2008 Woodie Awards
Greatest: Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant
Debate won't go away: who is best in basketball?
Bo Brewer
Issue date: 5/22/07 Section: Sports
To most sports fans, this topic has been a continuing debate for years. Love him or hate him, Kobe Bryant has emerged as possibly the biggest star in basketball in today's game.
Now that the basketball season is ended for Kobe, it's time to reevaluate the comparisons of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Jordan is a few years into his retirement and has taken more of the businessman role in the NBA. Bryant and his Lakers on the other hand just got eliminated in a first-round domination by the Phoenix Suns, thus creating conflict for the upcoming off-season in Los Angeles.
Taking a closer look at the comparison of Jordan and Bryant requires more than just subjective standpoints based on fan bias and common assumptions. Most longtime fans would agree that Michael Jordan is the superior player. However, some of the younger fans choose Kobe over MJ. When taking full analysis, it comes quite clear that MJ is the better basketball player, and possibly the best of all-time.
Jordan globalized basketball during his career with his unique athleticism and graceful style of play. When asked for the complete basketball player, he has the whole package. Jordan has a keen sense of putting the ball in the hoop by any means necessary as well as making the highly improbable look easy. It should be noted that Jordan played in the best defensive era in NBA history, which is largely due to the lack of sensitivity when calling fouls.
Bryant is the closest thing to Jordan we've seen in the history of basketball. He shares that same rare ability to score at will, no matter what a defense throws at him.
Although Bryant has not quite reached the same point in his career that Jordan has, it is still safe to compare the honors and awards each player has earned throughout their playing days. While these achievements are not necessarily everything, it is definitely a significant piece of information. Jordan has six NBA championships to Bryant's three. Jordan has been named MVP five times. Bryant has zero MVPs to his name. Bryant has three scoring titles, but Jordan eclipses that number with ten. Bryant has been acknowledged for his defense by being named to the all-defense team multiple times, but Jordan has been elected best defensive player of the year, something Bryant has never done. Jordan made a direct impact on the game when he arrived to the league and was the NBA's rookie of the year in 1984. Bryant developed his game after a couple of seasons before making any impact on the league. Yes, some of these awards can be based on a popularity contest as well as a reflection of a team, not an individual.
Now that the basketball season is ended for Kobe, it's time to reevaluate the comparisons of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Jordan is a few years into his retirement and has taken more of the businessman role in the NBA. Bryant and his Lakers on the other hand just got eliminated in a first-round domination by the Phoenix Suns, thus creating conflict for the upcoming off-season in Los Angeles.
Taking a closer look at the comparison of Jordan and Bryant requires more than just subjective standpoints based on fan bias and common assumptions. Most longtime fans would agree that Michael Jordan is the superior player. However, some of the younger fans choose Kobe over MJ. When taking full analysis, it comes quite clear that MJ is the better basketball player, and possibly the best of all-time.
Jordan globalized basketball during his career with his unique athleticism and graceful style of play. When asked for the complete basketball player, he has the whole package. Jordan has a keen sense of putting the ball in the hoop by any means necessary as well as making the highly improbable look easy. It should be noted that Jordan played in the best defensive era in NBA history, which is largely due to the lack of sensitivity when calling fouls.
Bryant is the closest thing to Jordan we've seen in the history of basketball. He shares that same rare ability to score at will, no matter what a defense throws at him.
Although Bryant has not quite reached the same point in his career that Jordan has, it is still safe to compare the honors and awards each player has earned throughout their playing days. While these achievements are not necessarily everything, it is definitely a significant piece of information. Jordan has six NBA championships to Bryant's three. Jordan has been named MVP five times. Bryant has zero MVPs to his name. Bryant has three scoring titles, but Jordan eclipses that number with ten. Bryant has been acknowledged for his defense by being named to the all-defense team multiple times, but Jordan has been elected best defensive player of the year, something Bryant has never done. Jordan made a direct impact on the game when he arrived to the league and was the NBA's rookie of the year in 1984. Bryant developed his game after a couple of seasons before making any impact on the league. Yes, some of these awards can be based on a popularity contest as well as a reflection of a team, not an individual.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 43
Bob
posted 5/23/07 @ 5:39 AM MST
Jordan all the way!!!
MoeBruiser
Moe
posted 5/23/07 @ 12:05 PM MST
Great article Bo. I'd like to see more articles like this with such in-depth analysis, especially during football season. Rice vs. Moss; Unitas vs. Manning; Tomlinson vs. (Continued…)
Tomatcartoncraft
Tom
posted 5/23/07 @ 12:38 PM MST
I remember MJ in his prime and have seen Kobe play. No question about it, Jordan was better. After you read all the stats that Bo put in this article, it only confirms my opinion. (Continued…)
Monday Midnite
monday midnite
posted 5/23/07 @ 11:46 PM MST
Fantastic article. Right on the money. Jordan is to date the greatest ever, period. It must also be mentioned that Michael's conduct throughout his NBA career befits that of a true superstar and kobe's. (Continued…)
K. B. Upthere
posted 6/01/07 @ 7:17 AM MST
Kobe has been robbed of 2 MVPs and maybe even 3. It is without question he was the best player in the league the past two seasons. Jordan was given one in 88 when his team didn't do great. (Continued…)
Geno
Geno
posted 6/28/07 @ 8:31 AM MST
I totally agree with Moe and Bo... they have great points and they know what they are talking about. Kobe does have questionable character, and the media is very questionable about him. (Continued…)
Justin
posted 8/01/07 @ 8:54 PM MST
Well I have to say MJ as well. Kobe is a fantastic player, but Jordan is still the best. Some Kobe fans say well Kobe scored 81 in a game compared to Jordan's 69, but Jordan still scored more points in a season than Kobe. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 10/12/07 @ 10:20 PM MST
I am a Kobe fan for life. But after reading this article and getting the facts, I say that MJ is basketball.
Khaled
posted 11/15/07 @ 5:40 PM MST
Grew up watching Jordan. Witnessed the championships. Saw Kobe...outstanding player...witnessed his championships...compared them. More points from jordan, more rings, more international fans, more defense to score on. (Continued…)
HOW911
posted 1/08/08 @ 7:32 AM MST
KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!KOBE IS SHIT!!
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