so just how much better was jordan then kobe?

[Blaq]

He knew what to do and you knew he was going to get a GOOD shot.. It wouldnt be any fall away shit... 3 feet behind the three point line or any other type of forced shit... He was going to get a nice clean 17 footer because it was a high percentage shot. That is basketball IQ. You see the basketball IQ on the play before... a lot of players and especially Kobe (being down 3) would have taken the three point shot...Jordan was smarter than that... he came down quickly and got the easy LAYUP instead.

I agre with something that Bill Simmons said (hard to imagine right). He said that Kobe could end up having the better career (especially if they win a few more titles) and he remains healthy for a few more years. Kobe is going to have outrageous numbers...he wont have better averages that Jordan but he could easily get in 6-8 more seasons that Jordan so Kobe will have ridiculous totals and he has a chance, with the Lakers and being fortunate enough to be on a title contender at a young age, get so more rings. He could end up with a better career. But he will never been a better player than Jordan.

Co-sign, completely.

It's funny to me when kats said Jordan should've been called for a foul on Russell. That was a swipe at best. Dude's momentum after Jordan stopped on the dime carried him more than anything. That push-off Reggie had on MJ would've been a more legitimate beef, and I personally feel that it (the Reggie push-off) was a good no call. Shit is crafty and used to be a part of the game.

I agree that Kobe could have better numbers as far as total points, and maybe something in a few other areas. If you look at number of MVP's, Finals MVP's, FG%, and stat averages in general, as well as efficiency he will never catch MJ. MJ simply set the bar too high.

You know that i'm a Kobe fan, but he isn't even close to being better than Mike. I do think he is the closest as far as what we've seen after MJ. Imo, he's a great shot maker, but he is very undisciplined.

 

[darkninja7000]

I got a headache readin some of these replies.

 

[Spectrum]

If you look at number of MVP's, Finals MVP's, FG%, and stat averages in general, as well as efficiency he will never catch MJ. MJ simply set the bar too high.

You know that i'm a Kobe fan, but he isn't even close to being better than Mike. I do think he is the closest as far as what we've seen after MJ. Imo, he's a great shot maker, but he is very undisciplined.

Jordan is both a better offensive player and defensive player than Kobe. Jordan averages more per game and also shoots a much higher percentage. That is all that needs to be said. These younger cats may not know that Jordan was a Defensive Player of the Year winner. Like you said, add the mvps and all the other accomplishments and the fact that you cant even compare the two in terms of basketball IQ and Leadership. You can try to make the argument that Jordan is only slightly better on the offensive and defensive end... but in terms of basketball IQ, Leadership, big game moments...it is not even close. There is no argument for Kobe on that capacity. Jordan has better games in one NBA finals than Kobe has had in all of his.

Now..you can make an argument for Kareem, Magic, Russell, etc..but not for Kobe.

However, he still has a few more years to deliver some moments... even if the Lakers win this series and re performs as he is now, it doesnt really help his overall legacy against other greats UNLESS he puts his stamp on this series..and he has yet to do that at this point.

 

[D-TOWN REP]

The point over looked the most. Jordan had no peer. No one even came close. Magic had Bird, Russell had Wilt, Jordan had Barkley, Ewing, Miller. What a fucking joke. Jordan is the greatest but his legend is blown the fuck even more cause he had no real rival. Let's really be real. How great were the teams Jordan faced in the Finals. A Laker team with an over the hill Magic. The Utah Jazz twice. The Portland Trailblazers, repeat Trailblazers..... and the Barkley's Phoenix Sun. Not trying to shit on his legacy but he never really faced his equal. Kinda like Jim Brown running over all them lil ass white boys. He was a step ahead of the evolution chain. I don't think those same Bulls would dominate in today's game. I would guess Jordan would have only about 3 rings in this era over the last 10 years.

Kobe has no peers as far as wing players are concerned in his generation so what is your point?

 

[Blaq]

Jordan is both a better offensive player and defensive player than Kobe. Jordan averages more per game and also shoots a much higher percentage. That is all that needs to be said. These younger cats may not know that Jordan was a Defensive Player of the Year winner. Like you said, add the mvps and all the other accomplishments and the fact that you cant even compare the two in terms of basketball IQ and Leadership. You can try to make the argument that Jordan is only slightly better on the offensive and defensive end... but in terms of basketball IQ, Leadership, big game moments...it is not even close. There is no argument for Kobe on that capacity. Jordan has better games in one NBA finals than Kobe has had in all of his.

