David Stern: "Kobe is there with Michael"

[D2Procon]

Heard it on the podcast when asked to rank Kobe. What a fuckin tard comparing players on a fixed scripted league.

[SourCandy]

I'm a huge kobe fan. But never been a fan of comparing Kobe to the goat.

[Ashy Larry]

if the league was scripted, the Cavs would be in the finals .........


as far as Bean, he's the second best SG. No touching Mike at the top spot right now .....

[TampaDude]

Fuck Stern.

[The Franchise]

Of course he would say that. One is still playing.

[monosylab1k]

if the league was scripted, the Cavs would be in the finals .........

LeBron-Kobe still isn't as big a draw as Lakers-Celtics

[21_Blessings]

But he's right.

Why does this make people so mad?

[Ashy Larry]

LeBron-Kobe still isn't as big a draw as Lakers-Celtics

LeBron vs Kobe

Kobe vs Shaquille again .........


trust me, it would be.

[MiamiHeat]

of course he's going to say that.

he wants the Finals to get big ratings and try to repair kobe's image a bit to make more $$

[namlook]

Steve Kerr played with Jordan and just said the same thing:

"He's the only guy you can legitimately say is right there with Michael"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/30/AR2010053003391_3.html

[Lawrence_Taylor]

Steve Kerr played with Jordan and just said the same thing:

"He's the only guy you can legitimately say is right there with Michael"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/30/AR2010053003391_3.html
+ 1

kobe is just the man. people would always find ways to criticize him but nba players, coaches, gm's, hof'ers, his peers always puts kobe at the very top. at the end of the day, i think their opinions weigh a whole lot more than these no name hating losers.

[MiamiHeat]

more flavor of the month garbage.

after 131-92 in 2008, the whole world told kobe nut huggers to stfu.

now they are trying to creep back in again LOL.

keep posting articles selectively from kobe nuthuggers. it won't change the opinion of the majority of the basketball world.

LeBron is the best player in the NBA.

Kobe is not even close to MJ, and the more you Laker fans try to push the issue, the more hate you bring on your boy. If Kobe truly was that good, he wouldn't need you to say it.

There isn't a conspiracy in the world. If Kobe truly deserved that honor, he would be given it without needing you to convince anyone.

[TE]

nope.. nope.. nope.. Kobe would be dick slapped with the way the game was officiated back in Jordan's heyday. Kobe wouldn't last a fucking second on the court. Kobe is the greatest player to play ever since the league started calling ticky tack bullcrap. However, if he is to be put into Jordan's era, dude wouldn't be number one. Probably number two at best. Better than Jordan? GTFO dumbasses. Jordan was the man.

[MiamiHeat]

LOL 1 mvp in 14 seasons
LOL never shooting near %50 in a season
LOL needing more games than anyone else to catch up to the greats in scoring lists

[Lawrence_Taylor]

nope nope nope on reading comprehension? i see you triggered.

[TE]

It's funny to see that all these "Kobe>Jordan" supporters are Laker fans. You guys aren't basketball fans, just Laker bandwagon fans. Idiots. If I was asked to compare lets say, Duncan and Hakeem Olajuwan, I would pick Hakeem, cause he's better. As a basketball fan you give a generalized perspective on the topic at hand. Not something based on your team. GTFO your asses. Seriously.

[Lawrence_Taylor]

:lol dumbass still cant understand ish. man, you really that slow? mah nigga :lol

[namlook]

It's funny to see that all these "Kobe>Jordan" supporters are Laker fans. You guys aren't basketball fans, just Laker bandwagon fans.

It's not an issue of saying Kobe > Jordan. It's that Kobe is up there in that realm now. No one is honestly trying to put Kobe above Jordan. If Kobe wins 7 rings maybe those discussions can start.

Steve Kerr isn't a Lakers fan. He said it. Players, coaches and people who played with Jordan are giving Kobe that respect and place in history. Sorry Kobe haters, there's no turning back now. It's only going to get worse for you from here.

[TE]

It's not an issue of saying Kobe > Jordan. It's that Kobe is up there in that realm now. Steve Kerr isn't a Lakers fan. He said it.

To be up there in the realm of greatness that is his airness is different from saying Kobe is better than Jordan.

[namlook]

To be up there in the realm of greatness that is his airness is different from saying Kobe is better than Jordan.

Kobe will need to win 7 rings to be honestly considered as better or as having a better career than Jordan.

[TE]

Kobe will need to win 7 rings to be honestly considered as better or as having a better career than Jordan.

:toast


There you go. I knew you had it in you.

[MiamiHeat]

But he's right.

Why does this make people so mad?

because it ain't true.

You laker fans grab an opinion you see from 1 or 2 places and BAM, run with it as fact.

[MiamiHeat]

:toast


There you go. I knew you had it in you.

