Kobe Bryant better than Michael Jordan!?

[jmoore_21]

Before anyone starts bashing me or anything i did NOT write this nor is this my own opinion. I found this article & thought it would be good for some people who debate this to read.

Why Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan:

Reason 1: Better defense, better players, more competition, and better basketball overall.

Kobe plays in the modern defensive era of traps, doubles, and zone defenses. From the year 2001, the NBA effectively legalized zone defensive, thus discouraging 1-on-1 play. Compare this to Michael Jordan's weaker era, where had to luxury of playing "iso" all game long. Kobe cannot even post up without getting doubled.

Many people think zone's are weak defenses, that is because so many teams don't play it properly. While they may be weak against great passing teams with shooters, if played properly, zone defenses are great against dominant individuals (Kobe, Garnett, etc) that have a weak supporting cast. The whole world plays zone. Even in College basketball, the "purest" form of basketball, the teams play almost entirely zone defense. Around the world, other countries use zone all the time. And if you want to see its effectiveness, just look at the 2006 summer games.

Furthermore today's NBA is far more competitive. Not only does Kobe have to deal with zone, he goes up against taller, bigger and stronger defenders than Jordan ever did. Back in the 1980's most of the shooting guards Jordan played against were 6''2 to 6''4. Kobe can shoot over shorter players like that with unbelievable efficiency, yet he plays against players that are 6''5 to 6''9. In the 80s, outside of a few good teams (Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Knicks) there was really not that much competition. Today, even the worst teams in the league (i.e bobcats, hawks) are good and can hold their own with any team they face.

Sure, the 80's was a more physical brand of basketball. But physicality, does not translate into effectiveness. If you ask any great scorer which is harder: 1) Playing with double and triple teams or 2) Having to deal with stiff-arms and armbars, they would chose the former. And furthermore, you think Kobe doesn't face armbars/stiff-arms? How can you guard Kobe without using your hands? It is impossible. With the rules the way they are, Kobe should be getting two free throws on almost every trip down.

Reason 2: Individual skill sets

Michael Jordan revolutionized the game of basketball and defined the future of the SG position. Then Kobe Bryant came along, and perfected this. When you compare their two skill sets, it goes like this:

Kobe Bryant: Better shooter, better ball-handler, better range, better play maker, better passer, better off-hand, better scorer, better killer instinct.

Michael Jordan: Smarter player, more efficient, more consistent defensively.

The both have the about equal footwork and "clutch" abilities.

In 2006, Phil Jackson said that "Kobe is better than Michael with the basketball." Even when Kobe was only 21 years old, Phil already said that Kobe is a better playmaker:

"I think it's the best that I've ever seen a player of mine play with an overall court game. I'm asking him to do so much, and he's accomplishing it. I never asked Michael to be a playmaker."



So why is Michael Jordan revered while Kobe Bryant is not?

Michael Jordan had such a big impact on basketball financially and economically. In the early 80's, the league was in recession and basketball wasn't that big. When Michael Jordan came around, the league and its sponsors (Nike, Gatorade, etc), took a great player in Michael Jordan and turned him into an icon. Michael was a master of controlling his image, and appealing to the people. This is something Kobe has not managed to do. Jordan could do no wrong with fans, and possessed an almost saint-like status. It is this nostalgia and this image of Jordan that fans have come to love. This is why they cannot accept that Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan. By better, I don't mean statistically. Jordan will always have better numbers, averages, and accolades than Kobe. Period. But skill-wise and ability-wise, Kobe has surpassed him in this tougher era of basketball.

Lastly, there is a popular myth that Jordan won 6 titles as a one-man show. This is far from the truth. He played with:

-3 All-Stars (Pippen, Rodman, Grant)
-2 of the games best defenders (Pippen and Rodman)
-1 of the 50 greatest players of all-time (Pippen)
-2 The games best 3 point shooters (Kerr and Kukoc)

Even without Michael Jordan, Pippen and the bulls managed to get a staggering 55 wins.

[Rasputin_Vol]

Let's see what Jordan thinks about all of this...

Michael Jordan Says Kobe Would Not Even be a Contest » Smarter Sports Blog

[orangeblooded2]

NO.

Over all it sounds as though it was written by someone in their mid twenties.Trying to hype Kobe and modern day B-Ball.

As far as Jackson comments.He is the Zen Master who know how to stroke Superstar ego's.Don't get me wrong Kobe is a superstar but jordan he ain't!

