Michael Jordan Would Pick Kobe Bryant Over LeBron James

Welp … According to Michael Jordan, if he had to choose, he’d take Kobe over LeBron. According to MJ’s logic, at this point in their respective careers, Bryant’s five NBA championships trump anything that James has done. Per the Sun-Sentinel: “To this day, it’s still all about championships for Michael Jordan. So when interviewed for a special that will run Monday at 8 p.m. on NBA TV, the six-time NBA champion former Chicago Bulls guard said he currently views Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant as having the more successful career to this point than Miami Heat forward LeBron James. ‘If you had to pick between the two, that would be a tough choice,’ Jordan, now owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, told program host Ahmad Rashard, ‘but five beats one every time I look at it.’ Bryant has won five championships with the Lakers, with James winning his first NBA title last June. ‘And not that he won’t get five,’ Jordan said of James. ‘He may get more than that, but five is bigger than one.’ The interview will air the day after Jordan turns 50 Sunday.”

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Tags: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Michael Jordan

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pposse

and your like the security guard who gets mercked
Initbruv

Except not, because this is real life and that’s a tv show.
Initbruv

Alright this is spiraling out of control. I’ll let you get back to waxing your box.
Initbruv

You c*nt.
pposse

except in real life you should soon realize that its always been the other way stupid. You see how i got you on a string, i can do this to you whenever i feel like it.
pposse

go home
pposse

thanks, your input was relevant and productive
Initbruv

Lol. I enjoyed this thoroughly. Believe me, we will “talk” again. You’re great.
pposse

the pleasure is all mine fa**ot
Initbruv

Whoa. It’s the 21st century man. Only c*nts call people f*ggots.
pposse

your right Initbruv that was a little harsh, your not a f*ggot, i apologize if i offended you or anyone else.
Initbruv

It’s alright, just call me a c*nt next time. Feels better I promise.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

Kobe is ball dominant and selfish. Gasol was who the offense ran through. I mean understanding the difference between Kobe and LeBron is a pretty fundamental part of this if you are going to bring up LA
pposse

LOL, there’s a difference with Kobe and Lebron?! i never knew!

Kobe was dominant, selfish and Pau still was the MVP in that series in many peoples eyes.

Duncan was dominant unselfish and Parker was the MVP in the Spurs series vs. the Cavs.
wtf is your pt genius? Wade and Bosh can be better in the course of a series but they will lose lol, that was pure genius, and logical, you showed me.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000166716900 Anthony Darnello Taylor Jr.

The fact the Lebron puts up the same if not better numbers with three “ultra superstars.” speaks volumes bro. In all sense his stats would decline due to him having to defer to other guys he leads the team in almost every statistical category. Lebron is one of the more cerebral players in the game today you cannot play how he plays and not be that way. You cannot name many guys that are on his level mentally , and a good number of people you name are on the sideline “suited up” coaching or commenting. Lebron will make everybody on the team, organization, heck he’ll make the whole city better. Mike Brown wouldn’t have even got his Laker job without Lebron getting him to the finals. Freaking sasha pavolic wouldn’t still be here if LBJ hadn’t made him look serviceable. LBVFS
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000166716900 Anthony Darnello Taylor Jr.

These cats don’t understand how hard it is to really create your own shot vs. just chucking up one. The pressure Lebron takes off his teammates physically and mentally is unreal man. It just does not show because these guys arewere proven scorers before he got there and it is arguable they could have achieved these kind of games alone albeit far more taxing on their mind and body.I guarantee you put Lebron on the Lakers and you have a more efficient team and a better performing Dwight Howard.
pposse

no one is denying Lebron’s greatness. But your completely dismissing Bosh and Wade. They can’t have a better 7 games series then Lebron ever?? Both of those guys are sure fire hall of famers, and still in their prime, yet Lebron will forever trump what they do even on a day to day basis.

