Kobe Bryant is nicknamed as “The Black Mamba.” Why? Because whenever Kobe attacks the basket, his strike is deadly. Kobe debuted in the NBA in 1996. He is associated with the world’s deadliest snake because of his aggressive way of playing that gave him five NBA championships, one season MVP award, two finals MVP awards and an 81-point game, which is the second highest points ever scored in a single game (Wilt Chamberlain had the most who scored one hundred points in 1962). On the other hand, Michael Jordan is nicknamed as “Air Jordan.” How come? He is named after his smooth, high flying shots/dunks and supreme versatility in basketball that contributed to his six championships, five seasons MVP awards, six finals MVP awards and a 64-point …show more content…
game (the 11th highest score of all time). Michael debuted in the NBA in 1985 and is considered the greatest basketball player of all time ever since. Although Michael had already retired in 2003, Kobe is currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 36. All in all, both players entered the NBA with a higher set of skills, loved by the media and the fans around the world, and had remarkable playing careers. Kobe Bryant is considered as one of the NBA’s greatest basketball players in history along with the legendary, Michael Jordan. Although, there is no question that Michael Jordan is indeed the greatest. To even be in the conversation with Michael Jordan is an accomplishment any NBA player would be glad with. However, Kobe Bryant isn’t just any NBA player. Now the whole world is left to boggle with the question, “Who’s next after Jordan? Who’s the successor? Is Kobe even near Jordan’s level?” And these questions became one of the most debated issues today not just in the basketball community, but also the whole world, where the sport of basketball influenced many people’s lives. Why do people unendingly critique Kobe Bryant’s capacity and compare it to be on the same level as Michael Jordan even though they played in different eras? To most NBA fans and people alike, especially this generation, Kobe is actually on the same level as Michael. Kobe is seen as an idolized figure of this era. Like other famous athlete, Kobe and Michael also faced different controversies in their lives that spread around the world. One reason why Kobe is repeatedly compared to Michael is due to their consistency in maintaining their careers in spite of the controversies surrounding them. For example, in the cognitive scientist George Lakoff’s book, The Political Mind, in an excerpt “Anna Nicole on the Brain”, he looks at the brain where ideals, values and morals exist; also, how people form different types of “narratives” in their minds to build memories such as jumping or cleaning, and then people fit other different information into those narratives, which is mainly applied to people’s lives. Lakoff argues that people’s views are created due to different frames that provide us with a foundation for our thinking. For instance, people’s obsession of Anna Nicole Smith is tremendous. Smith fulfilled conflicting cultural narratives like the rags-to-riches, the depressing troubled narrative, etc. In short, Smith captivated the people by understanding her life and she was scandalous since people put her in different frameworks/narratives; through these she succeeded in her dreams (29-32). The most significant lesson of framing is that we do it unconsciously; therefore, it affects our thinking more than we realize. So in regards to both Kobe and Michael’s achievements in basketball, most people would fit them into the “Troubled Life” and the “Reinvention of Self” narrative in which they both failed in some part of their life but it motivated them to learn, grow and become more successful in their careers. Michael Jordan had a gambling addiction; he was occasionally seen gambling in several casinos a night before an NBA game. On the other hand, Kobe Bryant had a different type of controversy; he was arrested in 2003 due to a sexual assault complained by a hotel employee in which Bryant denied the rape charges; it resulted in the Kobe’s lost of endorsements and sponsorships. Kobe later on apologized publicly for the incident, and a civil lawsuit settled the opposing sides. As a public figure, people would want their ideal person to be seen as a person of goodwill. Even though Kobe and Michael’s