Not even.

MJ had 6 rings, 6 finals mvps, 5 league mvps, etc.

Kobe got the first 3 as a role player to shaq. You can't count those as equal to MJ's.

Not to mention, Kobe is already in 14th season. MJ only played 13 seasons as a Bull to be the GOAT.

It's already over.

Not even to mention all the stats that prove which is the FAR SUPERIOR player....

it's really not even an argument. It's over. Kobe's career is on the downward slope now. It's done.

[Lawrence_Taylor]

Kobe will need to win 7 rings to be honestly considered as better or as having a better career than Jordan.
mike's legacy is different from kobe. he won his 6 as the best player in the finals. even if kobe wins this year and next year as the main man, he's not going past mj. but he would be the greatest laker ever. thats quite an coomplishment if you ask me.

[namlook]

People love to say Kobe doesn't get credit for his first three rings because the offense didn't run through him. This is complete bullshit and is not supported by history.

Since when does the #1 option hand over the ball to someone else to close out games? The Lakers had two alpha males. For the threepeat Kobe was always the #1 option when the game was on the line.

Bill Russell was anywhere from the 2nd to the 7th option on offense for his team. Usually he was the 3rd or 4th option. Should we say he doesn't get credit for those rings? Try telling Celtics fans that Bill Russell was never the #1 option on offense for his team so he really has zero rings. :lmao

In 1980 Magic Johnson was the 4th option on offense for the Lakers yet his play was instrumental to winning. Magic doesn't get credit for that ring does he? In 1982 he was the third option. In 1985 he was the second option. In 1987 he was first option. In 1988 the third option.
Damn, Magic only has ONE ring! :lmao

Jordan was the focal point for all those championships in large part due to circumstances. If Shaq had appeared on the Bulls roster in his prime, the Bulls would have fed the post first just like the Lakers did. Likewise if Kobe had played with Pippen on those 90's Bulls teams he would have always been the focal point of the offense and everything would have revolved around him.

[MiamiHeat]

STEVE KERR SAID XYZ

OMFG YOU GUYS SEE!!!!! you guys r just hating on kobe!!!! I KNEW ALL ALONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS A CONSPIRACY TO HATE ON KOBE AND SUPRESS THE TRUTH!!!!!!

right? smack yourselves in the face.

[TE]

Not even.

MJ had 6 rings, 6 finals mvps, 5 league mvps, etc.

Kobe got the first 3 as a role player to shaq. You can't count those as equal to MJ's.

Not to mention, Kobe is already in 14th season. MJ only played 13 seasons as a Bull to be the GOAT.

It's already over.

Not even to mention all the stats that prove which is the FAR SUPERIOR player....

it's really not even an argument. It's over. Kobe's career is on the downward slope now. It's done.



Fuck my self, you made Kobe sound like a bitch there. So if anything, the arising question to you would be: who can be considered or should be considered (given time) near his airness? I honestly believe Kobe could get there if he won three more titles. You have to consider also the roster Michael Jordan played in. He had his share of brilliant role players around him, as did Kobe. I cannot argue, however, against the factual standpoint that Kobe was Shaq's bitch for his first three rings. The aforementioned fact therefore makes me tilt towards the notion that Kobe will never reach his airness. But I might be wrong.

[TE]

In 1980 Magic Johnson was the 4th option on offense for the Lakers yet his play was instrumental to winning. Magic doesn't get credit for that ring does he? In 1982 he was the third option. In 1985 he was the second option. In 1987 he was first option. In 1988 the third option.
Damn, Magic only has ONE ring! :lmao

Magic was never the one to look for his shots.

[MiamiHeat]

Kobe has more playoff games played than MJ, yet has about thirty less playoff games with 30+ points

Kobe has more nba games played than MJ as a chicago bull, yet still has a lot to go to catch MJ's scoring total

kobe never won a DPOY,

not to mention a DPOY and league MVP and scoring title in the same fucking season. (and also the All-Star game MVP) in 1987-88 season

for all this garbage about kobe being a better scorer, kobe never scored 3000 points in a season, MJ did.

kobe never shot %50 in a single season, MJ shot %50 FOR HIS CAREER AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!! as a chicago bull.

mj 10 scoring titles, nba record.

mj's averages go up in playoffs, kobe's all go down.

seriously, its not even fucking close.

[namlook]

Magic was never the one to look for his shots.

That's not the point. In 1980 Kareem was the #1 option and the man. He was the League MVP that year and got all the accolades. Magic had not yet established he was a superstar and Hall of Famer. And yet the Lakers would not have won without Magic's incredible play. Anyone that feels Kobe doesn't deserve credit for his first three rings needs to go on the record as saying Magic and Bill Russell should have rings taken away too. Magic and Bill Russell were not always the #1 options on their teams, yet they were Hall of Famers and what they did was integral to winning.

