Kobe Bryant may be the most gifted actor we have ever seen. He had the confidence of an Italian boy. And he was a decent athlete.
If we had never seen Michael Jordan play, Kobe Bryant would rule the world. But we have, and still, Kobe is uttered in the same sentence and compared to Jordan.
It’s not a fair comparison. Even starting this writing about Kobe by mentioning another, might be a slight.
But, it isn’t. We get Kobe, a carbon copy of Michael Jordan. And since we are comparing it was fitting to start there.
regard by peers, writers and fans as among the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. However, gauging Kobe is not easy. He scored 81 points in one game, but does that put him directly behind Wilt Chamberlain?
Kobe’s background
Jordan comparison
parallel career
Kobe strengths
confidence, size
Kobe Bryant was as good of a shooter as Michael Jordan. Their free throw percentages are nearly identical. However, Michael Jordan, at 50% was much more efficient, was the originator of his arsenal and therefore, made it look much easier, and did it better. Kobe Bryant at 45%, by comparison took much more difficult shots, lacking the athletic ability, skill, footwork and originality to make it work. But was it a tougher league when Kobe played, defensively?
Kobe was that close to Michael. How close
In 2003, both Kobe an MJ shot 45% from the floor. An old Mike shot as efficiently, Kobe shooting more 3’s thank Mike, but also able to slash and get to the rim more often; the rim buckets included in the percentage.
When Michael Jordan was slowed down against any team, he was the primary reason the other team was slowed as well.
Kobe benefited from having Shaquille and starting with a playoff team. He was able to develop a
A snapshot at Kobe and Michael Jordan’s career is similar in scope.
Kobe Bryant was an actor. Not just any actor, a 6’6 athletic actor. He impersonated Michael Jordan and convinced people that was – him.
Kobe was an average shooter at 45%. He was a great free throw shooter at 83% but an average shooter from the field at 45%. He took bad shots, he was innovative not athletic.