Is Michael Jordan still better than Kobe?

Question

I still say MJ is the best, eventhough he didn't score 81 points in a game like Kobe did, he has 6 rings, Kobe has 3. Do you people still think MJ is better than Kobe?, let me know what you think

Answer 1

Ken M...Outstanding answer. i asked this question in 2 different ways a few days ago. Most people agreed that Jordan is better. But besides Ken, and a few other people, I don't think they realize just how far Kobe is from Jordan. He has a LONG!!!!!! way to go. In fact, frankly Jordan will always be better. Sure, i'm sure that Kobe is probly tired of being compared to Jordan. So are Kobe's fan. There will never be another Jordan. Kobe is Kobe. But some of Kobe's own fans say that he's better than Jordan. Wrong answer!. Most of those "kids" were never around to watch the 80s and 90s of the NBA, so they have NO idea of what they're talking about. Ken is correct. It was a different league, w/ players who were a lot more consistent and team-oriented.

And for the record, that ESPN writer who wrote that article saying Kobe is better, Jemele Hill, is QUICKLY losing credibility in my book. She probably just graduated from h.s. last year. She has no idea of what she's talking about.

One more thing, frankly, when comparing the two players, it's funny how the Kobe fans say that he's being "held back" cuz of the rape issue. that's hogwash. Kobe is a great player, but nowhere near Jordan, and it has nothing to do w/ what he did in a Colorado hotel. that was just a poor judgment call. Jordan isn't perfect either. none of us are. But I didn't claim that i was the best basketball player ever. Kobe fans need to be brought back down to earth.

Answer 2

I say MJ because if u think about it, when mj was playing the defender could get all up on u and hand checking was allowed. Now the only reason Kobe scored 81 is because u cant even touch the shooter without getting a fouled called. Plus jordan could drop 50+ on any team not just sorry ones. No disrespect to the Raptors, but when jordon scored 55 on the Knicks they, as in the Knicks, were on top of ther game. And jordan was fresh out of baseball. So lets see Kobe take a 2 year break and go score 50 on the Spurs.

Answer 3

I love this topic. Kobe Bryant And Jordan are the same player! They are the same size, athletic ablility, rebounding, assists, etc. Kobe hits the same buzzer beaters, does the same fade away (only better) as Jordan, etc. Michael Jordan did more for the game of basketball than any other individual player, but don't let that be the deciding factor. The medial loves that man and protects him whereas the medial hates Kobe.

As for the championship debate, people say that Kobe would have 0 rings wtihout Shaq. That may be the case, but guaranteed that MJ would have 0 without Scottie Pippen. He could not win a playoff series before Scottie came around. Nobody can win a championship on their own.

This is a wonderful topic, but lets just call it even. If you watched them both play you would think them to be the same player. Kobe is a better scorer, MJ a better leader (Kobe is working on it this season), but everything else is too close to call.

Answer 4

As of right now yes Michael Jordan is still better than Kobe Bryant. Here is why - Kobe Bryant has failed to win an NBA title or even reach the championship series without the big man Shaquille O'Neal. If Kobe Bryant can CARRY a team into a championship series even if he loses i still think IMO i would have him being better than MJ b/c MJ never had to carry the team, he had an ALL STAR cast beside him throughout his entire career. When MJ first "retired" Scottie Pippen (Jordans sidekick so to speak) finished 2nd in the MVP voting and the Bulls still reached the Eastern Conf. championship series, so that there proves the guys he won with were already winners he just added to that. Take Kobe off of his team now and they would not even get close to the playoffs so right now Kobe is nipping at MJ's heels, and if he continues to have great showings (remember Kobe is not that old) he will surpass Jordan and go even further. You cant base your only judgement on rings alone, thats just not a fair comparison i mean 6 rings is a sick number but in all reality their competition was far inferior to the comp that Kobe is going through today (Mavs, Spurs, Suns, Pistons, Heat, Cavs) and Kobe is CARRYING his team on his back. Jordan came back (at an old age ill give you that) to play for the Wizards and couldnt do a damn thing for them, i think Kobe is gonna wind up as a top 5 player of all time and better than the heralded MJ. I think everyone wants to claim MJ as the "best ever" simply b/c he is fresh in their minds while MJ doesnt hold a candle to guys like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, or even Magic Johnson and Julius Erving. Hell ill still put Larry Bird up there ahead of MJ.

Answer 5

Yes, Jordan is still better than Kobe. Defensively, it's a no brainer. Jordan captured defensive player of the year honors and exhibited a tenacious, in your face, stuck like glue defense that would frustrate the hell out of his opponents. But the argument most critics struggle with is on the offensive end. Both Jordan and Kobe display more offensive weapons in their arsenal than any other player in our era. Both players can finish around the basket with either hand, have the exlposiveness to dunk over 7'0 centers, have unlimited range, create off the dribble, pass out of the double or triple team, shoot the fade away jumper, or change their shot while in the air. And they win games. Jordan won 6 rings and Kobe 3. But I would ask that you take a look at each player when the game is on the line. Jordan always played at a high level, but near the end of the game, he took it even higher to a point where no one on the court could compete with. Phil Jackson or not, Jordan was the one who wanted the ball with the game on the line, and would hit numerous clutch playoff shots with defenders trying their best not to let him get the ball or get the shot off. With Kobe, most people think "He has a great chance to hit the last shot." With Jordan people thought "He WILL hit the last shot." In the their prime, for argument's sake, the team with Jordan will always prevail over the team with Kobe.