Solid arguments can be made that Bosh was the reason the Heat beat the Bulls in the 2011 playoffs (shot a better percentage, less turnover, 13 less pts than lebron etc etc. same rebounding numbers). No one would have thrown a hissy fit if that series was the finals and Bosh won MVP.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

Yes, LeBron is ball dominant and unselfish. So if he has a teammate who is outscoring him, then he is getting assists. And scoring himself, obviously. And he does lead the team in rebounding as well. So, say someone else outscores him, he will still be the best player on the court and the reason that player was scoring sooo much.

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To say Dwyane Wade has a chance at Finals MVP, is to say Scottie Pippen had a chance at getting Finals MVP. Would you have said that? No?

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You named Duncan, who isn’t ball dominant.

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You named Kobe, who is tasked a scorer, while being ball dominant, he is finishing plays, not creating them. Which is why Pau led the team in rebounds and assists throughout that series. Because the offense actually ran through him. And he was definitely the best Laker in WINS. Which is why i had him as finals MVP. Despite Bryant having the better overall series.

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The LeBron situation is TOTALLY different. He’s the teams main scorer, play creator, defender, vocal leader, he’s everything. Responsibility on the Heat isn’t spread out. That team is LeBron’s team. He’s the reason they win.

.”Wade and Bosh can be better in the course of a series but they will lose lol, that was pure genius, and logical, you showed me.” – Yes idiot, look at the finals in 2011. You are a moron.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

it’s this pposse dumbass. everyone else understands the situation. just this guy, who for the last 4 days has been commenting to extremely moronic proportions.
pposse

nbk you continue to spew nonsense, they lost that series vs the mavs cause they could not stop the pgs or Dirk. Two top factors, third was Lebron’s poor performance. If they stop Dirk, Heat win, Wade MVP.
Happy

Kobe, yes. MJ was a better version of Kobe and he was stronger than him. More athletic. Name one player with Lebron’s size, athleticism and skill set that MJ has faced. I think MJ would beat Lebron, but destroy him? I doubt it. I’ve actually watched MJ in his prime, and I’m not talking Youtube. Lebron would bother him, maybe even win 2-10.
pposse

the pressure reliever works both ways. You just said Wade was a proven scorer before Lebron. I’ll go one step further, Wade was a proven WINNER before Lebron… knowing that wouldn’t help relieve some pressure from Lebron and what he has to do to make the steam successful? Ofcourse not (in y’alls world). It doesnt take a genius to realize the team the Heat formed could win 7 championships. They already made it to 2 straight finals, and no one is really threatening them to get to the third, but this is all cause of Lebron, and not the two HOF players he gets to play with in their prime. Lebron took pressure off himself the same way he takes pressure off everyone around him by having Wade and Bosh on his squad. Why is that so damn difficult to understand?
pposse

Duncan 06-07 playoffs USG% = 29.5

Parker 06-07 playoffs USG% = 29.2

Considering Kobe’s 32.3 USG in 2010 is not too far from 29.5, you might want to rethink your Duncan is not ball dominant sweeping claim.

You gotta love stats, you can make them tell you whatever the hell you want them to tell you.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

If LeBron plays better Heat win. LeBron MVP. Nobody was stopping Dirk. Obviously.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

You can use stats as long as you also use context. Now go back and examine the offenses each team uses. Then you can use usage %. Acting like 32% usage is comparable to 29% when the 32% is coming from a player in the triangle compared to the 29% coming from an offense that literally features that player.
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And Manu used 27% – you forgot to include that. If you want to just throw out numbers without any context.
LakeShow

Every point you made was a fact and a great counter.
Well done.
pposse

im happy you brought that up “nobody was stopping Dirk. Obviously.” What was obvious was Lebron not checking Dirk at all thruout that series. the only thing obvious was a fatal coaching error. Still, stopping Dirk was priority number one, stopping the pg’s was number two and Lebron playing better number three. If priority 1 happened, Dallas loses, Lebron plays better albeit diminished shooting stats, and Wade gets MVP. Sorry bruh your wrong.
pposse

oh so now i have to give you advanced stats in the context of the offense?! CHILD PLEASE! The triangle does feature Kobe (without Shaq), just like it featured Jordan when he was playing in it. Are you trying to tell me that the triangle in Chicago featured Luc Longley or Dennis Rodman…CHILD PLEASE!! Thats the beauty of the Triangle it can feature a number of different players at a number of different POST positions.

