when he played............lot's of people who watched him play ......say thet in his prime from..... 60-68 he would have averaged 20ppg..24rpg..10blk..5stl..5as... that's sick!.....wan't a legacy?..read ...this..........................
college...........
Four-year letter winner under Hall of Fame coach Phil Woolpert
All-America (1956)
Led San Francisco to back-to-back NCAA championships (1955, 1956)
Along with Hall of Fame teammate K.C. Jones, led USF to 55 straight wins and two straight undefeated seasons
USA Player of the Year (1956)
Scored 1,636 points (20.7 ppg) and grabbed 1,606 rebounds (20.3 rpg) in 79 games
Member, gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic Team (1956)
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NBA..............................
Twelve-time NBA All-Star (1958-69)
MVP All-Star Game (1963) after 19 points and 24 rebounds
Holds the NBA single-game record for most rebounds in a half (32) vs. Philadelphia on Nov. 16, 1957
Celtics's all-time leading rebounder (21,620, 22.5 rpg) in 963 games; second best in history
Holds career playoff record for most rebounds (4,104, 24.9 rpg) in 165 games
Holds NBA Finals record for highest rebound per game average (29.5 rpg, 1959) and by a rookie (22.9 rpg, 1957)
Holds NBA Finals single-game record for most free throws attempted in one half (15, April 11, 1961) vs. St. Louis; most rebounds (40, March 29, 1960 vs. St. Louis and April 18, 1962 vs. Los Angeles); most rebounds by a rookie (32, April 13, 1967 vs. St. Louis); and most rebounds in a quarter (19, April 18, 1962 vs. Los Angeles)
Grabbed a career-high 51 rebounds vs. Syracuse (Feb. 5, 1960), making him one of two players ever (Wilt Chamberlain) to grab more than 50 boards in a game
Had seven games with 40 or more rebounds
Led the NBA in rebounding in first three seasons (19.6, 22.7, 23.0) and five times overall
Led the NBA in minutes played (1959, 42.5 mpg) and in 1965 (44.5 mpg)
Scored 14,522 points (15.1 ppg) in his career and averaged 16.2 ppg in 165 playoff games
Declared Greatest Player in the History of the NBA by the Professional Basketball Writers Association of America (1980)
NBA 25th Anniversary All-Time Team (1970)
NBA 35th Anniversary All-Time Team (1980)
NBA 50th Anniversary all time Team
Named "Sportsman of the Year" by Sports Illustrated (1968)
NBA Boston Celtics, player/head coach (1966-69)
I
1968-69 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1967-68 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1965-66 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1964-65 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1963-64 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1962-63 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1961-62 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1960-61 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1959-60 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1958-59 Boston Celtics NBA champion
1956-57 Boston Celtics NBA champion
Oh! ....I....forgot..................
1958-NBA-MVP
1961-NBA-MVP
1961-NBA-TSN MVP
1962-NBA-MVP
1962-NBA-TSN MVP
1963-NBA-AS MVP
1963-NBA-MVP
1963-NBA-TSN MVP
1965-NBA-MVP
1965-NBA-TSN MVP
.
He prabably.....no wait...let me refrase that.........He WOULD HAVE!, won alot more MVP's,player of the year award's,etc..etc..
but the people who voted.....didn't vote for him because he was black!.....he did all of this ,when it was the toughest....that's what really makes him great....Like I said....the greatest....any more ?'s..LOL
2007-03-21 15:21:27 · answer #1 · answered by Alpha Wolf(Bringer of Rain) 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
You make very good point and it really is pointless to compare the two at this stage. Michael has earned the right to be called the best player ever,BUT even that is arguable. There have been MANY players before him that were ridiculous! Magic, Bird (sickest white player), Dr. J, i mean yes in the modern era Jordan is the best because his success happens to co-inside with the boom of television and the Internet. But i digress. Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA today not just because of stats but because of his rings and experience. He emulates Jordan because he grew up idolizing him just like all of us did. And one day, some new kid will come on to the NBA wanting to be like Kobe. This stuff happens all the time.
No comparison though, it's unfair to both. One doesn't play anymore and the other has large shoes to fill.
2007-03-21 15:18:00 · answer #2 · answered by The real MVP! 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yeah but Kobe's scoring average is lower because he had to share the ball to keep Shaq happy even though he dropped 44 in the playoffs to beat the Spurs in the clutch and go on to win a title so it's not fair to compare overall averages it's obvious that Kobe could have averages over 30 by his third year if he was allowed to take 25 shots per game. In fact that's how the Shaq fued started because both players wanted the scoring title.
