Quantcast The Daily Campus
College Media Network

The Daily Campus

Is Kobe Better Than Jordan?

Abstract:
As I watched Kobe Bryant torch a formidable Mavericks' defense for 52 points Sunday, I said to a friend, "I haven't seen anyone control a game like this since Michael Jordan in his prime."

Bryant is undoubtedly the best all-around player in the NBA right now, and with his Lakers tied for the top spot in the Western Conference, he's the frontrunner for league MVP....

  • Displaying 1 - 24 of 24

Moe

posted 3/05/08 @ 1:40 PM EST

While I have no doubt in my mind that Kobe Bryant is an amazing player, I do not feel that he can be considered the Greatest Basketball player of all time. There are many arguments that can be presented in favour of Kobe, however there are countless arguments on Jordan's side.

1. Kobe has 3 rings, however in none of those Championship years was he named the Finals MVP. Jordan on the other hand was named Finals MVP in all six of his Championship campaigns.

2. While Kobe is an amazing scorer, Michael Jordan was more consistent, winning 10 scoring titles, including 7 straight. Kobe's highest season scoring average was 35.4, Jordan's highest average is 37.1.

3. The 81 point performance was definitely a better scoring effort than Jordan's 69, however Jordan's career game was an all around better performance. Let's take a look:

Kobe: 81pts, 6reb, 2ast, 3stl, 3TO
Jordan: 69pts, 18reb, 6ast, 4stl, 2TO

4. While Kobe will most likely pass Jordan with number of All-NBA Team selections, I am not sure if Kobe will finish with more All-NBA first team selections. Kobe has 5, Jordan had 10. In terms of total All-NBA team selections Jodan had 11 (10-time All-NBA 1st team, 1-time All-NBA 2nd team), while Kobe currently sits at 9 (5-time All-NBA 1st team, 2-time All-NBA 2nd team, 2-time All-NBA 3rd team).

5. Jordan was a better defensive player as highlighted by his Defensive Player of the Year award and 9 time All-Defensive 1st team selection. Also Jordan's Blocks and steals numbers were superior to Kobe's.

6. Finally, Jordan's career numbers are FAR superior to Kobe's in almost every statistical category:

Kobe: 24.6 ppg, 4.5 apg, 5.2 rpg, 0.6 bpg, 1.49 spg, 45.3% FG
Jordan: 30.1 ppg, 6.2 apg, 5.3 rpg, 0.8 bpg, 2.35 spg, 49.7% FG

While Kobe is an excellent player, and will no doubt continue to win many more awards and accolades, I highly doubt he will be able to do enough to pass Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time.
Post a reply to this comment

wins

posted 3/06/08 @ 3:11 PM EST

In terms of skills I think Kobe is better but you will never be able to compare Kobe to Jordan because without Jordan there is no Kobe. Jordan invented moves which Kobe copied and perfected. Without Jordan there will be no Kobe. So stop trying to compare the two and just be glad that we are blessed with these amazing players in our lifetime.
Post a reply to this comment

dylan

posted 5/29/08 @ 1:29 AM EST

dude, kobe is the best right now but u just cant compare them because of their ages, kobe is playing against better compotition than jordan ever did because of all the athleticim and height in the nba right now.
Post a reply to this comment

Todd K

posted 6/11/08 @ 5:27 PM EST

I disagree about the level of competition. Although they might be more athletic, players today don't have a passion for the game that they once had. There was sheer desire to win in the 80s and early 90's. Now, everyone is afraid to make rivalries. Everyone gets along. Everyone gets paid millions, making the reason to compete less of a motivational factor.The game was tougher back then.


Originally posted by

dylan

 dude, kobe is the best right now but u just cant compare them because of their ages, kobe is playing against better compotition than jordan ever did because of all the athleticim and height in the nba right now.
Post a reply to this comment

Eric

posted 6/02/08 @ 1:47 PM EST

Dude,

Where do you get off saying Kobe was stronger? Please!! Aks Grant Hill about that one, that was one of the things that he said truly surprised him was how strong Jordan was. What are you in the weight room with both? If anyhting Jordan took more contact than Kobe ever will because of the rules of the game back then. The game is nowhere near as physical now.

