I read in another post comparing Jordan and Bryant. While Kobe is an outstanding player and probably Top 10-20 all time, the debate isn't even close in my opinion.
Maybe their games are somewhat similar. But Jordan's will was way stronger and his basketball IQ higher. Jordan never choked in the finals.
Jordan elevated a once pathetic franchise. Before Jordan got to the Bulls, they were considered one of the worst, if not the worst NBA franchise ever. I don't think anyone remembers how bad the Bulls used to be. And Jordan was surrounded by so many bad players it was almost criminal.
With guys like Dave Corzine and Sydney Green, Jordan led the once pathetic Bulls to the playoffs in his first year.
True, both Kobe and Michael needed a secondary All-Star to win titles. But Micheal won with a pathetic team. Kobe couldn't get pass the first round with average teams.
Kobe got spanked in several elimination games, often spending the 4th quarter on the bench since the games were decided by the 4th. Jordan never ever saw an elimination game in the finals nor ever lost a Championship Series.
When Jordan's teams were favored and expected to win, they did.
When Kobe's teams were favored and expected to win, they often lost. They put together a mini-dream team with Shaq, Malone, etc., in 2004 and they lost to an inferior talented team in the Pistons. They lost to the Celtics in 08, and they could lose to a borderline geriatric Celtics this year.
So while Kobe is a great player and one of the best of all time, I can't see how a comparison can even be made.