2015 Kobe... Better or worse than Wizards MJ?

[CavaliersFTW]

Wizards MJ put up 23 6 and 5 on .416 his first season back and 20 6 and 4 on .445 his final season. How will Kobe compare from here on out, still better? About the same? Worse?

Discuss

[Mure]

14/4/2 on 37%

[shrempf_on_rice]

Here's a thought. Why not wait til after the season before making an assessment?

2017 Kevin Durant... Better or worse than 2015 Kevin Durant?
2015 Lebron James ... Better or worse than 2014 Dwyane Wade?

Hmm... So many questions left unanswered

[CavaliersFTW]

Here's a thought. Why not wait til after the season before making an assessment?

2017 Kevin Durant... Better or worse than 2015 Kevin Durant?
2015 Lebron James ... Better or worse than 2014 Dwyane Wade?

Hmm... So many questions left unanswered

crystal balling is part of ISH culture, now answer the question

[shrempf_on_rice]

Although MJ was like 50 yrs old when he came back to the wizards he was a shell of the MJ that we knew. Although he never had a major injury he still had skills. Kobe still has more freedom with the Lakers we still dont know about his health so right now I say No not better.

[Yao Ming's Foot]

It will be hard to top the most inefficient volume shooter in modern NBA history.

[kennethgriffin]

wizards mj couldnt even make the playoffs in the eastern confrence ( 2002 and 2003 were actually the all time lowest point in eastern confrence history )

wizards mj also couldnt even make all nba 3rd team

and finally

wizards mj wasnt even popular enough to get voted an nba allstar



btw if anyone ever drops 45 on kobe without needing to play the second half. i personally will go to kobes house and tell him to retire

[DJ Leon Smith]

wizards mj couldnt even make the playoffs in the eastern confrence ( 2002 and 2003 were actually the all time lowest point in eastern confrence history )

Kobe couldn't make the playoffs at the age of 27 in a season where a team who had Vladimir Radmanovic as their third leading scorer had HCA in the West.

[kennethgriffin]

Kobe couldn't make the playoffs at the age of 27 in a season where a team who had Vladimir Radmanovic as their third leading scorer had HCA in the West.

oh please

2005 lakers had 10 new players out of the 12 guys from 2004

only kobe and devean george returned

plus kobe was hurt.

a healthy kobe a year later with minimal help made the playoffs

has anyone took a worse team to the playoffs in nba history?


smush parker = started 82 games
kwame brown = started 49 games
chris mihm = started 56 games
brian cook = started 46 games


nobody has taken a worse group of starters that far before. NOBODY

[DonDadda59]

Eh..

Lakers in 04-05 were 34-48.. missed the playoffs. Looks bad in Kobe's resume.

Bulls in 85-86 were 30-52 and make the playoffs. MJ is "God in disguise" while getting swept by the Celtics.

Jordan only played 18 games that season bruh. Broken leg was supposed to keep him out the entire year, including post season. He came back to drop 63 on arguably the GOAT team, prompting their best player to label him God is disguise.

Bean on the other hand, played 66 games in that 34 win season.

You don't see anyone blaming Bean's 13.8 PPG on 42.5% shooting last season for the Lakers 27-55 record do you?

[HylianNightmare]

Kobe

[OldSchoolBBall]

I know someone will point out that Kobe missed most of last season but... MJ had a few ~17 game seasons also.

Kobe 18 seasons in: 1245 games.. averages out to 69.2 games per season
Jordan 13 seasons (Bulls): 930 games.. averages out to 71.5 games per season


Playoffs:
Kobe 220 games
Jordan 179 games


I think the age difference (36 and 38) plays less of a role than the milage/wear and tear + injuries on the body.

Jordan was basically 39 in his first Wizards season (38 years and 9 months old to start the season through 39 years and 3 months old to end it; it's a 2 year and 6 months difference between them, not 2 years). And saying that wear and tear is "more important" than age isn't true really. Both matter, but it's not like you can neglect age in favor of wear and tear. I can tell that you're not above 32 years old yet. Every couple of years in your thirties DEFINITELY affects you physically.

[Cali Syndicate]

I know someone will point out that Kobe missed most of last season but... MJ had a few ~17 game seasons also.

Kobe 18 seasons in: 1245 games.. averages out to 69.2 games per season
Jordan 13 seasons (Bulls): 930 games.. averages out to 71.5 games per season


Playoffs:
Kobe 220 games
Jordan 179 games


I think the age difference (36 and 38) plays less of a role than the milage/wear and tear + injuries on the body.

Modern medical advancements and treatments allow Kobe to sustain the impacts of the game better than MJ did.

[j3lademaster]

btw if anyone ever drops 45 on kobe without needing to play the second half. i personally will go to kobes house and tell him to retire

To be fair, Kobe is the GOAT hot streak player. I'm sure a prime Kobe would do 2015 Kobe like that too.

[elementally morale]

He is younger. But played a lot more minutes. Was injured. Twice, lately. Was always a less effective shooter FG% wise.

I think Kobe is going to have his numbers skewed towards defensive rebounds and assists compared to his earlier self. Assuming he is healthy, 20 / 7 / 6 in 30 mpg on 43% shooting is something I can imagine.