Now..you can make an argument for Kareem, Magic, Russell, etc..but not for Kobe.

Co-sign

However, he still has a few more years to deliver some moments... even if the Lakers win this series and re performs as he is now, it doesnt really help his overall legacy against other greats UNLESS he puts his stamp on this series..and he has yet to do that at this point.

I was thinking this as I was watching the game the other day. It doesn't really seem like Kobe has been putting his stamp on this series. I've seen him have more impressive games in past conference finals than in these Finals.

 

[Blaq]

The point over looked the most. Jordan had no peer. No one even came close. Magic had Bird, Russell had Wilt, Jordan had Barkley, Ewing, Miller. What a fucking joke. Jordan is the greatest but his legend is blown the fuck even more cause he had no real rival. Let's really be real. How great were the teams Jordan faced in the Finals. A Laker team with an over the hill Magic. The Utah Jazz twice. The Portland Trailblazers, repeat Trailblazers..... and the Barkley's Phoenix Sun. Not trying to shit on his legacy but he never really faced his equal. Kinda like Jim Brown running over all them lil ass white boys. He was a step ahead of the evolution chain. I don't think those same Bulls would dominate in today's game. I would guess Jordan would have only about 3 rings in this era over the last 10 years.

5 of those 6 Bulls Finals opponents (possibly even 6) would be handing this 2010 Lakers team a Finals loss.

 

[Blaq]

Helping to explain how many championships he won with the Wizards.

He was 40 years old WITH the Wizards (roster).

 

[Spectrum]

He was 40 years old WITH the Wizards (roster).

I always think this argument is hilarious. How many players have come back after years of not playing and at 40 years olds, taken a historically bottom-dweller to the promised land.

 

[D-TOWN REP]

Kobe has won in the Era of Duncan. The undisturbed all-time great forward of all-time. Everybody's favorite the ringless LeBron, Wade, the Big Three in Boston. There's no doubt that there are players with similar skill set's as Kobe in this era. Jordan was ahead of his time. Players didn't move or play like him period. No shitting on him but the truth is the truth. Once the next generation stepped up. The game begin to catch up with him speed wise. Helping to explain how many championships he won with the Wizards.

Tim Duncan not a wing player and no other player you mentioned is fucking with Kobe at this point individually

 

[jdc12]

Kobe has won in the Era of Duncan. The undisturbed all-time great forward of all-time. Everybody's favorite the ringless LeBron, Wade, the Big Three in Boston. There's no doubt that there are players with similar skill set's as Kobe in this era. Jordan was ahead of his time. Players didn't move or play like him period. No shitting on him but the truth is the truth. Once the next generation stepped up. The game begin to catch up with him speed wise. Helping to explain how many championships he won with the Wizards.

There's one major difference between Kobe and Jordan. Once Jordan won one, he kept on winning. And Jordan was damn near 40 years old when he was playing for the Wizards. Who else are we ever going to see win three, retire in their prime, come back two years later win three more, retire again as the reigning MVP, come back three years later on the worst team in the fucking league and actually make them respectable.

 

[8SD8-retired_member]

During Kobe's rookie season, Shaq nicknamed Kobe 'Showboat'.

That holds true as much now as it did back then. Kobe Bryant,for whatever reason, will pass up smart play, for high-risk, entertaining play.

One of my friends, who is an MAJOR Jordan fan, said that while Jordan had more than his share of highlight reels, it is as if Kobe Bryant entire mission was to nail one difficult shot after the other. I've seen this dude pull up for three's damn near in the nose-bleed section, down by two, and two seconds left in the game.

Why would he do that?

Getting a higher percentage shot is smarter, but taking out that team by hitting a three from deep would be FAR more entertaining.

Kobe Bryant will never shoot Jordan's percentages, because he is not willing to kill the circus act. I just feel it is what makes the game interesting for Kobe, or else he would make the smarter plays.

Ultimately, I think Jordan inspired Kobe to see how far he could take his skills. That's why you'll see shots from Kobe than Jordan wouldn't have ever taken.

Now, even if Kobe were to kill the circus act, I feel Jordan still had better tools to work with(Athleticism, and a pure love for winning). Kobe, in my opinion, wants to win because he has to.

