What would makes you happier...

[BballTim]

  The Lakers could win 8 titles and Kobe would still fall short of MJ.

so your saying that if kobe plays three more years, winning championships in all three while passing MJ on the all time scoring list (which he'll do in less than 2) then there is still no question in your mind that he is the lesser player than MJ? that seems foolish to me.

  Kobe will pass MJ on the all time scoring list while averaging 25 a game in the regular season and playoffs compared to 30 in the regular season and 33 in the playoffs for MJ. Honestly, I don't think that anyone who watched the two play would say that Kobe *isn't* the lesser player.

[Cman]

It was hard to vote, but had to vote against Miami. Many good reasons and arguments were made above, TPs to all.

[Army_of_One_Nation]

Actually, number 18 would make me happiest.

[Redz]

There would be something so satisfying if Lebron never won a championship.

Especially if he keeps getting close and chokes.

[GreenFaith1819]

Actually, number 18 would make me happiest.

Me, too.

[Prof. Clutch]

There would be something so satisfying if Lebron never won a championship.

Especially if he keeps getting close and chokes.

YES!  Especially if that happens.

[GreenEnvy]

  The Lakers could win 8 titles and Kobe would still fall short of MJ.

so your saying that if kobe plays three more years, winning championships in all three while passing MJ on the all time scoring list (which he'll do in less than 2) then there is still no question in your mind that he is the lesser player than MJ? that seems foolish to me.

You do know that MJ basically didn't play (voluntarily) for two years of his prime, right? He would have had another 4,500+ points and there is little reason to believe he wouldn't have had a minimum of 7 (presumably titles in 8 years.

Then you consider the fact that he prematurely retired in 1998, could have came back in a strike-shortened season and probably won yet another title.

Basically, if Jordan was so gung ho about records, milestones, and accolades like Kobe, it's realistic that Jordan could have had 9 titles and another ~7,000 points. So that's 9 in a row ('91-'99) and the all-time leading scorer (145 games during is prime in '94-95 @ 30PPG = 4350, 50 games in '99 @ 27 PPG = 1350, and 82 games in '00 @ 25 PPG = 2050. That's 7,750 additional points. He can miss a good portion of time during those season and still be ahead of Malone comfortably).


In short, nothing Kobe can ever accomplish going forward will put him in Jordan's company. I know ESPN loves to live in the now and hype him (for ratings), but history will clearly separate the two.