Lakers > Celtics. Kobe = Jordan?

By Richie Whitt Thu., Jun. 17 2010 at 8:02 AM

Categories: Dallas Mavericks

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Kobe Bryant tonight will do something Michael Jordan never did: Win a Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

I know the simpleton argument is that Jordan was so good his Chicago Bulls were never pushed to the brink. Nonetheless, Kobe's feat in this series - Most Valuable Player, rallying his team from a 3-2 deficit - further closes the gap between him and the greatest player to ever put on sneakers.

I'm assuming Bryant is the leading scorer and the Lakers win - why stop now, I'm on a roll - and he captures his fifth championship ring.

Not if, but when this happens ...

Is Kobe on a level equal to or greater than Jordan?

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basketball, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, NBA Finals

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We have an interesting debate about this topic going on at the following link: http://www.surveymagnet.com/2010/07/what-does-kobe-bryant-have-to-do-eclipse-jordan-as-the-greatest/ Come join the discussion.
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Personally I don't believe rings make the player. If incase Bill Russell is hands down the greatest. You cannot fairly compare every player. The different eras. Things have changed. Now days, defense is worse, but there is more talented players overall. Kobe is a great player. He is my favorite. Do I think he is better than Jordan??? In what areas. Over all Jordan is. Jordan did have a better team, every time. Jordan was not a one man show like you people believe. Come on, Pippen, Rodamn, Tony, Steve, they were all decent players. Better than the supporting cast Kobe has. Jordan didn't go up against Garnett, Pierce and Allen. Imagine Jordan playing against Barkley, Hakeem, and Ewing. At one time. You seriously think he would of won?
Yeah, like Jim JIM said, he has 7. So, Horry>Jordan. Enough said.
Tim in Allen, Horry has 7 rings not 4.
The question would be much easier if it was who's the better rapist. In that case, clearly Kobe>Jordan. I'll take Bill Russell over both of 'em.
i hope the celtics kick the lakers ass so richie will be wrong cause he is so matter of fact about it all week the lakers have not put toghether back to back good performances in this series but all the sudden they will i hope not
send your fan texts!! Looking at # of rings is completely stupid as was pointed out.
Yes, this might be Kobe's fifth ring, but Robert Horry has 5 rings and he's no Jordan or Kobe. So rings are not the decider. Some facts: 1. Jordan is a 6 time finals MVP, Kobe has one. 2. Jordan never had to play a game 7 3. Jordan played a finals game nearly dead from a virus and single-handedly won the game 4. Jordan played on a team where 2 of the 5 starters didn't score at all. 5. For the first 3 rings Kobe has, he was neither the primary scoring option, or the best player on the team. So if you are comparing him to Jordan, this is Kobe's 2nd ring really.
I seriously can't wait for the Celtics to win and I don't even give a rat's ass about the NBA, I just love it when RW is wrong, which is often.
Richie, I'm always criticized for knocking you back down to size, but 7 comments in this blog in--and I don't have to. It's been done for me by my cohorts and they've done a good job doing it. Everyone's comments are straight on, except for Brad's. Book it? No way, why would you say that? This is obviously going to be a Laker victory, even if the refs have to make sure of it happening. But like Kergo says, who really gives a rat$ a$$?? This has absolutely no bearing on our hometown, 1st round thumped, choke-job Mavericks.
You're on a roll because you picked the team with home team advantage to win the series? Genius. Can we get an update on Gretzky's purchase of the Stars? And who's your pick in the TCU vs. Fresno State game in the CWS?
RW: What you've just written is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent blog were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this website is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Celtics will win. Book it. ...and I do mean book it.
The issue with comparing anyone to Michael Jordan is that Kobe does not transcend the game. Kobe is an amazing talent and is one of the greatest. Off all the comparisons that you could make I think he may be the closest. He has that annoying competitiveness that is almost identical. LeBron does not have near the game, but he has that same drawing power off of the court (Not at Jordan's level yet). I think Kobe may have permanently damaged his chances by always being tied to the CO case. Jordan did some things, but never did any of itaffect his marketability.
*yawn* This argument gives me almost as much tired head as Barry v. Emmitt, or "Does Pete Rose belong in the Hall of Fame".
I think the mere fact that Jordan is 5 for 5 and never had to go to a game 7 automatically makes him better than Kobe. If Jordan hadn't "retired" after winning 3 titles in a row, coming back and winning another 3 in a row, basketball history would be different and the Bulls would have been on par with the Celtics dynasties of the (insert years here). Unless Kobe can reel off like 2 more titles after this one, Jordan will be greater. I think with the current generation that never saw MJ play, it's hard for them to compare. Right now, as of today, MJ>Kobe.
What?(wiping my eyes). Sppppppp (me drinking coffee). What? (me gazing out over the trailer park). First off, Kobe and Jordan are two different animals, that's like comparing Griffey and Bonds. Second off, who really cares.