Via Ramona Shelbourne of the Los Angeles Daily News:
Over the years, a lot of people have compared Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan. Today, as he was releasing his new Nike shoe, Jordan himself made the comparison:
“Will there be another Michael Jordan?” he was asked.
“That’s not for me to answer. That’s basically how the consumer responds to that individual. I’ve been blessed, obviously, and to say that someone else won’t be blessed down the road, I’m pretty sure they will. I just can’t pick that person out, unless it’s my kids, which they don’t have to, they’re already a Jordan. I can’t speak for LeBron, and I can’t speak for Kobe. They’re great athletes. I think they’re great people. I think they’ve got a long career ahead of them, but it’s up to them how they’re being received by the community and by the consumer. I’m just happy that I’ve been able to connect and maintain that.”
Maybe Jordan’s shoe release influenced his response, but I found it interesting that Jordan chose to focus on the marketing aspect of the comparison. Yes, MJ is the greatest champion of the modern era. But a good deal of his legacy is defined by his off-the-court persona. Jordan always presented himself corporately — appearing meticulously groomed and dressed to the nines in designer suits. There will be a player greater than Michael, but I don’t think anyone will match his consumer appeal. Bryant’s boat sailed long ago. James plays the part, but his interaction with the media — at times — appears rehearsed. Consumers aren’t dumb. They want honesty. Jordan had a combination of talent, and style of play that was original. His personality was 100% genuine.
LeBron’s domination of the Celtics inspired Bethlehem Shoals at Free Darko to compare Kobe and LeBron in the light of Jordan’s basketball immortality:
One thing’s for certain: As of right now, LeBron’s play casts Kobe in an entirely new light. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Kobe is mortal. He pushes himself, not the laws of what’s possible. His vocabulary is all that basketball has to offer, not the possibility of total transcendence and reinvention of those parameters. Don’t get me wrong, the Lakers’ finest remains larger-than-life, but it’s not the same as LeBron’s ability to make us rethink what might happen on the court.
And here’s where we return to Jordan. Was he mortal? If you look at his career arc, it seems to be that of a man who got more mortal as he matured into a champion. There’s a possibly depressing parable for you, and one that bodes well for Kobe’s continued relevence. However, I also wonder if James’s genius might be that he’s managed to buck that narrative. His ascent will require no such humility, or reining in of his messianic instinct (see also Dr. J, Black Jesus, for other examples of the usual trajectory). If anything, for LeBron James actualization only engenders more potential.
