Who is better, Kobe Bryant or Elgin Baylor?

Question

For those of you too young to know what Baylor accomplished look at this:

http://www.nba.com/history/players/baylor_bio.html

Also, for those who would point to Kobe's 81pt game to show he was a better scorer, then note that Baylor scored 71pts in a game in 1960 and grabbed 25 rebs. That was 19 years before the 3pt line was invented!

In 1960, Baylor averaged 34.8 pts, 19.8 rebs per game. Let me repeat that: 19.8 rebs per game!

He averaged 38.3 ppg's in 1961-62 season. (2nd all-time after Wilt)

He was just 6'5" ,225lbs. He was no way near the behemoth that Wilt Chamberlain was. Perhaps his career statisitics would have been even greater had he not developed serious knee problems.

So who's your pick? I have not made up my mind yet, but Baylor seems to have an edge statistically if you look at scoring, rebounding and assists.

Remember, I am looking at individual performance and not necessarily their teams' success.

Answer 1

The unfortunate thing is that during Elgin's time coincided with Wilt's dominating years that his scoring feats were not recognized and his Finals exploits coincided with the Boston Dynasty that his finals heroics were put to waste, Had Elgin come to this time with the same training and the same nutrition he would readily dominate this league "geared towards offense".

I have always maintained that Magic was the best Laker to ever play the game with Kareem, Elgin, Shaq, West then Kobe following closely behind. Elgin was one of those very rare athletic phenomenon that pioneered the high leaping moves the players of today adapted, He also set the Finals record for most points scored with 61 points. It was unfortunate for him that these amazing feats were not preserved on film that the young ones may rave at this Laker great.

Kobe is great but without the names that pioneered the sport I wonder what kind of basketball we will be watching today.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Me im better than all of them put combined

Answer 3

Imagine Charles Barkley with the leaping ability of Vince Carter . . . . thats the closest thing to Elgin Baylor that you would get. Its a shame though that poor medicine back then wasnt able to mend his knee problems (his kneecaps literally snapped in half) and nearly ended his career in his prime. Baylor after the knee injury wasnt the same player from his first six years but he was still overpowering.

All the high flying antics of today's game has its roots on Elgin Baylor.

And yeah he is much better than Kobe.  

Answer 4

First thing you should know about basketball section L.A. Fans wear contact lens with Kobe painted on them they can't see anything else except for Kobe if god was to start playing basketball they would tell god Kobe is better than you need to know that B4 they eat you alive

Sadly we don't have any footage on this guy to make a pin point picture of how good he was but he has incredible stats who knows he might be better than 90 percent of a the players hyped today

Answer 5

they were both amazing players and i personally don't believe that any NBA players should be compared, because they're all good in different ways.  let me give you som examples:

dwight howard, kevin garnett, dunking

jason kidd, cp3, playmaking

bill russell, tayshawn prince, shot blocking

however i'll try my best to answer your question

the argument could go either way.

elgin baylor gets alot of credit for that highscoring fashion of his, even without the 3 point line, but some people say that defense is alot harder this day & age, because basketball has become more popular & brings together the best athletes. of the US.

the point is they're both great.

Answer 6

Lebron is better then everyone. Secondly Garnett is after lebron. Then its MJ.

As for your question.

Kobe is better because he is compared to Lebron and MJ. Two of the top 3 best players to play the game.

Answer 7

like my other answer, ask yourself this

if Baylor is so good then why dont people compare him to the greatest, MJ. now that i think about it no one really even talks about him. yet Kobe is always compared to MJ and people say he is the best in the world. not only people but Critics and sports writers

Answer 8

LEBRON

Answer 9

kobe

Answer 10

Elgin Baylor.

Answer 11

Larry Bird

Answer 12

kobe bryant all the way!!!!!!!

Answer 13

kobe by far is the better player.

baylor was goo dbut not great like kobe.

kobe would have averaged 50 ppg in 1960

the nba was joke besides a handful of players

defense is a heck of a lot better theses days

Answer 14

kobe is better

Answer 15

Different times my friend.

If Kobe/Lebron/Wade or any of those players played back then they'd be averaging 40-50 ppg.

Thats just my opinion though. Nobody knows for sure.