Scottie Pippen Still Believes LeBron James Will Be Better Than Michael Jordan

Seed, how can you constantly come on here and be as much of a moron as you are. Dominique Wilkins? Really? And you mention all of these greats (Mark Jackson?) that make a favourable comparison, well how about Kobe himself saying he’s not as good as Michael was? I’d say that should shut the argument down right there. LakeShow, you need to stop while you’re ahead. All credibility was lost with the “Kobe is 95 to MJ’s 100″ and followed with Kobe being his footstool. 5 points is a footstool? The comparing of Shaq to Scottie and Rodman is laughable too. NBK, it should be pointed out that the Hakeem, Pippen, Barkley led Rockets were a little past their prime as well

A LOT!

Alright well basically fellas, they are comparable because of a few things, let me bring you insight. They both have elite handles. Enough so that they can bring the ball up or be given the ball at anytime and they can create off the dribble with those ball handling skills. Neither is a better ball handler than the other. They are both two of the more elite ball handling shooting guards to play the game. Despite both being 6’6″ perimeter players they both have elite post skills per their positions. The both have incredible footwork. Both had an arsenal of offensive moves. Many Kobe learned from Mike. Many from other players and his own creations also. How many shooting guards post up? I can think of more PG’s than SG’s that post up so they are unique in that sense. MJ could shoot from anywhere on the floor with anyone in his face and it wouldn’t matter. Kobe actually takes that part of his game to another level. KB can shoot with a hand covering his eyes and still make the shot. I’ve seen it countless times for it to be a fluke. He is also more capable with his left hand then Jordan was. Kobe does have the better outside shot. MJ got his 3 point shooting up to 38% one year, but KB has maintained overall a more solid % from deep over his career. He can also be found amoung the all time charts for 3ptrs made. He should be top 10 or top 5 in that category when he hangs it up. MJ isn’t sniffing the top 40.

Theres also something to be said about the differences from this generation to last. The League shooting was 3 to 4 % higher during MJ’s years. And now is in total that much lower by the average of every team. KB shoots about the same % lower than MJ did as the whole League did. That says something. Everyone wasn’t just a better shooter back then. There was a higher speed to the game therefore more easy layups and transition buckets. Although the defense was allowed to do more (hand check) they weren’t as tight as they are today for the most part. Some teams more than others played good D, but in general the open gaps you can see in the older games are filled allot quicker these days.
Jordan shot .482 when he averaged 37 a game. The league shot .480
Kobe shot .463 when the L shot .458

What do you guys make of those numbers?

Clutch Factor: Aww yes, the game on the line who you want taking it. I raise my hand for Mj. You guys probably do also. BUT, if I get Kobe as my second choice. I’m going in with equal confidence. His team mates have said it. His coaches have said it. His fellow opponets have said it and know it. Game winners prove it. Kobe is clutch!

Theres allot more to get into. But this is just a little something that tells you why we can compare Kobe to Jordan. Even if he’s not quite on his level. He’s comparable. Like an Elephant to a Double Decker Bus. Kobe only scored 35 per game in his best statistical year where as Jordan scored 37. Well that’s two points a game difference. Pretty comparable in my eyes judging the fact that it came from someone that plays the same postion the same way(ish). They also are two of the best 2 way players. Meaning they kill you on offense and on defense. Kobe has fallen of the last year or two. But everyone would agree he was a great defender in his prime. He only ever gathered more than 2 steals a couple times. Where as Jordan was always in the 2 and usually closer to 3, and a couple years of over 3 steals per contest. Jordan was more athletic and strong. Kobe is strong and athletic, but not where MJ was.
What it comes down to is Jordan was 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist and 1 steal better than Kobe in their best years. I’ll take Jordan over Kobe. But you boys need to re-watch some classic Kobe if you think he isn’t comparable to Jordan. I have the benefit of having League Pass and watching every single game of his for quite some years now, but dig up some old archive footage if you need visual proof of Kobe greatness and similarities to Jordan. Oh yeah Kobe will have the same number or more of rings as MJ when it’s said and done. So just throw that on top

He isn’t nearly as good as Jordan. He has skills like Jordan. Put up stats like Jordan once, except much less efficiently. Isn’t nearly the defender, sorry. not even close. Jordan was the best defender in the league for a 2 or 3 year stretch. Kobe was never even the best defensive wing. League shooting% really? And your just picking up stats that you think closely resemble Jordan. It’s why you pointed out they were only close in stats at the very height of their greatness. But guess what? Longevity and consistency is what makes a great player greater then another. Kobe’s career scoring average is lower then Dwyane Wade. His career everything is lower then Oscar Robertson. But you are here arguing adamently that he should be compared to the best player of all time, because they play a similar style of basketball. But as players, Jordan > Bryant, and it isn’t worth talking about…aka comparing.

^ that means, unless they get Dwight Howard or Chris Paul they aren’t winning a title. It has nothing to do with Pau Gasol.

If that were true Kobe would have more theb 3 30PPG seasons for his whole career. He didnt play with Shaq for what should’ve been his whole prime. His numbers without shaq, pretty much mirror his numbers with him. Except 06

first of all Jerry West called Kobe the “greatest LAKER ever” not player. And he isn’t better then Magic All-Time, that’s also absurd. John Wooden SUPPOSEDLY said that to Bob Einstein (actor), and then Einstein said that to Bill Simmons on his podcast. John Wooden Rest his Sole was atleast 10 years removed from watching Michael Jordan, and was dying. He was also an LA native (more exposure to Kobe then Jordan, and as any Laker fan can tell you, the more exposure the more your opinion gets fogged). He was 99 years old when he said that. Tell me the last time you believed the opinion of a 99 year old to be unequivocally true? I bet if you asked Wooden 3 months later he would have given you a different answer.

Justin, I recognized they were on their way down hill, but they weren’t anything less then some of the best players in the league still. Barkley put up 23 and 13.8RPG in the playoffs. Hakeem was who lost his edge, but still, your 3 of the top 25 players of all time, you can’t win 1 series?

Lebron has choke on his resume with Cleveland, and choke on his resume with Miami. MJ has no chokes on his resume, and neither does Kobe.MJ and Kobe are at their best in the 4th qtr when games on the line.Until Lebron impoves his 4th qtr performances to bring home those championships time after time as MJ and Kobe has already done, then he is not there.Even when the Bulls were getting beat by the Pistons back in MJ’s early years, MJ had his A games on.

There is only 1 thing lbj has matched that Kobe has done so far… That’s lose twice in the finals. Difference though is Kobe mixed in 5 rings in the process.