After studying the man's game for his entire career, it's been made abundantly clear to me that Kobe cares very little for shooting percentage.

Oh, well.

Kobe, to me, is more Pistol Pete than Michael Jordan.

By that, I mean playing basketball wasn't ENOUGH.

 

[Spectrum]

Tim Duncan not a wing player and no other player you mentioned is fucking with Kobe at this point individually

I disgree completely. Kobe has a much better team and a HOF coach. He has a very distinct advantage. If you switched positions and placed Lebron or Wade on the Lakers, they would still be contending for titles. If you put Kobe on the Heat, they would still be getting bounced from the playoffs earlier. Individually, there is not much separating these three players.

There is a big difference between Kobe and Melo for instance... but not Kobe and Wade for instance.

 

[Spectrum]

During Kobe's rookie season, Shaq nicknamed Kobe 'Showboat'.

That holds true as much now as it did back then. Kobe Bryant,for whatever reason, will pass up smart play, for high-risk, entertaining play.

One of my friends, who is an MAJOR Jordan fan, said that while Jordan had more than his share of highlight reels, it is as if Kobe Bryant entire mission was to nail one difficult shot after the other. I've seen this dude pull up for three's damn near in the nose-bleed section, down by two, and two seconds left in the game.

Why would he do that?

Getting a higher percentage shot is smarter, but taking out that team by hitting a three from deep would be FAR more entertaining.

Kobe Bryant will never shoot Jordan's percentages, because he is not willing to kill the circus act. I just feel it is what makes the game interesting for Kobe, or else he would make the smarter plays.

Ultimately, I think Jordan inspired Kobe to see how far he could take his skills. That's why you'll see shots from Kobe than Jordan wouldn't have ever taken.

Now, even if Kobe were to kill the circus act, I feel Jordan still had better tools to work with(Athleticism, and a pure love for winning). Kobe, in my opinion, wants to win because he has to.

After studying the man's game for his entire career, it's been made abundantly clear to me that Kobe cares very little for shooting percentage.

Oh, well.

Kobe, to me, is more Pistol Pete than Michael Jordan.

By that, I mean playing basketball wasn't ENOUGH.

Cosign. You are a kobe fan that keeps it 100.

Game 4 was a perfect example of your post. Kobe shot 11 fucking 3 pointers... that shit really is absurd. He takes too many bad shots and the problem is that he makes some of them and it encourages him even more and people overlook it too much.

What it ironic is that I think he could do adequate damage in the post, but he would rather sit behind the line and launch long 3s.

I remember he hit one 3 from the corner... even though he made the shit..i was SMH because it was a horrible shot. All made shots arent good shots and all missed shots arent bad ones.

 

[april69]

And it is not even remotely close here. Kobe does not even have the highest basketball IQ on his current team. He is the most talented bone-headed player I have ever seen in any sport. He often does exactly what you shouldnt do and throws off the Lakers offense. I think this was one of his better years and he had played well during the playoffs but I thought he had figured it out..and game 4 of this series showed ne that he still hasnt.

I think the difference between Kobe and Jordan is MUCH further apart than what a lot of young people imagine. I also think that Kobe is at best the 3rd best Laker at this point behind Magic and Kareem.

Since we are in the finals, game 6 of the is a perfect example of the differences between these two players. Look at how Jordan CONTROLLED this game and compare it to how Kobe often bails out the defense by chucking long-range shots and not pressuring the defense.

Please point out ONE game in the NBA Finals that Kobe has played HALF as good as this. (considering Kobe has played in now 7 NBA finals, you should be able to find one game). Watch the clip first to refresh your memory and play very close attention to what Jordan is doing on the court and the various ways in which he scores and positions himself on the floor on both ends.

This is the same guy that said Lebron is better than Kobe.

haha...when will they ever learn

 

[Blaq]

I always think this argument is hilarious. How many players have come back after years of not playing and at 40 years olds, taken a historically bottom-dweller to the promised land.

Man, some of this stuff you just gotta shake your head.

It's always funny to see kats shit on those teams the Bulls faced in the Finals. I've always thought that the Lakers team was decent, but they were aged at that point. I still believe Portland would've given the Bulls a more competitive series.

Outside of Barkley, kats forget about KJ, Dumas & West w Phoenix. Portland, Seattle & Utah were all strong teams. That's not even looking at the '92 Knicks series, which seemed like a Finals in itself. The Bulls were also primed to lose against the Pacers in '98. They were physically exhausted all during that series. It was worrisome going into that Utah series (who were well rested).

