Many young players coming out of college (or high school) have been saddled with the tag, “The Next Jordan”, which is more than enough pressure, no matter how decorated they are. Here is a look at the top 5 players, and how they’ve managed. NBA betting should include an annual prop asking who will be this year’s “next Jordan”.

Kobe Bryant came out of high school, and showed quickly that he had all the tools to be “the next Jordan”. “Black Mamba” is easily the closest thing we have to Jordan right now, even down to Bryant copying the fadeaway jumper Jordan used late in his career. And with his intensity, if Bryant was in this weekend’s MMA event, UFC 95 odds were give him a fighting chance.

High flyer? Check. North Carolina Tar Heel? Check. Dominating dunk-contest performance? Check. Vince’s show in 2000 had the NBA on their feet, and while he still has big nights, Carter’s not as daring as he used to be, and he NEVER had the heart of Jordan.

Grant Hill never had the same type of game Jordan had, and he went to UNC rival Duke, but people still had the highest of hopes for the versatile forward. Injuries have hurt Hill’s career, but he’s still one of the most respected players in the league.

Jerry Stackhouse had the same burden as Carter, with his UNC bloodlines and leaping ability. He even got the chance to play with Jordan when he came back with Washington. However, Stackhouse was never a big factor in the playoffs. Still, he was probably the first to carry “the next Jordan” tag.

Harold Miner was called “Baby Jordan”, but it was obviously for his dunking ability, and not his all-around game, as he averaged only nine points a game in a short four-year career. However, he won a pair of dunk contest, and his above performance in 1995 was borderline classic.

Well, it’s been an eventful week at Madison Square Garden. First, Kobe Bryant set an MSG-record with 61 points as his Lakers beat the New York Knicks. Two days later, LeBron James scored 52 in his triple-double performance in another win over the Knicks. Ahead of the matchup between these two NBA betting giants on Sunday in Cleveland, the question has to be posed: which one of these All-Stars do you want on your team?

James is younger, and physically, he’s just an all-around beast. He’s also seemed to develop defensively, and most think it’s due to his experience going up against Bryant when the two led the United States to a gold medal in Beijing last summer. Bryant is more experienced, and there isn’t a player in the league with more of a killer instinct than the man with the nickname, “The Black Mamba”. James is more apt to get his teammates involved, and Bryant will too, but as he proved against the Knicks, Kobe is more than willing to gun until his arms are tired. It’s a tossup, and this probably changes every day, but if I were to choose one player, for one season, or even one game, I’ll take Bryant. If I’m starting a franchise, Bron because of his age and “potential”. You couldn’t really go wrong with either player.

The NBA is coming up on the All-Star break, but a couple teams could see their NBA betting chances of winning the championship take a big hit courtesy of some ill-timed injuries to key players.

Orlando’s Jameer Nelson should be preparing to make his All-Star debut as the fifth-year guard is having a splendid season. However, Magic fans were left holding their breath when Nelson went down hard in Monday’s 105-95 loss at home to Dallas. Nelson has been diagnosed with a torn labrum and a dislocation in his right shoulder, but he has the option of rehabbing to get through to offseason surgery. Either way, this is a damaging blow to Orlando’s NBA betting odds, as the Magic don’t have a guard close to Nelson’s caliber (although rookie Courtney Lee has looked nice this year).

Out in Tinseltown, Andrew Bynum is wishing that he never has to face the Memphis Grizzlies again. The young center on the West-leading Lakers suffered a serious knee injury for the second straight year against the Grizz, this time coming on Saturday when he was run into by teammate Kobe Bryant. The Lakers’ NBA betting chances should still be in good shape, as they reached the Finals last year without Bynu, but it’s clear they are a much better team with him. Bynum is a major presence iin the post, which opens up the floor for Bryant (Monday’s 61-point explosion in New York notwithstanding) and Pau Gasol. Bynum won’t be back before the playoffs, and even then, it’ll be up in the air.