[Chiron]

It's hard to say because it depends on how one defines "best". I think Jordan was the most versatile scorer ever and possibly the most athletic basketball player. He was a fantastic all-around player. So is Kobe but I think Jordan was a bit better. I'd put Magic and Bird up there as well. Though not as prolific scorers, they were greater than Jordan and Kobe in other areas (passing, rebounding, etc.) that made them just as valuable to their teams.

Between Jordan and Kobe I would definitely pick Jordan. Not because of the # of rings because that whole "greatness is measured in championships" saying is a load of crap held to too closely by those who believe sports cliches. I'd pick Jordan for a couple reasons.

First, Jordan seemed better at making his teammates play better. There has been quite a bit of talk of Jordan pushing his teammates and I don't hear as much of this sort of thing about Kobe. Jordan was definitely a better team leader than Kobe.

Second, I think Jordan was a bit better in the clutch. Obviously Jordan, Kobe, Magic and Bird were all great in the clutch, but between Jordan and Kobe I think Jordan was a hair better.

Third, statistically Jordan is better than Kobe in almost every stat. Over the course of their careers their averages were...

Jordan:
30.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.4 spg, 0.8 bpg, 2.73 TOs, 49.7% FG%, 32.7 3P%, 83.5 FT%.

Bryant:
25 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.5 spg, 0.5 bpg, 2.94 TOs, 45.3% FG%, 34% 3P%, 83.9% FT%.

Whether taken over the course of the game, or on a per minute basis Jordan holds the advantage in almost every stat. The only stats Kobe has an edge in are 3-point shooting % and free throw % but he is only slightly better in both of those. The fact that the first few years of Kobe's career he was still learning and didn't play as much and the last few years of Jordan's career after his comeback his stats declined makes the comparison of their careers at this point pretty fair. So Jordan was a little better at scoring, shooting accuracy from everywhere but the 3-point line, setting up teammates to score, stealing, blocking, rebounding and preventing turnovers...statistically Jordan is without question superior.

Both are great players but when you add all that up I think it's pretty easy to see that Jordan is a clear choice over Kobe. There really isn't much of a comparison...and I say all of this as a Lakers fan.