Confirming What We Already Knew? (Jordan and Kobe)
December 9th, 2008 at 3:08 pmBy Chris
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I’m usually one to jump in the “Kobe versus Jordan” argument, even though some things in last year’s Celtics/Lakers tussle essentially settled it. Thanks to a great find at ESPN’s TrueHoop blog, I think the discussion is even more over than it was last summer.
A post at the Basketball Reference blog — well, like the title says — confirmed what most already knew or believed: Michael is the superior player, even when it comes to a strictly statistical analysis. There’s a lot of higher math going on in the post — eek — with intimidating phrases like “Pythagorean expectation” thrown in for good measure.
But what all the number crunching came down to is this:
In other words — and this should be obvious — when we watch Kobe play, we’re seeing a far lesser version of Michael Jordan in action. Similar in style and mannerism, maybe, but when we translate the statistics for era, it becomes very clear that Jordan was actually the one “playing chess” while Bryant “plays checkers.”
Checkmate to Mister Jordan.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I know I’m new to your blog. So far you have allowed me to speak my mind even though if I go off topic you ignore it. That’s cool. I can understand you want to stick out and not be like others blogs out there.
Hasn’t Jordan vs Kobe been talked, blogged, and written to death? I don’t see the point of rehashing this when Kobe is still playing and laying down his legacy. He’s been the best player in the NBA for quite sometime. That includes former MVPs like Garnett, Nash, and Nowitzki. He scored 81 points in 48 minute game. I believe he also scored 62 and never even played the fourth period. Jordan got 69 in overtime. He also got 63 coming off an injury in a losing effort. I don’t care about how many assists, rebounds, steals, or blocks either of them got in their respectful games.
Is Jordan the best player to lace them up? I would say several guys have their name in the hat. I’m not some historian but off the top of my head would be Russell, Chamberlain, Kareem, Bird, and Magic. I’m sure I left out some big names but oh well. Will Kobe be better than these guys? It all depends how what the measuring stick is. I just know his time isn’t coming to an end anytime soon. Snoogans!
December 9th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Kobe is not even top 10 all time. Maybe not even top 20. Jordan is the best of all time with about 6 players nipping at his heals. Great post Chris!
December 9th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
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December 10th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Martha:
Is greatness measured by scoring output? If so, Tony Delk scored 50 for the Suns a few years ago. Does anyone besides Kentucky fans even know who he is? Yes, Kobe scored 81 and that’s fantastic. He also did it on a team not capable of winning anything of note, so there’s that.
IMO, Jordan’s dominant play paved the way for players like LeBron and Kobe. Will they eventually outdo his stats? Most likely. Does either one have such a dominating will it makes players like Dennis Rodman buy in to winning? I doubt that.
And yes, the subject gets beaten like a drum, but as long as people like Mark Jackson keep trying to make the comparison, it won’t go away anytime soon.
December 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Unless he was playing the Washington Generals and scored 81. Then you would be correct that is isn’t a big deal. Oh that’s right he wasn’t. He gets jilted for scoring 81 on Toronto. So because a NBA team can’t stop him from scoring that’s his fault of the caliber of the team. Weak argument for you.
No one paved a bigger dominant role than Chamberlain. Even when they told him he does share the ball. He led the league in assists. So let’s say who has the ball more in their hands. Again still wasn’t Jordan. Oscar has some unreal numbers that no one has come close to matching. Since you wanna knock Toronto, I guess his time period doesn’t count in your eyes. Name me another player in the league like Dennis Rodman right now? Good luck finding one. Which make your statement weak again.
If Mark Jackson is the reason this was posted. My suggestion would be stop listening to Mark Jackson. Snoogans!
To lil buddy that chimed in. Kobe isn’t top twenty huh? You must have quenched your thirst with that bottle of Haterade you are drinking. I guess he needs to throw baby powder in the air or stick his tongue out to get some respect.
December 10th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I meant he was the only Laker capable of scoring. That Laker team wasn’t very good. Kobe single-handedly carried them to the playoffs — where they lost in the first round.
December 10th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Also, I posted this because it’s just another nail in the Jordan/Kobe discussion in favor of His Airness.
Noog.
Oh yeah, Chamberlain was playing against people about six or seven inches shorter than he was, plus he was an Olympic level athlete. He damn well should have dominated.
January 29th, 2009 at 2:25 am
Touché Chris. I agree.
Kobe is great, yes and a definite hall of famer. But Jordan was without a doubt the best player of his era, and revolutionised the guard position thereby paving the way for guys like Kobe. Yes other guys were being do-it-all 2 guards earlier. But none anywhere near as good as Jordan. Before him a dominant off guard was not considered a staple of a championship team. Now how many teams are contenders without one?