And with regard to shooting, Jorddan shot 50% for his career (Pre-Wizards). Kobe has yet to do it in one season. As for 3-pointers, Kobe is only a hir about Jordan in that department. Where are folks getting this nonsense. If I had to depend on one to hit a 3 pointer to win a game, it would be MJ. His field gold percentage is much higher than Kobe's in the 4th quarter.

GET YOUR FACTS straight! Please go back a view some MJ tapes. he did his hold career what Kobe has only recently started to do, then he raised his game in the playoffs. Kobe's stats actually go down.
Post a reply to this comment

mike

posted 6/18/08 @ 9:30 PM EST

kobe bryant is the best player in the world right now. kobe does all the work to carry his team to finals and he doesnt get help. who does he have that can be compared to pippen. nobody. lamar odom not good enough. pau gasol, has to manny off games. its not easy for a player to do all of the teams work. if kobe was a bit more selfish in the playoffs, they might of one. but nobody realizes how far kobe has taken his team. in a couple more years, kobe will have a chance to win another ring or be mvp again. if he does, then honestly, kobee can be called the greatest player of all time.
Post a reply to this comment

Mike 7

posted 6/17/09 @ 1:37 AM EST

Originally posted by

mike

 kobe bryant is the best player in the world right now. kobe does all the work to carry his team to finals and he doesnt get help. who does he have that can be compared to pippen. nobody. lamar odom not good enough. pau gasol, has to manny off games. its not easy for a player to do all of the teams work. if kobe was a bit more selfish in the playoffs, they might of one. but nobody realizes how far kobe has taken his team. in a couple more years, kobe will have a chance to win another ring or be mvp again. if he does, then honestly, kobee can be called the greatest player of all time.


LMAO, who does Kobe have that compares to Pippen? How about, 6'10'' Lamar Odem (15, 8.8, and 4 per game career, compared to Scotty's 16, 6, 5) and Pau Gasol (18, 8.7, and 3).
Post a reply to this comment

the k man

posted 6/21/08 @ 12:25 AM EST

um no Kobe sucks my left nut. Jordan is the best player ever and nobody can change that. and mike, he has Paul Gasol dumb shit.
Post a reply to this comment

ARCHIE

posted 9/06/08 @ 3:26 AM EST

JORDAN is the BEST PLAYER of all time.. No one can ever be like him...> he is THE ONLY 1..........
Post a reply to this comment

u me y

posted 5/11/09 @ 9:42 PM EST

Jordan is a trash and also kobe shots more 3 points shot than Jordan ever did don't forget that lebron is also a piece of [expletive removed by administrator] dont ever forget that in your life
Post a reply to this comment

Tree

posted 6/08/09 @ 6:14 PM EST

Oscar Robinson is the best player of all time. Nobody else even compares. Not even Jordan. Oscar Robinson averaged a triple double for a whole season. Jordan and Kobe never did that. Overall best player = Oscar Robinson
Post a reply to this comment

Rhino

posted 9/01/09 @ 1:24 AM EST

Originally posted by

Tree

 Oscar Robinson is the best player of all time. Nobody else even compares. Not even Jordan. Oscar Robinson averaged a triple double for a whole season. Jordan and Kobe never did that. Overall best player = Oscar Robinson


Oscar Robertson was amazing, but keep in mind that he only won 1 championship late in his career when Lew Alcindor joined the team. As far as his triple double season goes, it's a remarkable feat, but that was during the run and gun era and everyone benefited from inflated stats. Robertson wasn't even one of the top 3 rebounders on his team that year. Nowadays a player who averages 10 rebounds a game is undoubtedly the teams leading rebounder.
Post a reply to this comment

