Listen, this has been talked about a lot in recent years. I know there still are plenty of MJ-lovers (myself included) and there are just as many Kobe-lovers as well. I know Kobe's career is a long way from over. I know that he's gonna re-write the record books (as will Lebron). I know he scored 80-something in a game. He's the best player in the NBA right now. But come on!! Saying he's better than Michael Jordan? Kobe wasn't even unanimous as the second-best shooting guard of all time in ESPN's recent voting. I may be wrong, but I get the feeling that a lot of the bloggers here pay some attention to Bill Simmons, aka The Sports Guy. He even voted Kobe third behind Jerry West. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-GreatestSGs
But when Kobe's career is over? Who knows? Maybe he will be considered the greatest player of all time. (As a huge MJ fan, I doubt it, but...) So let's hold off on anointing him the greatest - or at least better than the consensus "greatest" (like Jemele Hill did). Hey, the reason I say Kobe is the best in the league right now is because he plays both ends like MJ. He probably is the best defending 2-guard in the NBA. He's probably the best clutch player as well. But you can't compare them by age because Jordan played three years of college ball before the NBA and Kobe didn't (which is why Kobe's stats are going to be better in the end). Jordan was also consistently one of the best defenders in all of the NBA - and always the best amongst shooting guards.
People ALWAYS bring up Scottie Pippen. Yes, he's one of the best small forwards ever. But look at all the greats that won multiple championships. Everyone except for Jordan (and I guess Isiah Thomas too) had a top-notch big man. Those Celtics had Russell, the Lakers had Kareem, Kobe had Shaq, the Spurs had Duncan and Robinson. And please... don't give me the "Bulls big men were excellent role players". Why do you think they were good role players? In large part because of Jordan! Plus, THEY ARE ROLE PLAYERS! Not great inside players. I think, at this point in his career, Lamar Odom should be doing better with Kobe. Don't you think he would be doing better if Jordan was playing in Kobe's place?
This is just one of those arguments that's gonna go on and on. I'm not arguing with Kobe's level of athleticism and gaudy stats even when compared to Jordan's. But man, if you watched Michael Jordan through the 90s, how can you say Kobe dominates like he did? Are there better athletes today? Absolutely. Is the competition and level of play as a whole much better? I don't think so. There are so many factors. The rules today favor the offensive players (i.e. hand-checking). Remember, if Jordan didn't retire, I think a LOT of people would agree that the Bulls would have won EIGHT straight titles. Plus, had it not been for the presence of Michael Jordan, there are some pretty good players that might have a ring or two on their fingers today. Barkley, Malone, Stockton, Payton, Ewing, Reggie Miller. And Cyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon won theirs when Jordan was retired.
