Skill-wise, Kobe Bryant is (probably) the best player in the NBA, and since he's won a few championships and plays shooting guard, the comparisons to His Airness are inevitable.
But has Kobe done enough in his career to deserve to be compared to MJ? John Paulsen and Anthony Stalter discuss this very topic in this week's Barstool Debate.
John: I don't know that there is anyone that truly compares to Jordan, even Kobe. They do have several similarities. Both are phenomenal all-around athletes. They're both fierce competitors. But there's something that sets Jordan apart. MJ won six rings and was the main guy for all of those championships. Kobe was Shaq's sidekick during the Lakers' three-peat, and while he was (and is) a great player, he was not the main reason that L.A. won those titles. He certainly made a big contribution, much in the same way Scottie Pippen contributed to the Bulls' championships, but without Shaq, those Laker teams weren't going anywhere. However, if Kobe and his Lakers can win a title this year, it will help his case. I think he needs to win two or three more rings as the lead guy in order for us to have a real debate about who is the better player.
Anthony: I don't know if it's fair to compare the two with Kobe still being an active player...
(Read the rest of the debate after the jump.)
But has Kobe done enough in his career to deserve to be compared to MJ? John Paulsen and Anthony Stalter discuss this very topic in this week's Barstool Debate.
John: I don't know that there is anyone that truly compares to Jordan, even Kobe. They do have several similarities. Both are phenomenal all-around athletes. They're both fierce competitors. But there's something that sets Jordan apart. MJ won six rings and was the main guy for all of those championships. Kobe was Shaq's sidekick during the Lakers' three-peat, and while he was (and is) a great player, he was not the main reason that L.A. won those titles. He certainly made a big contribution, much in the same way Scottie Pippen contributed to the Bulls' championships, but without Shaq, those Laker teams weren't going anywhere. However, if Kobe and his Lakers can win a title this year, it will help his case. I think he needs to win two or three more rings as the lead guy in order for us to have a real debate about who is the better player.
Anthony: I don't know if it's fair to compare the two with Kobe still being an active player...
(Read the rest of the debate after the jump.)
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