Let’s argue about whether Kobe Bryant’s draft class was better than Michael Jordan’s

When Kobe Bryant retires after this season, that’ll close the book on the 1996 NBA Draft class, assuming something crazy doesn’t happen like Ray Allen returning.

With that draft class finishing up its time in the NBA, Jermaine O’Neal, the No. 17 pick in 1996, started a discussion about the best draft class ever by comparing the 1996 class to the famed 1984 class that included Michael Jordan.

Both classes are superb in their own way. The ‘84 class is loaded with Hall of Fame star power at the top of the draft, while the ‘96 class will have some Hall of Famers and boasts solid depth.

So who has the edge here?

The ‘84 class features the one and only Michael Jordan at No. 3, so having him alone makes this a notable draft. But several other best players of all time were also selected in this year.

Hakeem Olajuwon, who won two championships with the Houston Rockets, two Finals MVPs and one regular-season MVP, went No. 1 overall. Olajuwon is 10th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, 13th in rebounds, first in blocks and eighth in steals.

Charles Barkley (No. 5) and John Stockton (No. 16) are the other two Hall of Famers in this draft. (Technically, Brazil legend Oscar Schmidt counts as a third, but he never played in the NBA.) Barkley and Stockton never won titles, but they both made their marks as two of the best players ever. Barkley averaged 22 and 12 for his career, while Stockton is the NBA’s all-time assists and steals leader.

The ‘96 class isn’t without its stars. Bryant is obviously the biggest of them all, and he’s arguably the second-best player between these two classes behind only Jordan. Allen Iverson was the top pick that year, and many consider him to be the “pound-for-pound” best player ever. Iverson is a bit polarizing, though, and his poor efficiency diminishes his accomplishments in the eyes of some. Ray Allen (No. 5) and Steve Nash (No. 15) are the two other sure-fire Hall of Famers in this group. Allen has made the most three-pointers in league history and Nash is third all-time in assists.

But while a quartet of Kobe/Iverson/Nash/Allen is impressive, that simply doesn’t hold up to Jordan/Olajuwon/Barkley/Stockton. The ‘84 class has the clear edge at the top.

What the ‘96 class lacks there, it makes up for with good talent sprinkled throughout the draft.

Stephon Marbury (No. 4) and Peja Stojakovic (No. 14) are borderline Hall of Famers. Marbury’s case is admittedly bolstered by his time in China, but despite his shortcomings, he was a dynamic NBA player for a long time before things went south.

Marcus Camby (No. 2) never made an All-Star Game, but he was Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. Shareef Abdur-Rahim (No. 3), Antoine Walker (No. 6), O’Neal (No. 17) and Zydrunas Ilgauskas (No. 20) all made All-Star appearances. Derek Fisher (No. 24) never went to an All-Star Game, but he was a key role player on five title teams who consistently hit big shots.

There just aren’t as many solid pros in the 1984 draft. Alvin Robertson (No. 7) won Defensive Player of the Year in 1986, was a four-time All-Star and has the best steals average in league history. Otis Thorpe (No. 9) and Kevin Willis (No. 11) both made one All-Star appearance and each won a title. But no other players in this draft made an All-Star Game.

The ‘84 class had just seven All-Stars compared to the 10 in the ‘96 class. If you count the undrafted Ben Wallace, who was eligible to be selected in ‘96, that number goes to 11.

The depth throughout the ‘96 draft is no doubt impressive considering a third of the first-round picks became All-Stars. Bryant is one of the best to lace up the sneakers, while Iverson, Nash and Allen will all be Hall of Famers.

However, it’s hard to argue against the star power in the ‘84 draft. That year featured four of the best 20 players of all time in one draft. The NBA is a star’s league, so the ‘84 class gets the nod. Sorry, Jermaine.

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