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Not reading any of this trash. im not going to get into yet another MJ vs. Kobe debate like you want to keep starting. both are great, amazing players. They both have almost identical skillsets, Kobe being more polished and skilled, MJ being more disciplined and controlled. But in the end, they both are top 5 basketball players ever. End of story.First off remove Hakeem and Shaq from the list of MJ's compe on....or if you don't want to do that then let's go based on relative or similar player position....
In the 80's, MJ was Kevin Garnett, he couldn't pass the first round of the playoffs. When Bird, Magic, and the Pistons got old and begin to hang it up, then and only then did MJ begin to win. In the 90’s he played against pretty empty teams, those which pretty much had one superstar, and that was it. Conversely Kobe lost to a team with multiple HOF’s and All-stars but he also beat that same team in Boston. MJ never did that because he flamed out in the 80's when he had his chance...
Let’s look at MJ’s compe ion at either guard position during his prime... His prime era was lacking with the exception of 3 players it was relatively light if you ask me. He also faced pretty much weak 1:1 defenders on a nightly basis. He was a better defender by virtue of playing inferior players. If Kobe had to defend MJ’s compe ion of the 90’s he’d be in a constant wet state.
John Stockton, Tim Hardaway, Gary Payton, Reggie Miller, Dominique Wilkens, Kevin Johnson, Tom Chambers, Rolondo Blackman, Fat Lever, Chris Mullin, Hersey Hawkins, Ricky Pierce, Alvin Robertson, Clyde Drexler, Jeff Hornacek, Dan Majerele, Terry Porter, Sean , Kenny Anderson, Mark Price, John Starks, Mookie Blaylock, Mitch Richmond, Glen Rice, Terrell Brandon, Christian Laettner, Steve Smith, Kenny Smith, Bobby Phils, Craig Ehlo, Muggsy Bouges etc etc…
Kobe has always dealt with compe ion at the guard spot on both ends of the ball all the ing time…
Offensive side: Reggie Miller, Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, Grant Hill, T-MAC, Vince Carter, Michael Redd, Jason Kidd, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Paul Pierece, Ray Allen, Derick Rose, Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Rondo, Monta Ellis, Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Mike Finley, CP3, Baron Davis, etc etc
Defensive side "Kobe Stoppers": Ron Artest, Bruce Bowen, Arron Afflalo, Thebo Shefalosa, Dahntay Jones, James Posey, Tayshaun Prince, Doug Christie, Rueben Patterson, Matt Barnes, Tony Allen, Shane Battier, Raja Bell, Stephen Jackson, Eric Snow, Andre Igoudala, Nicolas Batum
I dare anyone to make a case that MJ’s compe ion was stiffer than what Kobe faces on both sides of the ball. So in conclusion the only time MJ had to work hard was during the 80’s in which he flamed out., repeatedly. The Western conference has been very strong for the last decade + with the Mavericks (10 straight 50 + wins), the Spur le yrs, and the Wylie Coyote Suns, along with the Blazers/ Kings in the earlier part of the decade.
MJ- One of the greatest ever, ok fine but “The greatest ever”, hands down? No. He;s not the greatest scorer (a Laker is - Kareem) He’s not the greatest stats guy ( a Laker is Wilt) and he’s not the greatest ring bearer ( a Celtic is – Bill Russell) MJ is called the best because during the 90’s basketball was boring and he brought excitement back to it as it was fading. That’s it and that’s all.
The biggest difference between Kobe & MJ is that Kobe was able to win without another Hall of Famer playing alongside him. MJ couldn't do squat without Pippen, and Kobe went back 2 back without Shaq, and Gasol isn't even a HOF's and barely an All-Star... This should put an end to it all really...