Answer 6

for me, MJ is the best player then..up to now, maybe in the future there will be amicheal jordan jr..hehehe, but seriously, kobe a great player, his scoring ability is one of the best out there, bu jordan is a kind of player who is good on offence and defense and almost every aspect of the game, im not saying kobe cant play D, but look at last year playoofs, LA up 3-1 against the SUNS and they lose, kobe not a born leader, he tries so hard to be like mj, but he's not, while jordan, its inborn, just look at the year he return fuultime with the bulls, 72-10 record, with no dominating big man on thier team, and thats beause of MJ, maybe offence goes to kobe, but for everything else it still MJ, and jrdan doesnt need 81 points to win, he can score 20 and still win a championship...and jordan is the only player to score 40 points at being 40 yrs old, and remember the fadeaway jumper he took in his last all star, ...the the most amazing shot ever, over shawn marion, and almost for the win..the stupid ref called a foul and kobe shoots freethrow,...

Answer 7

I am a die-hard Laker fan of yesterday (Magic and Chamberlain) and of today (Kobe). But anyone who knows sports and knows basketball in particular understands the big picture. Jordan was and always will be the greatest player whoever played. If "scoring" is the only measure of greatness, the standard is set too low. Jordan was great because he scored, played defense, elevated his teammates, practiced hard, had a decent reputation, engaged the fans, gave back to his community, and took the NBA's message to the world. Overall, Jordan was and is better than Kobe.

Answer 8

This is my reaction to the ESPN article: Kobe better than Jordan

Yes, Kobe is one of the best players of the game.

His recent scoring spurt proves that. But in the overall scheme of things what does that really prove? He's better than Michael Jordan? Hmmm. How 'bout some coffee first. Oh? Maybe you've had too much of it. Caffeine maybe blocking your vision. So, here's some water. Cool down.

Wait up, girl. Don't get too carried away.

To put into perspective as to who really is better. You have to understand the competition. MJ is said to be the best. According to most. Better than Wilt, Larry, Magic, Bill. Now let's put Kobe there. Does he really belong to that group? Maybe you need to understand the thing that puts them there first. Championships. And not only as a supporting cast but being The Man in a championship team. No Shaq, no Batman to Kobe's Robin, no nothing.

Hell, MJ wouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath with Magic if not for the SIX freaking championships!

I would like to say that one scoring spurt does not a Best Player Ever make. You have to put in there consistency, competition and of course championships. Hell, even MJ got outshone in some games by Mitch Ritchmond. But never always. And in the most important games, he always came out on top.

What good does scoring 50 points for 4 straight games do if it could only get you barely above .500? What does 81 mean when you got kicked out in the first round of the REAL season?

You have to remember during MJ's days 50 was rare because of teams like Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks which would make Kobe's elbows seem like mittened handslaps? And yet you are pooh-poohing guys like Dumars and Starks? Those guys defended MJ with the WHOLE freaking team. And even as individuals do you think Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter or even Dwyane Wade is a better defender that Dumars? Come on, refresh your memory a bit.

And lastly please put this in your notes, MJ played where guys like Magic, Larry, Ewing, Olajuwon, Barkley, Mourning (back when he was nasty), Robinson, Isiah and the Pistons and MJ came out on TOP! Now tell me, which one of the guys today could even hold a candle against these guys' resume?

The Kobe vs MJ debate, as much as it is an individual comparison, is also a comparison of standards (Magic, Larry, Bill Russel, Wilt) by which MJ has to climb to get to the top.

Answer 9

I take it this fashion. Who did MJ play in opposition to within the ninety's (the championship years?) Look at who Kobe is gambling in opposition to...there may be without doubt extra proficiency now then there was once then. Lots of groups in these days have multiple celebrity not like in Jordan's generation wherein there was once almost always one. Still you cannot kick the Bulls crew of the ninety's out, they have been a excellent crew even with out Jordan (they dropped handiest two video games while he left the primary time and dropped much more video games while he got here again, dispells the parable that he "made his teammates bigger.") Let's additionally no longer omit that Jordan didn't ought to manage the severe zone video games we see in these days. Sure they did it for the period of his generation, however it was once performed handiest through folks that might do well with out the refs noticing. Handchecking, unlawful displays, and so forth remains to be performed in these days whether or not persons suppose it or no longer; and was once performed plenty final yr on Kobe for the period of the finals. I believe eventually of his profession despite the fact that, Kobe will probably be checked out as being one of the most finest in NBA historical past. I believe presently Kobe is within the most sensible 10 (I have him at eight) now, MJ I have him at quantity five. As well as MJ was once, he was once simply probably the most puffed up NBA participant in historical past. Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Oscar Robertson have been a lot bigger bball gamers than MJ certainly approximately it. If MJ had emerge as extra of a chief as a substitute of a scorer I could certainly placed him above Larry and the Big O.

Answer 10

Not now. It looks as if Kobe will surpass Michael if he continues down the path he is currently on. And nobody hates it more than me because I love Jordan. But even Jordan said that Kobe was gonna' be one of the best ever.