Bulls: Michael Jordan says he’d beat LeBron James in one-on-one

[HarlemHeat37]

Prime Kobe defensively would just force MJ to shoot 3-pointers and clank. MJ would have to respect Kobe's superior outside shooting though

when has prime Kobe ever defended a notable player, tbh?..

The Lakers of the early 2000s never went against top perimeter players, tbh..the post-Shaq Lakers got killed all the time against perimeter players during the regular season..

The 2008 Finals Lakers got killed by Paul Pierce when Kobe didn't have the balls to defend him, allowing scrubs like Radmanovic to take the assignment..

[Koolaid_Man]

when has prime Kobe ever defended a notable player, tbh?..

The Lakers of the early 2000s never went against top perimeter players, tbh..the post-Shaq Lakers got killed all the time against perimeter players during the regular season..

The 2008 Finals Lakers got killed by Paul Pierce when Kobe didn't have the balls to defend him, allowing scrubs like Radmanovic to take the assignment..

why does Lebron shy away from guarding top players but always trying to run up on PG's..your is made in all honesty...Pacers lost cuz Paul George don't know what he has...he's grows up and he'll take Lebron's manhood right before your eyes

[HarlemHeat37]

why does Lebron shy away from guarding top players but always trying to run up on PG's..your is made in all honesty...Pacers lost cuz Paul George don't know what he has...he's grows up and he'll take Lebron's manhood right before your eyes

the only star players that Lebron hasn't guarded exclusively in the past few playoffs are Dirk and Durant, tbh..

[Koolaid_Man]

the only star players that Lebron hasn't guarded exclusively in the past few playoffs are Dirk and Durant, tbh..

that's my ing point... runs from people he knows will give it to his ass...he wants to run up on little PG's..he's a coward

[Rogue]

Kobe would beat MJ because he had better range....MJ was marginally better defensively but look at it like this..if Bruce Bowen was no match for Kobe's range MJ would have gotten murdered...Kobe wins 1 on 1 with MJ that's why MJ admitted that Kobe would likely beat him...
'
here's an example of Kobe's range..something MJ never had:

MJ was an average 3pt shooter but that wasn't that significant a weaklink in the 90s imho. n!ggars could be top players without much shooting range and there weren't that many teams who relied on 3pt shooting.

[Rogue]

why does Lebron shy away from guarding top players but always trying to run up on PG's..your is made in all honesty...Pacers lost cuz Paul George don't know what he has...he's grows up and he'll take Lebron's manhood right before your eyes

Bron runs away from no one imho. mah just picks the primary scorer of the opposing team, regardless of positions. He turned up on the PG named Tony Parker because no one else on his team had the speed and quickness to guard the french racing car

[TDMVPDPOY]

to bad mj couldnt beat gangsters in a game of rocks

[ambchang]

Kobe would beat MJ because he had better range....MJ was marginally better defensively but look at it like this..if Bruce Bowen was no match for Kobe's range MJ would have gotten murdered...Kobe wins 1 on 1 with MJ that's why MJ admitted that Kobe would likely beat him...
'
here's an example of Kobe's range..something MJ never had:

Jordan career 3p% 0.327. Career high season (excludes shortened 3p line seasons) 0.372.

Kobe - .336 /.383.

lot of difference right there.

Kobe 3p% vs Bowen, including playoffs - 0.278 . Btw, bowens is >40%

[ALVAREZ6]

If Melo could defend, he'd be my number one. He's big, mobile, and jumper is so deadly that he can get over anyone.


Of course, MJ keeps bringing back 1v1 as if everyone will suddenly forget it's a 5v5 game, and for 5v5 it's really tough to beat LeBron out in all around skills and impact ability on a game, considering scoring, passing, defense, and all around versatility. It'll be hard to argue otherwise when he's retired.

[TDMVPDPOY]

MJ still bitter cause he knows lebron has a chance of being the GOAT

[elmanutres]

The Clippers didn't invent losing... but they sure have perfected.

getting hammered by clipperfan

[LkrFan]

who the cares about 1on1 games, tbh?..

Dad Killer's insecurity towards Lebron is cute, tbh..

The Spurs fan tbh:



Bottom line, if Tammy was a better one on one player, he'd have 5 rings instead of being The Butt! of our 5>4 jokes.

[TDMVPDPOY]

jordans all defensive team selections is overrated as

who did he play against at his position that was even worthy being mention?

lol the jordan stoppers were all a fkn bunch of joke players who never made any all defensive teams, and jordan defends these guys night in night out for a weak era of SG

[Killakobe81]

Jordan career 3p% 0.327. Career high season (excludes shortened 3p line seasons) 0.372.

