Locking up wit a PitBull!

Kobe vs Jordan (what?)

I’ve been watching sports my whole life and I can, for the most part, deal with most of the talk and opinions that come from those media cats that talk about the games, the players, coaches, and what have you. I sometimes disagree with some of the comments that are made by the analysts, but I can see where their logic is, at least, rooted. And also there is usually another analyst on the same panel or some other sports analyst on another channel or another show will make a comment about any controversial statements. Then I can usually hear from someone else that shares my opinion or will call that person out for making bold statements. I decided to write this column to share my thoughts and see what y’all think about this latest opinion made by Mark Jackson from ABC and Greg Anthony of ESPN. In my time watching sports, I have never heard anything more bold than what I heard ya boys Mark Jackson and Greg Anthony say just before the NBA Finals started. Mark and Greg are smokin’ that good good and feelin’ themselves way too much!

“They had the audacity to say that LA Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is on the same level, or perhaps, even better than the great Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan”.

Since this statement was made, I have not heard anyone say anything about it. Is this really happening?? Come on Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Isiah! Thomas! Phil Jackson!! Y’all gotta say something about that. Those boys said Kobe is better than Michael. Air Jordan! Come on dog! That’s like saying (at their best), Tyson is better than Ali, LaDainian is better than Jim Brown, At least when those statements were made about Tyson and LaDainian, someone would debate it or make it known that it is a controversy and a matter of opinion. Without any debate to this statement, it makes me feel like everybody thinks it is true and is cool with it. He is saying this on national TV during the Finals. I was expecting cats like Stephen A. Smith to tear Mark Jackson apart. What does Mark Jackson know! He is a bitter loser that is one of the “Jordan Haters” that never got over the whippings he got when he was playing for the Knicks and the Pacers. I guess he is looking for a new “face” of the NBA to take the spotlight from Jordan and bring up a new name for the standard of the NBA and title of “Best Player Ever”.

It’s not a bash on Kobe, by any means. Kobe’s off the dribble skills, perimeter shooting, free throw shooting, dunking, finishing, etc. are definitely comparable to Jordan. But there’s more than your skills to consider. Jordan is above Kobe with the intangibles of leadership, intelligence, intensity, and defensive skills. Jordan is a “god” of the game. He has his own company that brandishes his logo on just about everything you see. When you think of basketball, Jordan is the standard. Jordan was the complete package and a bonafide winner. He had the perfect career. Kobe is a great player and arguably the best in the game, besides LeBron, in my opinion. It’s just that they put him in comparison to the man that all today’s players look up to and respect as the greatest ever.

“The man that won six championships as the leader of his team and balled his ass off during each of the title runs (six Finals MVPs)”.

The man that won several league MVPs and made the rest of the league and supposed competition look like nothing while he played. Jordan never really struggled. If he had a rough time shooting, he would find other ways to get the job done, (assists, hustling, rebounding, steals, blocks, overall team leadership). He was the ultimate player that always shined and shined even brighter when he needed to. He would steal opponents hearts and have no mercy. They would win games they were not supposed to win and win titles against teams that should have beat them ( ’98 Utah Jazz, for example). Kobe struggles a lot and can be stopped just like in Game 1 of this series against Boston. I’m not saying that is the epitome of his game, but that happens to him periodically. That never happened with Jordan during the NBA Finals. He rose to the occasion each and every game. Kobe does have three titles, but they were Shaq’s teams. Kobe was a sidekick. Since he has been on his own, he has struggled. Now this year, he has a good team, but it is yet to be determined if he can get them a title(s).

It is far too early to put him on Jordan’s level, let alone above him. His career is not over. I’m sure he will tell you he does not want to be compared to him. Let’s just wait until Kobe is retired or near the end of his reign before the comparison. He has a long way to go still. He is only 29. Jordan, as great as he was before he started winning rings, was only 29 when he won his first ring. He then went on a tear winning six of the next eight titles.

“He spoiled a lot of Hall of Fame players careers during his reign by not letting them get a ring (Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Karl Malone, John Stockton, for example.) Not to bash Hakeem Olajuwon or Clyde Drexler, but they won after Jordan left the first time. I look at that as a gift”.

I can go on forever explaining why this comparison is ridiculous. All this stuff about Jordan, and Kobe is still being considered better than him by Mark Jackson and Greg Anthony. I am so tired of today’s analysts jumping to conclusions and saying that whoever is hot at the time is the “greatest ever”. Remember Dwyane Wade…He was on top of the world when he won that title two years ago. Where has he been since? Just let careers develop and pass and then compare the whole body of work.

“Kobe has not done anything yet compared to what Jordan did over his whole career! Let’s wait! Come into my cage and lock up wit me if you dare!”

PitBullShakeEm