Is Kobe the best player since Jordan ?

[Bob Lanier]

People who say James will never develop a jumpshot or post-up footwork are just as foolish as those who say he's destined to be the greatest player ever.

Maybe, maybe not. Nobody starts out perfect, and everyone fails to some degree in their pursuit of perfection.

James has vastly improved his defense since he's entered the NBA. There's no reason that he couldn't develop a serviceable jumpshot (not on Bryant's level, to be sure; that's too much a matter of practice) and certainly a mid or low post game (much more just a matter of understanding and implementation). It's just a question of how much he wants it.

From what we've heard, he wants to be a billionaire. He can do that without a complete offensive game.

[Dim Tuncan]

Lebronze's post game is pitiful for someone his size/speed. He's all athleticism and won't be nearly as dominate in his 30's like MJ was or Kobe will be.

No, it isn't. It's all about trade-offs.

The same attributes that make his so powerful in the open court or driving preclude him from having the intricate footwork of, say, a Kobe or a Paul Pierce, or excellent man-to-man defense.

The main hole in LeBron's game is his post play. A guy with his size, strength and speed should be much better with his back to the basket rather than being limited to facing the basket.

He's young so there's time for him to improve, but the problem I see is that he's surrounded by yes men who won't call him out on areas he needs to improve in.

[41times]

Kobe is def best player since Jordan. He has the complete game. He can score 30 points or more any and every night. He can play in your jock defense. He can rebound and assist when needed. He is the complete leader on the court. All of those things just like Jordan. And he has the killer instinct just like Jordan.

Again, I hate the man.....love his game.

[gaKNOW!blee]

LOL.

By the time Kobe takes as many shots as Jordan finished with he will have missed over 1,200 more times.

[Indazone]

His Airness Michael Jordan is the best that ever was. Kobe comes close but no.

[MiamiHeat]

KoMe is a Jordan copycat. He's the best at copying MJ. His whole game, jumper fadeaways, style of attacking rim, everything is bitten off MJ tapes.

[Dopey310]

KoMe is a Jordan copycat. He's the best at copying MJ. His whole game, jumper fadeaways, style of attacking rim, everything is bitten off MJ tapes.

The entire Heat organization is not worthy of Kobe.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Yes he is best since Jordan era end. Kobe is much better than Lebron and people say different must be make joke. But he is still even now not as good as Jordan was.

[Spur-Addict]

Lebron James will never be as complete a player as Kobe Bryant is. Never.

He isn't of the same mold as Bryant or MJ. His strength is his power game. He can finish and get to the rim far better than Kobe or MJ ever could in their athletic primes. That's where he excels. His jumpshot IS and will always be mediocre at best. He doesn't have the finesse or the touch and that is really something you either have or you don't. When all is said and done Lebron James will be remembered as Lebron James, not the heir to Kobe or Jordan. He is a unique player, the likes of which this league has never seen.......but he is not even close to being as complete a player as Kobe or MJ.

I'm glad you can see the future of LBJ. If I recall a bit, I certainly seen him nailing tre balls in several clutch moments including the playoffs. Don't hate on the man, he was far better than Kobe at 18, he will always continue to improve and best Kobe at whatever age. One does not have to be in the mold of MJ to be great. LBJ is proving that right now. I certainly remember it taking Kobe time to get better on Defense, Scottie torched him in the playoffs. Additionally, i'd rather be more original than a biter. Please, lets stop mentioning kobe in the same breath as Mike, it's a joke.

[MateoNeygro]

I'd say he's the best player that is like Jordan by far same type of game, but i'm a spurs fan so i'd say best big man is duncan best wing is KOBE, It must be nice to have a player like Kobe on your favorite team, cause no matter what kinda shot he takes you gotta believe it's going in. KOBE is sick but i still hate the lakers

[alamo50]

This is a non question.
After MJ, Kobe is the best pure basketball player......ever.

