Can Kobe Age As Gracefully As Jordan?
Yep, they’re comparing Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan again. Nope, the debate has nothing to do with G.O.A.T status. This time, on the heels of Kobe’s 32nd birthday, they’re questioning whether Bryant’s curtain call years will mirror Jordan’s.
The L.A. Times is the forum for debate:
Now that Kobe Bryant’s turned 32, how much of a decline can we expect in his game over the next few seasons?
The only player to compare Bryant’s 30-something performance with, of course, is Michael Jordan. But it’s not a simple comparison because by the age of 32 MJ had been retired for almost two seasons while he tried, and failed, to make it as a pro baseball player.
So, when Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls late in the 94-95 season—at 32—he’d played only 778 NBA regular season and playoff games. By comparison, Kobe Bryant has already played a whopping 1,219 games, 57% more than Jordan at the same age. Kobe is clearly the NBA version of a Ferrari with high mileage.
What happened after Jordan’s 32nd birthday? MJ led the league in scoring in the next three seasons before another retirement attempt.
Still, age forced some adjustments in MJ’s game—and we might see the same from Kobe.
…
Late in Jordan’s career, he’d often pace himself to save something for the fourth quarter. Even then, MJ was great, he just wasn’t the airborne legend of his youth.
As Kobe—a hoops historian—readies for his 15th Lakers season, he’s probably got this MJ stat memorized: After Jordan turned 32, he won three more NBA titles.
Jay rhymed a while back that 30′s the new 20. Let’s see if 32 is still 32.
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Kobe’s gonna decline. We’ll see if he can “adjust” to make the decline less noticeable.
did i ever say anything about the heat at all?
no sir no he cant not with the likes of durant and melo around
Same thing with Kobe, if he can refine his game so that he maximizes his remaining years like MJ, it won’t matter if he is 90-95% as good as 2006 Kobe because it will still give the Lakers a chance to contend.
Jumper was wet in 93 and 96, while the athleticism was off the charts.
He was more athletic in 93, of course, but in ’96 his craftiness was higher.
And he was angry.
And Kobe’s a better ballhandler than Jordan.
kobe a better ballhandler than jordan? take a time out and go stand in the corner for alil while n let us more knowledgeable people talk.. ^Eboy..
how is JTaylor21 a moron? everything he said was true so u can go stand in the corner with Allenp for alil while until u learn how to comprehend a basketball discussion
Um, yeah… Do we need to go to the film? Kobe’s handle has always been better than Jordan’s. Watch tapes from Kobe’s early years in the league when he was determined to prove he could handle better than every point guard. Dude had sick handles. He just toned that down once he realized it was an inefficient way to score buckets.
Do your homework.
By your logic, John Stockton had nicer handles than Isiah Thomas and Kenny Anderson since both of them did way more random dribbling than Stockton.
I stand by my comment, you’re welcome to your opinion as obnoxious and misguided as it may be.
Example: “Also MJ’s post game, turnaround jumper, movement without the ball is something that kobe will never posses” First of all, its idiotic to say KB will “never” be able to do those things, unless you have a crystal ball and have seen the future. Also, anyone that watched the Lakers first month and a half of the 09-10 season would agree Kobe is one of the top 5 post players in the game right now. Check the game against Memphis in November where he posted Mayo into submission. So to rag on Kobe’s post game is simply stupid. Lastly, I’d like to see how you keep track of “movement without the ball”…it seems like a pretty lame thing to bring up when comparing the two greatest SGs of all time.
Maybe you need to go back and watch tape because clearly you don’t remember reality as it happened.
And all this “MJ didn’t worry about flash” stuff is revisionist history. Jordan was routinely criticized for being too flashy and not worrying enough about winning games. Y”all need to do your homework, yet again.
And, when Jordan came into the league, he admitted that his jumper and his handle were the two weakest parts of his game, and the things he concentrated on the most. They were also the areas talked about by scouts.
But, I ain’t going back and forth with two cats whose best argument is “Jordan’s nutsack just slides down my throat, he must be the best of all-time at everything.”
Kobe 3s: 1303 made, 3829 attempted @ .340% in 1021 games (and counting).
It’s called a comparison.
I exposed the flaw in your logic, and used it to make a larger point.
John Stockton did not have better handles than Kenny Anderson or Isiah Thomas, both of whom are considered among the greatest wizards with the dribble of all time.
However, Stockton was FAR more effective than Kenny Anderson at attack the rim, and only slightly less effective than Thomas because he understood angles, and how to take advantage of movement.
Using someone’s ability to move quickly and efficiently as a way to determine whether they are a better ballhandler is idiotic. That was the point of the Stockton comparison.
If you had been, we wouldn’t have been arguing. You said that he only skill where Kobe could compare to Jordan was with three pointers, and then Mike was still better becuase according to you he could explode in the playoffs and that’s what counts.
