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NBA

Jordan: 'In My Prime, No Contest' Against Kobe

Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:51AM By Tom Ziller (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Bulls, Lakers, NBA Fans, NBA Videos

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Via You Been Blinded, we have some slightly uncomfortable video from a recent camp Michael Jordan put on. During a Q&A with a bunch of kids, some enterprising mini-baller asks MJ if Kobe could beat him. Here's MJ's answer.

The immediate thought is that he's going for a reaction with the 'no contest' comment. But then he justifies it by explaining how Kobe couldn't stop him. He's dead serious. (And probably right.)

The rest of the 5-minute clip strikes me as really weird -- hundreds of pre-teens sitting Indian-style, watching a 45-year-old casually drain jumpers in an array of workout ensembles. Yeah, if I were 12 again, I'd be as rapt with attention as those kids. And I would have wet myself see those two dunks near the end of the video up close and personal.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

8-03-2008 @ 11:55AM

Sanjeev said...

MJ > Kobe (considering both are in their prime). MJ has been more productive in producing championships - lacking a second superstar - Pippen was a major role player, not another superstar. Kobe is yet to prove (although this year he's getting close) he will win with role players.

8-01-2008 @ 12:01AM

hootie_69 said...

Scotties Resume

7x NBA All-Star (1990, 1992-1997)
3x All-NBA First Team Selection (1994-1996)
2x All-NBA Second Team Selection (1992, 1997)
2x All-NBA Third Team Selection (1993, 1998)
8x NBA All-Defensive First Team Selection (1992-1999)
2x NBA All-Defensive Second Team Selection (1991, 2000)
1x NBA All-Star Game MVP (1994)
NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

Holds NBA Records for:

* Assists by a forward, career (6,135)
* Steals by a forward, career (2,307)
* Steals, Playoffs, career (395)

That was my extended method of saying shut up.

7-31-2008 @ 12:38PM

dave said...

Wow! That is some incredible, controversial video. You've done it again, Ziller!

Of course Kobe can't hold a candle to MJ in his prime. Anyone who thinks differently is delusional.

7-31-2008 @ 2:48PM

Josh said...

I agree that MJ in his prime was superior to Kobe, but saying Pippen what not a superstar is just straight foolish.

7-31-2008 @ 6:53PM

jovon said...

Truer words have never been spoken. Kobe may be the best player now, but kobe couldn't carry mj's jock strap when he was in his prime.

8-23-2008 @ 1:57AM

SR said...

"Probably right"? This blog has now officially hit rock bottom. Guess what, everyone? Jordan was "probably" better than Kobe! Ooooh, the depth of semi-pro insights that elude the common man.

7-31-2008 @ 9:14PM

Ms. Smitty said...

If I had to choose, I would pick MJ. Hellooooo, these are 2 different generations, it would be a close one. I just love Kobe, but I would have to go with MJ.

7-31-2008 @ 9:59PM

Xavier said...

Although I'm a fan of both, I'd have to say'MJ' simply had that 'it' factor that Kobe is yet to attain.

Also, I have to agree with 'Sanjeev,' Pippen was not a superstar, just a very good role player. Personally, I don't think he should have been on th 50 greatest players list at all.

8-01-2008 @ 10:27AM

Rich C. said...

That 50 "greatest" ALL TIME was quite ridiculous. Scottie Pippen was a great role player along side MJ. PERIOD! W/O
Jordan he would have been as average as he was post-MJ.
How can a player be on any "greatest" list when his career
is only half over?

7-31-2008 @ 11:15PM

wayne germany said...

Micael Jordan in his prime was unstoppable, Kobe is an offensive force but he would not be able to guard jordan in his prime. Jordan however was an exceptional defensive player as well! The edge goes to MJ

8-01-2008 @ 2:48AM

lh 4 ten said...

seen them both and kobe is better. mj not only had sidekicks with him, he ruled...if kobe wanted his way he's booed. mj they let him do whatever shined his star. mj made the shots. nobody can deny that. kobe had to get shaq permission and when that was done shaq lovers hated kobe.