controversies (troubles) made a huge declining effect on their reputation until it reached the moment when some of their sponsors stripped them off; although, it didn’t hinder them from achieving more achievements and championships in the NBA. Kobe changed his number from 8 to 24, which was also strategic to put his past on his rearview mirror. So instead of people putting them into different frameworks/narratives based on their lifestyles, their NBA awards/achievements overshadowed their personal issues. They both went through something terrible, but after they both overcame their troubles, they succeeded. Overall, these are just some narratives out of the hundreds in which people defined them; the extraordinary value of change and courage kept people and fans debating why Kobe is in the same level as Michael Jordan. I believe that because of these cultural narratives that they had, it contributed a lot to the argument about Kobe being the next Michael Jordan. The media and the fans alike viewed Kobe and Michael’s life in a single frame based on their downfalls as well as accomplishments. Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan both have a very identical style of playing basketball. The media plays a big role in influencing people’s minds. Today, the power of the media is relentless; with modern technological advances, the media more strongly manipulate people around the world in why people should compare Michael and Kobe. Second reason why people think Kobe is the next “MJ” is because of how media present their identical playing styles. For instance, in the novelist Susan Sontag’s book, On Photography, she explores that photographs reveals truth and evidences. Sontag examines the idea that photographs are also about collecting pieces of the world. Photographs possess, generates knowledge, power. Overall, for her, photography is the representation of the world. According to Sontag, “Photographs furnish evidence. … A photograph passes for incontrovertible proof that a given thing happened. …a photograph seems to have a more innocent, and therefore more accurate” (5-6). A photograph is the event where people become witnesses by participating without having to be a part of it. Photography turns a moment into an event since an event is worth photographing; from the event, this turns into immortalized evidence through pictures and records and then they are fed up to the public. It forces people to compare Michael Jordan to other NBA stars like Vince Carter because they are both highflying dunkers or to Allen Iverson because they are both excellent playmakers, the media fed up our minds augmenting that Kobe’s the most legitimate candidate to be in Jordan’s level, not just because he only has one more NBA championship to equalize his career, but also their playing style almost make them look like they came from the same gene. They influence us on how we should compare Kobe to Michael instead of different NBA players. Only through the essential uses of moving cameras and pictures, the media holds it sole powers to produce witnesses and hold real records of Kobe and Michael’s similar basketball moves. As the result of the media’s hard proofs, this is where the debates, conversations and issues arise among the people. To apply this concept to both Kobe and Michael’s careers, they are both easily compared due to their performances, strategies and gameplays. In a remarkable video from Youtube made by an editor named Youssef Hannoun created the video “Kobe Bryant vs Michael Jordan - Identical Plays: The Last Dance (Part III).” It displays the short video compilations of how impressive MJ and Kobe were on the court and how, in some cases, history literally repeated itself when Kobe made most of the same moves MJ had pulled off years before him, hence, lead to more comparisons between Kobe and Michael. From the fade-away shot, to the backward slam-dunk to the tongues out to the biting of the jersey, you’ll certainly feel some goose bumps. These media evidences help to further push Kobe’s status within Michael’s realms with more accuracy. It shows how powerful the media is through controlling people’s thinking. With these, people and die-hard fans continue the heated and sizzling deliberation that Kobe is indeed the “next Jordan.” In the NBA, in order for a player to be great, people and fans tend to look at their resumes.
