For Argument’s Sake

This is a special feature I will be running quite regularly on this blog. I love ESPN’s P.T.I. (Pardon the Interruption) because of Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. I love the way they banter back and forth, arguing their points on certain sports matters. And since I love it so much, I thought I’d try to bring a little bit of that spunk to this blog.

Here’s how it will go. I’ll raise a topic, argue my side and you can voice your opinions in the “comments” section below. I’m looking for a decent argument here, not pot shots or negativity. Use your wit and have fun with it!

(I am going to include a poll in the side bar, so we can see what the overall consensus is percentage wise)

Is Kobe Bryant the Michael Jordan of our era?

My argument is this: you can’t compare them because they are two different players of incredible talent.

For some reason, sports analysts like to compare the great players of today to the great players of old. It makes for great radio and television discussions, but in reality it’s a bit ridiculous. What’s even more ridiculous is trying to dub anyone from today’s NBA pool of talent as the “next Michael Jordan.” There isn’t going to be a “next” because Jordan was one of a kind. Nobody will ever play like he played, with his style, his grace and his amazing abilities.

There will be other talented players with other jaw-dropping moves and shots and incredible abilities, but they will not be that of Jordan’s.

Kobe is amazing in his own right. To compare him, or Dwayne Wade, or Lebron James for that matter, to Jordan isn’t fair. It takes away from their unique talent. Let Kobe be Kobe. Let him make his own outstanding shots, let him drive the lane with his own gracefulness and let him hit his own last second shot at the buzzer to win the game. Let him be a star in his own right. And down the road, when a new crop of NBA talent comes up, let the “next Kobe Bryant” mumbo jumbo fall to the wayside.

There will never be another Michael Jordan, just as there will never be another Kobe Bryant. But — there will always be another great player.