[MiamiHeat]

^^there goes turd laker fan

"Anyone that feels Kobe does not deserve credit for this first 3 rings..."

I don't think ANYONE is saying he should NOT get any credit.

What people are saying is that if you want to compare it to MJ, you can't equate it as the same.

[TE]

Kobe has more playoff games played than MJ, yet has about thirty less playoff games with 30+ points

Kobe has more nba games played than MJ, yet still has a lot to go to catch MJ's scoring total

kobe never won a DPOY,

not to mention a DPOY and league MVP and scoring title in the same fucking season. (and also the All-Star game MVP) in 1987-88 season

for all this garbage about kobe being a better scorer, kobe never scored 3000 points in a season, MJ did.

kobe never shot %50 in a single season, MJ shot %50 FOR HIS CAREER AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!! as a chicago bull.

mj 10 scoring titles, nba record.

mj's averages go up in playoffs, kobe's all go down.

seriously, its not even fucking close.



This, and remember, the league back then was different. Scorers were not given so much benefit of the doubt. You actually had to work to score your points and not depend on the zebras for bail out. I vividly remember back those 90's great defensive teams. Road Warriors Miami Heat, Bad Boy Pistons, San Antonio Spurs anchored by the defensive beast D. Robinson, New York Knicks anchored by P. Ewing, C. Oakley, J. Starks to name a few, Houston Rockets anchored by The Dream and his role players, just to name a few.

[MiamiHeat]

This, and remember, the league back then was different. Scorers were not given so much benefit of the doubt. You actually had to work to score your points and not depend on the zebras for bail out. I vividly remember back those 90's great defensive teams. Road Warriors Miami Heat, Bad Boy Pistons, San Antonio Spurs anchored by the defensive beast D. Robinson, New York Knicks anchored by P. Ewing, C. Oakley, J. Starks to name a few, Houston Rockets anchored by The Dream and his role players, just to name a few.

motherfucking co-signed.

Steve Kerr even mentions this in that quote these laker fans are using

He says that "Michael was more physical" and that the Knicks could maul him because of the different NBA rules compared to today.

If MJ played in today's bitch made era, he would average fucking 50.

[TE]

That's not the point. In 1980 Kareem was the #1 option and the man. He was the League MVP that year and got all the accolades. Magic had not yet established he was a superstar and Hall of Famer. And yet the Lakers would not have won without Magic's incredible play. Anyone that feels Kobe doesn't deserve credit for his first three rings needs to go on the record as saying Magic and Bill Russell should have rings taken away too. Magic and Bill Russell were not always the #1 options on their teams, yet they were Hall of Famers and what they did was integral to winning.



Kobe gets credit. But he was Shaq's bitch for the first three rings. Can you honestly argue that Shaq wasn't the best player on the team? He was every bit of the word unstoppable. Now lets shift to Jordan. Jordan was the MANNNNNN on his team for every championship. Ends here.

[Xevious]

Kobe's probably the second best SG. Not in MJ's realm though, not even close.

[MiamiHeat]

Kobe's probably the second best SG. Not in MJ's realm though, not even close.

this man speaks the truth

Kobe has claim to the 2nd best shooting guard spot legitimately.

[namlook]

Kobe gets credit. But he was Shaq's bitch for the first three rings. Can you honestly argue that Shaq wasn't the best player on the team? He was every bit of the word unstoppable. Now lets shift to Jordan. Jordan was the MANNNNNN on his team for every championship. Ends here.

The offense ran through Shaq because he had a physical mismatch against everyone he played and any team would want to exploit that. Yet Shaq could not close out games. Kobe owned Shaq when in mattered and the game was on the line.

You don't penalize someone because of circumstances. Just like Magic isn't penalized because he played with Kareem. As I said earlier, If Jordan had played with Shaq in his prime the Bulls would have fed the post first too. And if Kobe played on the Bulls with Pippen he would have been the man every time.

[TE]

motherfucking co-signed.

Steve Kerr even mentions this in that quote these laker fans are using

He says that "Michael was more physical" and that the Knicks could maul him because of the different NBA rules compared to today.

If MJ played in today's bitch made era, he would average fucking 50.

You know, I believe the league became guard oriented back in the year 2000 (Lakers win this year). Jordan had the opportunity to play in this new "guard oriented" league with the Washington Wizards. At the age of 38, 39, and 40, he had forty and fifty point games!!!!!! This statistical reality helps to further the notion that MJ would dominate the fuck out of todays league.

[namlook]

Not in MJ's realm though, not even close.

Yeah right. I'm pretty sure Steve Kerr, who played with Jordan, and who is a GM of a successful team knows a little more about basketball than you do.

