Kobe, Byron Scott React To Comparisons To Jordan’s Wizards
Comparing Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan is a regular and fundamental occurence. It happens on so many levels and it resonates in many areas. Most recently, in light of the current state of the Lakers, Bryant and his team drew a comparison to the early 2000’s Washington Wizards when a completely seasoned Michael Jordan led the team with 20+ points per game scoring and pure mediocrity.
The Lakers are currently 0-5 and Kobe Bryant is averaging 27.6 points per game on 40 percent shooting. Bryant, 36, is in full comeback mode from his Achilles injury. Evident early on in the season has been the shot volume and exertion needed from Bryant for the Lakers to even compete in these games. No one expects Bryant to be able to will these Lakers to a playoff standing. Jordan’s Wizards never made it to the playoffs.
Kobe and Lakers head coach Byron Scott had their reactions to the analogy, via Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:
The 36-year-old Bryant first laughed when asked if there were similarities.
“No. Not really,” Bryant said. “Well maybe. I guess…
“He wasn’t in Chicago, playing for the same organization for all those years. It’s a little different. I’m still younger than he was,” Bryant said. “I can see where you guys are thinking there’s similarities there. I also think it’s probably reachable content at this point. I get it. So, yeah, there’s similarities. Then there are differences. Just have at it.”
And here was Byron Scott’s reaction:
“There’s some parallel to it. Kobe didn’t retire or come back. But he’s coming off an injury and coming off of retirement. Michael played with the Wizards. That wasn’t the Chicago Bulls, a team he wasn’t used to playing with. Kobe’s still with the Lakers, but playing with a group of guys that aren’t like the group he’s been accustomed to playing with. There are some parallels.”
There are always parallels. What’s interesting is that Kobe has been in this position before, when Smush Parker and Chris Mihm were part of the Lakers starting line up. The territory and circumstances are certainly different, as Scott noted.
What is similar is the standing of both teams, and also the fact that Kobe is on the final legs of his career, as Jordan was when he came back to play with the Wizards. As far as the rumblings of a possible trade scenario to liberate Bryant, his arrogance and loyalty to the Lakers remains publicly adamant. For now it seems that Kobe is bound to end his career as Jordan did in Washington – on a team that can’t even make it to the postseason.
