There are those out there who feel that Kobe is on Jordan's level, and that KB is the closest we may ever get to MJ. I have a plethora of arguments against this claim, but will pull out just one that relates to the impending NBA playoffs; until Kobe Bryant wins an NBA title for the Las Angeles Lakers in the post-Shaq era, he should never be considered to be on the same level as Jordan. Michael Jordan has 6 NBA rings... and 6 NBA Finals MVP awards. Kobe Bryant has 3 NBA titles, and.... 0 NBA Finals MVP awards. Why? The answer is quite simple; because he was not the best player on those championship teams. If anyone should be compared to Michael in terms of dominance it should be Shaq with his 4 titles, and 3 Finals MVP awards (but that's another story). I'm not saying that Kobe has to win six NBA titles to be compared to Michael. All I'm saying is that for him to realistically be placed on the same pedestal as Jordan, he should be the LEADER of at least one championship team.
To clarify, I am not taking anything away from Kobe's impact on those championship teams. He was an integral part of the team and an enormous factor in their success. They may have fallen short in each of those finals without Kobe, just as Jordan's Bulls may have fallen short without their second option, the often undercredited Scottie Pippen. So maybe instead 
of being so quick to label Kobe as the second coming of Jordan, one should take a step back and label him more aptly: The Lakers version of Scottie Pippen. Think about it. When Jordan retired Scottie developed into one of the top players in the league and carried the Bulls to the playoffs, but fell short of winning another title. When Shaq left L.A. Kobe blossomed into the league's premier player, carrying the Lakers to a championship, but could not bring the title home without the big fella. This debate could be ended rather quickly; if Kobe brings another title to L.A. then the debate is off. If he completes this task, than the comparisons to Scottie Pippen will be void, and he may take his spot on the pedestal next to Michael. Until then, I'm going to continue comparing Kobe to a member of the 1990s Bulls dynasty; just not the same one most others do.
of being so quick to label Kobe as the second coming of Jordan, one should take a step back and label him more aptly: The Lakers version of Scottie Pippen. Think about it. When Jordan retired Scottie developed into one of the top players in the league and carried the Bulls to the playoffs, but fell short of winning another title. When Shaq left L.A. Kobe blossomed into the league's premier player, carrying the Lakers to a championship, but could not bring the title home without the big fella. This debate could be ended rather quickly; if Kobe brings another title to L.A. then the debate is off. If he completes this task, than the comparisons to Scottie Pippen will be void, and he may take his spot on the pedestal next to Michael. Until then, I'm going to continue comparing Kobe to a member of the 1990s Bulls dynasty; just not the same one most others do.
listen here. kobe will get his rings but he will neva be jordan. and even ur boy lbj will neva be jordan.
ReplyDeleteMy man... the most logical post yet.. and you backed it up with either research or with common knowledge... which most of bball fans have...common sense. I love this post and am going to promo this to one of the sites i listed to you! good job kid.
ReplyDeleteVery insightful post. Comparisons of Kobe to Jordan have always been intrinsically off, regardless of the number of rings or MVP awards either guy has. Kobe isn't like Michael Jordan. Comparisons aren't legitimized just because both are great ball players. I find it difficult to define, but Jordan had "something" Kobe does not have. Maybe nobody else does either. Thanks for opening the door for the conversation about it.
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that Kobe (nor anyone else) will ever be Jordan, it's very likely that one day up-and-comers will be compared to Kobe, and with good reason. Also, Kobe has a great shot to win his ring this season. Refer to the article "L.A. Confidential."
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