[TE]

The offense ran through Shaq because he had a physical mismatch against everyone he played and any team would want to exploit that. Yet Shaq could not close out games. Kobe owned Shaq when in mattered and the game was on the line.

You don't penalize someone because of circumstances. Just like Magic isn't penalized because he played with Kareem. As I said earlier, If Jordan had played with Shaq in his prime the Bulls would have fed the post first too. And if Kobe played on the Bulls with Pippen he would have been the man every time.



I'm going beside the point here, who do you think would win in a 7 game series between this years Lakers and the 96 Bulls (72 win team)?

[Xevious]

Yeah right. I'm pretty sure Steve Kerr, who played with Jordan, and who is a GM of a successful team knows a little more about basketball than you do.
Being second best ever isn't exactly a bad thing. And Kobe has a few years left to his career yet.

[cobbler]

Kobe is not even close to MJ, and the more you Laker fans try to push the issue, the more hate you bring on your boy. If Kobe truly was that good, he wouldn't need you to say it.

There isn't a conspiracy in the world. If Kobe truly deserved that honor, he would be given it without needing you to convince anyone.

And yet it's not just the Laker fans making comments and writing articles. It's the commish, it's players across the league, it's HOF players, GM's, scouts, coaches, the media, even the President has chimed in.

And yet it's you and your alter egos that post more about Kobe than all others combined. So who exactly is trying to convince who?

[MiamiHeat]

And yet it's not just the Laker fans making comments and writing articles. It's the commish, it's players across the league, it's HOF players, GM's, scouts, coaches, the media, even the President has chimed in.


It's the commish right now, and Steve Kerr.

There are also people who disagree.

Yet, you laker fans latch onto those opinions and run with it as fact.

Barkley believes Lebron is the best in the NBA, and Kobe can't hold MJ's jockstrap.

"OMFG YOU GUYS SEE, BARKLEY SAYS IT. ITS TRUE GUYS, YOU ARE JUST LEBRON HATERS, STOP TRYING TO SUPRESS THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!"

First of all David Stern only cares about $$$. If he can hype up his Finals, he will do that.

and Steve Kerr is just a GM. Pat Riley is a better GM, and he will let you know who is the far superior player.

What the fuck is the point of this quote jock riding?

oh yeah, to suck on your laker kobe's dick.

Fact remains, majority of BBALL world doesn't agree with you, and the MORE YOU laker fans try, the more hate you pile on your boy.

[MiamiHeat]

Let's all ignore Jerry West, who not only believes Kobe is not on MJ's level, he doesn't even believe Kobe is better than LeBron.

Jerry West is on record, for several seasons now, saying LeBron is a better basketball player than Kobe.

but yeah, let's just cherry pick the quotes we want that support your "KOBE OMG!" garbage and then point to some sort of "HATERS ARE EVERYWHERE! CONSPIRACY!!!"

[cobbler]

It's the commish right now, and Steve Kerr.

There are also people who disagree.

Yet, you laker fans latch onto those opinions and run with it as fact.

Barkley believes Lebron is the best in the NBA, and Kobe can't hold MJ's jockstrap.

"OMFG YOU GUYS SEE, BARKLEY SAYS IT. ITS TRUE GUYS, YOU ARE JUST LEBRON HATERS, STOP TRYING TO SUPRESS THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!"

First of all David Stern only cares about $$$. If he can hype up his Finals, he will do that.

and Steve Kerr is just a GM. Pat Riley is a better GM, and he will let you know who is the far superior player.

What the fuck is the point of this quote jock riding?

oh yeah, to suck on your laker kobe's dick.

Fact remains, majority of BBALL world doesn't agree with you, and the MORE YOU laker fans try, the more hate you pile on your boy.

If thats the case, then why you all butthurt over the articles?

I could give a fuck. I just want the titles. I dont happen to think Kobe or Jordan are the GOAT but that is my opinion. Difference is, I don't have to repeat it a gazillion times because it bothers me others don't share it.

And what is fact? Titles? Stats? Longevity? Offense? Defense? etc...

[cobbler]

Let's all ignore Jerry West, who not only believes Kobe is not on MJ's level, he doesn't even believe Kobe is better than LeBron.

Jerry West is on record, for several seasons now, saying LeBron is a better basketball player than Kobe.

but yeah, let's just cherry pick the quotes we want that support your "KOBE OMG!" garbage and then point to some sort of "HATERS ARE EVERYWHERE! CONSPIRACY!!!"

So let me get this straight. This is the same Jerry West you bring up when screaming collusion but now he's an ok guy cause he thinks LBJ is better than Kobe. OK. So Jerry has an opinion too.

I have Wilt as the GOAT. You have MJ. Others have Russell and some have Magic or Kareem. Others are fans of Kobe and have him penciled in.

