Michael Jordan thinks only Kobe Bryant deserves comparisons, but what about - Larry Bird

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Earlier this week, Micheal Jordan made waves for something that we have all been arguing and prognasticating about for years since his second retirement. The media, fans, non-fans, kids, friends, enemies and the like argued Grant Hill. They argued Vince Carter. They Argued Tracy McGrady. Dwyane Wade. Lebron James. On and on. But Micheal kept quiet on the comparisons, mostly because Micheal knows he's the best and doesn't need to, and because he is too competitive still to give anyone a chance to come close to his greatness. Yet, with his distance from who he was growing, a part of him felt that it was time to give HIS idea of his "Air" Apparent. And out it came. Kobe Bryant. Right there, it didn't end, but the consensus definitely was swayed and questions, ideas and doubts were quenched.

But, luckily for us fans and debaters, there is more than one NBA great to compare and contrast our current lot of players to until our faces turn blue.

Arguably, one is the greatest pure shooter, one is the greatest pure interior defender, one may be the greatest of all time, including Mike. But we'll leave that to debate of course.

I chose only players in the league Currently, that still start for their respective teams and/or are a major part of their teams scheme and ability to contend. To add to the fun, I broke it down into three categories:

Skills: A player that may not have the disposition or the numbers, but have the same talents and abilities as the great their compared to.

Stats: A player that has similar but not exact skill level and the numbers to boot.

Match:This player, may not be a perfect fit, but they match talent, ability, close on numbers and have a familar characteristic set to the NBA Great they are paired with.

Championships and MVP's are out, as those are more a product of the team than the individual.
With that said, lets get to the comparisons. And please when your done, reading, don't be afraid to disagree and comment harshly.


Larry Bird

Larry Bird is one of the best if not the best forwards of his era and of all time. He had a sweet J, could penetrate, dish it out and and play the glass. He was a big man but shot a big free throw percentage. He wasn't afraid to guard and play D and definitely felt the disrespect when guarded by another white player. No disrespect, but those were his words. He knew he was better than you, loved to carve you up, and filled up the box score every night. His motor seemed infinite, jumper too tall to block at his position and length troublesome for those he guarded, which he used to negate the speed game. Who's close?

Skills:

Kevin Durant
Measurables? Check. Elbow placement and scoring efficiency? Check. Does he want to see you wince every time one of his jumpers hits the bottom of the net? Double-Check. And his motor will let him enjoy every swish all game long. Like Bird, rather than his height be a hinderance to his ability to shoot it is a true advantage, allowing him to see the basket better and increase his percentager of getting off a clean shot, hence the efficiency. But, the length that he has to use in order to hinder his opponent on the defensive end really isn't used properly by the third year guard, and he has a ways to go to catch up to Mr. Bird. Add to that a court vision that is lacking and his want to share the rock is a work in progress.
Stats:

Dirk Nowitzki



Just like Larry, it would be a shame for the white player to try to challenge this German sharpshooter. And like the stats, say, he can fill up the box score just like him too. Other than a 3 assist disadvantage, Dirk puts in the same points, rebounds and percentages as the Hoosier, from the 3, in the circle an add the stripe. Measurables are there too but he won't ever be confused for a defensive player or a floor runner. 

Match:

Grant Hill

Go ahead, say it. Grant Hill? THAT Grant Hill for the Suns? Yes and no. Don't forget that when Grant Hill was make commercials and living the life as the next Jordan, he was the league premier player, behind Jordan. Sweet shot, could get to the hole, distribute at a point guard rate all while playing at 6-8 at the small forward position. He had the clutch tendencies, the all time motor, the great defense thanks to Coach K, and was a great teammate just like Larry. Had he had better heatlh and a team like Larry's, Grant might be challenging Kobe for MJ's honor.

Michael Jordan thinks only Kobe Bryant deserves comparisons, but what about - Magic?

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Earlier this week, Micheal Jordan made waves for something that we have all been arguing and prognasticating about for years since his second retirement. The media, fans, non-fans, kids, friends, enemies and the like argued Grant Hill. They argued Vince Carter. They Argued Tracy McGrady. Dwyane Wade. Lebron James. On and on. But Micheal kept quiet on the comparisons, mostly because Micheal knows he's the best and doesn't need to, and because he is too competitive still to give anyone a chance to come close to his greatness. Yet, with his distance from who he was growing, a part of him felt that it was time to give HIS idea of his "Air" Apparent. And out it came. Kobe Bryant. Right there, it didn't end, but the consensus definitely was swayed and questions, ideas and doubts were quenched.

But, luckily for us fans and debaters, there is more than one NBA great to compare and contrast our current lot of players to until our faces turn blue.

Arguably, one is the greatest pure shooter, one is the greatest pure interior defender, one may be the greatest of all time, including Mike. But we'll leave that to debate of course.

I chose only players in the league Currently, that still start for their respective teams and/or are a major part of their teams scheme and ability to contend. To add to the fun, I broke it down into three categories:

Skills: A player that may not have the disposition or the numbers, but have the same talents and abilities as the great their compared to.

