Before the NBA Finals started this year ESPN did a Sunday Conversation with the league MVP, Kobe Bryant. Stephen A. Smith, a talented writer and analyst when he is not trying to chew off the faces of the sports anchors around him, was in the middle of giving Kobe his ego boost that everyone this season has done. Then Stephen A. broke the cardinal rule. He asked Kobe if he thought he was better than His Airness, Michael Jordan. While we give props to Kobe for avoiding the question like Courtney Love at an awards show, it doesn’t change the fact that question is out there. It’s like your partner saying “Do you love me?” You have to answer yes or no, and the fate of the near future rests on your answer. So I decided to take it upon myself to answer the question. For the Talkhoops.net jury’s approval, I bring you the case of Jordan vs. Kobe.

For the opening argument I would like to applaud Kobe Bryant on his MVP award this season, an award he won in one of the most hotly contested races since Barack vs. Hillary or David vs. David on American Idol. He helped to take a Lakers team with Lamar “The Ghost” Odom and Ronny “I was on Gonzaga before it wasn’t cool to like Gonzaga anymore” Turiaf all the way to the NBA Finals. Quite an accomplishment, Kobes. Having said that Mr. Bryant is about as close to taking Michael Jordan’s crown as the greatest player ever as M. Night Shyamalan is to making another good film. Not close at all.

I would like to state that as a child I was about as big a fan of Michael Jordan as anyone I knew. My wall was plastered with magazine clips of his airness, I wore his shoes with the hope that I could fly, and I had a different Bulls or Nike shirt with his Airness striking a pose for every day of the week. This fashion trend came to an end only when I realized that girls weren’t interested in seeing MJ on my chest as much as I was.

The NBA seasons from 1991 to 1998 were magical to me, largely because I am from Houston, so even when MJ took a break to battle the Mendoza Line as a Birmingham Baron I still got to see the Rockets beat up on the Knicks and Magic. (To this day I would say the two title runs of the Rockets represent some of the most exciting in NBA history)
But any true hoops fan will tell you that the two rings Houston won have an asterisk next to them, and there is one reason. Michael was away. True, he did come back for half a season, falling to Lil Penny, Ho Grant, and Shaq. But that was before Michael shook the rust off. Number 45 Michael, not the real Michael. And while we saw miracle runs from Hakeem and friends, the infamous O.J. Simpson chase, and a young Shaq begin his lifelong journey to a 50% free throw percentage, the fact is we all waited. Like Metropolis waiting for a miracle as Zod pounded the city into oblivion, we waited for Michael to come back. And when he did there was no stopping him. The 1996 Bulls went off for a record 72-10 season that was far easier than it looked. He then won another two titles after that, and in his second return damn near got a Wizards team with Jerry Stackhouse to the playoffs, perhaps his greatest achievement. I kid.

The evidence I will show will leave no doubt in your mind as to who is the greatest. And by the end of the session all I ask is that you call me Adam-us Finch.

Exhibit A- The Stats
Very rarely can you put numbers side by side and give an adequate comparison between two players. The George Mikan versus Shaq comparisons are a bit difficult, though who can hate on any player who wore Chuck Taylors on the court? Luckily for us, MJ and the Black Mamba both played the same position and were in eras so close together that it is realistic to do this. So here’s a quick rundown of the awards and stats that the two players have. (Stats used from NBA.Com)

Awards
Michael Jordan*
Six-time NBA champion (1991-93, 1996-98); NBA MVP (1988, '91, '92, '96, '98); 10-time All-NBA First Team (1987-93, 1996-98); All-NBA Second Team (1985); Defensive Player of the Year (1988); Nine-time All-Defensive First Team (1988-93, 1996-98); Rookie of the Year (1985); 14-time All-Star; All-Star MVP (1988, '96, '98); One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996); Two-time Olympic gold medalist (1984, '92) NBA Finals MVP (1991-1993, 1996-1998)
* Not all awards are listed for Jordan

Kobe Bryant
Three-time NBA champion (2000, 2001, 2002); NBA Most Valuable Player (2008) 2-time scoring champion (2006, 2007); 10-time NBA All-Star (1998, 2000-2008) 2-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007); 10-time All-NBA Selection:First Team: (2002-2004, 2006-2008), Second Team (2000, 2001); Third Team: (1999, 2005); 8-time All-Defensive Selection: First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006-2008) Second Team (2001, 2002); NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997); NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion: 1997
When you look at that many awards stacked against one another it may be hard to see any clear cut winner. But here are some awards that stand out. MJ has 5 NBA MVPs to Kobe’s 1. In the era that Jordan played in with the likes of Magic and Larry that is an incredible feat. Not to mention Karl Malone stole an MVP from him in the 97-98 season.