Now why don't we see thousands of posts from all these people hating on the other guy? Just your daily ranting and raving with the Kobe obsession.

What is it you get out of it? Do you honestly think you have convinced one person to not be a Kobe fan? Does it torment you that much? Really? If so, you are going to have one rough summer should the Lakers win and Kobe continue along the pace he has.

[Flintstones32]

Kobe's the best player of his generation...that's all you can ask of anybody. None of the rest of the shit matters.

[peteee]

That evidently shows nothing but Stern's own awkward fetish for Kobe. He must consider his wife the prettiest too, though the fact is she isn't nice at all.

[cobbler]

this man speaks the truth

Kobe has claim to the 2nd best shooting guard spot legitimately.



I'm not convinced he is the 2nd best SG of all time. Kobe's scoring total is due to games played and years in the NBA. Look at the games played. A product of entering the NBA at 18, something the NBA never liked doing back then.

Jerry West (led the Lakers to NINE nba finals) and George Gervin can both lay claim to that too.

Well which is it? Make up your mind already :lol

[Nahtanoj]

I'm not convinced he is the 2nd best SG of all time. Kobe's scoring total is due to games played and years in the NBA. Look at the games played. A product of entering the NBA at 18, something the NBA never liked doing back then.

Kareem's totals are due to games played and years in the NBA as well. Are you saying longevity is not greatness?

I always laugh when people start throwing out MJ's numbers or Wilt's numbers or whoever's.. watching (not just highlights) them play and comparing them is different to comparing numbers (e.g. Kobe's shooting %, PPG average vs. Jordan's). Fact is, the times are different, the games different, players have evolved (both physically and skillwise), rules have changed..

If Jordan had played with Shaq or in the zone era, would he have averaged as many points as he did earlier in his career? If Kobe had played by himself, in Jordan's illegal defense era, or 80s fastbreak era, could he have scored as many points as Jordan and be just as efficient (50% shooting)? It is possible... the Suns' play definitely resemble that of the 80s, except they played better defence and were allowed to zone. Look at Bryant's numbers versus them (50+% 33-8-7) in the WCF or even the last 5 years since Mike D'Antoni took over.

If Bryant had to start from the bottom like MJ did, maybe his numbers would've been as great if not greater (see 2003 Shaq injured, 2005 Bryant 29-7-7 before injury, 2006 35ppg, 2007 31ppg). Forget about all the "but the 90s and 80s had tougher defense, you could handcheck bla bla" business. If you weren't around then to witness the eras, then watch proper game tapes of matches in the 80s or 90s.. you're not telling me they played better defence than the current era? If you are, then you're delusional.

Players have evolved, they're stronger, faster, longer and defences have improved a lot as well - lanes are no longer wide open like they use to be because of the zone. Magic and co use to drive to the hoop with ease and with single coverage, helping on defence means you'd leave a player open longer than say you would in a zone.

Would Bryant have won 6 titles in 13 years following in MJ's path? Maybe not. But he is on his own path. People should just enjoy the game and learn to appreciate the greatness that is Kobe Bryant (or the other great player of this era, Duncan), appreciate them while they're still playing.. because it won't be long before both he and Duncan is gone.

[cobbler]

Kareem's totals are due to games played and years in the NBA as well. Are you saying longevity is not greatness?

I always laugh when people start throwing out MJ's numbers or Wilt's numbers or whoever's.. watching (not just highlights) them play and comparing them is different to comparing numbers (e.g. Kobe's shooting %, PPG average vs. Jordan's). Fact is, the times are different, the games different, players have evolved (both physically and skillwise), rules have changed..

If Jordan had played with Shaq or in the zone era, would he have averaged as many points as he did earlier in his career? If Kobe had played by himself, in Jordan's illegal defense era, or 80s fastbreak era, could he have scored as many points as Jordan and be just as efficient (50% shooting)? It is possible... the Suns' play definitely resemble that of the 80s, except they played better defence and were allowed to zone. Look at Bryant's numbers versus them (50+% 33-8-7) in the WCF or even the last 5 years since Mike D'Antoni took over.

If Bryant had to start from the bottom like MJ did, maybe his numbers would've been as great if not greater (see 2003 Shaq injured, 2005 Bryant 29-7-7 before injury, 2006 35ppg, 2007 31ppg). Forget about all the "but the 90s and 80s had tougher defense, you could handcheck bla bla" business. If you weren't around then to witness the eras, then watch proper game tapes of matches in the 80s or 90s.. you're not telling me they played better defence than the current era? If you are, then you're delusional.

Players have evolved, they're stronger, faster, longer and defences have improved a lot as well - lanes are no longer wide open like they use to be because of the zone. Magic and co use to drive to the hoop with ease and with single coverage, helping on defence means you'd leave a player open longer than say you would in a zone.

