After the Lakers got their pride handed to them after a 5 game crushing at the hands
of the young and supremely talented OKC Thunder last year, I wouldn't have thought it possible.
I thought Kobe had maxed out his ability to lead a team to a title. And, I must admit, I was more
than a little surprised at the way the Lakers faded out these last two years in the playoffs after
their repeat championships in 2009 and 2010. Would Jordan have allowed that to happen?
In my opinion, no. Not in the slightest. He would have found a way to push Pau Gasol and
Andrew Bynum to at least the Finals come hell or high water.
It has now been almost a generation since Kobe joined MJ in the NBA in 1996 and matched up
against him in said year's all star game. Kobe got his fair share of dunks and Jordan schooled him a few
times. There is one baseline fadeaway that comes to mind. The Mamba has been compared to His Airness
in one way or another ever since. And, in spite of what many people have said, rightfully so. If not for
accomplishments sake than simply for playing style. If you need further proof, just watch this video.
Kobe has stated at points in his career that the comparisons are silly. That they are different people.
Of course, this is true. Although their pride, drive to be the best, and desire to win no matter the odds
are very similar. But clearly, Kobe has taken inspiration from Jordan like a whole generation of kids that
play ball all over the world have. The difference with Kobe, is that he has gotten closer than anyone else
to emulating His Airness. So, the debates shall rage on forever. Many people today, are debating whether
LeBron James can become greater than MJ. He has a better chance than anyone ever has. However, he is a
different player altogether. An extremely versatile player, who can play at least 4 of 5 positions at an extremely
high level. Truly the first of his kind. Kobe is one of the greatest shooting guard/scorers
of all time. Jordan beat him to it. So did Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Pistol Peter Maravich and others in their
times. Kobe is a great and unique player in his own right but, the comparisons with MJ are at least very
understandable in my opinion. Hardcore fans of Kobe have almost made that out to be an insult to the Mamba.
It's not. He is one of millions from his generation who would
have loved to have their name mentioned in the same breath as Mike's. Whether he admits it now or not, Kobe
was that one in a million who achieved that goal set by so many kids of the 80's and 90's.
So, who will go down as greater between Jordan and Kobe? It is a very debatable question today at least in
certain circles. Whether it is a legit argument or not, there is at least one more thing Kobe needs to do to have a
chance of legitimately eclipsing MJ in the history books. Make that two more things. Titles have always been the
biggest factor in determing a player's historical greatness. How else do you explain the placing of Bill Russell
above Wilt Chamberlain on so many greatest players of all time lists. Chamberlain was a vastly better scorer
than Russ and even eclipsed him in rebounding. Russell was probably the greatest defensive and intangible player
of all time. But their is one reason that he ranks so highly in so many people's minds. He is the only player ever
to earn more championship rings than fingers. That is hands down the most unbreakable record in pro basketball.
11 titles.
Kobe currently has 5 championship rings. Jordan of course got 6. A mark that would very likely look more like 8
had he not retired from basketball for 2 years to try a baseball career. A personal decision that hurt his legacy a bit,
but not his fame. Still, he is currently considered the greatest player of all time in most circles in spite of taking
two years off in his prime and that alone, speaks to his legacy. However, if Kobe can somehow eclipse that mark, it
will surely improve his chances to be remembered as perhaps greater than MJ. Its a long shot to be sure. Especially
considering that Kobe recently said on In Depth with Graham Bensinger via Yahoo Sports that he is likely to retire
after 2 more years when he reches 35 years of age. If that is indeed the case, he has no more margin of error.
The Lakers once again found a way to get better without rebuilding this offseason. They have loads of hype
surrounding them heading into the season. They are a win now team with great, old players. Only their new center,
Dwight Howard is in his prime. Steve Nash is nearing 40 but still playing at a high level. They have to get past OKC
in the west, a much younger team that has already established enough chemistry to reach the Finals in spite of the
fact that their core players havent even reached their prime yet. They bring back reigning scoring king Kevin Durant,
the most athletic gaurd in the league Russell Westbrook, top shot swatter Serge Ibaka and Sixth Man of the Year
James Harden and a very deep supporting cast. Then, the defending champ Heat wait for them
the Finals. A team with the current best player in the world (LeBron) and a great supporting that includes Dwyane
Wade, Chris Bosh, and Ray Allen, who have all been best players and scoring leaders on previous teams they have
played on. With Dwight and Pau Gasol the Laker have the best big man combo in the league and arguably the best
and unarguably the smartest and most seasoned backcourt as well with Kobe and Nash.
In this current super team league, these 3 teams really are the only legitimately smart picks to win the title. I
mean think about it, objectively. The Heat are in their prime and are the favorites. The Thunder should be ranked
2 as they made the finals last year and are still young. After that, its the rebuilt aging Lakers who have to develop
chemistry in a hurry in order to win now before their great old all stars begin to show their age. They have the
experience to make it work quickly much like the 2008 Celtics with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett joining Paul Pierce.
They won a title in their first year together because all where great veterans who where willing to sacrifice their
egos to win. I believe that is the way this team will be as well. As long as they can stay healthy. The dynamic
between Kobe and Dwight who both have huge egos will be interesting but beyond that, Nash has always been
the ultimate teammate and Pau Gasol is more comfotable as a sidekick anyway. I see this team playing very
well together. They all have differing strengths and that is a good sign. The difference
between now and 2008 is that its not strange to see a team where nearly the entire starting lineup are All-Star
caliber players.
If Kobe can find a way to win a title the next two years he will retire with one more title than MJ. It is my belief that if that
does happen, he would probably walk away from the game with peace. If not, I would bet that he changes his mind
and continues to play on as long as his body can carry him which i predict will be about 37 or 38 given his style of
play and his intelligence as a player. He would probably never admit that that was a driving force but it would be.
Remember, in 2010 after he won his 5th title, when asked what it meant to him individually, Kobe responded, "I've
got one more than Shaq. You guys know how I am." Granted that desire may have been fueled by Shaq saying
Kobe couldnt win without him. But I think as long as Kobe has a fighting chance to eclipse Jordan in titles, he will
play. He loves the game, he has his pride, and he's more aware of his place in the public eye than he would admit.
He wants to be remembered as having maximized the talent that he has, as he said at the end of that Bensinger interview.
If that means playing past 35 and winning more titles than MJ, he will do it. Then, we can let the debates truly begin.
Written by:
Gerry Wikan.
Written by:
Gerry Wikan.