Outside of that NY team, I don't know if the east in those particular years would've brought the Finals back to the east. We saw what happened when MJ retired (the first time).

 

[MonkeyBizness]

5 of those 6 Bulls Finals opponents (possibly even 6) would be handing this 2010 Lakers team a Finals loss.

Word!

back to the OP's question -

How Many FINALS MVPs does Kobe have? 1
How Many FINALS MVPs does Jordan have? 6

That's how much better Jordan is over Kobe.

/end of thread.

 

[D-TOWN REP]

I disgree completely. Kobe has a much better team and a HOF coach. He has a very distinct advantage. If you switched positions and placed Lebron or Wade on the Lakers, they would still be contending for titles. If you put Kobe on the Heat, they would still be getting bounced from the playoffs earlier. Individually, there is not much separating these three players.

There is a big difference between Kobe and Melo for instance... but not Kobe and Wade for instance.

To me Kobe is a better player than those guys

No he cant win without a quality big man but still

Kobe is a better shooter and probably defender than Wade

 

[april69]

Kobe haters are always going to be Kobe haters and there are always going to be 5 players in the league better than him. Im talking about players that cant even get there teams into the playoffs are always better than Kobe.

You cant reason with these people because they change the parameters of the discussion as soon as Kobe reaches another milestone.

Kobe has done things that MJ will never do. He will break Jordans records, he will have more championships that Jordan, and he will have more individual accolades. But it wont matter. Someone will always say something like "Look at this good game Jordan had." And that will be the end of their argument.

If Kobe scores 50 tomorrow, they will say..."uuuuuh Jordan scored 61 against the Celtics....Kobe aint never done that."

Give up the Kobe/Jordan debate. Its like debating a white person of black folks reaction to the Simpson verdict. They just dont get it.

 

[Blaq]

How is 33,30,29,21 points some how view as sub-par?

This is what happens when you don't look inside the numbers. One of those games I believe he was 10/29. His scoring efficiency hasn't been great at all. Also, list his turnovers per. If i'm not mistaken, I think he's sitting on 6 per game. For accuracy, please reference more than point totals.

 

[MonkeyBizness]

Kobe haters are always going to be Kobe haters and there are always going to be 5 players in the league better than him. Im talking about players that cant even get there teams into the playoffs are always better than Kobe.

You cant reason with these people because they change the parameters of the discussion as soon as Kobe reaches another milestone.

Kobe has done things that MJ will never do. He will break Jordans records, he will have more championships that Jordan, and he will have more individual accolades. But it wont matter. Someone will always say something like "Look at this good game Jordan had." And that will be the end of their argument.

If Kobe scores 50 tomorrow, they will say..."uuuuuh Jordan scored 61 against the Celtics....Kobe aint never done that."

Give up the Kobe/Jordan debate. Its like debating a white person of black folks reaction to the Simpson verdict. They just dont get it.

this is a simple debate. Jordan is better. Simple.

Jordan woulda had more rings if he didn't retire the first time and if the Bulls didn't get dismantled the second time. he would definitely have 8 cause there was no way the Rockets were beating the Bulls. he easily coulda had 10 rings. no one was stopping the Bulls except Jerry Krause.

And 3 of Kobe's rings came thru Shaq. he rode shotgun on those. he helped, no doubt, but those weren't his teams. they were Shaq's squads. and if it wasn't for Gasol, he'd still be sitting on 3.

 

[8SD8-retired_member]

Cosign. You are a kobe fan that keeps it 100.

Game 4 was a perfect example of your post. Kobe shot 11 fucking 3 pointers... that shit really is absurd. He takes too many bad shots and the problem is that he makes some of them and it encourages him even more and people overlook it too much.

What it ironic is that I think he could do adequate damage in the post, but he would rather sit behind the line and launch long 3s.

I remember he hit one 3 from the corner... even though he made the shit..i was SMH because it was a horrible shot. All made shots arent good shots and all missed shots arent bad ones.

I figured I'd settle on a name, and pay that damn 10.

But, yeah...

...if you think Kobe is better than Jordan, then you either hate Jordan, or never saw him play. For Jordan, the show never interfered with his efficiency and productivity.