Would Bryant have won 6 titles in 13 years following in MJ's path? Maybe not. But he is on his own path. People should just enjoy the game and learn to appreciate the greatness that is Kobe Bryant (or the other great player of this era, Duncan), appreciate them while they're still playing.. because it won't be long before both he and Duncan is gone.

In other words... STFU Miami/Chris/Harlem. :lol

[Nahtanoj]

In other words... STFU Miami/Chris/Harlem. :lol

lol telling him to stfu won't help him understand that he needs to 1) grow up, 2) be a true basketball fan and 3) stop being an angry person that critisize nba players because he cannot do what they do... on the interweb ;)

[TheManFromAcme]

"Kobe is the closet thing you have to MJ right now". I don't see how that could be a controversial comment in any sense of the word. Who else do you have?

Let see:

1. Wade? - Nope
2. Bron? - Nope
3. Durant? - Nope

Throw all your stats, rosters, stacked or non-stacked teams for these guys and I'am sure some will surpass Kobe's but right now, as we speak, and as this season goes along, there is no better closer, no better heart-taker, no better person equipped for the last shot than Kobe Bryant.

Yeah, Kobe's fallen short with the MVP's, the DPOY's and so on, yet win or lose, he's approaching his 3rd finals. 3rd.

How bout we discuss who is the closet to MJ right now instead of Kobe being equal to MJ. I know Kobe isn't, but you've got nobody else.

Miami insists that he is on his downside. I don't think so. If you know anything about Kobe, the man is anal about off-season conditioning. Who cares if he loses a minute step? Who cares if his hops are off a bit? He's going to adjust his game. His physical game may be reduced but that unmeasurable intangible "willing" that he has to win is not going anywhere anytime soon. Your body may get older but your heart doesn't.

Kobe ain't MJ, I'll agree. But Kobe is the one on the ladder trying to reach MJ looking down at Bron and Wade.

[Nahtanoj]

I'm sure Bryant is only concerned with the title #5 ladder at the moment. ;)

[TheManFromAcme]

I'm sure Bryant is only concerned with the title #5 ladder at the moment. ;)

:toast

[lefty]

Stern has always been an idiot :lol

[lefty]

"Kobe is the closet thing you have to MJ right now". I don't see how that could be a controversial comment in any sense of the word. Who else do you have?

Let see:

1. Wade? - Nope
2. Bron? - Nope
3. Durant? - Nope

Throw all your stats, rosters, stacked or non-stacked teams for these guys and I'am sure some will surpass Kobe's but right now, as we speak, and as this season goes along, there is no better closer, no better heart-taker, no better person equipped for the last shot than Kobe Bryant.

Yeah, Kobe's fallen short with the MVP's, the DPOY's and so on, yet win or lose, he's approaching his 3rd finals. 3rd.

How bout we discuss who is the closet to MJ right now instead of Kobe being equal to MJ. I know Kobe isn't, but you've got nobody else.

Miami insists that he is on his downside. I don't think so. If you know anything about Kobe, the man is anal about off-season conditioning. Who cares if he loses a minute step? Who cares if his hops are off a bit? He's going to adjust his game. His physical game may be reduced but that unmeasurable intangible "willing" that he has to win is not going anywhere anytime soon. Your body may get older but your heart doesn't.

Kobe ain't MJ, I'll agree. But Kobe is the one on the ladder trying to reach MJ looking down at Bron and Wade.


Wade has won a title with old and washed up Shaq, fucking Antoine Walker and Jason Williams

He didnt have Collusion Gasol, or Lamar Odom, or Fish to bail him out

GTFO noob

[D2Procon]

Kobe will need to win 7 rings to be honestly considered as better or as having a better career than Jordan.

Bullshit, you'd have to look at other factors too such as MVPS awards etc. Bill Russell says hi.

[Nahtanoj]

Wade has won a title with old and washed up Shaq, fucking Antoine Walker and Jason Williams

He didnt have Collusion Gasol, or Lamar Odom, or Fish to bail him out

GTFO noob

Haha if there ever was an asterick championship season, that was it. The Spurs' 1999 title, whether it was done in a lockout or not, was won fair and square.

[Kamnik]

Heard it on the podcast when asked to rank Kobe. What a fuckin tard comparing players on a fixed scripted league.

You are retarded if you follow a scripted league and even post on forums about it.

/thread

[D2Procon]

You are retarded if you follow a scripted league and even post on forums about it.

/thread

I watch it the same reason people watch WWE, its called entertainment retard.