Stats: A player that has similar but not exact skill level and the numbers to boot.

Match:This player, may not be a perfect fit, but they match talent, ability, close on numbers and have a familar characteristic set to the NBA Great they are paired with.

Championships and MVP's are out, as those are more a product of the team than the individual.
With that said, lets get to the comparisons. And please when your done, reading, don't be afraid to disagree and comment harshly.

Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson may have been from the Mid West but he was made to play in Hollywood. His larger than life size as the point guard position and off the court persona are still ever present to this day. He's articulate, 

intelligent, and it showed in his game on the court. He could thread the needle with the pass, break down defenders with the dribble, back down defenders with his size and run the floor like gazelle. But it was his one in a lifetime vision that really let his game shine. He seemed to see things that weren't there until they were and almost always seemed to be in the right position. And his versatility was cleared evident and on display when the Laker's center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went down with an injury and Magic played throughout the game at point guard, forward and center in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals and dropped 42 points, grabbed 15 boards and doled out 7 assist to clinch an NBA title. Arguably one of history's top 5 players.

Skills:

Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom, talent-wise, could have been a legend. at 6-10, he could play every position on the floor, exhibiting above average floor vision, an outside shooting touch, an interior scoring ability, transition play and great ability to play the glass and above the rim. This package wrapped up in a power forwards body should  have been a real treat to experience. He even has the off court likable nature the Magic naturally exudes. But  his personal hurdles, preference to play second fiddle and seemingly endless stream of tragedies marred a career that though full of accomplishments, lesser than what one might expect.

Stats and Match:

Lebron James
If Lebron were sure of who he was he might be the perfect match for the Magic Man but we will settle for almost perfect. Lebron was made to be Magic, the body, the athleticism, the vision, scoring and defense. He has the stats and he has the demeanor. He even shares the career moments that dulled other wise bright and shining careers, on and off the court. Even more so, like Magic, Lebron is becoming a larger than life character in our society and a mainstay in the minds of even the most reclined of sports fans. The talent and production exhibited by these two can only be matched by one other player. We'll get to him shortly. 

Michael Jordan thinks only Kobe Bryant deserves comparisons, but what about - John Stockton?

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Earlier this week, Micheal Jordan made waves for something that we have all been arguing and prognasticating about for years since his second retirement. The media, fans, non-fans, kids, friends, enemies and the like argued Grant Hill. They argued Vince Carter. They Argued Tracy McGrady. Dwyane Wade. Lebron James. On and on. But Micheal kept quiet on the comparisons, mostly because Micheal knows he's the best and doesn't need to, and because he is too competitive still to give anyone a chance to come close to his greatness. Yet, with his distance from who he was growing, a part of him felt that it was time to give HIS idea of his "Air" Apparent. And out it came. Kobe Bryant. Right there, it didn't end, but the consensus definitely was swayed and questions, ideas and doubts were quenched.

But, luckily for us fans and debaters, there is more than one NBA great to compare and contrast our current lot of players to until our faces turn blue.

Arguably, one is the greatest pure shooter, one is the greatest pure interior defender, one may be the greatest of all time, including Mike. But we'll leave that to debate of course.

I chose only players in the league Currently, that still start for their respective teams and/or are a major part of their teams scheme and ability to contend. To add to the fun, I broke it down into three categories:

Skills: A player that may not have the disposition or the numbers, but have the same talents and abilities as the great their compared to.

Stats: A player that has similar but not exact skill level and the numbers to boot.

Match:This player, may not be a perfect fit, but they match talent, ability, close on numbers and have a familar characteristic set to the NBA Great they are paired with.

Championships and MVP's are out, as those are more a product of the team than the individual.
With that said, lets get to the comparisons. And please when your done, reading, don't be afraid to disagree and comment harshly.

John Stockton

Not alot of behind the back passes. Or overhead. Or between the legs, or anything really extravagant. Not many jumpers or three's either, at least none that truly come to mind, mostly lay-ups and short stuff. But when that last minute ticked away. You now that as a teammate, you had the best point guard on the floor, as an opponent, you can't figure out how you let him beat you, and as spectator, you may be seeing something that is so amazing and so perfect that you might not see it again. He wasn't the fastest, biggest, strongest or imposing, but he always seem to come through and always seemed to control the game. His defense was textbook as was his ability to pass and if their is a picture of floor general in the dictionary, it probably has Stockton's picture next to it.

Skills:

Rajon Rondo

Rondo has the same skills and demeanor as John Stockton and is adding to those skills by the year, so this may be the last time Rondo is considered similar to the Jazz legend and not on par or better. As his scoring acumen increases he loses that parallel. But at the time as Rondo takes care of the ball, plays exemplary defense and dishes out assist like they're going out of style, John Stockton is good company to be in.

