By Kobe Bryant 's third NBA championship in 2002, fans were already comparing him to Michael Jordan night and day. After the departure of three-time NBA Finals MVP Shaquille O'Neal, there was an even bigger spotlight on KB, with critics waiting to find out if he could muster any success without the 2000 league MVP.
By 2007, Bryant was still at the top of his game, but his very limited supporting cast buried his chances to compete for titles. Fans used this to tear down the Lakers legend, and most said he'd never win again. However, then-ESPN analyst Jemele Hill had gone out on a limb—not to say that he was the best in the game—but to say that he was the best ever.
"Kobe Bryant is better than Michael Jordan. Not more successful. Hasn't had a bigger economic impact. Hasn't won more MVPs. Hasn't won more titles. But he's a better player. Kobe can do everything Michael did and even a few things Michael couldn't do. Kobe is just as good a defender. His killer instinct is just as pronounced. He can shoot, finish, and explode. And just like Jordan, the more he's pissed off, the more unstoppable he is," Hill wrote on ESPN.com.
At the time, the guard was on an unbelievable tear. In the month of March, Kobe strung together four straight games with at least 50 points — a feat no other player has accomplished in league history. No. 24 did all he could to try to drag what was an otherwise lottery team without him.
For the month, Bryant averaged 40.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 45.9% shooting overall and 37.2% from the 3-point line. The Black Mamba had many breathtaking performances, but none better than his 65-point outburst against Portland to erase an ugly Lakers losing streak.
Was Kobe undervalued because of his personality?
No. 24 was his own man. As Bryant tried his hardest to look, sound, and act like MJ, his obsession with the Bulls legend sometimes pushed his personality over the edge — something most people disliked about him. He wasn't as open to the media as LeBron James or Magic Johnson. KB didn't walk around with a smile like those two and certainly didn't laugh or giggle like O'Neal.
"Kobe will never be forgiven for Shaq's departure, but you're delusional if you think Jordan wouldn't have had any ego issues playing alongside a player with Shaq's star power," she said.
"The best-player argument shouldn't be determined by personal dislike. But if you want to take it there, fine. Jordan was hardly the ideal husband, but only the tabloids were brave enough to venture into his personal life. And what about those gambling issues? If Jordan's life had been covered like Kobe's, we would have an entirely different opinion of His Airness," Hill added.
The Black Mamba faced crushing scrutiny after O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat. Many were convinced that he was the reason behind the superstar duo's ugly divorce. Critics reined louder on the superstar guard as the Lakers struggled even to make it back to the postseason.
Related: The Lakers' team bus would always leave Kobe Bryant behind because he waited to talk to MJ after every game: "We were always one head short with Kobe"
Most skilled ever?
Of the many current and retired NBA players who choose Bryant as their "G.O.A.T," there is one thing they often point to: skill. They call the 6-foot-6 guard the most 'skilled' player of all time because of his ability to shoot pure midrange jumpers with an incredible degree of difficulty. Coupled with his pretty footwork and the breathtaking athleticism Kobe had in his younger years, his supporters passionately argue for his title as the best ever.
"I think [Michael Jordan] is the greatest of all-time, but I think Kobe is more skilled than any player that's ever played that I've seen," says retired NBA guard Chauncy Billups. "I think Kobe's more skilled than anybody."
"The most skilled player that I've ever seen is Kobe," Tracy McGrady said on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast. "[...] Kobe took what [Michael Jordan] was but enhanced the skillset. He had a better handle. [Jordan] didn't shoot 3's like that...Skill-wise? I mean, the moves, the footwork — he had it all.
Bryant's position in NBA pop culture is well-defined because of his enchanting playstyle. His shot-making is something today's players try to model. His footwork is what today's players are trying to emulate. Jordan may have set the bar, LeBron may have set the standard — but Kobe set the blueprint.
Related: "LeBron's putting up numbers that only Oscar has matched" - When Chris Broussard projected in 2007 that James would be better than Kobe
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