Future ESPN 30 for 30--Kobe Bryant--an appreciation

What if I told you a 17 year old kid from Italy, via Philadelphia would change an NBA franchise and spark a debate for years to come?  Ok, I had to start off like that!  Seriously, 17 year old Kobe Bean Bryant decides to go from high school to the pro's; gets drafted 8th by the Charlotte Hornets then traded to the LA Lakers draft day for Vlade Divac and thus began a history making career that will end with countless comparisons to Michael Jeffery Jordan--revered as THE greatest NBA player ever...or is it just me?

Let's compare (stats are through 4/2/2013)

Name (championships)	Seasons	GP	GS	PTS	ASST	REB
M Jordan (6)	15	1264	1264	32292	5633	6672
K Bryant (5)	16	1234	1086	31457	5853	6544
Difference (1)	1	30	178	835	-220	128

Jordan played 3 years at UNC before going to the NBA.  He "retired" for a season, came back and won three more NBA championships before retiring again.  He then came back for 2 more forgettable years with the Wizards.  In total Jordan played 15 seasons was a starter since being drafted.  Jordan completed his career in 2nd place in all time scoring.  Since retirement he has dropped to 3rd (behind Karl Malone and Kareem).  Jordan holds 6 scoring titles.

Kobe came to the Lakers in 1995-96 seasons.  He played in 71/82 games that year, starting in only 6.  Following year he played in 79 games and started 1.  It wasn't until the strike shortened season of 1998-99 that Kobe became a full time starter. Kobe didn't become the Lakers first option until 2005-06 seasons (Shaq traded to Miami).   Kobe holds 1 scoring title. Kobe will finish his 16th season in 4th place all time on the scoring list.  At this point he trails Jordan by 835 points to move into 3rd all time with 1 more year on his contract.

I'm a big Kobe fan, but NO ONE has ever matched Jordan competitive mentality--his killer instinct.  Jordan admitted in a recent article he created a rivalry with his own brother convincing himself that his father favored his brother (Larry) more than him. This drove him to compete and dominate on the highest levels throughout his career.  Kobe is close--but I would say he's still #2 in competitive nature.  Kobe has played through numerous injuries such as broken fingers, damaged knees, back problems, sprained ankles to name a few.  He, just like Jordan wants/demands the ball when it's clutch time.  He (like Jordan) was known for delivering in the clutch as well.  Jordan would dominate on defense as well as on offense which is the difference in the two.  Kobe has always been a very good defender, but his gift to the game has been his offense.  His uncanny ability to create his own shot when there doesn't seem to be one.  He's been labeled as selfish and a ball hog, but when you're 4th in the NBA in scoring all time that comes with the territory.  Jordan/Kobe have both been described as "hard to play with" by some team mates but both have also been described as "driven" by the same.

Last night Shaquille O'Neal got his jersey retired from the Lakers (rightfully so).  Shaq and Kobe's feud was much publicized.  Both (one retired and the other on the door step) reflect back on their feud and admit they wished they were able to work things out for the betterment of their careers.  If they were, we could be talking about Shaq catching the great Bill Russell with 11 rings and Kobe would have likely surpassed Jordan's 6 at this point in his career.  Instead Kobe offers this explanation to why it didn't work out.

     "Me and Shaq are two alpha-males. We both are dominant and need to be the dominant presence on our teams.  We would eventually have to part even if it was on good terms.  It would be like Jordan (Michael) playing alongside Wilt (Chamberlain) during their careers.  Eventually they would have to part ways."

TRUE.  Kobe has been vilified in the media.  He's earned some of it.  Some of it not so much. Jordan was/is beloved.  To suggest someone in this lifetime would be close to the icon that is Jordan is uneasy for some.  That gets manifested in different ways.  it's easy to pick apart someone's flaws--especially someone you don't like.  What's difficult is to respect those accomplishments w/o bias for what they are.  Jordan was compared to NBA legend Julius "Dr J" Erving early in his career.  Sacrilegious for those of us who loved watching the Dr work.  Over time though we came to appreciate Jordan for what he was.  Kobe's career isn't over with yet.  He may/may not catch Jordan in scoring/championships.  EVERYONE who knows anything about Kobe knows that's his mark. He chooses the best at his position to emulate.  Love him or hate him, whether it's 5 rings, 6 rings or more Kobe is still in the conversation as one of the greatest to play the game of all time.  We may never see another one like Jordan, but I would venture to say we'll also never see another one like Kobe Bean Bryant either!