Phil Jackson compares Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan in new book

The Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan debate has always been a hot topic in the basketball world, but no man has more authority when speaking about the two than Phil Jackson. In his new book, Jackson discusses the differences he saw between them.

by Andrew Garrison

May 17, 2013, 10:56 PM UTC

USA TODAY Sports

Phil Jackson has lined up an eventful summer. He's currently consulting with the Detroit Pistons as they search for a head coach, and his new book "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success" will certainly keep his name in circulation when it releases on May 21. The Los Angeles Times received an advance copy of the book and have highlighted a handful of excerpts where Jackson compares his two big-name big-game shooting guards: Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.

Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times quoted Jackson’s comparison of the two guards defensively, and Jackson gives the edge to Jordan and his “laser-focused” defensive prowess:

“No question, Michael was a tougher, more intimidating defender. He could break through virtually any screen and shut down almost any player with his intense, laser-focused style of defense,” said Jackson, who coached Jordan to six championships and Bryant to five.

Jackson also reveals his belief that one of the biggest differences between Jordan and Bryant is not in shooting percentages or footwork, but in leadership abilities, reports Bresnahan:

“One of the biggest differences between the two stars from my perspective was Michael’s superior skills as a leader,” Jackson said. “Though at times he could be hard on his teammates, Michael was masterful at controlling the emotional climate of the team with the power of his presence. Kobe had a long way to go before he could make that claim.”

In just the handful of quotes that the L.A. Times has released it’s clear that Jackson’s book will feature his unfiltered opinion on both Jordan and Bryant. While it may seem curious that Jackson is focused on the two players in “Eleven Rings,” what person in the world has more authority when speaking about either?

Jackson is engaged to Los Angeles Lakers managing governor Jeanie Buss, who took to Twitter to let her future husband know her take on Jordan and Bryant: