A time-out is called. For most games, in most arenas, this means there's a lull. It's a time for fans to stretch. Chomp on a hot dog. Watch outdated video clips on the big screen while hoping to catch a t-shirt from a cannon. Not this time.
Kobe Bryant is in the building. And, the Lakers are down one point with precious few seconds on the clock. As a result, there's a buzz that permeates through the arena. Goosebumps pop on the entire crowd. It's time for the GOAT.
The game resumes. And, the result is actually sort of anticlimactic. Kobe Bean Bryant hits yet another game winner. Ho-hum. Just another day at the office for the player who has just passed Michael Jordan as the world's best basketball player of all-time.
Early Years - Chucker (Jordan) vs. Teammate (Bryant)
Sure, Michael Jordan scored more points. But, he also played about 6,000 more minutes, obviously skewing the totals. Plus, Kobe Bryant was the first non-center to ever be drafted directly from high school to play in the NBA. He was a force from Day One as an 18-year kid fresh from prom with pop superstar, Brandy. But, he was only 18... and the L was afraid of letting such a young guy take over so quickly. Fortunately, Bryant was wise beyond his years. He was a great teammate and accepted his role on the bench as a sign of respect and homage to all the past and present NBA greats, including his father, Joe Bryant.
Jordan came into the L in his prime, from a college basketball factory. He joined a bad team that was desperate to let any rookie come in and take over. It didn't matter if it helped the team win games. Jordan more than obliged. He led the league in shot ATTEMPTS nine times in his first 11 (non-injured) seasons. He even took the 5th most attempts in the league as a ROOKIE!
Bryant just kept waiting. And, waiting. He was the consummate teammate. And, his teammates followed his lead. Finally, the franchise couldn't contain his talent any longer and the Lakers ran away with three straight titles.
Prime Years - Lead Dog (Bryant) vs. Lead Dog 1a (Jordan)
Look, this published (thus obviously legitimate article) isn't aimed to diminish Jordan's legacy. He was the greatest player ever. At least he was until Kobe Bryant surpassed him. (Did Jordan ever do that?... of course not.) To many less trained NBA minds, they see only the top layer of statistics and awards and accolades. But, true savvy NBA minds delve deeper and dig around in the muck that separates the truly elite. That's where Kobe Bryant shines.
Sure, Kobe Bryant teamed with Shaq for a few seasons. But, he proved he could lead a team of complementary players back to the Finals without another star player. And, he proved he could win the Finals with a collection of complementary players, too. Jordan played alongside Scottie Pippen for his entire run of playoff success.
Scottie Pippen made seven All-NBA teams. He often ran the Bulls offense. Plus, he was the best perimeter defender in the league during the Bulls' run. This allowed Jordan to coast on defense by guarding the opposition's weaker perimeter players. Bryant, on the other hand, is considered his era's premiere perimeter defender and challenges the opposition's top scorer. It's a testament to his leadership. He sacrifices individual offensive stats and glory by doing the dirty work necessary for a team to win games and championships.
Take a look at shooting percentages. Jordan bobos contend that it's what really separates the two stars. Jordan shot .497 for his career. Bryant has shot .456 (and rising). But, take a closer look. Bryant is more skilled than Jordan. That allows him to do more with the ball, including shooting beyond 16 feet. Bryant's true shooting percentage is .558 nearly identical to Jordan's! Plus, let's not forget those first few years when Bryant was being asked to take clutch shots in deciding playoff games at the same age when Jordan was playing East Tennessee State. Sure, Bryant's team still counted on the teenager for the biggest shots, but he was a teenager and not yet in his prime. So, his stats suffered.
In addition, the ability to hit three pointers goes beyond the stat sheet... especially in the Triangle offense. The offense is predicated on spacing. And, with Bryant being the superior long-range shooter, the Lakers can space the floor better than Jordan's Bulls ever could.
Remember when I noted that nobody has hit more game-winning shots than Kobe Bryant? It's true. Think about it like this... where would Jordan's legacy be without Steve Kerr? Remember, it was Kerr who bailed out Jordan in the Finals. Before him, it was Paxson. Before him, it was Craig Hodges. Before him, it was Trent Tucker. Jordan always needed that three-point specialist to offset his limited range. Bryant is the top dog AND the three-point specialist for the Lakers. As a result, the Triangle offense runs better.
Doing More with Less.
Jordan lost 52 games and MADE the playoffs, where they were swept immediately in uneventful and predictable fashion. In fact, Jordan's teams were 1 - 9 in the playoffs until Pippen's arrival. Now, take a look at what Kobe Bryant did with a cast of also-rans and stiffs.
Look at some of the starters on Lakers playoff teams: Smush Parker, Brian Cook, Chris Mihm, Luke Walton, Kwame Brown. Yet, not only did the Lakers make the playoffs, they almost pulled off an unfathomable upset in 2006. Led by Bryant's exceptional play on both ends of the court, the Lakers took the heavily favored and All-Star-laden Phoenix Suns squad to a 7th game. Unfortunately, Bryant couldn't do it alone. His team fell apart in the clinching game. Hey, at least he made it there... something that couldn't be said for Michael Jordan, sans Scottie Pippen.
The Future.
Jordan rubes will point to six rings. That's great. But, let's not forget that the guy played until he was 39 years old! Kobe Bryant already has four and he's only 31. He's in his prime. In fact, with his new low-post game, he is shooting at a career high. Many are claiming that he has the best postgame since Hakeem Olajuwon. That's no surprise, the two legends are great friends and worked on each other's low-post games this summer, sharing each other's secrets.
Plus, Bryant is the defending champion. And, he recently won MVP and a Finals MVP. Bryant is finally being rewarded for making his teams relevant every season. Even if his team doesn't ultimately win the title, the Lakers still have made the Finals multiple times before succumbing to other legendary teams. For Jordan, it was feast or famine. Titles or bust. That's great on the up years... but, offers little incentive for fans on the down years of irrelevance.
Bryant is relentless. And, a guy who has never quit. Something that even the biggest Jordan apologist would have to acknowledge was not their boy's strength. Case in point: 2007. Bryant was weary from carrying scrubs like Brown, Walton and Parker to the playoffs. He asked politely for more help. Then, he demanded it like any great leader would. The team finally took his advice and the rest is history. Jordan, on the other hand, has not been as shrewd putting together a team. After all, he's the one who drafted Kwame Brown #1 in the draft! The same carcass who Bryant dragged along to the playoffs.
We've all seen the lists of players, coaches, executives, ex-players, media celebrities, reality show contestants and shopkeepers who regale Bryant with "GOAT" status. The honor is obviously well deserved, and virtually the consensus. More people continue to hop aboard. I should know. I used to despise Kobe Bryant. But, it only took a closer look into his greatness to revel in the player and the person. With his training and his constant improvement, he should remain relevant for another decade. And, that means many more than six titles.
Down goes the title argument. And, down goes the Jordan as GOAT myth.
Get ready for it. It's coming. Or, as many of us blogging NBA minds are quick to note... it's already here.
