Hahaha is that really the qualification of the best player? Scoring 40 in a regular season game against the Bucks with a broken finger? If you want toughness go check out the Detroit Pistons matchups with the Bulls in the late 80’s and early 90’s in the playoffs. In the Jordan Rules defenses the Pistons employed methods that if used today would result in a flagrant foul being called on every play and Jordan never backed down. Taking that kind of punishment for four years before comprehensively beating the Pistons in 1991 is something no player from this era could dream of doing. Also Phil Jackson, Kobe’s own coach is on record of saying that if Jordan played under today’s NBA rules he would average 45 a game. Kobe’s a great player, but he’s playing in a time now that gives perimeter players a complete advantage offensively with the elimination of the hand check. Also the pace of the game was much slower in Jordan’s day than it is now, making his scoring average of 30.1 that much more impressive than Kobe’s 25.1.

Once again the numbers bear out simply that Jordan is a better player. The only aspect of the game where Kobe is superior is in three point shooting which is completely offset by the fact that Jordan got to the free throw line much more frequently than Bryant has his entire career.

When Shaq left and the Lakers had Kobe as their star player they didn’t do much until they acquired Pau Gasol. Losing first round series up 3-1 to a depleted Phoenix team while deciding not to shoot in Game 7 isn’t my idea of the greatest player of all-time. Also the point being is you’re comparing Jordan’s career to Kobe’s and using some games he’s playing with a broken finger. If you don’t think Jordan ever played hurt or with injuries that would be foolish. Look no further than the game he played in 1997 NBA Finals with the flu and a stomach virus. Sufferring from cramps because of severe dehydration throughout the game and the series tied 2-2 Jordan scored 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

Kobe’s been the go-to player for the last 6 seasons and has averaged over 30 points a game once. Jordan averaged over 30 points a game 8 times in his career. You’re right it’s not just about scoring and when you compare the two, how much better Jordan is becomes even more apparent. Jordan averaged 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.35 steals per game. Those numbers for Kobe stand at 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals. Jordan has the highest playoff scoring average of all-time.

Once again playing in an era where the hand check was allowed and still shooting a better percentage than Kobe should tell you something about their respective abilities. There is a reason why perimeter plays dominate the NBA under the current rules and that scoring spiked upwards after the hand check was eliminated.

“There is so much stuff being called out on the perimeter,” Knicks coach Larry Brown says. “I can’t imagine what Michael would have gotten with the hand-check rules the way they’re calling it now.” This is exactly what Phil Jackson was thinking when he said Jordan would average 45 a game in today’s NBA

Like I said, it is well documented that Jordan was a better defensive player than Kobe. During the all-time most defensive era in the NBA’s history Jordan put up better number across the board than Kobe. Kobe’s great, but to insist that he is better and choose some ridiculous criteria to determine that like, “oh well he’s playing well with a broken finger in his hand” is ridiculous. That just denies the larger body of work throughout their careers that makes it clear Jordan was a better player in every aspect of the game.