Every decade, another star rises to try to outperform another great player of the past. Of recent times, the spotlight has been focussed on two players. The ‘subject’ is Kobe Bryant. The other player in the buzz of the attention is his idol- Michael Jordan. Kobe and Michael are two similar players who have been in the NBA, won championships and made a lot of dough from endorsements. One question which is asked over and over again is, ‘Is Kobe better than Mike?’ Sit writes…
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are both similar players. Why is that you may ask? What do you expect when all of the younger generations base their games on Jordan’s, of course Kobe plays like Mike and especially since Kobe used to always be a wannabe Mike. But there are many subtle differences that do set the players apart.
The thing that made Jordan great was his freak athleticism. Kobe doesn’t have that but he is a better ball handler than Jordan was. Jordan was a better off ball player, a guy who could contribute without needing to hold onto the ball for extended periods of time. He could help out his team mates by doing everything. Kobe is more of an on ball guy. He’s the player who needs the ball to make an impact. Their styles of basketball are different yet similar as both players grace the courts with their dunking, jumpers, defensive skills, clutch scoring, killer mindset and many other small skills.
However, one area which picks the two apart in terms of their games is Jordan’s post moves. Michael perfected his own low post moves and a deadly fade-away jumper which he used more in his first comeback. Kobe is beginning to learn more post moves also and he also possesses a decent fade-away but it is the one area which Kobe lacks in.
Michael won 6 NBA championships; in each and every one of them he won the Finals MVP award. Kobe has only won 3; good for half but Shaquille O’Neal has won Finals MVP during all of those runs. No one can deny the fact that Michael and Shaq were the main guys on their championship teams. But there is always room for this argument. Michael never won without Pippen, Kobe never won without Shaq and vice versa for both statements.
So who made who better?
In Michael and Scottie’s case, I can safely say that in the beginning Michael helped Pippen play better but eventually the two had learnt to feed off each other and mesh their games on a nightly basis. Jordan was always in the ‘Man’ status and Pippen never minded playing second fiddle. In comparison, Kobe has benefited from the presence of O’Neal. Shaq who always draws the double team opens up the court for Bryant who can then drive at will. And then the question of ‘Did Shaq benefit from Bryant’s presence’ kicks in. The answer seems to be yes, he did. But was it as big as Scottie’s influence on Michael’s game? And the answer to that would be no. The reason is the fact that Scottie and Michael played like a duo. Kobe and Shaq only got to the stage that they would share the ball unless they had to.
And when they did share the ball, they worked wonders. When they didn’t it all fell down. Bryant’s inability to grasp the concept that second fiddle to Shaquille O’Neal isn’t that bad really messed up team chemistry. To think that a team whose stars had little chemistry won three in a row, really makes you wonder how the Lakers would have gone if the two stars hadn’t fought. And when Kobe was given the reigns to the team and O’Neal relegated to the second option, the Lakers missed their fourth ring in a row and then lost in the 2004 Finals to the Detroit Pistons. This final fact does give a bad impression of what Bryant really can do as the leader of a team.
Without Shaquille in Los Angeles, the Lakers are facing a tough stretch. For the first time since the early 90’s, the Lakers are facing the Lottery and looking from the outside into the playoffs. Kobe is now the ‘Man’ and demands the ball most of the time. Despite a great statistical season, Bryant has failed to impress many critics. Bryant however, has developed and matured a lot in terms of his approach to basketball and leading his team.
Bryant organised pre season workouts for his team mates and is now even travelling injured with the team and watching every game his team plays. This new sense of leadership really has Bryant on some people’s good books again but his on-court antics haven’t really impressed any more potential Kobe supporters.
And again, it comes with another MJ comparison. Kobe Bryant doesn’t seem to have any faith in his team mates. He doesn’t trust them with the ball which means that Bryant hesitates to let go of the ball. Michael on the other hand, during his winning days gave the ball up to his team mates unconditionally and did anything just to let the Bulls win. Bryant needs to learn this but it will come as the team plays together longer.
Bryant also needs to understand that Michael never took over games from start to finish but most of the times, let his team mates play for the first three quarters. Michael wouldn’t take a backseat but he’d be going at around 90% and then start to take over in the fourth. By the time you had half a quarter left, Jordan would be giving 110%. Bryant is always trying to go all out at the start, sure it’s not a bad thing to do but as the leader of the team Bryant needs to understand that he is more important at the end of the game than at the start.
Kobe is still young though. At 26, he is only just entering into his prime and there are a few aspects of the game that he can still learn. Many have to remember that Michael Jordan only won his first ring at Kobe’s present age. Kobe already has three, courtesy to Shaq and himself.