[Gutter92]

Kobe has more playoff games played than MJ, yet has about thirty less playoff games with 30+ points

Kobe has more nba games played than MJ as a chicago bull, yet still has a lot to go to catch MJ's scoring total

kobe never won a DPOY,

not to mention a DPOY and league MVP and scoring title in the same fucking season. (and also the All-Star game MVP) in 1987-88 season

for all this garbage about kobe being a better scorer, kobe never scored 3000 points in a season, MJ did.

kobe never shot %50 in a single season, MJ shot %50 FOR HIS CAREER AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!! as a chicago bull.

mj 10 scoring titles, nba record.

mj's averages go up in playoffs, kobe's all go down.

seriously, its not even fucking close.


holy shit educate these fools :rollin

[lefty]

Kobe has more playoff games played than MJ, yet has about thirty less playoff games with 30+ points

Kobe has more nba games played than MJ as a chicago bull, yet still has a lot to go to catch MJ's scoring total

kobe never won a DPOY,

not to mention a DPOY and league MVP and scoring title in the same fucking season. (and also the All-Star game MVP) in 1987-88 season

for all this garbage about kobe being a better scorer, kobe never scored 3000 points in a season, MJ did.

kobe never shot %50 in a single season, MJ shot %50 FOR HIS CAREER AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!! as a chicago bull.

mj 10 scoring titles, nba record.

mj's averages go up in playoffs, kobe's all go down.

seriously, its not even fucking close.
Damn, Miamiheat is pissed :lmao

[ambchang]

In terms of what?

Marketability - no where close to Jordan, and I think anybody would agree that even LeBron trumps Kobe on that. Jordan pushed the league into a multi-billion dollar industry, Kobe allowed the league to stay status, along with Shaq, Duncan, KG, and a bunch of international players.

Leading teams to the title - Kobe did it once, with Shaq leading the Lakers in the other 3. Kobe had a monumental collapse in two playoff series (Game 7 vs. Suns and Game 6 vs. Celtics). Jordan led his team to 6 titles as the undisputed alpha dog. In fact, Jordan became the only player in the history of the league to lead a team to multiple championships without the support of a dominant big man. The only other player to even lead a team to the promised land without an all-star level big was Isiah Thomas, but then his team was loaded with talent.

In terms of finishing - Kobe scored less in an era of lower scoring compared to Jordan. He also shot a lower percentage in an era of lower shooting percentages. So they pretty much even each other out, right? Only when you forget that the league has changed the rules since 1999 to cater to perimeter players to make the game more "entertaining". Kobe is probably the best at finishing a contested jump shot in the history of the league, and he did it through body control and athletic ability. Even Jordan wasn't as good, but then Jordan used his skills and athletic ability to create uncontested shots for himself.

Jordan was a better finisher around the basket than Kobe ever was (well, Jordan was the best), and his outside shot became progressively better as the league moved towards more 3 pt shooting (his 3P% is comparable, or even better, than Kobe's, when adjusted for league %).

In terms of defense - Jordan was DPoY, all D 1st team 9 times in 14 years (including his ill-advised comeback with the Wiz), Kobe was all D 1st team 8 times and 2nd team twice in 14 years, with no DPoY.

In terms of awards - Jordan was MVP 5 times, Finals MVP 6 times. Kobe has one of each.

The two doesn't even compare.

[TheManFromAcme]

Wade has won a title with old and washed up Shaq, fucking Antoine Walker and Jason Williams

He didnt have Collusion Gasol, or Lamar Odom, or Fish to bail him out

GTFO noob

Get a clue lefty. :donkey

You still can't argue that nobody is closer to MJ than Kobe. If Kobe is a million miles away from the GOAT that is MJ, where does that leave Bron and wade?

[TDMVPDPOY]

kobe is nowhere near mj, tell the clown go play baseball or away from the sport for 2 years and come back win 3 straight titles

[Why So Serious]

kobe is nowhere near mj, tell the clown go play baseball or away from the sport for 2 years and come back win 3 straight titles

He came back and lost to the magic in the 2nd round before he repeated:wow

[Nahtanoj]

He came back and lost to the magic in the 2nd round before he repeated:wow

They forget Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman exist sometimes.

[lefty]

Get a clue lefty. :donkey

You still can't argue that nobody is closer to MJ than Kobe. If Kobe is a million miles away from the GOAT that is MJ, where does that leave Bron and wade?
Kobe would have never won with washed up Shaq and fucking Antoine Walker

So Wade > Kobe

So Wade is closer to MJ

[TheManFromAcme]

Kobe would have never won with washed up Shaq and fucking Antoine Walker

So Wade > Kobe

So Wade is closer to MJ

:lol

Mr. James Naismith is rolling in his grave

you peasant you

[TheMACHINE]

Stern is a smart man.

