Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant - Before the '95-'96 season began, MJ had three titles, two Olympic gold medals, and numerous other individual accolades that are too many to list. Bryant, right now, already has four titles, one Olympic gold medal, and countless individual accomplishments that are too many to list. And he's younger than Jordan was when MJ won his fourth ring. Edge: Even.

At this point after Jordan came back his hype from the media was so high that even in games that he played it was no mystery that he would win and win and win. But if you watch the games he played and the roll the media and refs played did he earn it after the 95-96 seasons. I loved to watch Jordan play but in hearing time after time from the announcers when a foul was called for Jordan saying wow was that whistle blown a little early. Again not putting his talent down he was a great player, but he was also the most protected player by the league, in so much that possible titles were lost because of bad calls. Lets hope this does not happen again with the Kobe fame. Again not putting these players down only admonishing their greatness and what can possibly happen in future games if not officiated right and the media hype goes a lot overboard again.

At this point the Lakers (not just Kobe) are the team to beat. Are there other teams who could beat the Lakers, don't know but I guess we'll find out in the games to come.