People seem to have a deep restlessness about the fact that society can never accept equality of greatness. Lastly, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan had the same attitude that highlighted their NBA achievements. For example, in the renowned sports website Bleacher Report, NBA columnist Zach Buckley critiqued an article, Michael Jordan Says He Influenced The Way Kobe Bryant Plays, he specified “Like Jordan, Bryant has flashed a ruthless killer instinct that can only come from within. The pair demoralized opponents with insatiable competitive drives, demanded the world from teammates and even more from themselves. There is no way to add these innate assets. They cannot be learned—one simply has them or they don't” (par. 11). The killer instinct attitude is when a basketball player single handedly takes over a game while his teammates put behind his back. It shows a player’s “beast” mentality; the sole reason why Kobe is nicknamed “The Black Mamba” – it strikes deadly. Michael and Kobe are both considered as the greatest closers of a game. It is when times of a tie game with only a matter of seconds on the clock, they put the entire pressure on them by wanting to take the last second buzzer beater to win a game in a heartbeat. Kobe is a fierce warrior like Michael who fights until the last second even if his team is struggling to shoot the ball. They both know how to carry their entire team on their shoulders. Kobe like Michael broke several legendary records including the most points in NBA history because of that destroyer mentality. Kobe Bryant’s mentality is focused heavily on success that several people including trainers and coaches admire his unbelievable work ethic. From always being the earliest player to arrive everyday to training camp to being the last to leave the facility due to his heavy intense training attitude. Both players would risk losing a limb before
they accept defeat from other teams. Neither would mind losing friendship from players on other teams. They’re all about the “winning” mentality that is meant to break other teams’ hearts during NBA Championships. What matters most is the same “killer” attitude Michael passed on to Kobe to be passed on to the next generation. No matter how sick or hurt you are, you should always be ready to play hard with zero excuses. I consider these two great athletes to be more than worthy to be in this type of debate. Ultimately, the impact of their deadly mentality about the game of basketball led people to frame Kobe Bryant precisely with Michael Jordan. There are unending reasons of why we should compare Kobe Bryant to such great Michael Jordan but of course people have diverse opinions about them both. Only through people’s own views, with the use of media evidences, frameworks/cultural narratives of life and attitude, it gives the world more reasons why Kobe Bryant is the next Michael Jordan. People cherish these comparisons of two great athletes because people look up to them as idols and influential entertainers. The world appreciates Kobe’s likeness to Michael because Kobe is the only player that resembles Michael Jordan’s life and career the most. People desire to relive Michael Jordan’s era through Kobe Bryant. It is often unfair when Michael Jordan is compared to other NBA players, but Bryant’s achievements stand out in any debate. Kobe may not be the greatest of all time, but Kobe is surely one of the best players to ever put on an NBA uniform and get associated with the great Michael Jordan.
It was not until the year 2002 that the NBA was able to find someone to match Jordan’s dazzling acrobatic style of play. His name is Lebron James. Lebron, who plays shooting guard and small forward, stands at an athletic six-eight. James, however, never played in the NCAA. He was drafted straight out of high school in the 2003-04 season, by the Cleveland Cavaliers. James is already on the road to success by achieving co-rookie of the year, and he appeared in the Olympics. James is expected to be a champion, but he may not have what it takes to become a real champion such as Michael Jordan was. Before Jordan or James can be categorized as a champion, they have to be able to handle pressure, fame, and maintain a positive relationship with their team. When comparing Jordan and James’ clutch capabilities, or their ab...
He was also selected to be an NBA all-star as he averaged 30 to 40 points per game. While when it came to Michael’s second year in the NBA he broke his foot early in the season and was forced to sit out. While having his year off from the game, he decided to go back to school to finish his final year of college. His 3rd year wasn’t all so great either as the Bulls had another losing season, but they still made it to the playoffs. Michael would also score 63 points to set an NBA playoffs record. As the 1989 season approached the Bulls had plenty of players to help Michael on the court. The Bulls would lose in the second round of the playoffs, though to an eastern powerhouse in the Detroit Pistons. As for the next three seasons, the Bulls would lose to the Pistons in the playoffs. The pistons had a great plan to keep Michael from being a terror on the court by something called the “Jordan Rules.” The Jordan Rules invented by the Pistons meant to rough him up or play him tough. Michael was pushed around by the Pistons because he wasn’t very hefty. While in the 1991 and 92 season the Bulls blew by the league not even the Pistons could stop them as the Bulls would go back to back beating the Suns and the Trail Blazers. While in between the two seasons Michael and many other star NBA players took place in the 1992 Olympics the team later became known as the NBA Dream Team. There was no chance of anyone
For many years Michael Jordan has been seen as one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball. Michael Jordan was first drafted into the NBA by the Chicago Bulls as the third pick in the first round of the NBA draft of 1984, after finishing his college career at the University of North Carolina. Michael Jordan has been known for his high flying and stylish dunks ever since he first stepped into the basketball scene, but there is more to Michael Jordan than his ability to dunk.
