Kobe vs. MJ... Is Kobe helped by the hancheck rule?

Question

I LOVE this debate.

So here's a couple of things. Check out this link under #5.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons

The Sports Guy disagreed with Jamelle (so did I) on the NBA being a better league now. Clearly wrong when I first read it. But Simmons brings up the handcheck rule...

Agree or disagree?

In essence, are you saying that those Lakers, Pistons, Rockets, Suns, Jazz and Bulls teams (playing today)wouldn't be up there at the top with today with the Suns and Mavs?

If you are I say your're crazy. We're only talking about 10-15 year difference here. Some of the players evern overlap to todays players. The difference is athleticism is there, but i don't think it's so huge. You don't think Malone could guard Nowitski? Dumars couldn't guard Nash?

Still a good answer even if I disagree.

jAcob, you know what I love? I love it whe n someone answers a question without reading the comments. Thats you. Good answer. But if you READ MY COMMENTS, you'll notice I DISAGREED with Jamelle Hill. Than means I like MJ in this debate. So no, I won't blab about 81 points if you read and think before talking about people blabbing.

Answer 1

I would givew MJ the trophy hands down. If u ask who's the better player then definitely Michael. But before you start blabbing me about Kobe's sensational points (81, 4 game streak over 50, etc.) think about it, were not asking who the better scorer is but player, so lets look beyond the points.
Jordan has the ability to lead is team and cover up where they fall short.

Lets talk D, Kobe plays good Defense but falls behind if compared to Jordan. MJ was able to get the Defensive player of the year award after only 4 years in the League(now thats impressive).And, also to mention, was included in the All defensive first team several times in his career.

Offense? i can agree that Kobe is one of the best weapons out there and perhaps all time. But Jordan doesnt fall short, grabbing the scoring record 10 times isnt easy. And, if you look at it, Jordan didn't really need to score as much points as Kobe does know because his team was also able to contribute quite a lot to their offensive arsenal. Kobe needs to score that much points because of the lack of offensive arsenal in the team. but if you put Jordan in Kobe's place then i think he can also produce such figures and provide the team offensively.

To wrap it up, As much as I dont like Kobe, we have to give him the Credit, I can't see any other player in the league now who has the capabilities of doing what he does. But, overall honors goes to MJ. Face it, he's the MAN.

by the way, i forgot to mention, Jordan got 5 season MVP's , 6 Finals MVP's and 3 All-star mvp's.wow.

Answer 2

MJ is a better player regardless.
However, I think you and the sports guy are clearly wrong with regards to the state of the league. The game now is so much faster. The handcheck rule? Why not talk about defensive three seconds too? You are talking about things that are intangible and thus cannot be measured. Going by your way of thinking isn't it likely that Jordan and other defensive players at the time got so many more steals, (or Jordan's defensive player of the year?)
Take a look at how many players in the game today are more athletic, faster, and stronger. In fact I would be so bold to say the only two things that gives weight to MJ's league days over the present NBA is 1) Fundamentals 2) Team Game- so much today is about isolations.

Answer 3

Physical talent is probably even. I believe it would come down to mental toughness. This was always the area where Michael excelled. Remember the year when Clyde was MVP? Come the finals, Michael ripped him and made a mockery of the voting. How about those 2 championship wins over the Jazz? Michael willed his team to complete the job on the Jazz home court.

He honoured his contract to the Bulls, he didn't whine and let the media get in on the act. He fulfilled his obligations and played hard every season never letting the petty ways of the Bulls management interfere with the day to day job of winning.

Jordan deserves to be acknowledged as the greatest not just for his court antics (because Kobe is just as talented) but for his mental strength and ability to put things in perspective.

Answer 4

Michael Jordan is no doubt one of the greatest of all time next to Bill Russell. But Kobe still has many years left and he's also in the ranks of such hall of famers. I'd say there is no way to compare them and say one is better than the other. Jordan was great for his game winning shots and we'll always remember those. The same with kobe. No one will be MJ and no one will ever be Kobe. Each have established themselves as legendary figures of the NBA.

Answer 5

Kobe Bryant is better.He scored 50 points per game the last 5 games then drops 43.He has 20 50 points games.his high is 81
hello 81

Answer 6

Kobe's a great player but he's getting the calls to keep the Lakes afloat. When a guy gets 30 points on free throws alone, he's getting some help.