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[QUOTE=DMAVS41]Why would you think worse?[/QUOTE]
Because 2008 Bryant was at or close to his peak as a player, he had the skill, IQ, and he was still a great athlete. 1996 Jordan still had his smart, but athleticism had dipped.
Seeing how Boston was able to contain Bryant, I think they would have had an easier time with an older and slower Jordan.
Now if we are talking about 88-93 Jordan, he eats Boston up alive.
[QUOTE=catch24]Peak Bryant is from 06-08 (some argue 06-07), not 08-10...[/QUOTE]
I am talking about 2008 Bryant, not 2009 or 2010.
[QUOTE=game3524]Because the 2008 Celtics are one of the greatest defensive teams of the modern era. This isn't 1990 MJ we are talking about, this 96 and older and slower, and easier player to defend.
MJ most likely puts up similar stats as Kobe did in 2008 Finals or worse.[/QUOTE]
No MJ doesn't put up the stats Kobe does, because he doesn't play like Kobe.
While they do have stylistic resemblances MJ's execution and decision making are different.
Let us go back and revisit the games.
Kobe was 'chucking' let us saying it again... CHUCKING.
And the Sonics' defense was on par if not better than the Celtics' defense. Kobe fans love to make a huge fuss about the legendary Celtics defense, but it was Kobe not playing smart. The opportunities and gaps were there, and at times he exploited them, but as I've stated repeatedly in all of my Kobe posts, it comes down to 'consistency' with Kobe. His consistency (or lack thereof) at making the proper decisions.
[QUOTE=guy]LOL, other then athlete, NO. Not like he's far off, but he wasn't better at any of that.[/QUOTE]
2008 Bryant was a better defender then 96-98 Jordan, hell 2008 may have been Bryant best defensive year since the 3-peat Lakers. And offensively they are about equal, but I give 2008 Kobe the edge since he was a better athlete then 1996-98 Jordan.
[QUOTE=andgar923]No MJ doesn't put up the stats Kobe does, because he doesn't play like Kobe.
While they do have stylistic resemblances MJ's execution and decision making are different.
Let us go back and revisit the games.
Kobe was 'chucking' let us saying it again... CHUCKING.
[B]And the Sonics' defense was on par if not better than the Celtics' defense. [/B]Kobe fans love to make a huge fuss about the legendary Celtics defense, but it was Kobe not playing smart. The opportunities and gaps were there, and at times he exploited them, but as I've stated repeatedly in all of my Kobe posts, it comes down to 'consistency' with Kobe. His consistency (or lack thereof) at making the proper decisions.[/QUOTE]
That is a load of crap, the Celtics defense was better then the 96 Sonics defense. The 2008 Celtics may be a top 10 defensive team of all-time, their set, rotations, and communication were just insane. 1996 Sonics were great, but Boston was on a different level.
[QUOTE=game3524]Because 2008 Bryant was at or close to his peak as a player, he had the skill, IQ, and he was still a great athlete. 1996 Jordan still had his smart, but athleticism had dipped.
Seeing how Boston was able to contain Bryant, I think they would have had an easier time with an older and slower Jordan.
Now if we are talking about 88-93 Jordan, he eats Boston up alive.[/QUOTE]
I think you under estimate 96 MJ....he was on a mission to that year. Maybe more than any other to prove himself again. That is where the 72 wins came from. Kerr talked about it. He said there were like 8 to 10 games the Bulls had just no business winning and that MJ just elevated his game and wouldn't let them lose.
I don't care what version of MJ it is, the idea of Ray Allen and Posey slowing MJ down like they did Kobe doesn't fly for me.
There would be no doubt who the best player on the court was in the Finals if MJ was playing. With Kobe? Not so much. That is the difference.
[QUOTE=game3524]2008 Bryant was a better defender then 96-98 Jordan, hell 2008 may have been Bryant best defensive year since the 3-peat Lakers. And offensively they are about equal, but I give 2008 Kobe the edge since he was a better athlete then 1996-98 Jordan.[/QUOTE]
2008 Bryant was a better athlete than Jordan? :wtf:
good lord please stop.
[QUOTE=DRose1899]Tony Allen is :violin:
INB4 Payton >>>>>>>>> Allen, ofc goddammit but let not like act they have no answer for MJ. 32-34 yo MJ will spend lot of gas vs posey, Allen, Pierce rotating to guard him.
Btw I'm just saying MJ isn't god that will hit every shot especially against legendary defensive 08' celtics.[/QUOTE]
Did Tony Allen even play in the 08 finals? I can't remember him doing anything of impact at all.
Prime Kobe isn't much better than Wizards Jordan. Mike put up 22.9/5.7/5.2/1.4 at 39 and 20.0/6.1/3.8/1.5 at 40.
[QUOTE=cteach111]2008 Bryant was a better athlete than Jordan? :wtf:
good lord please stop.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, he was a better athlete then 96-98 Jordan, not peak Jordan which was 88-93.
[QUOTE=DMAVS41]I think you under estimate 96 MJ....he was on a mission to that year. Maybe more than any other to prove himself again. That is where the 72 wins came from. Kerr talked about it. He said there were like 8 to 10 games the Bulls had just no business winning and that MJ just elevated his game and wouldn't let them lose.
I don't care what version of MJ it is, the idea of Ray Allen and Posey slowing MJ down like they did Kobe doesn't fly for me.
There would be no doubt who the best player on the court was in the Finals if MJ was playing. With Kobe? Not so much. That is the difference.[/QUOTE]
No, your just overrating 1996 Jordan, the Celtics would have contained just as well as they did Bryant, maybe even more so.
[QUOTE=game3524]I am talking about 2008 Bryant, not 2009 or 2010.[/QUOTE]
You don't think Jordan feasts on those poor defenses Kobe went through during the playoffs? Utah, Denver? Jordan would average 30/5/5 on flawless efficiency too. Jordan vs Ginobili? Come on.
2003 Jordan schooled Pierce and Posey during his tenure with the Wizards at 40 f'ing years old. You honestly believe a smarter and more athletic version of Kobe would give up a 20 point lead at home in the Finals? Does any version of MJ during the second 3-peat get trounced by 30+ in an elimination game?
Get real.
[QUOTE=game3524]That is a load of crap, the Celtics defense was better then the 96 Sonics defense. The 2008 Celtics may be a top 10 defensive team of all-time, their set, rotations, and communication were just insane. 1996 Sonics were great, but Boston was on a different level.[/QUOTE]
Overall I agree. However, the perimeter defense of the Sonics was better. Trust me, going against Payton/McMillan/Hawkins was very difficult.
There is a reason why the Sonics had such a great defense even though they really didn't have a very good defensive front line.
That team was great on defense on the perimeter. And that is exactly where MJ and Kobe play.
[QUOTE=catch24]2003 Jordan schooled Pierce and Posey during his tenure with the Wizards at 40 f'ing years old. You honestly believe a smarter and more athletic version of Kobe would give up a 20 point lead at home in the Finals? Does any version of MJ during the second 3-peat get trounced by 30+ in an elimination game?
Get real.[/QUOTE]
Don't forget Richard Jefferson. Jordan lit up the Nets for 45 on New Year's Eve 2001 and 43 in February 2003. The latter being on Jefferson.
[QUOTE=game3524]No, your just overrating 1996 Jordan, the Celtics would have contained just as well as they did Bryant, maybe even more so.[/QUOTE]
Nah, you are just over-rating the shit out of 08 Kobe. Plain and simple.