Kobe - .336 /.383.

lot of difference right there.

Kobe 3p% vs Bowen, including playoffs - 0.278 . Btw, bowens is >40%

That is a silly stat. Kobes range is great or it used to be. Hos shot selection is what sucks. MJ forced some shots. Too but not fade away 3s over multiple defenders.

[Killakobe81]

MJ still bitter cause he knows lebron has a chance of being the GOAT

Agreed, I think it does bug him. But also pretty clear he respects Kobe more possibly cuz Kobe idolized him and patterned his game after him.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i dont know why there is a double standards what lebron needs to accomplish to surpass jordan, let alone kobe...imo his already pass kobe

people knock on him cause of his imperfect finals record, whose to say if jordan didnt retire he would win continuous in the finals and not have a finals defeat?
then they knock on his ty finals against the mavs, wasnt that wades team?
wankers who say lebron needs to win 5 let alone 7 in row to be the goat, come back to me when someone or anyone has won 7 in a row let alone 4 rings in a row, we only interested in facts, not what ifs aka jordan scenario if he didnt retire..

lebron is a different beasts than the rejects jordan played against at his position, hence jordan never defend the other teams best SG which was pippens job...

[Killakobe81]

I still think Lebron has a chance to surpass MJ said it all last season as well as the previous one ... But for those ting on MJ to prop Lebron I just dont get it. It is true MJ did benefit from playing a part of his career in a watered down era ... but to imply that MJ could not of won in ANY era or with Spo, or with Wade instead of Pippen is comedy. When Kobe fanbois tried to on the 90's ...plenty on here would have no part of it. But because Spur fan likes James it's allowed now?! Horse .

Magic played in a uptempo era with Kareem and Worthy.
Bird played in that same era with Mchale, Parish and DJ .
Shaq had Kobe, Kobe had Shaq.
Lebron joined WAde and brought Bosh.
MJ had Pippen.

None of that diminishes how great any of those guys are. Lebron even with a few ty Finals games still has a chance at GOAT. Even Mj had a few (very few) Finals clunkers and Magic, Kareem, Bird, Kobe and Lebron have had worse. In the end the eye test, stats, even the ty awards and of course rings will determine their ultimate legacy. And for me Mj's superior marketing won't matter to me either. But for now it's still MJ>Magic>Kobe>Lebron>Bird. But I think Lebron will pass Kobe and has an outside shot at Mj. And yes it is debatable he may have surpassed Kobe. I still say, No but I can see the argument and it's a strong case.

[Killakobe81]

And before bird fans chime in ... yes i think kobe edges Bird though is behind Magic and yes I think Lebron is the GOAT SF ...
No one had any issues placing Duncan even at 3 rings as the GOAT PF ... why cant Lebron with two rings be the GOAT SF?
I would get someone placing Bird with 3 over Lebron at 2 if they were close but I dont think it is. For the record, if Magic was at 3 I would lower my al time favorite player down a few notches too ...

[ambchang]

That is a silly stat. Kobes range is great or it used to be. Hos shot selection is what sucks. MJ forced some shots. Too but not fade away 3s over multiple defenders.

Hearsay. How do we know Kobe had better range? Based on video? Did you see that Jordan and Bird game of horse? They shot from the rafters? Then even outside of the stadium! So let's use that as evidence that Jordan got better range.

And was Kobe's shot selection so bad that he shot from so much further out in 3 point range? And what does that have to do with the game of 1-on-1? Do they get 4-pointers?

Finally, will Kobe suddenly start having good shot selection? I doubt it.

Agreed, I think it does bug him. But also pretty clear he respects Kobe more possibly cuz Kobe idolized him and patterned his game after him.

Kobe respects Jordan because idolized the GoAT and patterned his game after him, but the reverse is not true because Jordan is the leader, and Kobe is the follower. I am not sure respect is the word to describe the way Jordan feels towards Kobe, it's more like protection, more like how Jordan looks out for Kobe like a little brother or a follower.

[ambchang]

And before bird fans chime in ... yes i think kobe edges Bird though is behind Magic and yes I think Lebron is the GOAT SF ...
No one had any issues placing Duncan even at 3 rings as the GOAT PF ... why cant Lebron with two rings be the GOAT SF?
I would get someone placing Bird with 3 over Lebron at 2 if they were close but I dont think it is. For the record, if Magic was at 3 I would lower my al time favorite player down a few notches too ...

You are out of your mind! Magic = Bird. You are looking through this in as piss-and-gay glasses as a person could be. It's almost like you are drowning in piss and gay to say Kobe > Bird.