Duncan was ball dominant, Duncan and Parker were ball dominant, Duncan Parker and Ginobili were ball dominant. It doesnt matter what the damn conclusion was, Duncan still was the best player on that team, and still didn’t get MVP yet he was ball dominant according to USG%.

You guys have absolutely no merritt to come at me and say it is virutally impossible for Wade and or Bosh to get a Finals MVP, none whatsoever. A 2% shot lol gtfoh. Who was the MVP of the Bulls and Heat series that year?! Some people say Bosh, some say Bron, are the people who say Bosh flat wrong? NO they are not, but according to nbk its impossible for them to be right.
http://www.facebook.com/evan.boland Evan Boland

LJ could not handle MJ one on one dude. MJ would be in his ear tellin him he ain’t the King he’s a princess. I ain’t a LJ hater, I’m a Lakers fan and Kobe die hard that admits what LJ can do on an 82 game basis trumps Kobe, even in his prime. But think about the fragility of LJ psyche in the 2010′s, imagine that man playing pro ball in the 80′s?
Happy

I didn’t say he would “handle” MJ. I said he might win 2-10, which based on tangible facts is much more plausible than saying a super athlete who is 3 inches taller and nearly 50 pounds heavier will get destroyed every single in a one on one battle. There really hasn’t been an athlete Lebron’s size with that skill ever before in the league’s history. That’s the only thing that makes him special to be honest. You can’t say Jordan will destroy 10-10 something he’s never faced. The question isn’t whether not Lebron could play in the 80′s.

But if you want to talk about the 80′s, do you even realize that one of the reasons Jordan had no equal back then was because his athleticism was second to none? Dominique Wilkins was the only athlete to compare to Jordan back then. In terms of pure basketball skill, Jordan himself has admitted that his skills didn’t fully reach their peak until he developed his outside game in the early 90′s. You’re telling me an athlete Lebron’s size couldn’t have thrived in a league where a smaller guy like Jordan dominated? I’m not saying he’s on par with Jordan, but the MJ and Wilkins took NBA athleticism to a different level. Today there are more athletes than real skilled players.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

Nope. The triangle features nobody. It’s a team offense.
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But I also don’t feel like wasting my time arguing with you. So believe whatever nonsense you want.
pposse

hahahah you are one arrogant prick you know that. You have nothing, Duncan is “ball dominant” kobe is “ball dominant” you are just too proud to admit you are wrong. The Spurs run a team offense too dummy.

I dont care what you feel save that for Caboose and all the other women you speak to, dont tell me what you feel, tell that to your fellow women gossip mongers.
http://www.facebook.com/evan.boland Evan Boland

Yes, I agree with everything you said. I was just adding to the discussion not debating I just didn’t really clarify that. All though I do believe Jordan had his fair sure of good athletes to face in the 90′s, maybe not as much as Lebron, but those guy’s were a lot tougher. Also, the bigs. Ewing, Malone, Barkley, Shaq, etc.. This is off-topic, but I’d say LeBron’s path to the last finals, and possibly this finals, are some of easiest in the last 20 years. Jordan faced far tougher competition.

Also, yes, I truly believe Jordan was destroy Lebron James in one on one. LJ is not a one on one player. He is not nearly as comfortable going head to head with another superstar than MJ or Kobe. And he may be bigger, but, when analysts and fans like to claim Lebron is the greatest athlete ever, I’d tell them to go look at some MJ highlights. I’d argue, that I don’t even believe LJ is stronger than MJ. Faster is debatable, too. Not to mention jumping and body control.
pposse

for you to even think that the triangle was not catered to Kobe specifically makes you just delusional and stretching, in your previous post you oh so claimed the triangle ran thru Pau, but now its a ‘team offesnse’? CHILD PLEASE! Renege as always.

