The search for the 'Next Jordan' started when Jordan left the game and is still going on to this day. Recently, Jordan himself stated that Kobe Bryant is the only player that deserves that comparison. For many Kobe fans who have tried to put Bryant in the same sentence with Michael Jordan, that was the ultimate vindication. But, let's settle down. The comparisons to Michael Jordan and even the 'Next Jordan' label are unfair to place on anyone and I would argue that it has us blinded to just how great Michael Jordan really was.
1. Point totals: Michael Jordan finished his NBA career with 32,292 career points in 15 NBA seasons (including the two years with the Wizards). Kobe is currently in his 16th season. He finished last year with 27,868 points and after 18 games this year, Kobe's total is 28,417. That total is still 3,875 behind Jordan and at his current rate, Kobe would need another full season to approach passing Jordan's total. Jordan averaged 30.1 points per game throughout his career, while Kobe has averaged 25.3 points per game throughout his. Kobe's best scoring season came in 2005-06 when his averaged 35.4 points per game, while Jordan's best scoring season came in 1986-87 when his averaged 37.1 points per game.
2. Shooting percentage: This is a common misconception in my book. Many people have said that Kobe was a better shooter than Michael Jordan was, especially from long-range. Take a closer look at the shooting percentages. Michael Jordan finished his career with a 49.7% field goal percentage. He shot over 50% from the field six times in his 15 seasons. Kobe is a career 45.4% shooter and has not shot over 50% at all during his career. Kobe's career-best percentage was 46.9% in 2001-02. Jordan shot a higher percentage than that mark in 10 of his 15 seasons in the NBA. When you look at three-point percentage, Bryant has an edge, shooting 33.7% throughout his career. However, that edge is not by a huge margin - Jordan finished his career at 32.7%.
3. Additional statistics: I think this is also where you see a difference in the two player's games. Michael Jordan averaged 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game throughout his career. On the defensive end, he averaged 2.35 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He is better than Bryant in all of those categories. Kobe has averaged 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game throughout his career.
4. At their best: When you look at the two players best statistical seasons, Jordan continues to stand above Kobe. Bryant's best statistical season thus far throughout his career has been the 2005-06 season. During that season he averaged 35.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. He shot 45.0% from the field, 34.7% from three-point range, and 85.0% from the free throw line. Michael Jordan's best statistical season had to be his 1988-89 season. He averaged 32.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. He also shot 53.8% from the field, 27.6% from three-point range, and 85.0% from the free throw line. Jordan is one of only three players to have averaged over 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game in a season along with Oscar Robertson and LeBron James.
5. In the playoffs: Throughout his playoff career, Jordan averaged 33.4 points per game, better than his 30.1 regular season average. Bryant's numbers stay relatively the same at 25.4 points per game in the playoffs. Jordan's 33.4 average is the best all-time in the NBA playoffs. Jordan reached the NBA Finals six times with the Chicago Bulls, won six NBA championships, and six NBA Finals MVP awards. His 33.6 points per game average in the Finals is second in NBA history behind only Rick Barry. Bryant has reached the NBA Finals seven times with the Lakers, won five NBA championships, and two NBA Finals MVP awards. Kobe has averaged 25.1 points per game in the Finals also.
6. Other notes: Over the past three seasons Kobe and the Lakers have lost three playoff games by 30 or more points, including last year's 122-86 loss in Game 4 of a series sweep by the Mavericks. Can you imagine a Jordan-led Bulls' team experiencing the same humiliation? Let's also not forget the 2006 playoffs, when in Game 7 versus the Phoenix Suns.Kobe and the Lakers were down at halftime by 15 points and instead of leading a furious combat, Kobe appeared disinterested and took only three shots in the second half. The Suns won that game 121-90 to advance to the second round of the playoffs. That performance seemed eerily familiar to some fourth quarter performances that many analysts criticized in last year's NBA Finals.
Ultimately, numbers are numbers and opinions are opinions. While Kobe may exhibit some of the same competitiveness and determination of Michael Jordan, he is not Jordan. It is unfair for anyone, even Jordan himself, to place that comparison or the 'Next Jordan' title on Bryant. It would be more worthwhile recognizing that Jordan is probably the greatest to ever play the game and that Bryant is one of the best players during the post-Jordan era.
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