Ask anyone that knows me and sports will tell you I hate Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. I liked him when he first came into the league and before he established himself as a cocky motherfucker. When he was throwing up airballs in the NBA playoffs. But enough of the hate, it has been a little less than two weeks since the Lakers won the title. I was so sure they would choke again but neither Kobe or the Lakers choked like they did last year, and the year before that, and the year before that.
Now that I released some of that hate, I will try not to express anymore Kobe hatred for the rest of the entry.
Hate it or love him, Kobe has established himself as the most valuable player in the league. You know it’s gotta be true if a Kobe-hater is saying it, right? There are other players you can argue with, like Lebron and Wade but Kobe has proven his worth. That brings me to my main question, who was better between Kobe and Mike?
They are both players I hated for the same reason, because they beat all my teams. Before we move forward, I need you to look at this with a clean slate. Forget that Mike is the greatest basketball player of all-time. Forgot Kobe just won a title without Shaq.
Now onto the show:
Coach: The same guy (who I hate but can’t deny his ingenuity). Advantage equal.
Supporting Cast: Between their first three championships, Kobe had it easy with Shaq clogging up the middle. Honestly, I could have been on the team and we would have won. Perfect example is Dennis Scott. Great shooter, but where did he go after Shaq left? The two’s second go around, Kobe had it rough. Scottie, Rodman, Harper and Kerr can take Gasol, Odom, Fish and Ariza any day. Kobe had it easier. Advantage Mike.
Competition: Mike took eight(?) years to finally win. Kobe took three or four? Mike had the Bad Boys to deal with. Kobe had the Jazz, then the Suns, then the Celtics. All formidable opponents. MIke definitely has more of a winning percentage and with the athleticism and talent of the players today, I don’t see Kobe winning anymore (that’s my honest unbiased opinion). Shaq has no got Lebron’s back while Wade and Melo and their respective teams will only get better and so many other teams have yet to peak. Also, Kobe looked as old as Mike did his last years in Chicago. Michael has the edge now. If Kobe were to win more with the current competition, I’ll give him credit then. Advantage Mike.
Game: They both came into the league as a slasher with amazing athleticism. Kobe had two years of growing pains that Mike used up at UNC. Mike was lighting it up as a rookie and both players were criticized for not making their teammates any better. They were both below average shooters that developed over time to become quite effective jump shooters. They are both naturally talented ballers but I think Kobe has excelled just a little bit more in each facet of the game. But then again, Mike just has something about his game that made him Mike. Advantage draw.
Conclusion: I still think Mike got an edge. What you think?
