In class we discussed the question who’s better Michael or
Kobe? I am a huge fan of Kobe Bryant
ever since I was kid and had his jersey and thought he was the most dominant
athlete when I was growing up. So the
easy response would be to say Kobe is better.
However watching highlights of Michael Jordan and how dominant he was as
an athlete, I would have to say my answer is Michael Jordan. Both players are very similar in the way they
play, such as both are very hard working, determined and competitive. They both have incredible talent and are born
winners with “clutch” skills when the game is down to the wire.
Michael does have
six championships compared to Kobe’s five.
His six championships also came as three-peats during the 90’s. Kobe also had three-peat and back-to-back
championships in the 2000’s. Jordan has
more MVP’s and finals MVP’s. They are both 14-time NBA all-stars, 10 times
first team, 9 time defensive first team and slam dunk champions. Jordan is a 10-time NBA scoring champ with Kobe
only having two. Kobe does have five rings with two of them coming without
Shaq. Jordan won all his six rings with
Scottie Pippen.
With both players
being accomplished and considered the best of all time, where do we look to see
who’s better? I think we have to look at
the eras both of these players played in.
Jordan was at the end of his career when Kobe entered the league and
when Jordan played against the greats like Magic, Bird and Isaiah Thomas, he
did not win a championship. Kobe won a
championship in his fourth season while Jordan won his first championship in
his seventh season. When Shaq left Los
Angeles in 2004 it took Kobe five years to win again in 2009. Kobe also has had to play against greats such
as LeBron, Iverson, Duncan, Durant and the list goes on.
I believe that
this question is so hard to answer because of how comparable these two athletes
are talent wise and their demeanor on and off the court. I think their demeanor and attitude is what
makes them the greatest. LeBron should
be in the same question but I don’t think he has the mental toughness and
killer instinct that these two athletes have.
There is no doubt that Jordan set the standard on the court with his
play and off the court with his marketability.
Kobe has formed his own identity on the court and endorses many products
that are recognizable in popular culture.
One thing is for
sure is that both of these athletes are legends in their own right and are
exciting to watch demonstrate why they are in a class of their own.
First of all, I don't think LeBron, Duncan, Iverson, and Durant are comparable to the greats you mentioned Jordan playing against early in his career. I don't think making a case for Kobe being in Jordan's class is unfathomable. However, one of the greatest of his era, Shaq, played on his team during multiple championships and was arguably more valuable.
ReplyDelete- Marc Rodriguez
Ryan
ReplyDeleteI dont think that Lebron and Durant should be even mentioned in the same category as Michael Jordan. I think that Kobe on the other hand has to be mentioned as on the greats in basketball but i dont think that he is as good as Michael Jordan. I say that because just like the video that we watched in class Kobe Bryant field goal percentage isnt as good as Jordans and Kobe took alot more shots from the field than Jordan did. I do believe though that in todays era of basketball Kobe Bryant is the best player playing the game right now.
Tyler Clifton
I definitely agree with what Marc and Tyler had to say. This question can be very hard for SOME people to define, but in my mind there is no doubt that Michael Jordan was the better player, considering the better stats and the greater achievements he has made in his lifetime. Despite what the Kobe fans may think, we need to only look at offensive output and defensive output by career and individual season to see that MJ gets the nod. Just because we are able to witness Kobe's amazing athletic feats live on HD flat screens, it doesn't mean that Kobe compares favorably to MJ simply because many younger fans never saw Jordan play live. Whether we're looking at scoring, assists, or offensive rebounds, by career or overall best season, MJ has the advantage. Jordan was not just a great offensive threat, but a great defender as well. Rarely does a great offensive player receive Defensive Player of the Year honors as MJ did.
ReplyDeleteAlicia Jefferson
I think it is very difficult to compare the two. I would not hesitate to put them in the same class of the most elite players the NBA has ever seen. Jordan has the extra title on Bryant but Kobe is still playing and at a high level at that. I don't think it is fair to compare any of these players to Jordan, who has finished his basketball career, while they are still playing. Kobe is the closest to retirement so he is the closest one to Jordan at this point in time. I do think by the end of their careers that Lebron and Durant will be in the class with Bryant and Jordan as well as many others.
ReplyDeleteMike Frank
When comparing players from different eras it is always tough. Jordan played against Bird, Magic, Thomas, Drexler, Barkley, Malone and list goes on and on. Kobe's era I can't name too many players that stack up against the names I mentioned. Jordan's impact off the court was as big if not bigger than his on the court. You can throw out statistic after statistic to compare the two but in the end it is really who you talk to, and what you feel is important in making the decision who you think is best. For me I believe Jordan is the best of all time, but it is nice to think of what it would be like if Kobe and Jordan played in the same era.
ReplyDeleteDouglas Deprest
this comparing is very difficult to me because I love both of them. They are hero in NBA. Jordan was very fantastic when I young, and Kobe is very great basket player now. Also, Jordan is not play basket ball anymore now but Kobe is still playing now. Thus, I can't compare between Jordan and Kobe, it is very difficult to me. I think that if Jordan and Kobe play basket ball in the same era, maybe Jordan is more better then Kobe.
ReplyDeleteJunho Song.