Did Bird ever play 2nd banana? No.
Was Bird a better passer? Yes.
Was Kobe a better defender? Sure, when he was a 2nd banana, but when he was a 1b banana to MVPau? Kobe's defense was horrendous.
Did Bird understand the game better? Yes
Did Bird see the floor better? Yes
Did Bird win 3 straight MVPs? Yes. Did Kobe? Well .. he was a 1/3 of the way there after getting a life-time achievement award.
Did Bird act like a socialpath and undermines the confidence of his teammates? Actually yes, just that Bird didn't do it publicly?
Did Bird ran the greatest coach of all time out? No
Did Bird ran the most dominant player of all time out? No

Between Magic, Bird and Kobe, the ranking goes.

Career wise:
Magic slightly > Bird >> Kobe.

Prime:
Bird > Magic >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kobe.

[Koolaid_Man]

And before bird fans chime in ... yes i think kobe edges Bird though is behind Magic and yes I think Lebron is the GOAT SF ...
No one had any issues placing Duncan even at 3 rings as the GOAT PF ... why cant Lebron with two rings be the GOAT SF?
I would get someone placing Bird with 3 over Lebron at 2 if they were close but I dont think it is. For the record, if Magic was at 3 I would lower my al time favorite player down a few notches too ...

Bird is better than Lebron period...you can idolize Lebron's size but it doesn't change the fact he was not better than Bird except one facet of the game and that's driving the lane...outside of that give me a prime Bird over a prime Lebron any day and every day - tbh Bird was tough Lebron is not

[Koolaid_Man]

I still think Lebron has a chance to surpass MJ said it all last season as well as the previous one ... But for those ting on MJ to prop Lebron I just dont get it. It is true MJ did benefit from playing a part of his career in a watered down era ... but to imply that MJ could not of won in ANY era or with Spo, or with Wade instead of Pippen is comedy. When Kobe fanbois tried to on the 90's ...plenty on here would have no part of it. But because Spur fan likes James it's allowed now?! Horse .

Magic played in a uptempo era with Kareem and Worthy.
Bird played in that same era with Mchale, Parish and DJ .
Shaq had Kobe, Kobe had Shaq.
Lebron joined WAde and brought Bosh.
MJ had Pippen.

None of that diminishes how great any of those guys are. Lebron even with a few ty Finals games still has a chance at GOAT. Even Mj had a few (very few) Finals clunkers and Magic, Kareem, Bird, Kobe and Lebron have had worse. In the end the eye test, stats, even the ty awards and of course rings will determine their ultimate legacy. And for me Mj's superior marketing won't matter to me either. But for now it's still MJ>Magic>Kobe>Lebron>Bird. But I think Lebron will pass Kobe and has an outside shot at Mj. And yes it is debatable he may have surpassed Kobe. I still say, No but I can see the argument and it's a strong case.

Fans are en led to their opinions fair enough...but as long a the all time greats and the current generation of players all choose Kobe over Lebron I think the case is closed...the fans and the media vs All time greats and Current Rookies..I'd rather have my peers think I'm the 2nd GOAT vs what Spur fan and the media think tbh....MJ's, Kareem, Bird, Hakeem, Dr J and all the current players and rookie classes opinions matter more to me than what any fan could possibly think...

[Killakobe81]

Hearsay. How do we know Kobe had better range? Based on video? Did you see that Jordan and Bird game of horse? They shot from the rafters? Then even outside of the stadium! So let's use that as evidence that Jordan got better range.

And was Kobe's shot selection so bad that he shot from so much further out in 3 point range? And what does that have to do with the game of 1-on-1? Do they get 4-pointers?

Finally, will Kobe suddenly start having good shot selection? I doubt it.



Kobe respects Jordan because idolized the GoAT and patterned his game after him, but the reverse is not true because Jordan is the leader, and Kobe is the follower. I am not sure respect is the word to describe the way Jordan feels towards Kobe, it's more like protection, more like how Jordan looks out for Kobe like a little brother or a follower.

Amb, how I miss our little chats. How you been?
Hmm. You bring in stats in a 1 on 1 game? Scenario? Have you watched Kobe play regularly?! Are you saying that Kobe does not take Long 3's? Or heavily contested shots? I am giving you all this honest valid and quite relevant critiques of Kobe's game, and you are arguing against it because of ...why exactly?
The reason why range is a factor if you ever played a great deal of 1 on 1 posting a player or beating him to the hoop and defending 1 on 1 without help expends a great deal of energy. Having "range" helps because it is the shot that requires the least amount of energy (but ironically tired legs often kills jumpers). That is why Durant would be great 1 on 1 because he actually has the best range of the 4 (5 if you include Melo) and his height makes his jumper unblockable. Lebron's Jumper can be blocked because his release point and form (he hangs with not a great fade) Mj predicted that last season and Kobe did it in the ASG.

