The Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant debate will perhaps loom forever as the most agonizing of all NBA arguments not centered on Russell vs. Wilt and I didn’t really intend on jumping into it by writing another column covering bases that have already been discussed a billion times over. The MJ fadeaway or the Kobe three-point dagger? The bald head or the wild afro?
However, this topic is just too darn tempting for me to resist and any fan addicted to the game will never have enough of these two, so I gave in to my desires.
I decided to deliver a video tribute to the both of them.
In my opinion Jordan was the greatest of all-time but the more I reflect on Kobe Bryant’s career and watch clip after clip of his most impressive performances the more I realize I can no longer deny that they are linked together more closely than I ever dreamed they would be.
Not equals, mind you, just linked. Let’s not get TOO carried away.
I didn’t want to do this based on statistics or honors, though. We could argue all day and night about how Jordan garnered five MVP awards to Kobe’s one or that Kobe played alongside Shaquille O’Neal so his titles somehow are less-impressive than Jordan’s.
What I wanted to do instead was to bring together a collection of fantastic performances via YouTube clips for you to enjoy and hopefully, instead of arguing over who was actually better, we might appreciate these two legends for the unbelievable performances they have delivered to us through the years. Hard to argue with eleven total titles, right?
I know Kobe… you’re not done yet.
That being said I present twenty clips in tribute of his “Airness” and Kobe Bean Bryant - Jordan states his case first, followed by Kobe.
May you find them as enjoyable as I did. Simply click on the bold headline before each respective commentary to view the videos.
(NOTE: These are just clips and not full games - they won’t take much of your time) * *
THE CASE FOR JORDAN
1. November 13, 1984 - The first forty-point night of MJ’s career
Jordan wasted no time posting the first forty-point game of his career, scorching the Spurs for 45 points in just his ninth NBA game. I couldn’t imagine watching this live - I would have been in awe from the very beginning.
2. April 20, 1986 - Jordan blitzes Celtics for 63 points in game two of their first-round matchup
Jordan was coming off a broken leg, had played just 18 games in the regular season, and the Bulls had limped into the playoffs with a 30-52 record. Think that bothered Michael? A 63-point performance for the ages thrust Jordan into the spotlight and created unbelievable expectations.
3. April 3, 1998 - MJ embarrasses Pistons and “The Jordan Rules” are born
This was the game that prompted Pistons Coach Chuck Daly to create “The Jordan Rules” - a 59-point outburst by MJ on a blistering 21-27 shooting and 17-19 freebies. 4. May 7, 1989 - Jordan hits “The Shot” over Ehlo vs. Cavs in game 5
Jordan broke Cleveland hearts long before LeBron when he nailed this game-winning shot over Craig Ehlo to eliminate the Cavs in game five of their first-round clash in 1989.
5. March 28, 1990 - Jordan scorches Cavs for career-high 69 points
Jordan just wouldn’t leave the Cavs alone as he posted 69 points, 18 boards, 6 assists, and four steals on red-hot shooting (23-37 Fgs, 21-23 Fts).
6. June 5, 1991 - Jordan scores thirteen-straight field goals and switches ball in mid-flight
The Bulls dynasty essentially began on this night - Game two of the Finals saw Jordan go on a rampage, finishing with 33 points on 15-18 shooting, five boards, and ten assists as the Bulls ran the Lakers off the court 107-86.
7. June 3, 1992 - The infamous “Shrug” game
Jordan scored 35 first-half points and buried six three-pointers in game one of the 1992 NBA Finals and Portland just never recovered.
8. June 16, 1993 - MJ scores 55 points against Suns in game four of 1993 NBA Finals
MJ was masterful in this one, shooting 21 of 37 from the field and countering almost everything the Suns threw at him. I remember watching this game vividly and simply couldn’t believe a human being could be that freakin’ good.
9. June 11, 1997 - The legendary “Flu” game
Jordan registered 38 points in 44 grueling minutes during game five of the 1997 NBA Finals and delivered one of the most unbelievably gutsy performances in basketball history.
10. June 14, 1998 - MJ buries the Jazz in final game with the Bulls. His true final shot.
I still remember the whole sequence playing out in slow-motion - the steal, methodically bringing up the ball, the cross-over, and of course the follow-through on the shot itself.
THE CASE FOR KOBE
*** ***1. March 21, 1999 - Kobe shows signs of greatness vs. Magic
Kobe was on his way toward averaging a career-best 19.9 points as Shaq’s sidekick during the lockout-shortened 98-99 season when he exploded for 33 second-half points and 38 overall on 15-24 shooting in this one. A sign of things to come, for sure.
2. May 10, 2000 - Bryant nails shot over Kidd to win playoff game
Kobe started to accumulate his collection of clutch plays around this time, hitting this hanging jumper in Jason Kidd’s face as time expired to give L.A. a victory in game two of their second-round series with the Suns.
3. June 14, 2000 - Kobe lights up the Pacers as Shaq fouls out in Finals
This was about when I truly started to appreciate Kobe’s vast potential. Shaq fouled out in game four against the Pacers and Bryant simply went berserk, scoring 28 points and delivering a plethora of clutch shots. Keep in mind that Kobe was coming off a minor injury and had just played nine minutes in the previous game.
4. May 12, 2002 - Kobe scores 28 points and hits game-winning shot vs. Spurs in playoffs
Kobe didn’t shoot particularly well in this one as Bruce Bowen hounded him all night but when it counted, as you’ll see from his insane rebound at the end, Bryant simply did what needed to be done in this one.
5. February 12, 2003 - Kobe scores 51 points in just 31 minutes vs. Denver
Kobe was in the midst of a scoring spree that would see him notch nine consecutive forty-point games and he would score 52 three games later against Houston. 6. December 20, 2005 - Bryant notches 62 points in less than three quarters vs. Dallas
This would be just an appetizer for what was to come, of course. Kobe played just 32 minutes in this one and shot 18-31 from the field.
7. January 22, 2006 - Kobe scores 81 points, good for second all-time
Bryant was out-of-this-world sensational in this one and I remember watching the replay of this the next day and thinking “Are you &*^%$#@ kidding me?!”. What an unbelievable performance. 8. March 16, 2007 - Kobe scores 65 vs. Portland - averages 49.1 points in first seven games of March
Kobe had apparently had enough - the Lakers were riding a seven-game losing streak so Bryant went ballistic on the Blazers, shooting 23 of 39 from the field and beginning a torrid stretch that would see him score fifty or more four consecutive times. The Lakers would win them all.
9. NBA Finals 2010 - A collection of Kobe highlights from their victory over Boston
Bryant and the Lakers are going for a three-peat after they delivered a second straight championship to L.A.
10. November 5, 2010 - Kobe collects 17th career triple-double
Bryant shows he has plenty of highlights left in the tank after posting 25 points, 12 assists, and ten rebounds vs. Sacramento.
KOBE vs. JORDAN - 1998
Finally, HERE is a clip of MJ and Kobe going head-to-head in 1998.
My opinion? They’re both amazing so let’s appreciate Kobe while we still can and debate about these legends when they are both retired and tearing it up on the golf course.
Until next time…