Why do people make it seem like Kobe vs Dirk isn't debatable?

What's up JM, nice work.

If you are asking why some fans make it seem like it's not a debate it's simply because Kobe plays for the Lakers that has the biggest and most enthusiastic basketball fan base in the world (jut imagine how we would perceive Kobe if he played his whole career for the Hornets who drafted him and wasn't traded to L.A.) His game is also much more exciting to watch and more "explosive", flashy and attractive. That's a huge factor for casual fans. He is also the closest player in terms of style to MJ which somehow elevates his status historically.

But if you look past the hype and the highlights I agree their impact is comparable. Kobe had longer and overall more productive career and he will be regarded much higher historically, but in their primes, it's actually very close.

Dirk's career was hurt a lot by the 06 loss against Miami and especially the 07 1st round loss to Warriors which really gave him (undeservedly) bad reputation as someone who is too soft to elevate his team to championship, despite the fact it was his only bad play off in 11 seasons (and that's not something you can say about Kobe). As you wrote his play off stats are all time great. It's funny how wining a title turns your career over so much, from looser and choker to winner and clutch wizard, even though Dirk has been pretty much the same player for the whole decade..

Just 2 points: Even if you say Dirk never had a season like Kobe in 2006, the fact is Dirk actually led the league in PER and WS that year (he did this twice in his career - something Kobe never did) So he was still more efficient despite Kobe averaging 35 ppg.

On the other hand I disagree Kobe never had a play off run like Dirk. Kobe averaged 29-7-6 in 2001 including back to back monster games 48-16 and 45-10 versus all defensive player Doug Christie (Sacramento). Lakers beat 4 50+win teams and lost only once the whole play offs and that was in overtime. And remember that was when Kobe still played all time great defense..not like today. He was not the leader and most important player on that team, but it shouldn't matter, because his contribution that year was phenomenal.

Dirk versus Kobe is relevant debate for non biased fan (I'm neither Dallas or Laker fan and I appreciate and love to watch both players).

I like that you point out very important intangible in Dirks game that can't be measured by stats and that is how much room he creates under basket for his teammates by luring his PF/C defenders to the perimeter. This makes his team's offense so much more efficient. In Kobe's case it's often the other case as he has been criticized by his own coaches for breaking plays and team's offense and even the biggest Laker fans must admit that when Kobe is sharing the ball the Lakers play much better and when he is "ball hogging" the Lakers are loosing. It's never this case with Dirk..

P.S. Just 1 more comment concerning their defense. Kobe is better defender for their career, no question, but he stopped playing good defense when Shaq left in 04. Since that it is slipping every year and he is slowly becoming a defensive liability. His 1st All D selection this year was a disgrace, since there are probably like 15 perimeter defenders who are better than him right now. Kobe never ever guards the best player on the other team, yet he was burned by many average SG's. It's understandable he is saving his energy after those injuries etc., but we have to see him for what he is now..(the Lakers allowed 4.58 points more per 100 possessions with him on the court -- the worst figure on the team.) On the other hand Dirk has been very very good defensively this year, his overall defensive impact this year might be even bigger than Kobe's...

Oh, it's definitely debatable. Especially when analyzing the offensive abilities of these two unique players. This is pretty much a summary of every stat I use when defending Dirk, haha. But you can't punish either of them for the situation they were in during the playoffs. As in, you can't say, "Oh, without Kobe they would have been great anyways." We have no idea if those title teams would've sucked or been okay without him. Same thing with Dirk. It's obvious that Dallas completely depends on him offensively, as even when the ball is not in his hands, the defenders are worried about where Nowitzki is the entire time instead of worrying about where the ball is. But we can't say how the Mavs would play without him and what not.

Kobe's only been in the league one season longer than Dirk, although he's probably been in more playoff series than the favs. I think I heard that the Lakers with Kobe have only NOT been in the playoffs once. So you could argue that Kobe has sustained his playoff performance for longer and has had more time to lower those stats than Dirk. But who would I want with the ball in those last seconds? Dirk Nowitzki. No doubt.

I like this question. Opened my eyes to how good Dirk is. It is debatable. I could tell you for a fact that Kobe isn't nearly as clutch as people make him out to seem. He was terrible against the Celtics in 2010 finals game 7. Gasol and the Refs saved his lousy performance. Kobe is a shot jacker whichever way you look at it. He's always been. Seems like people are blind to that though. I'm reworking on my top 10 list and looking through stats so these are helpful. Kobe Bryant might not even be in there next time around.

Although, I want to bring up the defensive side of the debate also.

Debate about what exactly? Kobe is obviously the better basketball player, why waste your time in all these numbers?

Kobe Bryant is the best all around basketball player the NBA has ever seen since Jordan.

A lot of you must have a tendency to over think things, this is way to simple to be a debate.

One thing I have noticed right off the bat is the fact that you just completely ignore Kobe and Dirks defensive comparisons

This is strictly on the number of wins and offensive numbers.

So this is only about their offensive game huh? Not on who is actually the BETTER player? Alright, I see how it is.

Have a good day sir.

JM, every debate you start it's always about the offensive side of the ball. Kobe Bryant is a much much better defender than Dirk is or ever will be. I'm taking Kobe over Dirk anytime and I'm sure millions of people around the world will agree with me on that, as well.

I personally think Kobe is a better player than Dirk, but I agree they are close.

Dirk has an amazing efficiency , which Kobe lacks (I won't say Kobe should be as efficient as Dirk since Kobe is a perimeter player and mostly guarded by players bigger than him). I think if Kobe never tried to be Jordan and just had a better shot selection he would be much better.

The main reason Kobe is better than Dirk is of course defense (which I think is a big deal), and more athleticism. In clutch Kobe is very overrated, but he's ok. Generally Kobe is one of the most overrated players but still he is great IMO.

I mean you want to consider the various intangibles, so why not consider the Laker's perplexing inconsistency at times. Kobe is really the ONLY player on the LAL roster who has that iron will to win. It's frustrating to see Gasol being soft at times or Bynum being immature. Ron Artest had a terrible 2011 season. Derek Fisher continues to degrade and Steve Blake was a major disappointment after his first couple games. Dallas may not have as many "talented" players, but at least Dirk knows that it's usually on him to score.

I will give one knock on Kobe though, as much as I hate to. Athleticism and skill can be a curse when it leads you to be overconfident. Sometimes you force it because you think you can, and sometimes you have to force it because you're the best option to when the shot clock is winding down.

Although you bring up a real good point, just go ask anyone. Who would they take in the NBA Draft first, Kobe or Dirk?

Just because Dirk won a ring does not make him the god. I got to admit, Dirk's stats do say a lot and he is one hell of a player. I can't say Dirk is better than Kobe, but I can say Dirk is the best power forward in the game today.

It may be debatable, although I think comparing an SG to a PF is not the smartest thing to do, but I'd rather start a franchise around a player like Kobe Bryant than a player like Dirk Nowitzki any day of the week.

Well its all about rings. When Dirk wins as many rings as Kobe then there is a legitimate debate. Otherwise, its an uneven debate that seems pointless. For example, you compare Jordan with Magic, not Malone. Just the way it is and has always been.