As a side note when I played hoops regular and played 1 on 1 I shot jumpers early (legs fresh) drove in the middle part of the game and posted up as I was tired. It does expend energy (posting up) but those are the best % shots with tired legs.

I know this is all hypothetical but I think despite being a great compe or Kobe's ego would probably hurt him in a 1 on 1 against those guys. MJ my guess if his jumper was not working would change his game more. Kobe never believes his jumper wlll not fall eventually ...it's a gift and a curse which again is why his FG% is sho ty. His ego has him take (And make) more bad shots than anyone else. It does help to be able to make those shots in 1 on 1, but despite being the most skilled 1 on 1 player I think his shot selection would do him in in say a 1 on 1 tournament with al these players being so good one bad shooting spell would equala loss for Bryant.

[Killakobe81]

You are out of your mind! Magic = Bird. You are looking through this in as piss-and-gay glasses as a person could be. It's almost like you are drowning in piss and gay to say Kobe > Bird.

Did Bird ever play 2nd banana? No.
Was Bird a better passer? Yes.
Was Kobe a better defender? Sure, when he was a 2nd banana, but when he was a 1b banana to MVPau? Kobe's defense was horrendous.
Did Bird understand the game better? Yes
Did Bird see the floor better? Yes
Did Bird win 3 straight MVPs? Yes. Did Kobe? Well .. he was a 1/3 of the way there after getting a life-time achievement award.
Did Bird act like a socialpath and undermines the confidence of his teammates? Actually yes, just that Bird didn't do it publicly?
Did Bird ran the greatest coach of all time out? No
Did Bird ran the most dominant player of all time out? No

Between Magic, Bird and Kobe, the ranking goes.

Career wise:
Magic slightly > Bird >> Kobe.

Prime:
Bird > Magic >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kobe.

A couple of factors.
Bird himself said Kobe was greater.
It's just my opinion. I saw Bird he is great and I am not saying it isnt close.
Bird did not play 17 years. Like HAkeem vs. Duncan Bird's peak is greater than Kobe's career is greater just like Duncan's is greater than the Dream's
Kobe has been a 1st team or 2nd team ALL NBA player for almost as long as Bird's career.
5 rings are greater than 3.
MVP awards are overrated.
Finals MVp's are more legit yet Bird has only 1 more than Kobe.
I dont have an issue with Bird's prime being better than Kobe's or Magic's heck some could even argue it's greater than Lebron's but even Lebron's career is eclipsing Bird's based on lonevity and his is what only 29? TO argue Kobe has a greater career is not crazy as you make it sound. I was NEVEr arguing peaks in that case HAkeem>Shaq>Duncan ...cant have it BOTH ways, Amb.

[Killakobe81]

Bird is better than Lebron period...you can idolize Lebron's size but it doesn't change the fact he was not better than Bird except one facet of the game and that's driving the lane...outside of that give me a prime Bird over a prime Lebron any day and every day - tbh Bird was tough Lebron is not

Bird was mentally tougher I agree. But come on JAmes is amazing. Personally he is not my favorite player but I respect his game. I just dont get why so many childish posters feel the need to on someone else to prop up their favorite player. Amb is as guilty as Harlem or Kool in this manner, tbh. Harlem will throw Kobe the occasional bone and it usually it makes sense and is honest even if it is normally a backhanded compliment.

Amb feels the need to over exaggerate even propping Pau to kill Bryant. Kool wont admit how great Lebron is even as he puts up advanced stats like CP3 pre-injury or a prime David Robinson, he wins (on pace) like Magic or Kobe (final losses and all) and Harlem has gone so far up Lebron's ass he is now a Heat fan ...

We have some great players in the NBA right now. I love a great debate and debating legacies is fun. But if your favorite player is as great as YOU think he is no need to on some other player unless you feel threatened. Lebron defenders on MJ as "salty" or insecure he sound like 85% of the NBA forum anytime Duncan, Kobe, Dirk, Lebron, MJ Hakeem or Karl Malone are mentioned tbh ...

And I love how Amb loves to pull stats out of his ass when in the end it wont matter. Like I said a while back someone can pull out a stat that says based on some criteria Lebron>MJ. But for some people it wont matter. They prefer MJ. These kind of arguments cant be won with stats just like it cant be won with rings alone. Just as Peyton is putting up some crazy numbers but for some he will never be Elway or Montana.