A few years ago, the Lakers coaching staff came to the conclusion that Bryant and Jordan are very similar, almost identical, when it comes to the qualities of a pack leader. Everyone agrees that Kobe and Michael are ruthless when deciding on a winner.
Even their gambling qualities are similar. Unless Michael has longer arms.
The biggest difference is student basketball experience. Jordan played in the Dean Smith system in North Carolina, because he was better prepared for the team concept.
Winter confirms that they are similar: “Both demonstrate amazing reaction, speed and jumping ability. Both have a good throwing feeling. Some people say that Kobe throws better, but Michael has progressed significantly throughout his career. I don’t know if Kobe is better in that sense compared to Michael at the peak of his career. "
Observers love to point out that Jordan played for the Chicago Bulls, who did not have a great center, but Winter always believed that Jordan was a great player in terms of back-to-back actions and in the best years he was the strongest in defeating under the shield for his time.
Bryant came to the NBA with a surprisingly good ability to “center”, but for him there was no such opportunity when Shaquille O'Neill occupied the three-second zone.
In many ways, Bryant and Jordan are equal in these qualities, with the exception, as Winter claims, of one important element.
“When Kobe is centered,” and it’s great for him, “he gets the ball almost at the three-second boundary, and the defenders force him to go to the flank. It was better for Michael to keep his position.”
Winter is worried that as a result of crowding out from under the ring
Bryant may be too keen on three-pointer, which he often has to perform under intense pressure.
Winter also agrees that Bryant regularly sacrifices aspects of the "triangular attack." But this is not the main claim from Tex. “I would like him to defend himself better,” Winter assures, adding that he recently stated his point of view to Kobe, but was not inspired with confidence that he would change his approach in this matter.
“You know Kobe,” says Winter with a grin. “He has his own game plan. I think he heard me. But he feels that there is a special way for his game. And he does not mean serious protection.”
Since the Lakers demand a lot from him in the attack, Bryant, according to Winter, uses an energy-saving defense plan. "Basically, he plays the" zone "for one player. He switches a lot, watches his sector and tries to intercept."
The way Kobe defends, hits the team, adds Winter. - Everyone who does not defend stably well fails the team. And not just Kobe. Our other defenders also often act at random and fail. Another problem is that we are not quite correctly acting against the "twos."
Winter never said who is better. But at this stage, this, perhaps, can be called a victory for Kobe Bryant. Winter is tough, honest and the best authority on this issue. If he believes that there is room for discussion, this already means a lot. Indeed, until recently, only the scorched Lakers fans seriously believed that Bryant could be placed next to Jordan.
Translation by Nikolai TSYNKEVICH