Also, Jordan won 10 scoring titles to Kobe’s 2. Try to wrap your head around what kind of dominance that is.

The deciding factor in the awards though comes in both titles and Finals MVPs. Kobe may have won 3 titles, but the fact is he has never stood out on in the Finals as the best player, the 2008 Finals included. Jordan was the MVP in EVERY Finals he went to. Also, Jordan has won 2 olympic medals, both as a pro and an amateur. Combine this with a title in college and you have the definition of success, that is if winning rings is what you’re into. (Granted, Kobe skipped college, but if you are going to include the accomplishments of Kobe in the years he should have been in college, then you should include the ones where MJ was)

The tale of the tape also goes to Jordan in terms of the career stats before their 30th birthdays. Keep in mind that Kobe came straight out of high school, so that gives him two extra seasons on Jordan.
Bryant: 20,883 Pts (24.8Ppg), 4418 Reb(5.3), Ast 3867 (4.6)
Jordan: 21,541 Pts (32.3Ppg), 4219 Reb(6.3), Ast 3539 (5.9)

His Airness clearly wins in all the three main categories, particularly in scoring where he leads by nearly 8 points per game. If sports are defined as a numbers game then it looks like Jordan is out front so far.

Exhibit B: Competition Level
Many experts judge athletes by who they played against in their era. If you want to be the best you must beat the best. Michael Jordan played in the Golden Era of Basketball. But let’s take a closer look at the teams that Jordan had to face in his career versus those Bryant has faced, the focus being on teams they faced in playoff runs.

Jordan- Larry Bird’s Celtics, Magic’s Lakers, Clyde Drexler’s Blazers, Isiah’s Pistons, Patrick Ewing’s Knicks, Karl Malone & John Stockton’s Jazz, Barkley’s Suns, Gary Payton’s Sonics, and Shaq & Anfernee’s Magic.

Bryant- Tim Duncan’s Spurs, Jason Kidd’s Nets, Chauncey Billups’ Pistons, Steve Nash’s Suns, Reggie Miller’s Pacers, Rasheed Wallace’s Trailblazers, Iverson’s 76ers, The Big 3’s Celtics.

No offense to the talent of those that Bryant faced so far in his career but the names of those Jordan went up against have the ring of greatness. Jordan played the best, and not only did he play them, he beat them.

Exhibit C- Off the Court Issues
Just like the NBA likes to gloss over anything that happens to their stars, we also don’t like to bring up anything that leaves a mark on the NBA’s greatest. But if we are going to bring justice to the fans then we have to present all the evidence of the two players on trial.

Jordan in the 1993 playoffs created a buzz with off the court gambling problems, an issue that some say was the reason he left the game for a season and a half, with David Stern giving a hush hush suspension. He also was involved in a legal battle with a former lover whom he had paid money to keep their relationship a secret. While Jordan may be a stud off the court, the fact is that he had a few slip ups once the arena lights went down.

Kobe also is no stranger to off the court incidents. We all know of Bryant’s affair with a hotel employee, an event that led to rape charges that were eventually dismissed. But Kobe also made headlines last off-season when he proceeded to rip teammate Andrew Bynum apart in an obscenity laced conversation with fans at a mall. Some might say this is an on court issue but I would disagree. Being stupid enough to let a fan tape a conversation that can hurt the team qualifies in this discussion.

While Jordan is guilty of making mistakes like Bryant, we can clearly see that he was at least smart enough to not shoot himself in the foot to the degree Kobe did.

