12/21/24
February 13, 2002
Shaq-less Kobe beats Michael: as the Wizards blow a 20-point second-half lead. Is this more important to Kobe Bryant or Phil Jackson?
posted by kirkaracha to basketball at 02:32 AM - 3 comments
Since Jordan came back, I've been thinking a lot about comparisons between him and Kobe. I don't think there's any question Kobe is the better player right now in terms of measurable skills (which, in my opinion, makes the concept of "Kobe v. Michael" used as a lead-in to news articles or Sportscenter a bit loaded). Time remains to tell whether Kobe in his prime will have been better than Jordan in his, although the question will really be unanswerable because when you look beyond raw stats and rings and get into supporting cast, intangibles, etc. it becomes much more difficult to make an objective comparison. That said, I think the real test of Kobe's place in basketball history will be whether when he's old and his skills have diminished (assuming he sticks around that long) he can do what Jordan is doing with the Wizards now. It's all about character, leadership, drive and basketball IQ -- and while it's clear Kobe has incredible basketball skills, it remains to be seen whether he possesses these other traits that make the great ones truly great.
posted by holden at 12:21 PM on February 13, 2002
For the record, MJ is the greatest ever, and Kobe is no threat to the throne IMHO, unless he wins 10-12 championships. But again, let me turn back the discussion to Popeye Jones. Dude should have been an extra in LOTR!
posted by djacobs at 02:29 PM on February 13, 2002
You missed the story here. It should read "Popeye Jones - ugliest man in Basketball?" (MUCH more important to Kobe - during halftime Phil said to him - Michael Jordan would win this game - which one of you is Michael Jordan?)