I always tell people that Kobe Bryant was an experiment to create the "next Jordan" gone terribly wrong. What we got instead of Jordan was some evil anti-Jordan. The things Jordan held most sacred(i.e. efficiency and winning) Kobe has spit on for the sake of bolstering his legacy and proving a point at times.

Many don't agree with me, but I think the skill to be Jordan is there. Of course, the lack of damn near superhuman athleticism does make it harder for Kobe to score than Jordan, but I do think he compensates well for what he lacks in athleticism.

Ultimately, Jordan had the perfect combination of mental and physical traits to become ... well, Jordan. While I do think Kobe failed to live up to that standard of greatness, I do think he is better than many are willing to give him credit for.

His greatness is difficult to appreciate and comprehend because he is a great who approached the game in his own ass-backward way. To me, that's is why he is such a polarizing figure ON THE COURT.

 

[Real2DaC0re]

Jordan never hit 81. Case closed. If Kobe had Pippen, Armstrong, and Grant...he'd have 10-peat'd by now!

24.."that Kobe number, 1 over Jordan"

Even Kanye knows it...

nigga stop smokin crack dude. cause kobe bitch ass hit 81 in 1 game that make him better?? get the fuck outta here.

 

[jdc12]

So at what point does Jordan stop being the greatest and is just too old for the game? People really like to shit all over Kobe but he keeps putting rings on his fingers. As far as putting his stamp on this series. How is 33,30,29,21 points is some how view as sub-par?

Jordan even at 40 was playing better than 90-95% of all players in the league. He was considered by some to be too old only because of the extremely high bar he has set while playing with Chicago. Also, unlike most players, we never got to see Jordan's natural decline. I'd hardly call 1 title in the last 6 years, putting rings on his fingers when he's lost more finals than won. And Kobe's performance has been sub-par because he hasn't taken over the series. A bad game for Jordan in the finals would be a game in which he scored 30 points.

 

[8SD8-retired_member]

Cosign. You are a kobe fan that keeps it 100.

Game 4 was a perfect example of your post. Kobe shot 11 fucking 3 pointers... that shit really is absurd. He takes too many bad shots and the problem is that he makes some of them and it encourages him even more and people overlook it too much.

What it ironic is that I think he could do adequate damage in the post, but he would rather sit behind the line and launch long 3s.

I remember he hit one 3 from the corner... even though he made the shit..i was SMH because it was a horrible shot. All made shots arent good shots and all missed shots arent bad ones.

Man, I was thinking the same thing about those three's. Kobe's confidence in his ability to make the impossible shot is already too high. You let him get hot, and it doesn't matter if it's January 14th, or June in the NBA Finals...

...he's going to launch them.

 

[Blaq]

So if he was the greatest and still better then 90-95% of all the other players. Where are the rings? You guys can't have it both ways. Either he was better or too old. Which is it?

Is Lebron better than 95% of the NBA's current Players? Where are his rings?

 

[Spectrum]

I figured I'd settle on a name, and pay that damn 10.

But, yeah...

...if you think Kobe is better than Jordan, then you either hate Jordan, or never saw him play. For Jordan, the show never interfered with his efficiency and productivity.


I always tell people that Kobe Bryant was an experiment to create the "next Jordan" gone terribly wrong. What we got instead of Jordan was some evil anti-Jordan. The things Jordan held most sacred(i.e. efficiency and winning) Kobe has spit on for the sake of bolstering his legacy and proving a point at times.

Many don't agree with me, but I think the skill to be Jordan is there. Of course, the lack of damn near superhuman athleticism does make it harder for Kobe to score than Jordan, but I do think he compensates well for what he lacks in athleticism.

Ultimately, Jordan had the perfect combination of mental and physical traits to become ... well, Jordan. While I do think Kobe failed to live up to that standard of greatness, I do think he is better than many are willing to give him credit for.

His greatness is difficult to appreciate and comprehend because he is a great who approached the game in his own ass-backward way. To me, that's is why he is such a polarizing figure ON THE COURT.

Again.. I agree pretty much 100 percent. As I said in another thread, the main problem is comparing Kobe to Jordan. They are really MUCH different than people realize (despite some of the surface similarities).

 

[Spectrum]

Man, I was thinking the same thing about those three's. Kobe's confidence in his ability to make the impossible shot is already too high. You let him get hot, and it doesn't matter if it's January 14th, or June in the NBA Finals...