8-01-2008 @ 5:15PM

DL said...

And what has Kobe done without Shaq? NOTHING!!! No comparison. Kobe should not even be mentioned in a sentence w/ M.J.'s name. Kobe is great, but M.J. was the BEST!!!

8-01-2008 @ 2:50AM

boba ganoush said...

Kobe is clearly superior to MJ in almost every way.
To think otherwise is delusional. Wake up MJ.

8-01-2008 @ 3:51AM

travis milne said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhCR72IfEqg

better video...clearer and better sound quality.

8-01-2008 @ 3:50AM

dchosen1 said...

this is for boba...you must be a young guy or girl. Kobe is superior to MJ? You must be on crack. You see back then people "ACTUALLY" played defense, yeah do you know anything about that? Probably not. These players now a days yes they are good offensively, but defensively no. Only some. MJ in his prime would kill Kobe, has Kobe ever won defensive player of the year? No, and I love Kobe but to say MJ is inferior to Kobe? Is like saying your momma is a man. and for sanjeed..sorry to dissapoint you but, Scottie is more than a role player homie.

8-01-2008 @ 11:37AM

Rich C. said...

Not only was Scottie just a roll player, he wasn't a very good one after his Bull career. Ask anyone in Houston. He was one of 50 greatest for HALF OF HIS CAREER. Thast doesn't cut it.

8-01-2008 @ 4:54AM

Cecil Jones said...

Without a doubt, Jordan would rule Kobe and it doesn't have to be in Jordan's prime. Kobe has the heart of a champion, but if his shot isn't falling he lacks hustle and drive. Michael Jordan willed his team to win. I remember that game in Cleveland where he pumped his fist in the air after that game winning shot. Athletes of this caliber don't come along very often, but when they do they deserve our highest respect. No disrespect to Kobe, but he's not a Michael Jordan and Jordan can't play baseball or golf.

8-01-2008 @ 5:43AM

steve said...

geesh aol.
micheal vrs kobie... comes down to ball handling.
Edge to Micheal.
but can anyone say DAVID THOMPSON.
No only was he part in exiting the great UCLA, Was part of only team to go undefeated the year before. Ncaa violations.
Even with bumb knee, Was head shoulders above rest.

8-01-2008 @ 6:20AM

AL said...

MJ IS MJ... THERE WON'T BE ANOTHER MJ OR EVEN CLOSE TO HIM... I HATE MJ CAUSE I'M A KNICKS FAN BUT HIS TALLENT WILL COMPARE WITH NO ONE....... REMEMBER THESE DAY NBA DON'T PLAY DEFENSE ON ANYONE ANYMORE, SO, USE YOUR IMAGINATION IF MJ WAS IN HIS PRIME WITH ANYONE PLAYING DEFENSE ON HIM.... COMMON NBA SHOULD ALLOW THE HANDCHECK AND LET THEM PLAY DEFENSE AGAIN... NOW THE GAME IS KIND BORING

8-01-2008 @ 7:08AM

chuggy said...

MJ is arguably the greatest player ever dribbled a basketball.. I think Kobe is (arguably) the best player right now.. But to be considered equal or more than MJ in terms of being a basketball player is just ridiculous.. well, im not saying that he can NEVER be compared equal or better than MJ.. who knows, kobe still has about 10 years to accomplish what MJ had done in his career.

-4 more MVP
-1 more Defensive Player of the Year
-6 more Finals MVP
-3 more NBA champion trophies
-a killer instinct
-and whole lot of a heart..

to boba ganoush and lh for ten, remember when the lakers had karl malone and gary payton but still couldn't win it all?.. remember last season's finals?.. remember what happened in game 6?..where's kobe's defensive player of the year award?.. did i mention that MJ won MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season?.. kobe had his way since shaq left, do you mind counting how many championship has he won since then?..

im not hating kobe. in fact, im fan (grabbing hyperdunks soon!.. =P). but it's just ridiculous when i hear people say kobe is better than MJ. kobe has yet to get there.. not even close.