I disagreed. I think Kobe is obviously the better and more comfortable three point shooter, and his low percentage is a function of his horrible shot selection (which is where MJ has his largest advantage in the debate about the two.).
Moreover, I think Kobe is a better ballhandler. Those are the only two areas where I would give the nod to Kobe, but they are areas where I think he is clearly better.
To hide this lack, they eschew logic and instead depend on feelings and commands to “do research” while at the same time citing faulty facts.
The assumption that I’m a young child when I’m probably older than both of these numbskulls is particularly galling.
They have no proof, they have no logic. What they have is the particularly persistence that typically accompanies idiocy.
I bow out.
hey b*tch how can u prove that bryant is a better ball handler than mj? iv proved my point b*tch i said to go educate yourself and watch some tape and u know what u may be older than me but as far as basketball goes u are as a child for u understand nothing.. you are almost as ignorant as the seed
Please cat, why you bringing my name up. Dude you didn’t even know, MJ lose the passion, love and desire to play ball in that comment section. You thought it was all about his dad dieing. Second I can see why people would say Kobe has a better dribble than Mike. Kobe has pulled alot of moves in NBA games, that you never seen MJ do. MJ was a straight line dribbler who wanted to get to certain spots and posted up more throughout his career. Kobe has crossed cats up from the jump. How many highlights do you see MJ breaking ankles, not alot. OK you will say, that doesn’t mean you can dribble better. I would say it does, you have to be able to pull that move off with someone guarding you manned up. MJ had a quicker first step, so their was no need to do alot of dribbling or trying to set someone up for the slow carry cross. I would rate Kobe one step better than MJ is dribbling, but its all in the eye of the beholder. MJ is the GREATEST EVER, but people need to stop acting like he was the greatest in every facuet of the basketball game. I always state MJ was best player in the NBA, but Pippen was the most important player on all of the Bulls teams. Just THINK FOLKS. Also Kobe can tie MJ was one more ring, but he will always be seen as MJ’s equal talent and skill wise. No one can take that from him and his killer instinct and drive will make him a player to contend with years to come. He does not want to give away the crown and knows a superfriends team is gunning for him, but I feel the LAkers will have the last Laugh. BOOK IT!!!
Kobe has many, many miles on him.
He has had some surgeries.
Jordan wasn’t as banged up as Bryant is, so he has some work to do to stay healthy.
But, as someone earlier mentioned, he is the most prepared performer in the entire League.
His dedication to his craft should be a model for ball players.
He should be fine.
(Mahatma Gandhi)
Everything else Jordan has in spades.
But Kobe has these three facets of the game down better than jordan. It’s not the end of the world to admit these things.
(Nas)
HA!
Chill cat, Kobe is a better scorer. Many, many anaylst have said this, that hate Kobe and have watched both in the their prime. LOGUES. MJ is the Greatest, but people he had some things wrong with his game. MJ had a quick first step that he used routinely and shot smarter shots like you said, but does that make him a better shooter NO. Your knock against Kobe is he takes bad shots and tries to shoot on three people and is a ball hog. MJ shooting percentages in the NBA finals sometimes were down right bad, check stats, but they won the game. I remember him shooting bad his last game against Utah were he hit the game winning shot. THey won and Kobe has won, that the real thing, but imagine if Kobe was consicus about his shooting and only took comfortable shots he would shoot around MJ’s 49 or 50% field goal percentage too. I know you do not like Kobe, but his game is sick and ANAYLST and REAL NBA PLAYERS have said Kobe has the best offensive game ever. Jerry West even said Kobe has the best post game in the league and please remember before Kobe was hurt this year and Pau was out of the lineup he was shooting like 53% doing post moves and taking the same shots. MJ never had a low post pressence to take away from his post up game, so he was able to keep his fg percentage up. Dude start thinking before you talk. Kobe is a better shooter from three point and mid range. Phil Jackson even said this. I will look it up if you want me too. GIVE kobe his due cat, he has earned it. Also Kobe will go down beside MJ, I know you hate it, but its the FACTS OF LIFE. BOOK IT!!!
I guess some people don’t respect intelligence, class, or dignity.
All of which many commenters up here possess.
Something for everybody, I guess.
I actually think Kobe has ludicrously efficient footwork. He just can’t do the things Jordan did in the AIR. But he can do all that and more on the ground (excluding post moves).
So, yeah.
Haven’t seen his name up here for a while.
Michael Scorn, either.
The two were awesome, and in many ways similar, in many wyas very different.
for me the glove is the best PG ever
Do you really believe that. I feel the game would be close and depends if 1st or 2nd MJ is playing Kobe prime or post up Kobe. But I would pay anything to see it. Kobe did light old MJ up for i think 55, but MJ was the orginial so I PUSH.
Period.
Kobe will never be better than or as good as Michael.