Matt

posted 6/15/09 @ 2:47 PM EST

Kobe is not better than Jordan.
Besides what Jordan did on the court, 6 rings, 6 Final MVPs.
Look off the court, GLOBAL ICON. Erased the color in advertising. Elevated endorsement deals for everyone in the league, made NIKE, and made everyone want to "Be Like Mike"
There will never be a player in the NBA who elevates the league like Mike, never have the endorsements like Mike or be Globaly known like Mike.
Sorry Kobe, as much as you try to be like Mike you will never be better than Mike. BUT- That is OK!!
Post a reply to this comment

Conphlict

posted 8/29/09 @ 4:02 PM EST

kobe bryant is the greatest player of all time.of all records in the nba, kobe holds 11 and ties 2 of them. jordan has 6 rings kobe has 4. he will get at least 2 more before his carrer is over. he is only 31 years old and has many more years to play in the nba.it took jordan 7 years to win a championship, it took kobe 4.everybody would say its because of shaq but shaq didn't win until he came to the lakers with kobe.the m.v.p. thing i understand. it took kobe some time to develop into the player he is today but he was still fye. just being able to pass the ball is a devlopment for him. now he is the leader of the lakers and has the most experience and will keep winning. he is the GREATEST.KB24
Originally posted by

Matt

 Kobe is not better than Jordan.
Besides what Jordan did on the court, 6 rings, 6 Final MVPs.
Look off the court, GLOBAL ICON. Erased the color in advertising. Elevated endorsement deals for everyone in the league, made NIKE, and made everyone want to "Be Like Mike"
There will never be a player in the NBA who elevates the league like Mike, never have the endorsements like Mike or be Globaly known like Mike.
Sorry Kobe, as much as you try to be like Mike you will never be better than Mike. BUT- That is OK!!
Post a reply to this comment

Mike Crowner

posted 6/19/09 @ 5:17 PM EST

Jordan is in another league. Mike shot over 50 pct consistently until the end of his career. Kobe has never shot over 50 pct. Career FG% Jordan .497, Kobe .462, That is a signifigant difference.....the difference between winning and loosing
Post a reply to this comment

jose

posted 6/24/09 @ 5:46 PM EST

Moe williams is Marcus williams.
Post a reply to this comment

billy

posted 6/24/09 @ 5:48 PM EST

But Merice Wiliams plays with the Warriors and Marcus plays with the cavs
Post a reply to this comment

Greg

posted 6/24/09 @ 5:49 PM EST

everybody knows that dumbasses!!!
Post a reply to this comment

Ray

posted 7/02/09 @ 8:41 PM EST

Kobe needed shaq just as much as Jordan needed pippen, but Shaq is no pippen. In my eyes kobe has won one championship.
Also Jordan's will to win was far superior than Kobe..when was the last time Kobe willed his to 3 consecutive championships?
Also Jordan never sold out, he used and build the team to greatness, whereas
Kobe has been relatively whining about leaving LA or hoping for far superior players to be drafted to LA.
Jordan is a legend, kobe is just great. There will be no other MJ.
Post a reply to this comment

Zack King

posted 7/22/09 @ 12:23 AM EST

Kobe is better than Jordan. Jordan was playing in a weak conference. during Jordan days game was slow. Every team currently has 3 star players. Game has changed a lot since Jordan left. Jordan said recently that in his prime he can defend Kobe. That tells you all. Even Jordan has to perform at his highest level possible to stop kobe. Kobe is allrounder and much more versatile. Also except LA is the most hated. Plus media and players from other team don't like him. Againts all the odds he still won championship. I don't think Jordan was in such great pressure while performing. Kobe is always under pressure to win championship without Shaq and always compared with Jordan. No one has performed at such high level under pressure and constant scrutiny. Kobe is the best.
Post a reply to this comment