[stretch]

LOL i love how these Kobe lovers just love to hate on Lebron, as if it has anything to do with how good Kobe is. fact is, if Kobe is so much better than Lebron, why do you all always have to bash on Lebron, in order to defend Kobe? Why do you even worry about Lebron, or mention him, since he is LIGHT YEARS behind Kobe? If that is the case, why dont yall bash on how much better Kobe is than Ryan Bowen, or David Lee? He is light years ahead of them too.

Lame.

[Allanon]

LOL i love how these Kobe lovers just love to hate on Lebron, as if it has anything to do with how good Kobe is. fact is, if Kobe is so much better than Lebron, why do you all always have to bash on Lebron, in order to defend Kobe? Why do you even worry about Lebron, or mention him, since he is LIGHT YEARS behind Kobe? If that is the case, why dont yall bash on how much better Kobe is than Ryan Bowen, or David Lee? He is light years ahead of them too.

Lame.

I like LeBron but he's not going to win any rings while Kobe is still playing well. I can see him ending his career with 0 rings. Although I think he'll earn 1-2 rings somewhere around 2015.

EDITED my Post, he'll get his probably around 2015.

He was just born at the wrong time like Barkley.

[monosylab1k]

I like LeBron but he's not going to win any rings while Kobe is still playing well. I can see him ending his career with 0 rings.

He was just born at the wrong time like Barkley.

lmao every time they go head-to-head LeBron makes it a point to turn Kobe into a white girl from Colorado.

If we ever see a Cavs-Lakers Finals, LeBron wins that easy.

[stretch]

it is true. head to head, Lebron is a bad matchup for Kobe. Kobe is not fast or strong enough to handle him on either side of the ball. and this is one of those matchups where Lebron really steps his defense up, and it turns into for Kobe every time.

Lebron just needs a better team/coach.

[stretch]

and one-on-one, Lebron is probably the hardest player in the league to stop.

However, in terms of having a teams entire defensive aim to stop a player, Kobe is harder to stop than Lebron right now, because Kobe's jumper and teammates are better.

but both are still pretty much unstoppable in either manner.

[mavs>spurs2]

it is true. head to head, Lebron is a bad matchup for Kobe. Kobe is not fast or strong enough to handle him on either side of the ball. and this is one of those matchups where Lebron really steps his defense up, and it turns into for Kobe every time.

Lebron just needs a better team/coach.

He's fast enough, just not big or strong enough. I don't know that i've ever watched a Cavs/Lakers game, but I would think they wouldn't even guard eachother? That would be an interesting matchup if they did.

[LakeShow]

When it's all said and done, Kobe Bryant will go down in history as the G.O.A.T,...

Kobe played a few seasons with hand checks and florished. MJ never had to deal with a zone, kobe does. If Kobe didn't have to deal with a zone and being the main player as Jordan was in Chicago his numbers would be off the chart.

If he can win 2 or 3 championships, it'll give him the edge. KB's the Man!!

[stretch]

He's fast enough, just not big or strong enough. I don't know that i've ever watched a Cavs/Lakers game, but I would think they wouldn't even guard eachother? That would be an interesting matchup if they did.

Well yea, hes fast, but lebrons size, strength, and quickness negates it.

[21_Blessings]

He's fast enough, just not big or strong enough. I don't know that i've ever watched a Cavs/Lakers game, but I would think they wouldn't even guard eachother? That would be an interesting matchup if they did.

They have. Kobe has hit two game winners over Bron in his career and Lebron hit a game winner over Kobe this year.

[stretch]

When it's all said and done, Kobe Bryant will go down in history as the G.O.A.T,...

Kobe played a few seasons with hand checks and florished. MJ never had to deal with a zone, kobe does. If Kobe didn't have to deal with a zone and being the main player as Jordan was in Chicago his numbers would be off the chart.

If he can win 2 or 3 championships, it'll give him the edge. KB's the Man!!

