Monday, May 3, 2010
Question: Who’s better, Kobe or LeBron?
This is a fun one because I love the NBA, and I especially love these two players. Still, it has to be answered.
They are the two best players in a league full of stars and they are both marketing giants. But this isn’t about there marketability; it’s about who’s better.
Yes, Kobe Bryant has more titles (four) than LeBron (zero), but for three of those were with Shaquille O’Neal in his prime. LeBron has now teamed with Shaq, too, but it’s at the end of his career. Kobe would have the advantage there.
Then you would have to look at supporting casts. The Cavaliers have upgraded the talent since LeBron James landed in Cleveland. Tony Battie and Lee Nailon played alongside LeBron his rookie season, while he’s playing with Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison now. Sill, he hasn’t reached the ultimate goal of a NBA title.
This past season, Kobe, along with a talented supporting cast of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, defeated the Orlando Magic for the NBA title. Although Kobe has more Titles, Lebron has done more with a less-talented supporting cast.
The final topic in this discussion has to be who is most clutch and who can deliver in the big moment.
Kobe Bryant’s nickname is the “Black Mamba,” a reference to the world’s deadliest snake. It’s fitting because at times teams seem to have died watching Kobe shoot lights out, for example he scored 81 points against Toronto in 2006, second-best ever.
Still, LeBron may have done one better. He turned a whole series around in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons took the first two games from the Cavaliers, and seemed like the were headed for an almost certain series victory.
Keyword, though, is almost. In Detroit in Game 5, LeBron put the whole team on his back by scoring 29 of the last 30 points, including 25 straight to end the game and helped the Cavs clinch the series in the next game. Although Kobe has more titles, LeBron is the only player in the NBA with the nickname The King.
Answer: LeBron.
— Edited by Jesse Rangel
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Comments
Morning Brew: Who’s better Kobe or LeBron?
Its funny how NBA fans and critics are so fascinated with who's better or who is the best in the league right now. People are so fickle that most will read your article and jump the band wagon and automatically crown "the King" the best playa tag. But come on seriously. You have to earn that title with some Larry O'Brian's man. Why do you think Malone will never be mentioned above Tim Duncan despite the fact that Malone may have had a better individual career stat's and PER. Its cause he never got the Main Prize. I do believe Lebron is the most athletic player we have ever seen in the NBA. He's simply amazing and has gotten better D last couple of years (might add after his introduction to hard nose worth ethic in his experience with the Olympics post Kobe). Kobe may not always wow the stats in fact he probably will be at most top 8 PER performers in this 2010playoffs but you can't argue the fact that he produces when he's needed. He will's his team to victories. "He swings big and misses big." I think getting the ultimate prize is given to those who are the best at what they do. Can't Crown Prince James just yet until the true King Mr Jellybean Bryant is dethroned. I hope most young fans understand that numbers may be deceiving and can actually skew a perception that Mainstream America wants to sell. I respectfully disagree with your answer.
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