Although football season is now in full swing, I came across a basketball article online the other day I just couldn't pass by without taking a look at.
The article centered around tweets Detroit Pistons guard, Brandon Jennings had sent out saying "Kobe Bryant is the game's all-time best." Don't get me wrong, Kobe is a phenomenal player, but he is the second best, and that is that. People might criticize this claim due to the fact that Jordan and Bryant never got to play against each other when they were both in their prime. Kobe entered the NBA in 1997, the year before Jordan won his final NBA championship and retired from the Chicago Bulls, for good. Jennings went on to say that " Michael Jordan had more "Help" winning his rings then Kobe." Michael won his six champions all with teammate Scottie Pippen by his side, but lets not forget that Kobe won his first three with Shaquille O'Neal and his last two with All Star forward/center Pau Gasol.
With Mike being my favorite player of all time, the bias might be there, but Jordan's accomplishments succeed Bryant's, in regards to championships, MVPs, scoring titles etc. Even if I wasn't a huge MJ fan I would still agree he was the best. I believe that to be the best you have to beat the best, Jordan did just that. Let's take a look back at some of the teams Michael Jordan's Bulls defeated in the finals. Starting in 1991, Jordan's dominance of the decade began. The Bulls first beat the Lakers lead by five time champion Magic Johnson along with James Worthy. The next year was Clyde Drexler's Trailblazers followed by a gritty Phoenix Suns team lead by the toughness of Charles Barkley. From '96-'98 the reign continued as Chicago beat a Seattle Supersonics squad headed by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. Jordan's Bulls then went on to beat John Stockton and Karl Malone's Jazz back to back seasons. Might I add that all these players I have mentioned are all Hall of Famers.
Michael Jordan dominated the 90s, winning six championships in eight years and the impact he left on the NBA and the sports world is one that will never be topped. He left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten, ever.
Good post! Interesting, very insightful and your thoughts flow nicely. The piece shows strong analysis and critical thinking about your topic.
ReplyDeleteYou demonstrate your keen knowledge of this subject, obviously you know sports, especially basketball. I'm not going to argue with you because as a Chicagoan, I'm a huge Michael Jordan fan. I like how you give Kobe credit and explore the counter position in favor of Kobe as the all-time-best. It's always good to show both sides of the issue - to give balance to your writing. Clearly, you make a strong case for Jordan with interesting facts and a historic look back at Jordan decade of dominance in the '90s.
Very nice, but I have to throw out Lebron just for any Mj comparison but that's my bias.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm Briggs