The KOBE vs JORDAN Debate

[grovestreet]

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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."

Link: http://espn.go.com/page2/s/clo ser/020212.html

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.

[nab_uang]

jordan has 6 rings...

kobe has only 3 rings...

[makoyvelasco]

individual wise: kobe bryant
overall: michael jordan

michael jordan
* Five-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1987-88, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1995-96, 1997-9
* Ten-time All-NBA First Team selection (1986-87 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-9
* Selected in 1996 as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History"
* A member of six Chicago Bulls NBA championship teams (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-9
* Six-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
* The 1987-88 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and record nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection (1987-88 to 1992-93, 1995-96 to 1997-9
* Entering 2002-03, ranked first in NBA history in scoring average (31.0 ppg), second in steals (2,391), fourth in points (30,652) and in field-goals made (11,513), fifth in free-throws made (7,061), sixth in field-goals attempted (23,010) and eighth in free-throws attempted (8,44
* Closed the 1997-98 season as the Bulls' all-time franchise leader in points, rebounds (5,836), assists (5,012), steals, games (930), field-goals made and attempted and free-throws made and attempted (8,115)
* Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in scoring (10)
* Shares the NBA record with Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring (seven, 1986-87 to 1992-93)
* Holds the NBA record for most consecutive games scoring in double-digits (842)
* Holds the NBA record for most seasons leading the league in field-goals made (10) and attempted (10)
* Led the NBA in steals in 1987-88 (3.16 spg), 1989-90 (2.77 spg) and 1992-93 (2.83 spg)
* Holds the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one half (20 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most most free-throws attempted in one half (23 in the same game)
* Shares the NBA single-game records for most free-throws made in one quarter (14 against the Utah Jazz on 11/15/89 and against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92) and most free-throws attempted in one quarter (23 against the Miami Heat on 12/30/92)
* Holds the NBA Finals record for highest single-series scoring average (41.0 ppg in 1993)
* Entering the 2002-03 season, ranks as the all-time NBA Finals leader in three-pointers made (42), second in three-point attempts (114), third in points (1,176), fourth in steals (62), fifth in field-goals made (43, sixth in assists (209) and free-throws made (25, seventh in field-goals attempted (911) and eighth in free-throws attempted (320)
* Holds the NBA Playoffs record for highest career scoring average (33.4 ppg)
* Established an NBA Playoffs record with 63 points against the Boston Celtics on 5/20/86
* Entering the 2002-03 season ranks as the all-time NBA Playoffs leader in field-goals attempted (4,497), free-throws made (1,463) and attempted (1,766), second in steals (376) and field-goals made (2,18, fifth in assists (1,022), seventh in three-point attempts (446) and ninth in three-pointers made (14
* Recorded two playoff career triple-doubles, both against the New York Knicks (5/9/89 and 6/2/93)
* Participated in 13 NBA All-Star Games (1985, 1987-1993, 1996-98, 2002-03), starting 13 times, and missed another due to injury
* Named the MVP of the 1988, 1996 and 1998 NBA All-Star Games
* All-time NBA All-Star Game leader in steals (35) and ranks second in field-goal attempts (206), third in points (242), fourth in scoring average (20.2 ppg), and eighth in assists (52)
* Notched the first triple-double in All-Star Game history, with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, in the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland
* Won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1987 and 1988, also participating in 1985
* Notched his 28th career triple-double, with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, against the Toronto Raptors on 4/14/97
* Returned from retirement against the Indiana Pacers on 3/19/95 and posted 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in 43 minutes

kobe bryant
Career highlights

* 3-time NBA Champion: 2000, 2001, 2002
* 9-time NBA All-Star: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

* Has started in each of his appearances
* 9 consecutive appearances (No All-Star game in 1999 due to league-wide lock-out)

* 2-time NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2002, 2007
* 8-time All-NBA Selection:

* First Team: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
* Second Team: 2000, 2001
* Third Team: 1999, 2005

* 6-time All-Defensive Selection:

* First Team: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006
* Second Team: 2001, 2002

* NBA All-Rookie Second Team: 1997
* NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Champion: 1997
* NBA regular season leader in:

* points: 2003 (2,461), 2006 (2,832, 7th highest in NBA history), 2007 (2,430)
* points per game: 2006 (35.4, 9th highest in NBA history), 2007 (31.6)
* field goals attempted: 2006 (2,173), 2007 (1,757)
* field goals made: 2003 (86, 2006 (97, 2007 (813)
* free throws attempted: 2007 (76
* free throws made: 2006 (696), 2007 (667)

* 2nd highest single-game point total in NBA history: 81 (January 22, 2006 vs. the Toronto Raptors)

* The All-Time record is 100 points by Wilt Chamberlain on March 2, 1962.

NBA milestones

* Youngest player in NBA history to reach:

* 10,000 points (24 years, 193 days), set March 5, 2003 vs. the Indiana Pacers.
* 14,000 points (26 years, 240 days), set April 20, 2005 vs. the Portland Trail Blazers.
* 15,000 points (27 years, 136 days), set January 6, 2006 vs. the Philadelphia 76ers.
* 16,000 points (27 years, 192 days), set March 3, 2006 vs. the Golden State Warriors.
* 17,000 points (28 years, 86 days), set November 17, 2006 vs. the Toronto Raptors.
* 18,000 points (28 years, 156 days), set January 26, 2007 vs. the Charlotte Bobcats.[18]
* 19,000 points (28 years, 223 days), set April 3, 2007 vs, the Denver Nuggets.

