"Kobe is more skilled than Jordan"

[eliteballer]

He is more skilled. Jordan never did these:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-tXvMriU0Y&t=0m21s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-tXvMriU0Y&t=4m53s

Phil said in his book Kobe is more physically flexible, so that probably has some to do with it.


and by virtue of his superior dribbling and range hes much more dynamic shooting off the dribble.

[OldSchoolBBall]

He is more skilled. Jordan never did these:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-tXvMriU0Y&t=0m21s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo8XY-bNcPs#t=37m09s

Your second play, while nice, isn't anything great. Jordan had literally dozens of layups better than that one.

And even if your premise was correct, "flexibility" does not equal skill.

[eliteballer]

That pass you posted isn't remotely comparable to the Kobe one. Kobe jumps in the air and doesn't turn his body...

and no, Jordan doesn't have dozens of layups better than that. Kobe jumps from one side of the rim to the other while turning his whole body AND keeping shooting form while dodging a defender in the air.

[moe94]

and no, Jordan doesn't have dozens of layups better than that. Kobe jumps from one side of the rim to the other while turning his whole body AND keeping shooting form while dodging a defender in the air.

You're acting as if it's better than this.

[Black and White]

Kobe is my favourite player, but the only thing he is better than Jordan at is shooting, Kobe has more range, footwork is another factor that is comparable, but Jordan had great post play and footwork too, the rest, Jordan has more skill.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Kobe is my favourite player, but the only thing he is better than Jordan at is shooting, Kobe has more range, footwork is another factor that is comparable, but Jordan had great post play and footwork too, the rest, Jordan has more skill.

Exactly. Better ISO, "And 1" era handles. Not that MJ wasn't a great, or creative ball handler himself. He had a street style in his day too.

In 2002, and 2003 he even adopted new era dribble mechanics.

Handle, and Kobe's ability to shoot off the dribble are it in terms of being more skillful than Jordan. And possibly the long ball.

He's not more skillful. He doesn't have better footwork. He's comparable. Put in the work in the gym to have similar skills to Jordan. But anyone saying otherwise that he's better is speaking out their ass.

Kobe has a more wiry frame, smaller shoulders. MJ had superior strength, broad shoulders and hands. Also Kobe was athletic, but Jordan is at the pinnacle of the mountain when it comes to athleticism. He was quicker, faster, more durable, higher leaper etc.

[tmacattack33]

You'd also have to tell us what age MJ and what age Kobe you are talking about here.

1998 MJ had developed different skills than 1988 MJ.

[Micku]

and by virtue of his superior dribbling and range hes much more dynamic shooting off the dribble.

I can see that! I can see an argument being made about that. I notice you didn't say better or more efficient.

But to counter that, couldn't you argue that Jordan created more space with the least amount of movement than Kobe so there was no need for MJ to do more? Jordan would take something like one or two dribbles to create enough space for him to take a shot. Kobe size up players and take several dribbles before creating enough space.

While both players could adapt well to the defense, wouldn't the most skillful player off the dribble be the one that use the least amount of movement to create the space and hit the shot with a higher %? But you can argue it was due to the quickness Jordan had that Kobe lacked.

[D.J.]

In terms of actual basketball skills, they're on par with one another. Maybe with Kobe at a minimal advantage. But MJ is a much more superior athlete and his ball IQ is light years ahead. Kobe lasted as long as he did because of his fundamentals. Not that he's not a great athlete without a great ball IQ, but athleticism and ball IQ are two aspects that IMO only two people even match Jordan(Magic and Bird).