Jordan would average 45+ playing under today's rules. He could score at will. Kobe is unbelievably awesome but he's not at Jordan's level. And his defense is nowhere near what it used to be. He used to always put the clamps on Michael Redd. Did u notice Redd light him up for 45 the other night? Kobe's defense was always above average but people really underestimate the importance of having Shaq behind him. It freed him up to take a lot more risks on the perimeter because he knew if he got beaten, Shaq was back there to cover for him.
Last night's display was awesome by Kobe. Another in a career of awesome moments. But until I can see Kobe average 35 with 6-7 boards and 6-7 assists, until I can see Kobe go a couple of months averaging a near triple-double, until I can see Kobe lose his point guard and go off on a string of seven straight triple-doubles and 10 in 11 games, I can't put him at MJ's level. Looking back on that 1989 season and that stretch where Collins asked Jordan to play more point guard, he averaged 33.6 points, 10.8 boards, and 11.4 assists, while shooting 51% from the field. And he did it without one of Kobe's favorite weapons, the 3-pt shot. He only made two during the 11 games. For that season:
Jordan had 15 triple-doubles that season
Five more near misses (one board or assist short)
31 double figure rebound games (high of 14 done five times)
28 double figure assists games (high of 17)
First half of season-34.7 p, 8.2 r, 6.8 a.....three triple-doubles
Sec half of season-30.2 p, 7.9 r, 9.3 a.....12 triple-doubles
Kobe can score with the best of them under today's rules and nobody knows how Jordan would do with today's rules. But Jordan's ability to play the complete game is what sets him apart. Whatever is needed, that's what he could do. He could have led the league in rebounding or assists had he so desired. Kobe has all of the same skills just not the same amount of said skills. U know how many games Kobe had with double figure rebounds or assists last year? Two of each. He just doesn't measure up to MJ. If u want to find the closest to MJ, u have to look in Cleveland at LeBron James.
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The real horses of the year (1986-2020)
Manila, Java Gold, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Go for Wand, In Excess, Paseana, Kotashaan, Holy Bull, Cigar, Alphabet Soup, Formal Gold, Skip Away, Artax, Tiznow, Point Given, Azeri, Candy Ride, Smarty Jones, Ghostzapper, Invasor, Curlin, Zenyatta, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Havre de Grace, Wise Dan, Wise Dan, California Chrome, American Pharoah, Arrogate, Gun Runner, Accelerate, Maximum Security, Gamine
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