Actually MJ did deal with a zone. He won a national championship dealing with it.

and im sick of the bull "MJ didnt deal with a zone" crap. they DID play zones in the 80s, they just did it in a more subtle way. also, the 3 second rule that is in place kinda negates a LOT of the effectiveness of a zone, which was basically what led to being called for an illegal defense in the 80s, having a man just perch in the paint. its not much different at all. and the best defensive teams today play suffocating man defense. zone just isnt used very often, period.

plus his midrange shot was so good, the zone really would not have bothered him much. and hand checking is FAR tougher to deal with than zone. if you have a good jumpshot, then the zone is useless. Kobe dealt with handchecking, but i dont know where you get the idea that he flourished. he played well, yes, but I wouldn't say he really flourished until it was already gone. besides, a in 94-95 handchecking from the halfcourt to the freethrow line was outlawed, so that will make a MAJOR difference in the effectiveness of a handcheck. quite often when a player drives, they will start well before the free throw line, and by time they get there, they should already be by their man.

i think the argument could be used that if Jordan played in todays league, where you arent allowed to hand check and get away with cheap fouls like in the 80s, he could flourish even more. it goes both ways. fact is, Jordan is the GOAT right now, and people need to stop taking away from his greatness, because if it wasnt for him, there would be no Kobe Bryant, period.

[stretch]

They have. Kobe has hit two game winners over Bron in his career and Lebron hit a game winner over Kobe this year.

Actually Kobe hit ONE game winner, and that was back in 2005. Since that game, Kobe has not beat Lebron ONCE.

This year, in both games, Kobe could not handle Lebron down the stretch, while Lebron manhanded Kobe on both ends.

[Allanon]

Kobe needs 4 more rings to even be considered over MJ in terms of G.O.A.T. strictly in basketball terms.

Considering that MJ only had 2 at this age (and ed around because of baseball for 2 more years), Kobe has a good chance of getting more as he is working on #4.

I don't think LeBron can ever catch MJ or Kobe in the ring department given his career path so far. So although LeBron is a phenomenal talent, he'll never be talked about in the G.O.A.T discussion.

People of this era will probably never consider Kobe over MJ no matter how many rings but in 20 years, it's very possible (assuming Kobe gets more than 7 rings).

[LakeShow]

Actually MJ did deal with a zone. He won a national championship dealing with it.

and im sick of the bull "MJ didnt deal with a zone" crap. they DID play zones in the 80s, they just did it in a more subtle way. also, the 3 second rule that is in place kinda negates a LOT of the effectiveness of a zone, which was basically what led to being called for an illegal defense in the 80s, having a man just perch in the paint. its not much different at all. and the best defensive teams today play suffocating man defense. zone just isnt used very often, period.

plus his midrange shot was so good, the zone really would not have bothered him much. and hand checking is FAR tougher to deal with than zone. if you have a good jumpshot, then the zone is useless. Kobe dealt with handchecking, but i dont know where you get the idea that he flourished. he played well, yes, but I wouldn't say he really flourished until it was already gone. besides, a in 94-95 handchecking from the halfcourt to the freethrow line was outlawed, so that will make a MAJOR difference in the effectiveness of a handcheck. quite often when a player drives, they will start well before the free throw line, and by time they get there, they should already be by their man.

i think the argument could be used that if Jordan played in todays league, where you arent allowed to hand check and get away with cheap fouls like in the 80s, he could flourish even more. it goes both ways. fact is, Jordan is the GOAT right now, and people need to stop taking away from his greatness, because if it wasnt for him, there would be no Kobe Bryant, period.

No argument there, but the zone that MJ dealed with is nothing like the zone of today. I do think that Jordan would have adjusted as well. Both are Great players.

[stretch]

No argument there, but the zone that MJ dealed with is nothing like the zone of today. I do think that Jordan would have adjusted as well. Both are Great players.

I agree that zone was different, but either way, Jordan and Kobe both have virtually the same skill-set, and and pick apart either defense.

So what kinds of moves are your Rockets going to make this offseason?