"It’s easy to talk about; it’s easy to sum it up when you just talk about practice. We sittin' in here, I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talkin' about practice. I mean listen, we talking bout practice. Not a game, not a game, not a game. We talking bout practice. Not a game, not a, not a, not the game that I go out there and die for, and play every game like it’s my last. Not the game. We talking' bout practice, man.”- Allen Iverson on his lack of effort in practice in an interview with the press conference when they asked him about missing a practice. Do you now label him as a thug or just an arrogant asshole? It’s true many people would never give this guy another chance to try to clean up his name and would be perceived as arrogant no matter what he does after this interview. People are arrogant towards Allen Iverson because of the way he speaks in this interview. People can understand what he is trying to say, but they are being subjective to what they are hearing because he is not using correct English.
In Jim Naughton’s book Taking To The Air, the main character is Michael Jordan. The book is Jordan’s life and talents. Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the fourth child and the youngest of three boys. Michael Jordan is by any measure, the most popular athlete in America and perhaps the best-known figure in the world. I have chosen to use Maslow’s Theory of Hierarchy of Need to analysis Jordan’s personality. I will do my analysis by focusing on Jordan’s healthy personality, which is marked by his continued personal growth.
The NBA is well known for the number of amazing professional athletes it has had over the years. Some of the most gifted and talented individuals come through the NBA and one of the better-known superstars is none other than Kobe Bryant. For years people have wondered what makes Bryant so successful. The main contributors that lead to Kobe Bryant’s success is his hard work and dedication, his mindset, his natural ability’s and talent, and the people that have helped him throughout his life. Kobe Bryant was very successful in the NBA because of the amount of hard work he has put in, the people in his life, his relentless determination and his god given natural abilities.
Michael Jordan, what comes to your mind when you hear that name? Michael had played for the bulls and had gotten 6 championship rings with the team. Well, is it just me or does that sound like a lot of time in the game of basketball? In 1982 he took a big step up from highschool to college, where he wanted to pursue the basketball dream. He went to college at North Carolina where he played NCAA basketball for just one year before he was drafted in 1984. All eyes were on him when he went on the court, because that just how good he was at the game of basketball. Michael Jordan is one of the greatest players in NBA history, maybe even the greatest of all time.
And more likely than not the next Jordan, and there will be one (just maybe not in basketball), will probably not want to put their entire career and reputation at risk even if it can benefit their entire race. People are motivated out of self-interest, and want to win. Rhoden really wants to believe that all black athletes are selfless and want the best for their community and race. But to expect this is really ludicrous. Kobe truly believes that the ends justifies the means. If he shoots the ball 3 for 21 on any given night but his third make happens to be a game winner, Kobe is a happy man. And if that means that he is hard to play with and teammates do not get along with him, then so be it. In Kobe 's words, “Friends come and go but banners hang
When I began my report I didn’t know much about Michael Jordan, but I did know that he was “undoubtedly the greatest player in the history of the NBA'; (“Michael Air Jordan'; 1). It seemed like every time I heard the word basketball I also heard the name Michael Jordan. There’s just no avoiding him. If you are watching television you might see him playing basketball or golf. If you were reading a magazine there will probably be an advertisement with his picture. If you were walking down the street you might see a kid wearing Air Jordan shoes or a Bulls jersey with “JORDAN'; on the back of it. This man is probably as recognizable as the Pope.
December 21, 1891- The birth of basketball. It has been changed from simply shooting a soccer ball into a peach basket to dunking a seven pound, leather ball into an iron rim. In the early years of the game, basketball was not as popular as other sports. In the 1985 NBA draft all this would change with the emergence of a 6'6" basketball phenomenon from Wilmington, North Carolina. Although going third in the draft, he recreated the game and is known as the best player to ever touch a basketball; he is Michael Jordan.