It’s already a known fact.
But, anyways…
carry on.
@The Seed: One or one? It’d probably be a close one. Jordan would probably win more games, but I bet Kobe would get a few in over the GOAT. I also think Jordan’s superiority over Kobe resides in Jordan’s passing and help defense, which can only be seen in a five on five environment. So yeah, I’ll give you this one. Jordan v Kobe one-on-one would be close. Jordan v Kobe, both given 4 Kevin Love clones to play with, would be much more stacked on Jordan’s side.
(though, lets not forget Mr Duncan also has two mvps) And cosign Jukai, to not even admit there is a debate just makes ur arguments almost worthless
I can agree with your analysis. Kobe one on one would be close. Out of ten games I give MJ six and Kobe four. With a team would be a better matchup for MJ but I have always felt his passing is overrated, I give you help defense. I put it in the GREATEST MINDSET where since he was great everything he did was great–not true, but an older Kobe would use his team better, but I see your point.
JTaylor21
I am not joking, it does depends on which MJ and what Kobe is playing. Kobe prime and MJ prime would be a good matchup and to act like Kobe would lose every game is just sad, because he can do everything MJ can do on the court, MJ had better hang time, flight in the air, better post move fade jumper, quick first step and etc. Kobe does have better range, I keep telling you Phil has said this. Also Kobe had a better post game and footwork to get to the rim on post moves, but MJ had better post game fade. Clearly MJ had more assets to his game, but Kobe is no slouch. What other player in the NBA is close to KOBE right now in overall skill.
Michael Jordan is the greatest of all times on the baseline.
Kobe’s gotta show me more than three games of Hakeem-level post moves for me to believe Kobe is a good post-guy. Kobe schooling OJ Mayo in the post means jack to me, he’s gotta do it to more than a Sophmore player. Ya dig?
And Jordan v Kobe, one on one? I think Jordan would have it, as he had more accurate go-to-spots on the court. But it would be close.
but MJ has never been know for hisw 3 ball, check the 3 point contest, the only time i know hes been heralded for it was the game against portland, but now if Kobe dogged him about it, the competitor in Jordan would step up and be lights out from beyond the arch but only for that game because you dissed him.
Same with Flashy move MJ never needed the crossover, the only real handling I can note of being flashy with mike is the 63 game vs boston. but that was young Mike, older mike didnt need that he had that first step that was deadly. besides if flashy meant anythign Iverson would still be in the league,
but yeah Mike isnt better than Kobe in some thing but better in tyhe rest but doesnt mean MJ was a slouch in what Kobe has him beat at . think of it as a 8:2 ratio
MJ has great post moves it helps not having a true center or 7 footer on the team, maybe Bill and Luc but really.
MJ is still leaps and bounds ahead of Kobe where it matters, Ball handling and 3pt isnt, Jordan would kill you some other way. so to say he wasnt as good as kobe in somethings isnt a scratch at Mike, it shows hes human, but compare on Defense and pretty much anythign else and thats the difference maker and why Kobe isnt his league, MJ driver seat and kobe is in the back seat not even shot gun but Jordan can be bested at a few things , this coming from a huge MJ fan, click my name for proof
AllenP, you still the man. hahahaha, whew. good ones jtaylor, i dunno how you do it
to answer the question, Kobe’s later years will not be as prolific as MJ’s, simply because none of Kobe’s years have been as prolific as MJ’s. Plus, he’s already played the equivalent of FIVE FULL SEASONS over MJ at the same stage.
Chill, man.
These cats do not know.
They do not want to know.
They are scared to know.
You have told the truth as precisely AND as accurately as anything I have seen since joining the Great SLAM’s comment section.
Relief AND order IS restored.
Because Kobe is not street and some call it, he’s hated and abused, not because of his skills but because some media people said this is the way you should feel about him. Go ahead deny it, but you people for the most part are like everybody else. Why is it when a person doesnot follow the norm ie ebonics or wear his pants too big and around his ankles we have to tear them down. I am not a big fan of Kobe (I perfer the old-timers Magic, Bird…) but the guy is the best out there today. Maybe he’s not Jordan but to compare him to lebron is crazy!!! oh well I’m ramblin now but just sayin…
Once Jordan slowed down he refined his game and became a much more efficient player saving energy and picking his times to take on the defense.
Kobe doesn’t do this to the same degree is less efficient with his offense. As he ages he’d better pick his spots a bit more and learn when to assert himself and when to back off.
To all the people saying Jordan didn’t have the same support obviously never saw the Bulls play for the second three-peat, Jordan wasn’t alone on these teams the whole team contributed and played very very good defense, Jordan was the centre piece but he trusted his teammates to take the load aswell. remember the bulls had Scottie pippen Rodman Kucok a whole heap of foul fodder in the tall white men department and one of the best coaches in NBA history
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