Jordan: I’d Take Kobe Over LeBron

Jordan takes Kobe over LeBron, saying the battle of his heir apparents comes down to who has more rings.

The basketball legend Michael Jordan was asked by friend and interviewer, Ahmad Rashad, who he would take between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. As someone who won six championship rings himself, Jordan opted to take the more proven winner.

“If you had to pick between the two, that would be a tough choice,” Jordan told program host Ahmad Rashad via the Sun-Sentinel, “but five beats one every time I look at it.”

The battle of who would be the successor to Jordan, with many expecting Kobe to follow in his legacy. But though Kobe has won five championships, one shy of Jordan, the comparisons have been difficult. Because of the impact he had beyond the game — as the first true superstar of any sport, the first to have a “brand” outside the game — Jordan can never truly be matched.

LeBron seemed to acknowledge that Michael Jordan bears no comparisons.

“It’s no comparison to him,” LeBron said Thursday. “I think people always try to figure out ways or want to compare someone to someone. But, you know, Mike is Mike, and I’m LeBron and I’m trying to make my own name, make my own statement.”

As CBS Sports points out, Michael Jordan might not be the best source in the Kobe or LeBron debate:

“As a talent evaluater, Michael Jordan doesn’t exactly have the same sterling reputation he earned as a player. He famously selected Kwame Brown No. 1 overall with the Wizards and, as the owner of the Bobcats, he fielded a roster that put up the worst winning percentage in NBA history.”

Jordan said taking Kobe over LeBron might not be his final answer however.

“And not that he won’t get five,” Jordan said of LeBron. “He may get more than that, but five is bigger than one.”

So Michael Jordan picks Kobe over LeBron. What do you think?