Michael didn’t score 81 ever in his career like Kobe Bryant, but I claim that Michael Jordan was a better player than Kobe Bryant over each career. Both players have similar wills to win and dedication to the game. Intelligence is the biggest difference.
I am not saying that Kobe is completely stupid, just Michael used what he had more effectively. There are three areas that Kobe has always needed to improve and what has kept him back from ever being considered Michael’s equal.
The first flaw of Kobe is when he is double or triple teamed, he tends to try to elevate over everyone and get his shot off no mater what. When you are double and triple teamed, there is an open player for your team. This is the opportunity for him to elevate as he sees his teammate get open. John Paxton, Steve Kerr, Craig Hodges and Scotti Pippen made a career out of being ready to shoot when Michael was double teamed. The Lakers that shooters that can get the job done if Kobe allows them.
Kobe further keeps his teammates from getting involved as he tries to take over a game especially when he is having an off night. Kobe will keep shooting and missing as he hopes he will find the touch.
When Michael did not have his shooting touch, he would stop shooting jump shots and start taking the ball to the hoop to get fouled. Michael may or may not make his shot attempts when he went to the hoop, but it was his intention to get fouled. When Michael would get fouled, he would obviously shoot free throws. After Michael would hit a number of free throws, he would find his shooting touch. The other team would try to keep him from taking the ball to the hoop and Michael would start shooting his jump shots and hitting them all.
Hitting jumpers is only one part of the offensive game of basketball. Defense is the other half of basketball and is an area that Michael Jordan would dominate the person he was guarding the whole game. Michael was not known for taking plays off.
I have heard some say that Kobe is one of the greatest defenders. I argue that opinion as many times it is his man hitting an open 3 pointer because he give the other player too much space. Matt Barnes playing for the Magic was hitting a couple of 3 pointers was key to the Magic beating the Lakers a couple of years ago. It is not just one game, but Kobe has let his teammates down many times with his lack of defensive effort. He resembles the Lakers as a whole as the Lakers are not a good defensive team as a whole when they were playing under Phil Jackson. They are better playing with Mike Brown as their coach, but not to a championship level yet.
The Lakers would have much more success if their best player played a little smarter.
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