Kobe Bryant vs Michael Jordan? This is a controversial question in the NBA league. Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players of all time who was approaching or even goes beyond Michael Jordan. Both player are well-known to the world and as well as their basketball skills. As a similarity, both players are playing shooting guard and with similar play-style. I grew up with Kobe Bryant as a personal hero and barely knew who Michael Jordan was, now that I have examined the two players objectively. I concede that Michael Jordan’s skills are superior.
Abstract: Basketball players who enter the NBA early are not ready for the NBA. Early entry into the NBA by high school and college basketball players has had a negative affect on the college basketball program, the NBA, and the players themselves. Each year the number of early entries in the NBA rises more and more. In 1997, 47 basketball players entered the NBA draft early, and the number has risen since then. The college basketball program is drained of talent due to players leaving early. The high school players that go directly into the NBA are hurting the college program because they never contribute to the college program at all. The NBA now has to deal with a higher level of immaturity and disrespect by young players. College basketball players obtain a certain amount of respect and maturity in college. The players suffer by not grasping the concept of learning due to lack of education. Many analysts say that entering the NBA before finishing a four-year program is entering too early. The NBA commissioner, David Stern, has begun to work on ways to encourage players to go to and stay in college.
“The odds of a high school basketball player making it to the “next level” to play college basketball (DI, II, or III) is slim. In fact, only 3.4% of high school players go on to play college basketball. Taking it even further, only 1.2% of college basketball players go on to get drafted in the NBA” (Winters, 2016). There are two types of players in the game. There are the kids who play basketball because they are athletic, and all they are seeking to gain is the recognition and awards. They want to be known. Those players are self-centered, they do not play for the team, and generally don’t play because they love the game. These are the types of players who don’t usually go on to play at the next level. On the other hand, there are the players that absolutely dedicate their life to the game of basketball just because they love the game. That is what coaches are looking for in a player, and that is the kind of player I am striving to be.
Michael Jordan, portrayed by Jim Naughton in the biography Taking To The Air: The Rise of Michael Jordan, is well regarded as not only the greatest basketball player of all time but also the face of a generation. During the mid to late 1980s NBA basketball was simply treading water. As a result of the lack of a marketable superstar, the NBA was losing popularity to the National Football League and Major League Baseball. Following Jordan’s emergence, the NBA’s attendance rose dramatically and it’s worldwide popularity skyrocketed. Michael Jordan returned basketball to its past popularity in the United States and revolutionized the way the world viewed the game of basketball. (Harriman) Michael Jordan’s life is succinctly depicted in Taking to The Air: The Rise of Michael Jordan. Jim Naughton focuses on Jordan’s influence on worldwide sports and culture as one of the most publicized and marketed athletes of all time. Naughton explains the circumstances in Jordan’s upbringing that gave him the ability to be a humungous star. This biography is examined by Kirkus Reviews. They describe Naughton’s biography: “Besides offering a solid chronological biography and record of Michael Jordan’s basketball career, here Naughton also gives an astute assessment of this superstar’s impact on society.” (“Taking to the Air”) The article in the Kirkus Review explains that this biography investigates Jordan’s impact on marketing while telling the story of his life. Like Kirkus Reviews, I too believe that Naughton’s work goes into great description about Jordan’s upbringing and later career while also examining his cultural impact. Throughout his life, Michael Jordan has topped the sports and entertainment worlds by becoming the greatest basketball pl...
Sports are often identified to have positive influences on many individuals. The sports industry is growing worldwide, especially the basketball industry, which is regarded in second place behind football. The global prevalence of basketball is unquestionable, especially among the young. Basketball is a dynamic team sport that involves a pattern of alternating, active, and skilled movement activities. There are compound demands that require a mixture of individual skills, team plays, strategies, and motivational aspects.