Caboose was right “you think your own deductive powers are superior to what has actually happened” – talk about misplaced rage, for some reason he said that to me but he meant to say it to you. Check your internet buddy jo.
Happy

I agree that Jordan probably faced much tougher competition. The refs call these silly little fouls today when guys like Jordan faced hand checking and super physical play from teams like the Knicks. The Bulls got battered by those guys and still made it through.

I don’t think he’s the greatest athlete ever but I think he’s the greatest athlete with that skill set. I don’t see any evidence that he’s stronger than Lebron.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

you are in a world of hypothetical bullsh*t. you can’t be right or wrong about something that NEVER happened.
.
the only thing we know about that series, and those playoffs
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A)nobody was stopping Dirk. NOBODY.
B)LeBron played poorly. And they lost.
C)In all series they won, LeBron was their best player.
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LOGICALLY, if LEBRON is the BEST player on the HEAT, they WIN against DIRK and the MAVERICKS.
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Not, “if” someone stops Dirk, and “if” someone stops the PG’s, and “if” LeBron played slightly better, they “maybe” win, and Dwyane Wade “probably” wins MVP.
.
You see where one follows logic from actual data, and the other follows guesses? That’s the difference between me and you. I look at what makes actual sense. And you just guess.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

“Duncan is “ball dominant” kobe is “ball dominant” you are just too proud to admit you are wrong.”

.

Let me break this down for you in english, so maybe your stupid brain can catch onto something….

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First = Dominant: commanding, controlling, or prevailing over ALL others

.

- 2009-10 Lakers, Kobe Bryant Usage 33%, Second on his Team, Pau Gasol at 21% (that’s a 12% difference, easy to see whose dominating the ball right?)

- 2010-11 Lakers, Kobe Bryant Usage 32.7%, Second on his Team, Lamar Odom at 21.5% (that’s an 11.2% difference, easy to see whose dominating the ball right?)

-2006-07 Spurs, Tim Duncan Usage 29.5, Second on his Team, Tony Parker at 29.3%, Third on his Team, Manu Ginobili at 26.8% (no one ball dominant player)

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One team, by design, features 3 players in there offense, EQUALLY..
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One team, not by design, features 1 player, as BALL DOMINANT.
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Ball Dominant means a player who literally dominates the ball. It’s not a player who shares it equally with his teammates.
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Literally, you don’t understand how to look at the statistics you are trying to use. I would rather you just keep guessing. At least that won’t confuse anyone, like you have apparently done here.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

ok, it should be over. i don’t think there is any way to argue with what i just said to the moron.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

It is a team offense. But it does run through the post. It is called a triangle post for a reason.
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i hate that i have to explain every little thing to you.
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The offense runs THROUGH the POST. Pau, being the only post player on those Lakers teams who wasn’t selfish (other than Odom if you consider him one, even though he actually played Pippen’s Point Forward role when he was in, more than he played in the actual post. — while Kobe slid down, when either Pau or Bynum went out.) the OFFENSE went through him.
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By offense, i mean, the triangle. The sets. Which include options, mainly cutting, and passing. When Kobe or Bynum caught the ball in the post, the majority of the time it ended in a shot. So the offense didn’t go THROUGH them, it ENDED with them. So, without being ball dominant, or actually FEATURING Gasol on purpose, the OFFENSE (TRIANGLE), ran THROUGH him. As he isn’t a ball dominant scorer, or ball dominant at all that is.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

Lol
pposse

Now how can you tie all this back into your original claim?

Lebron can and will be the only finals MVP because he is the focal pt and he is ball dominant and unselfish. Lets check out what D Wade’s usage rate is oh whats that NBK, its 29.4%? Is that so, whats Lebrons Usage Rate 30.1% is that so pposse? WTF. So now are you going to renege again??? Cause just a few posts ago it was Lebron who was ball dominant and not Duncan because Duncan has other teammates with simialar usage rates. I know damn well how to read stats, you don’t have to explain anything to me, so stop tryin to explain this story your tryin to sell when we all know its more holie than that underwear you put on top of your head and stare at in the mirror every day. GO TO SLEEP.
pposse

what about the bulls, he was the best in that series too right? BS.

