Kobe Bryant like Mike?

What makes greatness?

Well, in basketball, it means winning titles, and the retired Michael Jordan won 6 in his wake of being the undisputed greatest player to ever play in the NBA....ever. And can you blame the honor?

6 Titles, 5 MVP awards, 14 All-Star honors, 10 scoring titles, 9 All-Defense Awards, and a Gold Medal in the Olympics with the original Dream Team. Needless to say, no player has that grouping of honors.

But "His Airness" may have to move over in the slow lane, because there is a big purple and gold locomotive baring down on his legacy.

The Lakers Kobe Bryant is chiseling out his own legacy of greatness. Bryant just won his 4th title as his LA squad beat the Orlando Magic three games to one. He also has multiple All-Star honors (11), an MVP award, 9 All-Defense selections, two scoring titles, and a Gold Medal with the "Redeem Team" in the past Olympics.

Now, Bryant still needs a few more rings, at least 2 more, to even be put in the same breathe as Michael. But the resemblences can't go unnoticed.

Both played for Phil Jackson, both had a number change (Bryant from 9 to 24; Jordan from 23 to 45, and back to 23), both played the same position, and both even look similar.

Also, both were the unquestioned leaders of their teams, and both hit shot after shot, some of which make you say, "There is no way he can make that," and then they make it.

I'm by no means saying that Bryant is Michael Jordan reincarnate, even though the similarities are uncanny. But, at Bryant's age, if he keeps up this pace, he will surpass Jordan in rings, MVP titles, and he may win another gold medal in the next Olympics if the Redeem Team makes another run at it.

Judging by his last finals, and his leadership he has grown into, I expect a few more Defensive awards, but I'm not sure if he will catch Jordan in scoring titles with Lebron James scoring as much as he has to for the Cleveland Cavs. As far as titles, if that Laker team shows up next year, and that is a big if (both Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are free agents, and both command pricey contracts) the Lakers stand a good shot to repeat.

So, greatness is determined by titles and performance, and if Bryant stays at his pace, he will qualify as one of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball. Will that be enough to surpass Jordan?

In terms of performance, we will never know who truly is, "the greatest in their prime."

Though that would be an amazing 1-on-1 to watch.