[TDMVPDPOY]

mj never tasted a mans ass, kobe has him beat there

[21_Blessings]

He tasted Kobe's ass actually in 2003

[Goran Dragic]

Tbh this talk is stupid till the finals are over. If he nuts up Boston like he did to Phoenix and wills his team to a championship, then he's def. a top 5 player of all time and in my book 3rd only to MJ and Kareem. If the finals is a repeat of 2008, then all the MJ talk is ridiculous.

This is just me, but I judge players a lot based on how long they maintain a high level of play, which is why I've always thought Hakeem was overrated. Regardless of how many championships he wins, a big thing for me is how long Kobe will be able to keep up a high level of play.

[D2Procon]

Tbh this talk is stupid till the finals are over. If he nuts up Boston like he did to Phoenix and wills his team to a championship, then he's def. a top 5 player of all time and in my book 3rd only to MJ and Kareem. If the finals is a repeat of 2008, then all the MJ talk is ridiculous.

This is just me, but I judge players a lot based on how long they maintain a high level of play, which is why I've always thought Hakeem was overrated. Regardless of how many championships he wins, a big thing for me is how long Kobe will be able to keep up a high level of play.

But what Magic Johnson didn't feel like playing game 1 of the 1987 finals?

[TheMACHINE]

But what Magic Johnson didn't feel like playing game 1 of the 1987 finals?

Kobe doesnt feel like playing game 1 this week? Link?

[Goran Dragic]

Kobe would have never won with washed up Shaq and fucking Antoine Walker

So Wade > Kobe

So Wade is closer to MJ


Shaq averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds that season (18.4 points and 9.8 rebounds in the playoffs), not to mention all the double teams and attention he drew down low. 2006 Shaq > 2010 Gasol and it's not even close, Shaq still made a huge impact on a nightly basis in 2006. You can look at stats and say Shaq played like shit in the finals, but Avery Johnson at times had Dirk and Dampier doubling Shaq off ball, which completely opened up the court for Wade. It's a pretty ignorant stretch to make acting like Wade carried a group of hacks to a championship.

[Allanon]

Obviously too early to put Kobe equal to MJ but it's getting closer by the year.

Jordan didn't win #5 until he was 34.

#5 and another Finals MVP coming on up for 31 year old Kobester.

[lefty]

Shaq averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds that season (18.4 points and 9.8 rebounds in the playoffs), not to mention all the double teams and attention he drew down low. 2006 Shaq > 2010 Gasol and it's not even close, Shaq still made a huge impact on a nightly basis in 2006. You can look at stats and say Shaq played like shit in the finals, but Avery Johnson at times had Dirk and Dampier doubling Shaq off ball, which completely opened up the court for Wade. It's a pretty ignorant stretch to make acting like Wade carried a group of hacks to a championship.
Yes O'Neal had good numbers

But he wasn't much of a factor in the Finals

[Goran Dragic]

Yes O'Neal had good numbers

But he wasn't much of a factor in the Finals


:lmao reading comprehension fail

[Goran Dragic]

Wade can't get out of the 1st round without Shaq, and that was even the case in 2006. Wade for the most part played like shit against Chicago and Miami wouldn't have won without shaq exploiting their soft interior D.

[21_Blessings]

2007 proved Dallas and Miami getting to the finals was pretty much a fluke.

[lefty]

:lmao reading comprehension fail
:rolleyes
DId you watch the Finals?

It was basically 1 on 5, Wade had the ball almost every single time

[Ghazi]

2007 proved Dallas and Miami getting to the finals was pretty much a fluke.

True. Also proved the Mavs were robbed of the Finals though.

an NBA champion going 44-42 the following year :rolleyes

[21_Blessings]

True
an NBA champion going 44-42 the following year :rolleyes

NBA finalist losing to the 8 seed the following year :rolleyes

[Ghazi]

lesser of two, IMO

[TE]

NBA finalist losing to the 8 seed the following year :rolleyes

:lmao:lmao:lmao

[21_Blessings]

lesser of two, IMO

Not really. It just validated the backdoor sweep and the fact that Dirk led Dallas teams are nothing but massive fucking bed shitters.

Also, see 2010.

[Ghazi]

:lol :lmao Kobe bout to lose to a team led by Rajon fucking Rondo

[21_Blessings]

:lmao staaaaaaacked

[TE]

Not really. It just validated the backdoor sweep and the fact that Dirk led Dallas teams are nothing but massive fucking bed shitters.

Also, see 2010.

Dirk led teams have always chocked for some reason. In 2006, they played possibly the best any team could play against a Spurs team that fired on all cylinders. I can't possibly begin to show my delight in having the Mavs lose to Golden State the next year. :lmao

[Ghazi]

Only things to see in 2010 for the Mavs are a ref that has an anti-Mavs vendetta, a scrub hitting a few shots, and a coach not playing the best french PG in the NBA.

Dirk 27/8 on 50%+

:lmao Kobe about to lose to Rondo.