Reggie Miller is the latest to weigh-in on the MJ vs. Kobe debate, and he says it is not even a competition.
Miller joined “The Dan Patrick Show” for his weekly Tuesday visit and was asked which player was tougher to guard. Miller played from 1987-2005 and faced both players, so he gave his answer based on his experience.
“Michael Jordan on his worst day is 10 times better than Kobe Bryant on his best day,” Miller told Patrick. “And that is not hat’s not short-changing Kobe at all, because he gave me my lunch pail, too. But I will take (Jordan) all day, any day over Kobe. Michael Jordan on his worst day I will take over Kobe Bryant on his best day.”
Though Reggie believes Jordan is the better player, he still praised Kobe for passing the six-time champ on the all-time scoring list.
“Truly a special career,” Miller said of Kobe’s accomplishment. “Everyone wants to say, ‘Hey, it only took Michael 15 years and it took Kobe 18 or 19’ … I don’t care. What I care about is the work in the lab.
“That is a heck of a lot of points and that is a heck of a lot of longevity and a lot of miles and a lot of tread on all those tires by Kobe Bryant. Congratulations. To pass your idol and a guy that’s won six rings, six Finals MVPs and Kobe Bryant with five rings and two MVPs in the Finals. (They are) two of the best to ever do it. Congratulations.”
Miller might also be more partial to Jordan because the two were from the same era, whereas Kobe came along later, but Reggie was a shooting guard who had to face and defend both. If you can’t trust his word, then whose can you trust?
Also remember that even though Jordan was more accomplished than Kobe, he said he was not sure how he would fare against the lifetime Laker in a game of 1-on-1.