No one doesnt include Lebron cause he didn’t attempt to guard him and you know this.

A. Everyone but Lebron was unable to stop Dirk, but we don’t know about Lebron cause he never checked him.
B. NO one was stopping the pg’s
C. Lebron played poorly.

Thats what the list should look like and you know it. Logically if Lebron is the best defender on the Heat he should have guarded Dirk. That’s the only logic that the coach and you don’t seem to get or neglect cause you know the got damn truth but are too stubborn to admit it.
pposse

I wrote this already but I’ll write it again.

So how does this all time into your original claim of Lebron and him definately having to be the Finals MVP no matter what.

So ball dominant shouldn’t refer to Lebron either, but you said Lebron is ball dominant in your previous nonsensical post. But why should Lebron be ball dominant when Wade has a 29.5 usage rate to Lebron’s 30.1. Duncan is not ball dominant cause he has players with similar usage rates around him, but Lebron is ball dominant because he has a player with a similar usage rate around him. In what world does that make sense? Renege again buster. Wade has just as much opportunity to get a finals MVP as bron bron admit it. The story you are trying to sell me has more holes than your brain. I know damn well how to read a stat, you only are trying to save face at this point but can’t cover all your bases. One second the triangle is run thru Pau, the next its an equal opportunity offense, one second the spurs GO TO SLEEP.

On a side note, i guess the chitown bulls offense was run thru Luc Longely then, haha pathetic or Rodman haha you are completely and utterly _______(fill the blank whatever way you want)
jfaulkner

Micheal is absolutely correct in his assessment. It is based upon their current careers. I think many take KB’s career for granted…30k+ in points, 15x All-Star, 12x All-D team app-9 1st team(Tied with MJ 2nd all time), 14x All-NBA Team(10x 1st team app 2nd all-time) after this season he will be tied for most all-time app with 15..Take into account that like Lebron KB came straight from HS to L and at the 13th pick of the ’96 draft…How many GM’s would love to find a Kobe at the 13th pick in any NBA Draft? His value to the Lakers can never be overstated. Just like Micheal in the ’84 Draft no one ever thought either player would be the top 10 players all-time. Lebron James is a GREAT, GREAT PLAYER in any era just like the two aforementioned players but based on career achievement Kobe is Light Years ahead of Lebron James. Just think after 17 season Kobe is still a top 5-10 player and still the most dominant at his position. The only other players of his era who dominated their respective positions like Kobe are Shaq and Tim Duncan who like Kobe were the best at their position for over a Decade….Many NBA fans dont know the Game or its History because if you did then you would recognize that there is no Comparison between the careers between Lebron and Kobe…Kobe right now is a top 10 player all time. the verdict is still out on Lebron..Respect Micheal’s opinion and Respect Kobe’s Career…I only know of one 2 guard who is better than Kobe Bryant and his name is Micheal Jordan. I have been an NBA fan for over 43yrs and a Season Ticket Holder as a Knicks Fan. ..Amazing that any NBA Fan cant clearly see what Jordan was saying…Again, MJ is CORRECT
+
pposse

let me ask you this..why didn’t Lebron ever gurantee 7 rings when he was on the Cavs? Did he ever even guarantee one ring, or say it was his goal to win a championship over there?

But all of a sudden he grew some balls when he goes to Miami? OR some pressure was lifted off of him from the outstanding teammates he aligned himself with? There’s a yin to every yang jo. Lebron would be insanely good playing alongside any top ten player, but he aligned himself with arguably 2 top ten ballers, and all of a sudden its only bron bron relieving pressure from everyone else? NO, thats completely one sided and not true. Wade and Bosh takes pressure off him too.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000166716900 Anthony Darnello Taylor Jr.