Stats:

Jason Kidd

From young to old we flip the switch on father time and look at the statisitics of Jason Kidd. The Dallas Mavericks guard himself is already a legend in the game and sometime soon will be a legend on a list like this. Like Stockton, Kidd is one to make the right play at the right time and limit turnovers, while shooting much less than his new age counterparts. His assist numbers are off the charts and, in his prime was a premier defender like Stockton. Even in his twilight his legend is secure and stats parallel to Stockton locked in place.

Match:

Ricky Rubio 

Like Stockton, Rubio can really flourish in the passing game and on the defensive end so easily that it can sometimes go unnoticed. He doesn't shoot alot like Stockton but is involved in much of the team's scoring. He shows a great ability and tact in these area's and seems to be a budding leader on the floor. And with his own personal Karl Malone in Kevin Love, the young first year point guard is drawing parallels to pure point guards of the games past. A nice change to the shoot first guards of this era. 

Michael Jordan thinks only Kobe Bryant deserves comparisons, but what about - Rick Barry?

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Earlier this week, Micheal Jordan made waves for something that we have all been arguing and prognasticating about for years since his second retirement. The media, fans, non-fans, kids, friends, enemies and the like argued Grant Hill. They argued Vince Carter. They Argued Tracy McGrady. Dwyane Wade. Lebron James. On and on. But Micheal kept quiet on the comparisons, mostly because Micheal knows he's the best and doesn't need to, and because he is too competitive still to give anyone a chance to come close to his greatness. Yet, with his distance from who he was growing, a part of him felt that it was time to give HIS idea of his "Air" Apparent. And out it came. Kobe Bryant. Right there, it didn't end, but the consensus definitely was swayed and questions, ideas and doubts were quenched.

But, luckily for us fans and debaters, there is more than one NBA great to compare and contrast our current lot of players to until our faces turn blue.

Arguably, one is the greatest pure shooter, one is the greatest pure interior defender, one may be the greatest of all time, including Mike. But we'll leave that to debate of course.

I chose only players in the league Currently, that still start for their respective teams and/or are a major part of their teams scheme and ability to contend. To add to the fun, I broke it down into three categories:

Skills: A player that may not have the disposition or the numbers, but have the same talents and abilities as the great their compared to.

Stats: A player that has similar but not exact skill level and the numbers to boot.

Match:This player, may not be a perfect fit, but they match talent, ability, close on numbers and have a familar characteristic set to the NBA Great they are paired with.

Championships and MVP's are out, as those are more a product of the team than the individual.
With that said, lets get to the comparisons. And please when your done, reading, don't be afraid to disagree and comment harshly.

Rick Barry

If there was ever a Jordan-esque scorer, with a Jordan-esque demeanor before Jordan was around, Rick Barry is that scorer.And I say scorer because the defense was not as tenacious as Jordan's. But the reason Barry is on this list and regarded as a top 50 player is because of his amazing offensive game and desire to bury his opponents night in night out. He had a hot head and was never afraid to let it burn if it meant that at of the end of the day he was on the winning side of the outcome. On the court, his pure deteremination outlasted opponents and was the sole reason for his ability to score at the clip he did, averaging 30 plus a season four times. Of the court, Barry single mindedness on winning bore a harsh exterior to an amazing player, seen more as a villain than anything else. But we know that under that exterior is the heart of lion and a competitor for the ages.

Skills:

Dirk Nowitzki

Score, score and score some more. It may not seem like he has the elite athleticism that most believe it takes  to succeed in the league but Nowitzki looks at that only as a reason to work hard at his craft than his athletically gifted counterparts. The result of endless hours working on jumpers, turnarounds, up and unders and any other move you seen? An MVP scoring talent that can go shot for shot with anyone in the league, because he wants it just a little bit more than you.

Stats:

Kobe Bryant

If anyone knows about being hated, whether for off the court gaffs or on the court flare and accomplishment, its Kobe Bryant. He is one of histories top scorers and will never be thought of anything but. The king of work ethic and extreme preparation matches up pretty nicely with the Elder Barry. Other than Barry;s free throw percentage advantage, Kobe has nearly identical numbers to Barry, including the four 30 point season averages. He may be MJ's choice for his closest comparison but statistically, on offense, Bryant mimics Rick Barry like no other.

Match:

Carmelo Anthony

The Melo man. Soft on the inside but hard as rock on the outside. He has a cool demeanor but can be as candid and agitating as Rick Barry was, and also as demanding as Barry was. His stats and skills are near exact and Carmelo even controversially changed teams just as Barry did in jumping to the NBA and the Warriors. The games are parallel, as both could play above the rim but are better known for their ability to use a nice jumper, great moves and any hole the defense gives them to rack up the points, game in game out. Grinders by nature and winners by desire, Anthony and Barry are aggressive attackers who relish the limelight and the victory more than most, to the point that nothing is more important. But even like Barry his extreme want to win can destroy a real image of a good person, but one who just can't bear to lose, or at the very least do anything it's takes to do so. Except play defense.