[Rasputin_Vol]

Greatest Kobe article ever written...

The pleasure of hating Kobe Bryant. - By Sam Anderson - Slate Magazine

[BigPapaVol]

The author of that original article is an absolute idiot.

[Brewerw]

Could Kobe in his prime beat Michael in his? Probably.
Would anyone pick Kobe to put on his team over Michael? NO!

[GAVol]

Originally Posted by Brewerw

Could Kobe in his prime beat Michael in his? Probably.

You're going to have to explain "probably" to me.

[volsfanhc04]

I don't think its even close. Jordan was better. They talk about physical. Kobe already gets every call and then when he misses a shot he complains he was fouled. When mj played you could put your hands on players and bump and some pushin. But now any of that is a foul or a flagrant. I don't think any way kobe would handle the defense from then. Yeah jordan played with pippen. Kobe played with shaq which is the most dominant center of alltime. When lebron gets a killer instinct and learn to drive more he will be better than kobe. Imo I don't think anyone will ever be as dominant again because of the drop in physical play.
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[Brewerw]

Originally Posted by GAVol

You're going to have to explain "probably" to me.

Meaning, I think Kobe would win in a one on one game more times than not. He was quicker, had a better shot, more explosive, smarter player, etc.

[Brewerw]

Originally Posted by volsfanhc04

I don't think its even close. Jordan was better. They talk about physical. Kobe already gets every call and then when he misses a shot he complains he was fouled. When mj played you could put your hands on players and bump and some pushin. But now any of that is a foul or a flagrant. I don't think any way kobe would handle the defense from then. Yeah jordan played with pippen. Kobe played with shaq which is the most dominant center of alltime. When lebron gets a killer instinct and learn to drive more he will be better than kobe. Imo I don't think anyone will ever be as dominant again because of the drop in physical play.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Quote 1: False
Quote 2: Have you watched Lebron James play?
Quote 3: You first argued Kobe wouldn't have been good if placed in the past because he "couldn't handle the defense from then." Then you ended you assessment by saying no one will be as dominant because the game is less physical. I don't understand.

[volsfanhc04]

Originally Posted by Brewerw

Quote 1: False
Quote 2: Have you watched Lebron James play?
Quote 3: You first argued Kobe wouldn't have been good if placed in the past because he "couldn't handle the defense from then." Then you ended you assessment by saying no one will be as dominant because the game is less physical. I don't understand.

1.Who do you think was more dominant. Shaq would have booted wilt and kareem out of the way. I don't think they would have had a chance against shaq. Back then centers weren't that big so they dominated pretty easily.

2. Yes I have and when he drives watch out but shoots too many jumpers and when he is off he keeps shootin instead of drivin. I love lebron. He is without question my favorite person to watch. I just wish down the stretch he would drive more.

3. When jordan played you could do a lot more on defense. And now everything is a foul so we can't really tell what kobe could do if bruce bowen or ron artest could play there physical defense without gettin called for fouls that wouldn't have been called back then. I'm startin to not like watchin the nba anymore. Reffin is worse than ever, techs are gettin thrown out there for nothin, and flagrants are gettin called for things that used to be regular fouls every game.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[GAVol]

Originally Posted by Brewerw

Meaning, I think Kobe would win in a one on one game more times than not. He was quicker, had a better shot, more explosive, smarter player, etc.

This is one of those arguments that cannot be won . . . but did you ever actually see much of Jordan? The shot is debatable, but the speed, explosiveness and intelligence is a wash at best for Kobe.

[bburger991]

To be honest, I think a lot of players from today could probably beat Jordan one on one in each of their primes, just due to some of the strength training, nutrition, ..etc that some guys have now.

However, that doesn't mean they're the better player. It's just different eras. It makes it waaaay more difficult than it can be to compare players.

[BigPapaVol]

Kobe isn't the athlete Jordan was, period.
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[GAVol]

Originally Posted by bburger991

To be honest, I think a lot of players from today could probably beat Jordan one on one in each of their primes, just due to some of the strength training, nutrition, ..etc that some guys have now.

However, that doesn't mean they're the better player. It's just different eras. It makes it waaaay more difficult than it can be to compare players.

Different eras?? Give me a break . . . It's not like Jordan's prime was 40 years ago or something. The guy was winning titles as recently as 10 or 11 years ago.