By himself without a top ten player during his cleveland days Lebron accomplished more than any of his peers did on their own. Heck without a top 20 talent to be forreal. From MVP’s to the eastern conference finals and nba finals. How far had Bosh got on his own in the post season matter of fact how long did it take after VC left town. Wade, yeah he got that ring in 06 but like Kobe shaq is what made the road to the finals ppossible. Wade just went super sayin lol in the finals. No disrespect to Wade he was for the most part of that run 1b until the end. After 06 how many first and ugly second round exits did he have without Shaq(the real Shaq). So one could easily infer that lebron could do more with shoddy team than any of them. Lebron’s whole game revolves around making things better for his teammates. After he won all those gamez took the cavs and the whole city to the top of tbe mountain he had maxed out the teams potential. Maybe if they payed as much attention to building a team as they do now he could have toke them even further. Lol if you look at a lot of champion ship teams have a hall of fame caliber duo or trio. Boston had ray ray pierce amd garnett. Lakers had Shaq/Kobe then Gasol/ Kobe. Jordan pippen. Duncan and Robinson. Dumars and Thomas. Damn the majority of the Showtime Lakers starting Five. Bird,parish,Mchale,Dennis Johnson. Moses Malone and Dr.J. Dirk and JKidd lol Shaq and Wade. Russell and Hondo annd Cousy. Wilt, The Logo, and Goodrich ? Frazier and Willis Reed, Big O and Cap. Come on man I can go on forever.it seems like Hakeem won one by himself but Drexler definitely came in hamdy for the othef one.
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

LeBron wasn’t the best player in the Bulls series? You do remember eho led the Heat in scoring right? assists? You do remember what happened to Detrick Roae in that series right? You did watch it right? You do remember the 4th quarters of that series right?
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No you don’t. You are just guessing.
pposse

u do remember he scored what 13 more pts than CB on a lesser fg% right while CB played lesser minutes right? you do remember they had equal rebounding numbers right? Or am i just guessing? Yeah i remember a freak guarding D Rose a third year player ONLY in the crunch. I also remember what happened in game 3 when Bosh went crazy. Am i guessing? Bron was NOT the clear cut MVP in that series, you would like to think so, but really he just did what he always does, Bosh elevated his game and became super efficient that series, flew under the NBK radar im guessing (cause thats what i like to do, i like to guess right?!)
pposse

yeah but dwade is arguably the third best SG of all time behind only Kobe and MJ!! D Wade is a mega star, plus the following year after the championship he was injured, and the next year his injury still lingered on. Sure there were down years when he was losing to Boston, but you are completely showing a lack or respect for Wades game. Would Lebron have promised 7 rings if he went to Dallas and played with Dirk? Just think about it, he flexed his opportunity to play with at the time in 2010 probably the 2nd or 3rd best player in the league behind himself, and maybe Kobe depending on how you want to look at it. But your saying thats not pressure being taken off of him, and lets not forget Chris Bosh was also added to the team. it works both ways. This is no knock on Lebron i dont even think he played with a top 50 talent, but he went from the worst case scenario to the ULTIMATE scenario. There is not one scenario better than the one he put himself in by going to the Heat; maybe playing with D rose and the chicago bulls, substituting D Rose for Wade and if the bulls picked up Chris Bosh would have been a better situation cause D Rose is younger than Wade.

The help Lebron has is astronomical, it doesn’t compare to any of those teams. Its my belief that if CB and Wade played together with a supporting cast (one that you can buy for roughly 15 mill or whatever Lebrons per year salary would be) that the Heat would be championship contenders every year; why are people blind to this??!
http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

“Rose was the Most Valuable Player in the Regular Season, but he was no match to LeBron James in this series”

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http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/5/27/2192955/nba-playoffs-chicago-bulls-miami-heat-derrick-rose-lebron-james
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http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_2011_ECF.html
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http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/5/27/2193005/lebron-james-defense-derrick-rose-miami-heat-chicago-bulls
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Find one review of that series anywhere that says Bosh was the best player, not LeBron. And don’t come back till you do.
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See you never jackass.

Michael Jordan Would Pick Kobe Bryant Over LeBron James

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