Welcome to another useless debate of Kobe vs. Jordan.

If I had to guess, I would guess that Jordan is better than Kobe.  I’m not a Jordan-lover.  I’m a Kobe fan but I think it’s because I’m primarily a Laker fan.  

Phil Jackson says that Michael Jordan has larger hands (and I think longer arms, too).  Michael Jordan is a natural basketball athlete, Kobe is not, in my opinion.  They have the same instincts, killer or otherwise. However, Kobe has, I think, the better practice discipline and that makes him an equal, if not a better, player than Jordan.

Remember that I said “I would guess Jordan is better than Kobe”.  Guess, because we really don’t know.  No, it’s not obvious.  They played in different eras, with different rules, and differently skilled opponents.

 Michael Jordan didn’t have to face the zone defense being thrown at Kobe now.  That is why Jordan is the better scorer.  He faced man-to-man defense and so had ample time to beat the double or multiple team schemes.

And that is why Kobe is also the better shooter.  Because of the zone, Kobe had to shoot better as opponents tend to pack it in when Kobe tried to drive to the hoop.

Anyway, I found this video and was amazed at how the zone defense is being thrown at Kobe.  This is not for the faint of heart.