Jordan, Bryant pinagkumpara ni Jackson

MANILA, Philippines - Maraming mahihilig sa basketball ang ipinagkukumpara sina Michael Jordan at Kobe Bryant.

Ngunit kung mayroon mang may awtoridad na ipagkumpara sa dalawa ay walang iba kundi ang retired coach na si Phil Jackson na nagkaroon ng pagkakataong i-coach ang dalawang legendary shooting guards  na nagbigay kanya ng kampeonato.

Sa libro ni Jackson na malapit nang ilabas sa market na pinamagatang ‘Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success’ ibinahagi niya ang kanyang opinyon ukol sa dalawang kinokonsiderang greatest player sa NBA.

Mula kay Mike Bresnahan ng Los Angeles Times na nakabasa na ng “Eleven Rings,” narito ang mga sinabi ni Jackson.

“Michael was more charismatic and gregarious than Kobe. He loved hanging out with his teammates and security guards, playing cards, smoking cigars, and joking around,” ani Jackson. “Kobe is different. He was reserved as a teenager, in part because he was younger than the other players and hadn’t developed strong social skills in college. When Kobe first joined the Lakers, he avoided fraternizing with his teammates. But his inclination to keep to himself shifted as he grew older. Increasingly, Kobe put more energy into getting to know the other players, especially when the team was on the road.”

“Jordan was also more naturally inclined to let the game come to him and not overplay his hand, whereas Kobe tends to force the action, especially when the game isn’t going his way. When his shot is off, Kobe will pound away relentlessly until his luck turns. Michael, on the other hand, would shift his attention to defense or passing or setting screens to help the team win the game, dagdag pa niya.”

Sinabi rin ni Jackson na si M.J. ay,  “tougher, more intimidating defender,” habang si Bryant ay,  “rely more heavily on his flexibility and craftiness,” bukod pa sa paminsan-minsang pagsusugal sa defensive end.

Risonable naman ang mga sinabi ni Jackson na binigyang diin ang kahalagahan ang pagkakaiba ng dalawa.