Rhino

posted 9/01/09 @ 2:35 AM EST

Originally posted by

Zack King

 Kobe is better than Jordan. Jordan was playing in a weak conference. during Jordan days game was slow. Every team currently has 3 star players. Game has changed a lot since Jordan left. Jordan said recently that in his prime he can defend Kobe. That tells you all. Even Jordan has to perform at his highest level possible to stop kobe. Kobe is allrounder and much more versatile. Also except LA is the most hated. Plus media and players from other team don't like him. Againts all the odds he still won championship. I don't think Jordan was in such great pressure while performing. Kobe is always under pressure to win championship without Shaq and always compared with Jordan. No one has performed at such high level under pressure and constant scrutiny. Kobe is the best.


The pressure Jordan faced when getting his team past the world champ Pistons was immense, as were many other epic playoff battles. He was under tons of pressure to prove that he could take the Bulls to the next level, and was facing some of the dirtiest players during a time when NBA play was much more brutal. And his conference were NOT weak. The Pistons, Knicks, Pacers, Celtics, & Cavs (?)15 of the top 50 NBA players of ALL TIME were in their prime during his career. He always took his game to the next level under pressure, while Kobe's game falters in the post season (see stats). Jordan's stats/awards/accomplishments are clearly superior to Kobe's in every way, as is his mental toughness, determination,ability to perform in the clutch, and leadership. As far as saying that Kobe is better all around and more versatile -- how exactly? Jordan was the first and only player to get 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season, only player to ever win MVP, the scoring title, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same year, he averaged less turnovers and more assists than Kobe, and he shot from all over the floor at a better rate than Kobe. Kobe walked right into a team with the one of the greatest NBA coaches ever, alongside one of the best big men ever, as well as other clutch veterans. Jordan built his way up from nothing, and did it with a combination of style, charisma, fundamental soundness, and sportsmanship. Who were Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson before they teamed up with the best young talent in the NBA? Jordan=GOAT
Post a reply to this comment

John Jones

posted 8/13/09 @ 2:14 PM EST

I get really tired of the severe bouts of amnesia people get over such a short period of time. Kobe? Better than Michael? Nah. First of all, the NBA changed just before Jordan retired. The talent is still there, but the defense isn't. The stuff offensive players can get away with is stupefying!Kobe scored 81 points against a weak team with no all stars, just like Wilt's 100 against a second stringer in 1962. Jordan's 69 came against a playoff-minded Cleveland Cavaliers, one of the better teams in the league. And he had 18 rebounds, 4 steals, and 6 assists. Also, the skill level in the NBA has dropped, even among the elites because of the surge of high school kids skipping college to go pro. Jordan is better than Kobe because he played under Dean Smith and Bobby Knight. Kobe came from a prep school!
Jordan's battle with the defensive elite of the NBA caused Kobe and other great scorers to benefit from rules handed down to free up the game and make it more exciting.
Post a reply to this comment

Trey

posted 8/26/09 @ 6:18 AM EST

you fool its oscar robertson lol anyways thats stupid so what if he averaged a triple double he cant do half the things jordan and kobe can do he played in a time where i would dominate im gonnasay its a tie jordan has skills kobe doesnt vise-versa i honestly think kobe can do what jordan can do better than jordan doing what kobe can do theyre both amazing kobe is just a better shooter thats what i think determines the decision
Post a reply to this comment

Move on

posted 11/05/09 @ 9:05 PM EST

Without a doubt Kobe is better than Jordan, I tired of people acting like no one could ever be better than jordan, Kobe is a juiced up Jordan.
Post a reply to this comment
  • Displaying 1 - 24 of 24

Post Your Comment

  • NOTE: Email address will not be published

Type your comment below (html not allowed)

  I understand posting spam or other comments that are unrelated to this article will cause my comment to be flagged for deletion and possibly cause my IP address to be permanently banned from this server.

Advertisement

Advertisements

Poll

Do you feel safe on campus?
Submit Vote

View Results

Advertisement