Michael at age 28 had already had a few career ‘defining’ moments including his career high 69 points against Cleveland in 1990. Kobe has had none. Yes, Kobe has had many great moments in his career including the three pointer record, consecutive 40 point games, those big games after visiting Denver’s courthouse and one that stands clearly in my mind is the last game on the 2003-04 season against Portland. But none of these games define what Kobe is and until he is in the midst of his prime we won’t see any career defining performances. This only proves that Bryant is still a youngster trying to find his way in the League, he’s not in his prime but time is running out for him to make his mark on the NBA.
One of Michael Jordan’s best games was in 1997. Jordan had the flu and was a game time decision. He played and scored 38 points as the Bulls won Game 5 of the Series to go up 3-2. This is the game that some compared to Kobe Bryant’s 42 points against the San Antonio Spurs after arriving late from Colorado.
The two games were indeed under different circumstances. Jordan was battling illness- a physical thing. Bryant was facing charges on his impending rape trial and a day in court- a mental thing. So which was the more amazing feat? There is a saying which goes, ‘Sports in 1% physical. The rest is mental’ and this would support the fact that Bryant’s outing was much harder to perform than Jordan’s. However, that would prove incorrect. Bryant had nothing to worry about except for his image, his team was only in the second round of the playoffs and Bryant’s heated media frenzy had only taken less expectation and fans off of his shoulders. Jordan however, was struggling with his fitness, was playing in the NBA Finals and had the world’s expectation of him winning on his shoulders. Bryant winning the game for Los Angeles was amazing but Michael turning the series in the Bull’s favour really does outdo Bryant.
One aspect of the two players which arises form their similar experiences is that it has been established that both are as mentally tough as players can get. Michael never let his critics bring him down proving them wrong time after time. Kobe’s trial took away endorsements, support, his image but he still held on. It shows that he has a tough mind to crack and now is the time for him to prove the critics wrong.
Bryant can indeed exceed Michael Jordan. Everyone has a chance; Bryant has a larger chance of doing so. It is undeniable Bryant has the skills as he is a tremendous talent. He just needs to fix up a few things before he can do so and he ahs already done that by stopping trying to be like Mike.
A starting point for the present and future would be to change his attitude. Instead of hogging the basketball, Bryant needs to do a bit more with the ball. He needs to learn to trust in his team mates and let the game flow to him, not force shots. Right now, Bryant tries to force too many things and he needs to learn to conserve enough energy to take over in the final quarter of all games, especially big ones.
Bryant would benefit most by perfecting his post moves and fade-away. When he can dominate down low against guys of his position, he will really be the most complete player in basketball today. Perfecting his fade-away would surely allow him to dominate against more than just the guards in the league.
Bryant also needs to find a balance of scorer and playmaker. Sometimes, he exaggerates which role he is playing and that is something he should work on. However, I see it as an experience thing and as Michael Jordan has said, “When I play basketball and I’m in some type of situation and don’t know what to do- I always search back in my memory and remember what I have done before.” Bryant needs to use his knowledge and experience to know what to do in certain situations and not get carried away with the ‘moment.’
The Lakers should look into how to bring out the best in Kobe. Right now, having Kobe and Lamar Odom on the same team is hurting them more than anything else. Odom is similar to Bryant; he needs the ball to operate. There is only one basketball and only 48 minutes in a game. If Kobe touches the ball less, he won’t be able to do as well as he could. And with Caron Butler in the same rotation, that only lessens the amount of touches the three players get a game each. Los Angeles should trade Lamar Odom for a player who could play a support role to Bryant and Butler. Butler is a talented player who would no doubt in my mind not worry about how many shots he takes.
The Lakers should aim for a rebounding type big man. A big man who could average a double double of 10 ppg, 10 rpg and provide good interior defence; be the anchor for a running Los Angeles team without stealing Bryant’s limelight.
The Lakers also need a coach who can handle the task of Bryant’s inflated ego. They should really pursue the services of Phil Jackson. The only coach who could coach Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant gave up on Bryant late last season after feeling that giving so much leeway to the star guard corrupted his mind. Phil who has been holidaying in Australia should consider the job and Bryant should consider what may happen if Jackson returns.
Jackson who believes that Bryant is ‘uncoachable’ is in fact the only NBA coach who could tame the kid. And the extended vacation could have a positive effect on the two if they ever do decide to make up as it would give both of them a new start. And if they ever do join forces again, we may be seeing a 90’s revival!
Kobe Bryant is only 26, he is entering into his prime. With experience he will get better but with a new approach to basketball, his chances of cementing himself alongside his idol will only increase. Right now, he is no where near Michael Jordan in terms of achievements. Only time will tell if Kobe Bryant’s destiny is to be... the Greatest of All Time.
How would you not categorize those as career defining moments? Career defining moments are the one's that come to everybody's mind about them. You could have threw in the 56pts in three quarters he scored when Shaq was suspended for some bullshit against the Grizzlies or even the negative like the rape case or the way he's considered responsible for the Laker's dismantling.
