Michael Jordan explains why he still ranks Kobe Bryant above LeBron James in his all time list

Four-and-a-half years and two more LeBron James championships haven’t changed Michael Jordan’s opinion that Kobe Bryant was better than James.

In February 2013, Jordan told NBA TV that Bryant’s five championship rings put him above James, who had one at that time. Speaking at his Flight School in Santa Barbara, California, on Monday, Jordan said that logic still stands.

“Would I rank LeBron over Kobe? In terms of best of all time? No,” he said, in response to a question from a camper.

“There’s something about five that beats three. … Kobe won five championships. LeBron won three — although he’s been to seven [consecutive] Finals,” Jordan said.

When Jordan made his comments four years ago, James had guided the Miami Heat past the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games a year prior. Since that time, James’ teams have appeared in five more NBA Finals and he has won two more rings — in 2013 when the Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in seven games and in 2016 when the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors in seven games.

Jordan won six championships with the Chicago Bulls during his Hall of Fame career. Bryant won all five of his rings with the Los Angeles Lakers.