With numbers on the table, we now slide over into Michael Jordan territory. Please don't roll your eyes (roll someone else's). Some of the same people who now handle MJ's legacy with fierce reverence are the same knuckleheads who blasted him for being selfish when he was Bryant's age.
These knuckleheads have attempted to seize their upgraded basketball-knowledge certificates by reminding us that Jordan became a true champion after Phil convinced him to give up the ball more often.
Really?
Well, a review of the numbers reveals that in the three years preceding the Chicago's Bulls' first three-year title spree, MJ checked in with just over 1,900 field-goal attempts per season.
In the Bulls' first three championship campaigns, Jordan — averaging fewer minutes, by the way — still managed to squeeze off 1,886 shots per season. In Chicago's second, three-year title run, MJ launched another 1,880 per year.
What a difference
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Also note that when the passing mood hit him, Jordan could whip the ball to shooters named John Paxson and B.J. Armstrong. Kobe's Lakers don't have anyone with a shooting touch that deserves to be mentioned in this paragraph.
Jordan also had Scottie Pippen, who — despite some peculiar episodes — was far more reliable than the similarly talented Odom.
At power forward, Jordan was able to have a bit more confidence in kicking the ball to Horace Grant than Kobe has been able to muster with Kwame.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5272520 eto ti