2007-03-21 15:49:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason people keep comparing the two is because they play a similar style ( selfish, ball-hogging, me first). They're both 2-guards, and about the same size.
Obviously, you don't know much about NBA basketball, otherwise, you wouldn't be saying Jordan is the greatest of all time.
Yes, he won a NCAA championship in college (as a supporting member), but he also couldn't get UNC past the elite 8 as their leader (and college player of the year), despite having an all-star team.
Jordan was the most selfish player in history (even more than Kobe), who only thought of his own personal stats first. He was lucky he played on a good team in the talent-diluted 90's, otherwise he would have just been a "bald-headed Dominique"....lol
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Rob P.... omg....6 APG!!....WOW.....Magic & Stockton better watch out...lol
That was the famous 1989 season , the one where Doug Collins tried to use Jordan as the point guard. Only one problem....Jordan doesn't like to pass. His 6 assists per game barely put him in the top ten ( ironically, the only time in his career he EVER made the top ten in that category).
The Bulls almost missed the playoffs that year, and Jordan was known to constantly check with the scorers table to see how many rebounds and assists he needed for a triple-double...jealous of Bird or Magic????
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And oh yeah...the famous "flu game".....was he the only player in history to play with the sniffles?? Made for PRIME TIME!!! Classic Jordan....lol
2007-03-21 15:15:32 · answer #4 · answered by Hoopfan 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The way I see it MJ is the fiercest competitor ever in basktball, and one of the top in all sports. He was selfish when his team needed it. "Selfish" players don't average over 6 assists in a career or get over 8 assists per gamein one year (Same year averaged over 8 rebounds and close to 30 pts.) He involved them when possible/needed. He adapted and improved his game when he got older. During his era he could have played for 10-12 different teams that would have won the title if he was on it. The Bulls would not have won it. End Note: 43? pts in finals while throwing up with the flu. Come on!!!!!
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HOOPFAN
The '89 season he averaged 8 apg not 6 as you state. His career avg. was 5.3 apg. Not saying it is high; but is very high for someone who hates to pass. Bulls didn't barely make the playoffs-- they were sixth....made it to the division finals. Pippen was in his second year and still green; noone else to really talk about. Sniffles - flu...same thing I guess. Made for TV--Maybe but my guess is you like to twist things. I saw the game and I've seen Jordan in commercials and he can't act at all. As for him wanting triple doubles-- shouldn't every player. He shot 53%-didn't hurt the team. He also averaged 2.9 steals that year--I know, I know He's a thief too.
2007-03-21 15:40:03 · answer #5 · answered by Rob P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Michael Jordan did great IN the game, and is still doing great OUT of the game, he definitely knew how to work it on the court, and HE could honestly say he was "the greatest, and still is the greatest, of all time" yet he does not, he is not as stuck up as Kobe is. Kobe is not, and will not ever step up to MJ.
MJ is still doing great with his money, and helping people, years after he quit playing the game.
2007-03-21 15:43:28 · answer #6 · answered by larian101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kobe had the 81 points, give or take a few last year. Pretty impressive, but I agree not even close to MJ. MJ, hes like an Einstein to basketball, you dont see greatness that often.
2007-03-21 14:45:31 · answer #7 · answered by Reganomics 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its just because they both play the shooting guard position. almost have the same height and MJ is one of the yardstick for greatness or to be specific the greatest to play the Shooting Guard position. If Kobe's style of play is shooting three's, maybe he'll be compared to Reggie Miller.
2007-03-21 15:35:42 · answer #8 · answered by schnooks17 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every1 says that Kobe is the best b-ball player in history. thats such a lie and MJ is really the best player ever, ppl dont really compare them but they r jus sayin how kobe isnt better than MJ
2007-03-21 16:44:26 · answer #9 · answered by west coast gal 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i don't like bryant but at the end of his career he will be compared even more.
now, even people are comparing Lebron and Dwade too. They are doing that becaues all three are all - round players and will all be compared to MJ
but remember, nobody will be as good as MJ was
2007-03-21 15:13:22 · answer #10 · answered by Edgehead (Colts 2-1) 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear god, Kobe is the best? No no no, man, anyway, the best player in the game, is probably Steve Nash, not the best stats, but stats don't tell the whole story. When Nash isn't on the court, the team is so lost, he controls the team so effieciently. Anyway, if you wanna talk stats, all around stats, it would have to be KG, thats including, points, rebounds, assist FG%, blocks, etc. All around stats, you people always concentrate on points. Lebron can;t be the best anyway, you have to learn to defend first. Kobe has a great defensive mentality.
2007-03-21 14:59:55 · answer #11 · answered by cliffburtongodofthebass 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