There continues to be an ongoing debate on who is closest to catching Michael Jordan as arguably one of the greatest players ever in NBA history. From Jordan’s height, strength, and athleticism to his ability to be an all round player. Jordan’s attributes as an offensive juggernant to defensive stopper has been difficult to top, let alone match.
In the NBA there have always been players who were a great offensive player, but lack defensive skills in vice versa. Jordan has been the player that the latest generations have been comparing themselves with. The majority of players from all levels, such as high school, college, and even the NBA wear the famous 23 because of Jordan. The simple fact is the number 23 in NBA is always identified with Jordan.
In the 1996, a high school out of Lower Merion High School Kobe Bryant takes on the NBA as a player who can be the next Jordan. When you look at Bryant physical attributes, he is 6’6, 220 pounds and displays athleticism in similar form to Jordan. In addition, Bryant did simutaneously establish himself as a great offensive player and great defensive player. Currently, Kobe is only one championship away from tieing Jordan at six championships rings, so some nieve fans of the younger generation will say Kobe will or already is better than Jordan.
The reality by many is that Kobe is considered the closet thing in NBA accomplishments and talent to Jordan than anybody in NBA history. Although Kobe may be the closet thing to Jordan, yet he is not even remotely close to being as great as Jordan. At the end of this article viewers will also be convinced that Kobe really isnt that close.
First, being a great player is about making the players on your team better. The reality is Kobe never made the players on his team better, for his championship teams already had players who established themselves as great players or even good players such as Shaqulle O’Neal, Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, Pau Gasol, Brian Shaw and Ron Artest. Whereas Jordan helped develop a division III player, Scottie Pippen become not only a hall of famer but part of the NBA’s 50 Greatest players club. Not to mention, he made players such as Toni Kukoc and Steve Kerr household names because of his ability to make players around him better.
Secondly, during the regular season Jordan accomplished far more than Kobe, such as winning 5 MVPs to Kobe’s 1 MVP. This MVP difference just displays that Kobe was not only always the best player on his team, but also wasnt always considered the best player on the court. Whereas Jordan in his prime was always considered the best player on the court. Keep in mind, while O’Neal was on the Lakers with Kobe, he won Finals MVP each year during the 3-peat from 1999-2002.
Furthermore, Jordan made first-team all-rookie and won rookie of the year in 1984 against the likes of hall of famers, Hakeem Oljwan and Charles Barkley. Whereas Kobe made second-team all rookie and Allen Iverson won rookie of the year honors in 1996.
Another note,despite Jordan and Kobe both making the the first team all-defense nine times, Jordan was actually named NBA’s defensive player of the year award in 1988. In addition, Jordan won the scoring title a record seven straight seasons, which was broken due to his retirement. Kobe was only a two-scoring champion.
Next reguarding where most professional athletes are measured at their level of greatness is their ability to peform at their best when it matter most. In the NBA finals, the championship is the NBA’s most pretigious prize. However, Kobe had eight finals appearances where he lost four times and only won Finals MVP twice. Whereas Jordan did not only win in each of his six finals appearances, he also won NBA Finals MVP each of the six times. In the finals appearances, Jordan average a total of 33.6 ppg, 6 apg, and 6 rpg to Kobe’s 24.3ppg, 3 apg, 3rpg.
The debate of Kobe being close to Jordan will go on for ages, but the reality is… Kobe simply isnt that close!
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