If Kobe carries the Lakers can we start using the Jordan word?

wilheim · Jun 1, 2010

The other day Kobe Bryant was asked by a reporter why he didn't seem overly excited about Lakers-Celtics. He said "I don't give a damn about it. It's for other people to get excited about. I get excited about winning." Of course we all know that Kobe was lying.

There is no way Bryant has not been dreaming of this matchup. There is no way that every nerve-ending is not tingling. Two years ago the Celtics shook Kobe and the Lakers like rag dolls on their way to an NBA title.

These are the two most iconic franchises in the sport and it doesn't pass the smell test that a competitor like Kobe doesn't want to beat Boston, in the series that starts Thursday, more than any other team.

This is a legacy-making series.

Bryant does a lot of things well, losing is not one of them. Like Michael Jordan who is always compared to, and Tiger Woods, Bryant remembers the people who embarrassed him.

Heck, they hold grudges just because it is a Tuesday.

And as much as athletes say they never think about their legacy, we know they are always thinking about their legacy.

For those who believe that Jordan exists in rarefied "Air" it is heresy to say that anyone is approaching his stature (or statue for that matter).

But a Lakers title makes it No. 5 for Kobe and No.2 without Shaq.

We have asked this before but let us put it out there again. If the Lakers beat the Celtics, can we start talking about Bryant being an equal to Jordan?

USA Today

Betallsports · Jun 1, 2010

Sorry, Kobe is one of the Best. But he still can't fit into Jordan's Nike Sneakers ! :thumbsup:

Willie99 · Jun 1, 2010

Kobe is in the all-time greatest mix, the debate about who belongs on top will never be settled.

One thing about MJ, he literally carried his cast. So much so that he made Scottie Pippen look like one of the best players of his era. Without MJ, Scottie was very ordinary.

Kobe has had a lot more help winning his titles.

PS: please remember, I said Kobe is one of the all-time greatest players, so don't go Rx on me.

SIG · Jun 1, 2010

Jordan couldn't be touched in the playoffs in his prime. 6-0 in the championship. Never did he get blown out 4-1 with the title on the line like Kobe plus a second championship loss.

However, Kobe is the closest thing we've seen since Jordan.

steaktartar · Jun 1, 2010

agree with willie perosnal feelings aside about kobe

Willye · Jun 1, 2010

its a wait and see mj's work is done, kobe's is not, both are similar carrying their teams just look at gasol kobe has made him better on so many levels, the 2 championships kobe lost were vs a boston team that was better than any team jordan played in the finals especially defensively and the det team was pretty close also, with the way the zone is played now it would of been interesting to see mj go against that i think mj would of succeded though as his team had a lot better shooters than either lakers team

Enfuego · Jun 1, 2010

Willye said:
its a wait and see mj's work is done, kobe's is not, both are similar carrying their teams just look at gasol kobe has made him better on so many levels, the 2 championships kobe lost were vs a boston team that was better than any team jordan played in the finals especially defensively and the det team was pretty close also, with the way the zone is played now it would of been interesting to see mj go against that i think mj would of succeded though as his team had a lot better shooters than either lakers team

Gasol was good before Kobe you just didn't get to see him play with that dump of a team he was on.

Kobe would try real hard to fit into Jordan's jockstrap but no matter how hard he tried it just wouldn't fit. Jordan is the best and nobody can compare at this moment. Would it be bold of me to say that early in his career Shaq actually made Kobe look better?

festeringZit · Jun 1, 2010

OMG, 4 people saying Kobe is better than Jordan. I'd like at least one to step up and try to justify that stupidity.

HacheMan · Jun 1, 2010

Unfortunately time makes us all forget things, including how magnificent Jordan was.

I voted choice #1

Gritsn'Gravy · Jun 1, 2010

MJ was best I ever saw. Don't even place Kobe ahead of Bird and Magic either.

festeringZit · Jun 1, 2010

Grits n' Gravy said:
MJ was best I ever saw. Don't even place Kobe ahead of Bird and Magic either.

Bingo.

Kobe not in top 5.

Owens8176 · Jun 1, 2010

festeringZit said:
OMG, 4 people saying Kobe is better than Jordan. I'd like at least one to step up and try to justify that stupidity.

Same can be said who voted choice 2.

Jordan >>>>>Kobe>>>Every Body Else

festeringZit · Jun 1, 2010

Owens8176 said:
Same can be said who voted choice 2.

Jordan >>>>>Kobe>>>Every Body Else

No, not really.

Bill Russell
Wilt
Larry Bird
Magic Johnson
Kareem
Michael Jordan

6 players better than Kobe

doubledeuce22 · Jun 1, 2010

here's the thing with kobe. he's the best player since MJ. when he's on and at his best, he's just as good as anyone who's ever played.

however, it is impossible to say he's the best ever, as he has no credentials that compare favorable or equal to MJ, as he has just 1 mvp, 1 finals mvp, and 2 scoring titles.

thekeyman · Jun 1, 2010

they are 1 and 2...end of question.....nobody else in their league

gskiman · Jun 1, 2010

festeringZit said:
No, not really.

Bill Russell
Wilt
Larry Bird
Magic Johnson
Kareem
Michael Jordan

6 players better than Kobe

I like the list. Comparing individual greatness in a team sport from many eras is impossible. At least in an individual sport like tennis there are better possibilities for comparison.

Owens8176 · Jun 1, 2010

festeringZit said:
No, not really.

Bill Russell
Wilt
Larry Bird
Magic Johnson
Kareem
Michael Jordan

6 players better than Kobe

Out of the players you listed only Bird and Jordan could hit a shot anywhere on the court defended or not. Wilt,Russell and kareem their size and era they played help'd alot. On god given talent (shooting and defending) No body other than maybe Bird belong in there league!

festeringZit · Jun 1, 2010

gskiman said:
I like the list. Comparing individual greatness in a team sport from many eras is impossible. At least in an individual sport like tennis there are better possibilities for comparison.

The reply was in response to someone questioning the responses on "top 3 all-time." All-time as a concept would include all eras. If you're going to question the validity of my response, then you
need to question the validity of the poll option.

HacheMan · Jun 1, 2010

doubledeuce22 said:
here's the thing with kobe. he's the best player since MJ. when he's on and at his best, he's just as good as anyone who's ever played.

however, it is impossible to say he's the best ever, as he has no credentials that compare favorable or equal to MJ, as he has just 1 mvp, 1 finals mvp, and 2 scoring titles.

Yeah I like your analogy of it deuce

TheComputerGroup · Jun 1, 2010

Michael Jordan=Best player of all time.

Kobe Bryant=Most electrifying & best player now but not in the top 5 of all time.

If Kobe carries the Lakers can we start using the Jordan word?

If Lakers win is Kobe on Jordan's level?

No. Kobe is great, Jordan is greatest

No. Kobe is not even in the top 3 all-time

Yes. MJ still king but Kobe ready for the crown

Yes. Kobe is already better than Jordan

Maybe. He will need at least a sixth title

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