I ended part one of this article by referencing how comparisons have to be linked in order to be considered relevant. Let’s start with Kobe Bean Bryant. Granted, he’s probably the closest thing we’ve seen to a Michael Jordan clone. From his killer instincts on the court down to his cocky demeanor, Bryant had exhibited all the traits that come along with being called the “next” Jordan. He has five championships, 2 Olympic gold medals, a league MVP, dunk contest championship, two Finals MVP trophies, 15 All-Star appearances, 2 Scoring Titles, and 4 All-Star game MVP awards. Pretty impressive stat line for a guy who hasn’t yet reached his 35th birthday.
There’s only one problem that comes along with being compared to the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time). How do you perform when the stakes are at its highest pennacle? When the lights are shining their brightest and all the marbles are up for grabs, what do you leave on the table? Kobe and Lebron both have championship pedigree but, they also have one more thing in common when it comes to performing in the NBA Finals. Both of these phenomenal talents have come up empty more than once! That’s right! I’m using the NBA Finals as a measuring stick and why would I do such a thing? After all, what part of the season counts in any major sport? When do you cement your legacy as one of if not the greatest in your profession? The post season. Kobe Bryant has appeared in seven NBA Finals.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
If you’re doing the math it tells you that he has come up empty twice. Lebron James has appeared in three NBA Finals and has come up empty twice as well. Now when it comes to the NBA Finals, Jordan has appeared in six championships and is UNDEFEATED! Not only is he undefeated in six finals appearances, he was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) all six times, and he played alongside one of the fifty greatest players of all time (Scottie Pippen). If you want to argue stats, I can go toe to toe with you on that one as well. Ten consecutive scoring titles, five regular season MVP awards, six Finals MVPs, two Olympic gold medals, three All-Star MVPs, fourteen time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, three time steals champion, nine time all defensive first team, and he owns the only double three peat.
For those of you who are in the dark on this one, that means winning the championship for three consecutive years on two separate occasions. So when you guys begin to make comparisons or are looking for the next Michael Jeffrey Jordan, please refer to my two part article for a great source of reference or some sort of sanity.
