"Jordan was unquestionably the best in the league throughout his career."
Actually before he won any rings in the 90's people thought he was a selfish player and thought of a little more then dom. wilkens. Magic was considered the best in the 80's by far(I don't recall anyone in the 80's saying Jordan is the best ever), w/ some New England people thinking it was bird, since they were celtics fan.
It wasn't until after his first 3-peat that the best ever talk popped up.
Anyone who doesn't like a player in the NBA that is arrogant is only lying to themselves... You think the other 99.999% players aren't arrogant. When you get into stars under 30, duncan pops up as not being arrogant, but everyone else, give me a break , please...
"As of right now he is not as great as Reggie, Jordan or any of them"
Reggie, hehe, um how did his name pop up there, other then the fact that he is on the Pacers, and you love the Pacers
He's a great shooter(and you could make case for him being one of best shooters ever), but he's not even in the same league of greats to be one of the best all around....
I agree, Kobe probably will never be loved as much as Jordan, but that doesn't mean he can't surpass him basketball wise someday. I'm not saying he will, I'm saying it's stupid to say he can't.
I have no idea how you get he tries to impress or emulate, because he really doesn't care to get into any of the "traditional roles" of a sports star. For the most part, he stays to himself, doesn't party and bring attention to himself, doesn't go out. Only traditional part about him is that he is cocky.
If you don't think your the best, how the hell are you ever going to be the best w/o confidence to take big shots. Hell, I'd say he would have no chance if he wasn't cocky, being cocky is good for clutch players.
Jordan may be the most influential player of the NBA of "all time", but I doubt he will always be the best of all time.