Saturday, January 14, 2012

Jordan-esque or Kobe-listic?

It's Kobe-listic, man! It's authentic and original. And it's based on the idea that at some point in time, we're going to have to stop comparing would-be great basketball players to Michael Jordan. That might seem a pretty easy thing to do, because who can compare to the great Jordan, anyway?

So far, since Michael has left the game as a player, no one has come close to him as an on-court performer, other than Kobe Bryant. And what Kobe Bryant is doing this season, he might be obliterating the legend that is Michael Jordan, and introducing us to something greater than the term: Jordan-esque.

The use of the term Jordan-esque; it's used when one is trying to describe a modern day player that has an aspect of his game that resembles an aspect of the great Michael Jordan's game. Needless to say, the term isn't used that often. But, again, the only player that comes close to being Jordan-esque is Kobe Bryant.

But, Kobe Bryant, right now, is treading in a place that Jordan never went to. Jordan, in his career decline, in Washington, averaged 22.9 and 20.0 points to close out his playing days. That playing career totaled 15 years. Kobe Bryant, in his 16th season, is averaging 30 points, and is dropping in 40 points per night as if he was still in his prime. Since Jordan only played 15 seasons, Kobe's 16th season's accomplishments cannot be compared to Jordan, because Kobe is playing in a season Jordan never had, a 16th season. No, this is not Jordan-esque. This is something new all together.

This is Kobe-listic! Kobelistic operates in its own orbit. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone are two players who were still doing well in their 16th season, but what they did doesn't seem to compare to what Kobe Bryant is doing right now. I mean, in their 16th season, they weren't averaging 30 points per contest, and they weren't dropping 40 point games on opponents for three consecutive games. As it is said on the streets: 'nuff said on that subject.

In the future, when new dynamic players come into the league, and are compared to the all-time greats, the question will have to be this: is this player or that player, Jordanesque or Kobelistic?

It doesn't matter because both are great players, but Kobe is in a category all by himself, just as Jordan is. No more comparing Kobe to Michael.

Kobe Bryant has his own basketball identity. And for Kobe to be able to do that, in a era not too far removed from the Jordan era, well, that is a remarkable achievement in and of itself.

To bring my point of view to a close, and for the sake of comparison, let me say this: to use the term Jordan-esque, well, it's to conjure up images of basketball dominance by graceful means. To use the term Kobe-listic, well, it's to conjure up images of basketball dominance by forceful means.

In short: the grace that is Michael Jordan is Jordan-esque, and the power that is Kobe Bryant is Kobe-listic. Each unique, in their own dominate way.

mike t.

10 comments:

  1. i really appreciate the angle and reasons with which you brought thank you

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous,

      Thank you for visiting. And for taking the time to comment.

      The guy, Kobe, is mind boggling to say the least.

      mike t.

      Delete
  2. well mj was also 40 during the wizards time, so comparing # of seasons is not that fair. anyway im sure kobe will be here for a long time

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous,

      Thank you for commenting.

      I'm just saying that Kobe has forged a name for himself in terms of his basketball greatness. That's all.

      mike t.

      Delete
  3. What a crappy article!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Really good article! Really, don't mind the crap that doesn't understand what you're saying.

    Finally, what Kobe's been trying to do: forge a legendary identity for himself. :) not being compared only to other Legends.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael Barreiro,

      Thank you for visiting the site and for taking the time to comment.

      What Kobe is doing right now is nothing less than stunning. I mean just look at his draft year:

      1996 Draft Year

      Iverson, Camby, Marbury, Allen, Nash, and Jermaine O'Neal.

      Then the next year's draft:

      1997 Draft Year

      Duncan, Billups, and McGrady.

      1998 Draft Year

      Jamison, Carter, Nowitzki, and Pierce.

      1999 Draft Year

      Brand, Francis, B. Davis, Odom, R. Hamilton, Marion, Terry, and Artest.

      I mean, look at all those names and who is doing what Kobe is doing? Nowitzki is operating at a high level. But the rest? Everyone else is slowing down seriously or is broken down. But, Bryant...is still on the top of all these players.

      That is amazing! That is a category that is all by himself: Kobelistic!

      As for negative comment. I don't let that get me down. It's just someone who doesn't understand basketball.

      Again, thanks for visiting.

      mike t.

      Delete
  5. This post is retarded. Kobe is only 33 in his 16th season. In his last season, Jordan was 40. Jordan has better stats than Kobe at every age. There's a reason nobody says "Kobe-esque". Kobe is no Jordan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,

      Just like injuries to players. They happen and no one makes excuses. Jordan was out there on the court when he was 40? Too bad! He still didn't play a 16th season.

      "There's a reason nobody says "Kobe-esque"."

      Kobe-esque...first, it just doesn't sound right.

      That why the great Kobe Bryant gets a whole new term to himself.

      Kobe-listic!

      Thanks for commenting!

      mike t.

      Delete

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