Michael Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest player of all time, especially by the generation that was fortunate enough to be around to see him earn all of his many accomplishments.
Those a bit younger still mostly believe Jordan is the greatest, primarily because he’s become a mythical figure of sorts whose legacy can never be topped.
Brandon Jennings falls into the latter category, but he firmly believes that Kobe Bryant -- and not Jordan -- is the game’s all-time best.Micheal Jordan had more “Help” winning his rings then Kobe. #debate #yallfightingthat
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) August 19, 2014
Kobe Had Shaq. MJ had Pippen, Dennis, Ron Harper, Horace Grant, Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoc, John Paxson, B. J. Armstrong.
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) August 19, 2014
MJ never won without Pippen. Kobe won 2 rings without another great on his team. Kobe is The Goat
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) August 19, 2014
It’s only one player compared to MJ, and that’s Kobe. Now Kobe change the mindset of a lot of players today!!! #Fact #SitUpinClass
— BRANDON JENNINGS (@BrandonJennings) August 19, 2014
There’s more on Jennings’ timeline, but you get the idea.
It’s virtually impossible to make a case that any current player has had a greater career than Jordan, but Bryant comes the closest.
From a sheer perspective of counting up the achievements, Bryant is short on championships and MVP trophies. He did model his game after Jordan, however, and has a long history of dominating games single-handedly on the offensive end of the floor the way Jordan was so famous for doing in his prime.
The comparison makes sense to a point, especially due to the similarities in the two players’ games. But again, the legend of Jordan cannot and will not be topped, even if someone goes on to match or surpass his on-court accomplishments.