Exhibit D- Memorable Moments
Close your eyes for a moment. Now think of all the classic shots of Jordan you can. There’s “The Shot” versus Craig Ehlo and the Cavs, his shot from the baseline at Carolina, his dunk on Patrick Ewing where we saw giants fall, his “How am I doing this” stare at Marv Albert in the 92 Finals against the Blazers, the gravity defying dunk from the free throw line versus ‘Nique in the Slam Dunk Contest, Pippen embracing him when he had the flu in the 97’ Finals, MJ on the floor crying after winning the title in honor of his dad’s death, and yes, his game winning shot versus the Jazz in 98.

Now name me 5 moments that truly stand out with Kobe Bryant. And no, ones where he sits next to his wife at a press conference do not count. Advantage, Jordan.

Exhibit E- Marketability
This one doesn’t even deserve an argument. In terms of endorsement deals and who’s name means more the answer is Jordan, hands down. Michael MADE basketball shoes cool to wear. Before the Air Jordans took off it was cool to wear Keds and Kappas for crying out loud. Compare that to the Kobes, which I saw my cousin wear once and nearly laughed him off the court because they looked like moon boots.

Gatorade, McDonalds, Wheaties, Ball Park Franks, Hanes, Nike. All of these companies have Michael to thank for helping to bring them into the spotlight, particularly Gatorade and Nike. The “Like Mike”, Larry Bird vs. MJ Horse competition, and Mars Blackmon commercials are some of the best of all time. And what is even more amazing is that Jordan continues to be an important name brand half a decade AFTER he retired. Can we say the same will be the case for Kobe? I doubt it. Name me ANYTHING that Kobe sponsors that reminds you of Kobe. Trojan condoms don’t count, Kobe haters. Besides, we can’t prove that he endorses those, no matter what his accuser says.

Exhibit F- Value to the League
It may be easy to forget what Michael meant to this league and the basketball world, largely because we are living in a society of disposable stars. We fire coaches like Flip Saunders even after he leads the Pistons continuously to the Conference Finals, we give nicknames to players like Sasha Vujacic after Game 3 of the NBA Finals (the Machine) and then give him new ones after a horrid defensive effort in Game 4 (The Usher). But the fact remains that Michael Jordan is hands down the most important figure that ever graced an NBA court. The league was blessed to have the trifecta of Magic, MJ, and Larry all play in the same period, but neither of the other two helped the game move into the homes of fans. Michael made us want to watch the Slam Dunk Contest. His clutch play and killer instinct kept ratings up, and his two returns from retirement were saving graces at the time when the NBA was suffering from a large lack of high profile players. Plus, and you can ask David Stern this, no player has helped promote the league more in terms of being a fan friendly product than Jordan.

Kobe, on the other hand, is about as socially unadjusted as any player in the league. Lamar Odom once said he had to play good cop to Kobe’s bad cop. If you want to argue about who is the most positive face of the Lakers franchise in history there is no way you can make the case of Kobe versus Kareem, Shaq or Magic. He might rank as fan friendly as Kurt Rambis in Lakerland.

Then there is this fact that puts the issue to rest: Michael Jordan was the face of the NBA throughout his career. Kobe isn’t even the face of the league in his single MVP season, that honor would go to Lebron and Kevin Garnett at the moment.

To close, we have shown you stats, we have gone off the court, and even made a Kurt Rambis reference, which should win us at least one jury vote. But we have one last bit of evidence that will put this case to bed.

Exhibit G- Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals
Call it Exhibit G stands for Gonad, in terms of Kobe’s inability to close out this game. Or G stands for Gods smiling down on anyone who dared to make the MJ-Kobe comparison. Whatever it stands for, Game 4 shows that MJ has the most defining characteristic that separates the two, a killer instinct. Can you honestly tell me Jordan would have let a 24 point lead slip away DOWN 2 GAMES TO 1? This was the defining moment of this series. It may be unfair but players are defined by how they play on the biggest stage. Kobe came up short this time. In 6 NBA Finals appearances, one NCAA title game, and 2 Olympics Jordan was perfect. Kobe wanted the chance to fly solo and have a chance at the throne. But just like Icarus when he flew to the Sun, Kobe found that his wings weren’t quite so strong and he came up a bit short. Fitting he would fall to a man known simply as Air Jordan.

Case closed.