Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (Credits: Getty Images)

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant are three of the greatest players to have ever played in the NBA. These three legends of the game have been compared endlessly, each having an impressive list of achievements. Often regarded as the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan weighed in on the Kobe-LeBron debate in 2013, sharing insights that continue to spark discussions to date.

Jordan acknowledged LeBron James’s dominance in the game but highlighted Kobe Bryant’s unmatched will to win. He pointed out Bryant’s extreme commitment, noting his willingness to guard point guards at age 34 and play long minutes. Jordan labeled this as a battle, similar to a “curse.”

“In terms of dominance of the game of basketball at this stage, it’s LeBron. Championship-wise, it’s Kobe Bryant. He wants it so bad, he’s willing to go to the extreme. Guarding a guy, guarding the point guards at age 34, and playing 38 minutes, 40 minutes — that’s ludicrous. I think this is what he’s battling with. It is what it is. He’s cursed as much as I am.” – Jordan stated.

When asked to choose between Kobe and LeBron, Jordan’s decision was based on championship count – Kobe’s five to LeBron’s one at that time. “If you had to pick between the two, that would be a tough choice but five beats one.”

However, things have changed since Jordan’s 2013 statement. LeBron James added three more championships, making his total to four. Due to this change, Jordan and LeBron are now more commonly mentioned in the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate.

Three reasons why Kobe Bryant is better than LeBron James

The debate between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James involves various parts of their basketball careers. Here are three reasons for favoring Kobe Bryant over LeBron James.

Complete Player: Kobe Bryant’s game was highlighted by its versatility. Unlike LeBron’s dominant style, Kobe showed a more versatile range of skills on the court. He was an outstanding offensive player, a better finisher, and a better defender. His anticipation and instincts, which improved under Phil Jackson’s triangle offense, set him apart.

Competitive spirit: Kobe’s career is filled with legendary performances, often under challenging conditions. He played while dealing with injuries, for example, in the 2000 finals where he played with an injured ankle. This quality in Kobe’s legacy is something that is less noticeable in LeBron’s career.

Defensive Skills: Defense is an important factor of championship-winning teams, and here, Kobe Bryant again surpasses LeBron James. While LeBron has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team six times, Kobe was named to this team twelve times. His defensive skills were crucial in breaking up opponents’ plays and starting counterattacks, showing his ability to impact the game at any stage.