...he's going to launch them.

When he made the two threes back to back, I was like..ah shot...LA might be done because he is about to let them go

It is crazy because he can easily post up Ray Allen or get the easy mid range shot...

sometimes I watch a game and just think this mofo Kobe is crazy with some of the shit he does...lol

It is ironic because I know he is one of the most disciplined players in the game in terms of off the court work-ethic.... staying in game shape, working on his game, etc.... dude lives to play ball.... he does though lack a certain kind of discipline on the court that can often be detrimental to his game....especially on a team that runs the triple-post offense.

 

[Top_Bunk]

The og question which was:how much better was kobe........I wasn't really lookin for stats, I can look those up myself. But as far as how much better he was not proof as to why jordan was better, or what kobe hasn't done compared to mike . I think I saw someone answer it on the first page but...

 

[GhostWriter]

there is a lot of kids in this thread

This is exactly what I thought of when I read the OP.

I remember watching Jordan dominate year after year after year...if you didn't have a bulls starter jacket REGARDLESS of where you lived back in the day something was wrong with you

It's pure blasphemy with you little ******s...and I say that cuz you can't disrespect The Gawd with comparing him to simple Simon ass Kobe

It's like calling Adrian Peterson better than Sweetness just cuz you young pimple faced 808 emo extra charmin soft bitches can see him live...I need to leave before I have a stroke

 

[Spectrum]

SupremeExtremist,

If the NBA had a position like baseball has with the designated hitter.. like a disignated shooter... I think Kobe would play until he was 50. Where Jordan was an efficient scorer and his scoring was a means to an end... I really think Kobe just loves to shoot and score. I think the muthafucka probably just dreams about shooting...I really think that it were possible, he would shoot every single time down the court..LOL.. that game where he scored 81 points was like nirvana...he probably jizzed in his pants after the game... i bet you that muthafucka watches that video once a week with a sick-evil grin on his face ..

 

[destyni]

jordan still scored 50 points at 40 years old

 

[destyni]

lol or what kobe hasnt done compared to mike? too long of a list

 

[jasonblacc]

Kobe 4 wins -6 loses in finals.

Jordan 6 and fucking 0.

 

[mit_dropout]

Was never a jordan fan when I was younger and didn't understand how great he was. But from what I hear about him he was the best. And I find it hard to imagine a basketball player then kobe (at least in the regular season). So just how much better was jordan then kobe? Is it like comparing kobe to joe johnson? Or kobe to mateen cleaves...

Wow....you're an idiot.

 

[8SD8-retired_member]

When he made the two threes back to back, I was like..ah shot...LA might be done because he is about to let them go

It is crazy because he can easily post up Ray Allen or get the easy mid range shot...

sometimes I watch a game and just think this mofo Kobe is crazy with some of the shit he does...lol

It is ironic because I know he is one of the most disciplined players in the game in terms of off the court work-ethic.... staying in game shape, working on his game, etc.... dude lives to play ball.... he does though lack a certain kind of discipline on the court that can often be detrimental to his game....especially on a team that runs the triple-post offense.

Dude...

...that is EXACTLY what I think at times. Some years back, he had a 17-47 game against the Celtics. The 17-47 was bad enough, but what struck me was that he got fouled on a shot at the end of the game, went to the line...

...and had a look on his face like the game had just started. His body language was not that of a man who just stunk up the court, but of a man who has happy as hell to add another point to his total.

I've seen this dude come down four plays in a row, and miss every shot. Who does that shit?

One more for the road:

When I was in high school, I scored 31 points, and I felt like the biggest ball-hog. All I could think to myself was, 'Damn, those niggas are going to be mad as shit when we get in the locker room." That was a lot of damned shooting.

Well, when Kobe had around 75 points against the Raptors, and a few minutes left in the game, Kobe was running down the court on the break, and clapping his hands together demanding the basketball. I was like, 'Is this nigga seriously trying to shoot again?!?!?!"

People don't know how hard it for to take great risks on the basketball court in front of thousands of screaming fans and millions of viewers. With so many eyes watching, most players like to minimize risk, so that they'll minimize the chances of looking bad in front of millions of eyes.

Well, Kobe Bryant is able to stare that shit in the face and run it the fuck over. Sometimes that shit works for him, but it does make you wonder if something is wrong with dude when it doesn't.