In 2001, the NBA implemented defensive 3 seconds to encourage more layups being made. Jordan also average only 0.2 more FTA per 36 in his career despite his tendency to score in the paint. What does that say about their talent and the current landscape of the NBA compared to the past?
This. Kobe would be an all-star in Jordan's league. But Jordan would be a god now. It be cool to swap them and see how Lebron and Jordan would match up. Or how Kobe would fare on the '90s Bulls in the big man era.
you're delusional if you think kobe can sustain this level of efficiency for 82 games. he's over the hill and this isn't gonna be his best season.
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/...-angeles-lakers-says-season-best-played-while read through it....
Phil Jackson may know a bit better than we do: Phil Jackson had the savvy and good fortune to coach two of the greatest players the NBA has ever known—both 2-guards, both brilliant sociopaths. But for the first time, Jackson writes about how the two measure up against each other. Jackson's book, Eleven Rings, comes out next week. But today, Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times, who often tried unsuccessfully to get Jackson to compare the two, runs a few preview passages in which Jackson does exactly that. On basketball mindsets: "Michael was more likely to break through his attackers with power and strength, while Kobe often tries to finesse his way through mass pileups," Jackson wrote. "Michael was stronger, with bigger shoulders and a sturdier frame. He also had large hands that allowed him to control the ball better and make subtle fakes. "Jordan was also more naturally inclined to let the game come to him and not overplay his hand, whereas Kobe tends to force the action, especially when the game isn't going his way. When his shot is off, Kobe will pound away relentlessly until his luck turns. Michael, on the other hand, would shift his attention to defense or passing or setting screens to help the team win the game." On defense: "No question, Michael was a tougher, more intimidating defender. He could break through virtually any screen and shut down almost any player with his intense, laser-focused style of defense. "Kobe has learned a lot from studying Michael's tricks, and we often used him as our secret weapon on defense when we needed to turn the direction of a game. In general, Kobe tends to rely more heavily on his flexibility and craftiness, but he takes a lot of gambles on defense and sometimes pays the price." On leadership: "One of the biggest differences between the two stars from my perspective was Michael's superior skills as a leader," Jackson said. "Though at times he could be hard on his teammates, Michael was masterful at controlling the emotional climate of the team with the power of his presence. Kobe had a long way to go before he could make that claim. He talked a good game, but he'd yet to experience the cold truth of leadership in his bones, as Michael had." Bryant gradually evolved during the 2008-09 championship season, when the Lakers successfully retooled with a more finessed look with Pau Gasol instead of the brute force of the Shaquille O'Neal teams. If Bryant talked to teammates in his earlier Lakers years, it was usually, "Give me the damn ball," Jackson wrote. "But then Kobe started to shift. He embraced the team and his teammates, calling them up when we were on the road and inviting them out to dinner. It was as if the other players were now his partners, not his personal spear-carriers."
i always said the thing the separated kobe from jordan individually the most was kobe's basketball iq and shot selection at times. kinda weird hearing it from phil now.
true. great player, but true. i think the media/ pop culture/ general NBA fan sentiment portrays a shield that MJ is untouchable, when in reality he is not. His heights and accomplishments are very much attainable (though extremely, extremely difficult)...and I think Lebron could one day surpass him (though he's the only player in our generation that could...not even Kobe can)
If MJ was overrated, I don't know what you going to call Kobe and LBJ. Where is the OP? I would like to see kobe and Jordan stats comparison again after the season ended. I guess is not important anymore as we all know: MJ at 34 - NBA Champion Kobe? - 1st round exit and don't give me the crap that Kobe didn't play in the playoffs.
How old are you? If the answer is under 35, then you have no clue. It would be like me critiquing Bill Russell. MJ was not overrated at all. Regarding your LJ comparison, he certainly has the physical tools and skills to be TGOAT, but not sure if he has the fire/killer instinct. Time will tell.
