“I’m not bad about Kobe. But he is nowhere near a player Michael Jordan was” – Ex-CBA coach explains why nobody was better than MJ

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The comparisons and arguments on who was better, between Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, are neverending. Although the two NBA icons played in different eras, there have been many arguments about who the better player was even when they were still both playing in the NBA.

However, as far as former Continental Basketball Association (CBA) coach Chris Daleo is concerned, MJ is the best player in the world right now.

"There's nobody on this planet that is better than Michael Jordan. Nobody," the veteran coach said when he guested on the Sports for All PH podcast.

Air Jordan could do it all

Daleo defended his choice, pointing out how Jordan could practically do it all when he played against anybody.

"He could just do it all, whatever he wanted to. Shoot threes, rebound, defend, climb up the passing lanes, take people off the dribble, mid-range, three-point range, whatever! He could do what he wanted when he wanted…against anybody," Daleo explained.

Despite his choice, Daleo still lauded Bryant. The Black Mamba laid it all out with the Lakers, but Chris feels it lacked something.

"I'm not bad about Kobe. But he is nowhere near a player Michael Jordan was in his prime," the 2003 CBA Coach of the Year said.

Dibs on Larry Bird

Aside from Jordan, another player Daleo feels belongs in this category is Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, who needs to get more credit for his illustrious career. Like Jordan, Larry Legend could do anything on the floor when he played.

"Larry Bird is fantastic. He doesn't get enough credit. He could do what he wanted on the basketball court anytime. And he was like 6-9. Passing, stealing the basketball," the Depaul University graduate pointed out.

In all, the former Milwaukee Bucks Summer Player Development coach singled out something that Jordan and Bird carried that is significantly absent in today's young players.

"Both of them had great basketball IQ. Hardworking and humble. There's nobody like that now. Nobody," Daleo ended.

Who was actually better?

The debate on who was better between Jordan and Kobe will rage on. Several players and personalities have aired their justification, while others prefer conservatively addressing it.

One player who got the chance to play against both players was Jason Kidd. He believes MJ and KB24 were two of the best players he ever faced, admitting he had his share of problems matching up with them.

"It has to be Michael Jordan just because of the expectation… You know, what is he going to go for? 40? Is he gonna score 50 tonight? score 60? And he never let down and all those people," he started.