* Youngest player to start an NBA game (18 years, 158 days), making his first start for the Los Angeles Lakers on January 28, 1997.
* Youngest player to start an NBA All-Star Game (19 years, 175 days), making his debut at the 48th annual All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden on February 8, 1998.
* Youngest player to be named to the NBA All-Defensive Team (1999-2000)[19]
* Youngest player to be named to the NBA All-Rookie Team (1996-1997)[20]
* Youngest NBA All-Star Slam Dunk champion (18 years, 175 days), after winning the contest at the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend.

NBA records

Kobe Bryant holds or shares seven NBA records:

* Most three-point field goals made, one game: 12 (January 7, 2003 vs. Seattle SuperSonics; shared with Donyell Marshall)[21]
* Most three-point field goals made, one half: 8 (March 28, 2003 vs. Washington Wizards; shared with 5 players).[22]
* Most consecutive three-point field goals made, one game: 9 (January 7, 2003 vs. Seattle SuperSonics; shared with Latrell Sprewell and Ben Gordon).[23]
* Most free throws made, one quarter: 14 (3rd quarter, December 20, 2005 vs. Dallas Mavericks; shared with 5 players).[24][25]
* Most free throws attempted, one quarter: 16 (3rd quarter, December 20, 2005 vs. Dallas Mavericks; shared with 6 players).[26][27]
* Holds shot-clock era records for:

* Greatest percentage of own team's point total (66.4% of the Lakers' 122 points) ( set on January 22, 2006 vs. the Toronto Raptors).
* Greatest percentage of both teams' combined point total (35.8% of the Lakers' and Raptors' 226 points) (Also set on January 22, 2006 vs. the Toronto Raptors).

Lakers franchise records

Kobe Bryant holds or shares twenty-eight Los Angeles Lakers franchise records:

* Points

* Season: 2,832 (2005-06; 7th highest NBA single season scoring output of all-time)
* Game: 81 (January 22, 2006 vs. Toronto Raptors)[28]
* Half: 55 (2nd half, January 22, 2006 vs. Toronto Raptors).[29]
* Quarter: 30 (twice, most recently on November 30, 2006 in 3rd quarter vs. Utah Jazz)[30]
* Scoring average, month: 43.4 (January 2006)
* Games scoring 50 points or more, all-time: 21[31]
* Games scoring 50 points or more, season: 10 (2006-07)[32]
* Games scoring 40 points or more, season: 27 (2005-06)[33]
* Consecutive games of 50 points or more: 4 (March 16–March 23, 2007)[34]
* Consecutive games of 40 points or more: 9 (February 6–February 23, 2003)[35]
* Consecutive games of 20 points or more, season: 62 (December 9, 2005–April 19, 2006)

* Field goals made

* Half: 18 (2nd half, January 22, 2006 vs. Toronto Raptors).[36]
* Quarter: 11 (February 2, 1999 vs. Seattle SuperSonics).[37]

* Free throws made

* Game: 23 (twice, most recently on January 31, 2006 vs. New York Knicks).[38]
* Half: 16 (January 30, 2001 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers)[39]
* Quarter: 14 (3rd quarter, December 20, 2005 vs. Dallas Mavericks)[40]
* Quarter, playoffs: 11 (tied with 3 players; May 8, 1997 vs. Utah Jazz).[41]
* Consecutive: 62 (January 11–22, 2006).[42]

* Three-point field goals made

* All-time: 936 (1996–present)[43]
* Game: 12 (January 7, 2003 vs. Seattle SuperSonics).[44]
* Half: 8 (1st half, March 28, 2003 vs. Washington Wizards).[45]
* Consecutive: 9 (January 7, 2003 vs. Seattle SuperSonics).[46]

* Three-point field goals attempted

* All-time: 2,775 (1996–present)[47]
* All-time, playoffs: 410 (1996–present)[48]
* Season: 518 (2005-06)[49]
* Game: 18 (January 7, 2003 vs. Seattle SuperSonics).[50]

* Steals

* Half: 6 (tied with 3 players; February 13, 2006 vs. Utah Jazz).[51]
* Quarter, playoffs: 3 (tied with 6 players; May 17, 1999 vs. San Antonio Spurs).[52]

source: nba.com, wikipedia.com

[ZikE]

ako since bata pakow...jordan na jud kow...wala na lain...

[ic3man54]

i agree with makoyvelasco

individual wise: kobe bryant
overall: michael jordan

and as nab_uang said

jordan has 6 rings...
kobe has only 3 rings...

but jordan had 6 rings under his leadership and kobe had 3 under shaq... none under his

kobe is good but MJ is better (so much better)

[ben_wong83]

jordan has 6 rings...

kobe has only 3 rings...

bt kobe is still young... bsin ma pun an pa iya ring...

[progmetal]

kobe can't even make d lakers stand on its own!
if you notice shaky kaayo ang season ending sa lakers, japit sila ma 8th sa west...tsk tsk tsk

i prefer a jordan vs. lebron james debate

both are very good over-all performers and leaders as well

[grovestreet]

atay ako ra man kobe dire hehe...

[alexxandy]

basta MJ jud ko!!!

[grovestreet]

if you really searched sa youtube sa "kobe innate ability"... all i can
say is KOBE GODLIKE SKILLZ.