Is Kobe as Great As Michael: ESPN Analysts Speak Out

Has Kobe claimed Michael Jordan's throne? If not, who has?

January 24, 2006 (Two days after the 81)

Legler: He has not reached the level of Jordan because he has yet to win a championship as his team's most dominant player. Bryant has three rings playing alongside Shaq, but hasn't even reached the playoffs as the focal point of his team. He must achieve team success as his team's leader to be compared to Jordan.

Broussard: No, Kobe has not claimed MJ's throne. That's heresy! MJ is the greatest and until Kobe or someone else wins close to six titles without a dominant big man, they can't even think about replacing him. Kobe is, however, the second-best shooting guard in NBA history behind MJ. It will take multiple championships to be MJ's true heir. It's clearly between Kobe and LeBron. Let the race begin.

Bucher: There was only one Michael. There is no heir, never will be. Was Michael the next Magic? No. Was Magic the next Dr. J? No. The whole idea of heirs is a bad one. Kobe's blazing his own Hall of Fame path.

Shouler: When Bryant claims the scoring title this year, it will be his first in ten seasons. Jordan had ten scoring titles and does anyone doubt he would also have won two more in 1994 and 1995, the years he was in retirement? Then we can talk about defense, where Bryant is not nearly Jordan's equal. No one is Jordan's true heir.

John Hollinger, ESPN Insider: No and no. If anyone is the heir, it's LeBron James.

Greg Anthony, ESPN Insider: He is the only player I've seen who is every bit as competitive as MJ. The next step is becoming as smart as MJ. Learning to channel all of that competitive spirit and having it bring out the best in his teammates. He's on his way.

Is Kobe the MVP this season?

Legler: He is not the MVP to this point because, as great as he has been individually, the Lakers would have an even better record if Bryant sacrificed some of his scoring to maximize the contributions of Lamar Odom and Smush Parker. Bryant has been the most outstanding player, but Chauncey Billups or Steve Nash has been the MVP.

Chris Broussard, ESPN the Magazine: Right now, the MVP race is between Kobe and Nash. If Kobe continues to play as he has the past month-and-a-half and the Lakers continue to win, he has to be the MVP. But if he returns to earth and the Lakers finish slightly above .500, it will probably be Nash.

Bucher: This would be easier to answer if MVP were ever defined. He's the best player in the league right now, for sure. Most Valuable? OK, just nudging out Nash, because the Lakers are a playoff team right now and without Kobe they'd be duking it out for the No. 1 pick in the lottery.

Shouler: If Chamberlain was denied the MVP in 1962, the year he averaged 50.4 points, 25.7 rebounds per game, and scored 100, then logic dictates that setting individual scoring records should not earn you an MVP this year.

So there you have it folks. And I have to say, I concur on both counts. I think people forget how special MJ was. And we aren't talking about a league of pansies where people were much less physical. We are talking the era where Shaq-like centers walked the earth. An era where hip checks and perimeter fouls weren't called as much, and perimeter players had to face a more physical game and yet had a harder time getting to the foul line. The 81 was remarkable. Absolutely absurd. Probably cements Kobe as the 2nd best 2-guard of all-time - behind Jordan. But until I see a dynasty led by him, without a dominant big, until I see a great defensive stopper, until I see a guy who hits more than 29% of his "clutch time" shots, until I see 5 regular season MVPs, until I see 10 scoring titles, until I see a PER average just shy of Shaq - and btw Kobe's high will be this year at around 29 making it lower than MJ's average for nearly 3/4ths of his career, until I see him making the playoffs every year despite the state of his team until he is near 40 (he already failed this), until I see him bring out the best in his teammates, there is no way to justify the argument that Kobe is as great as MJ.

As for the MVP bit, see my Awards post below. I argue for Nash, by the way.