Kobe vs. LeBron
Dwyane who? Dirk what? Duncan why? KG where? Nash how? In the mighty, mighty world of the NBA, the league that boasts the world’s finest athletes, the debate can rage on forever. Who is the best? The most exciting? The most dominating? Ask a hundred people and you might get 50 different answers. But here we call it like it is. And we expose suckers for what they are – suckers. Not to say any of the above are suckers, but when it comes down to it the debate of who’s the best really centers on two players. Kobe vs. LeBron.
The Black Mamba vs. The Chosen One. The Assassin vs. The Prodigy. Could you imagine a one-on-one game between these two? Where is the video game? Remember the Larry Bird/Dr. J one? Well, LeBron vs. Kobe would kill that. These two would dominate (each other), gesticulate (wildly), articulate (each dunk), contemplate (each move) and pronunciate (each highflying trip to the rack). And for real there is no stopping either one. They can do whatever they want whenever they want. They are both really that good and really that exciting. Kobe with his 81-point explosions and LeBron with his Jordanesque playoff games and triple-double trouble. But the most important thing about them is their will to win and make the players around them better. And just like Mike, they are doing it.
LeBron took a ragtag group of castoffs to the Finals. Retreads like Damon Jones, stiffs like Zydrunas Ilgauskas and underachievers like Donyell Marshall. Kobe has been getting to the playoffs with undrafted dudes like Smush, busts like Kwame and projects like Bynum. Could these guys get a little help, please? I’m sure they both would be battling in the championship if they had some help. LeBron seems like a mainstay in the East and now that Kobe wants to be traded who knows where he’ll wind up.
There’s always been players like Nash, who come along and elevate the play of their teammates (Russell, Magic, Stockton, Isiah, Bird). But to do it like Mike, you have to not only elevate your teammates games, but you have to dominate yourself – as in physically, mentally and spiritually – by infusing your will to win into your teammates while at the same time making an undeniable impression that you are indeed the best player and athlete on the court. No easy feat. That’s why there’s only been one Mike. But if anyone can duplicate what he did, the overall greatness in every aspect, it’ll be Kobe or LeBron.
Kobe at 28 and in Lakerland is getting fed up. He wants that championship solo with no Shaq. Kobe is too proud to ride someone’s coattails and claim it as his own. He wants to be the star and have a supporting cast tailor made for him – hence the trade demands. Where will he end up nobody knows. But hopefully with some players to make an impact and a run at the title. And LeBron at 22 is playing remarkable averaging 26 ppg and almost 7 rebounds and assists per game. He’ll probably never average a triple-double, but who since Oscar Robertson has? As long as the Cavs maintain their advantage in the weak East and place some shooters around LeBron like Boobie Gibson, King James will have his shot at a championship. Because just like Kobe, he can put a team on his shoulders and his team through a playoff series like he did against the Pistons. Remember we just witnessed it and never mind the Spurs shutting him down, they were clearly the superior team. LeBron needs help. But also like Mike, he needs to step it up a little more. No excuses.
Kobe has three rings, but they probably matter little to him because he knows in his heart he was just Shaq’s caddy. Think if Jordan came in and played with Bird or Magic, it just wouldn’t be the same as him doing it by himself with all dudes under him. Kobe never liked being Robin to Shaq’s Batman and LeBron has been solo since the jump with an assortment of second fiddles who never matched Pippen to his Jordan. Boobie Gibson is nice, but can he sustain that level of play for a whole year?
With Kobe making trade demands, his future is uncertain. But he knows Odom, Bynum, Farmar and Walton are not championship caliber teammates. Birth of these superstars must be surrounded by complementary players who can hit a shot. They need a Paxson, a Kerr, a Wennington. But also both of them need to take it upon themselves and make some of their teammates into those guys by inspiring confidence just like LeBron did with Boobie.
With Kobe and LeBron’s ability to get to the rack at will, take anyone off the dribble at anytime, play great defense and be the superstars that they are under intense pressure day in and day out, they are clearly the two best players in the league today. But as to who is the best, that is open to discussion. For me, though, I’ll go with LeBron because he just led a similar Cavs team to the Finals while Kobe’s Lakers can’t get out of the first round.
dc Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
its not boobie gibson it’s daniel gibson…
ali "chota daku" d Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
Kobe is a fer sure a part of this discussion without debate.
Lebron however has company in my opionin.
Where is D-Wade… 1 year of injury excludes him from this conversation? that is so sad the way we all live for today.
Chad Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
Kobe Bryant is getting better, he learns something new every year.His is the most complete and feared player in the league. The west is the stage, the east is a j.v. league. Lebron didnt play against Arenas and Hughes and Kristic, Kobe played Stoudemire, Nash, and Marion. LeBron brings the same sloppy play every year just overpowering his opponents and using what his nike shooting coach taught to lean sideways.
KDiddy Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
r u serious, dude if your gonna have a disscussion about who’s the best, the flash is definitely the best, who was the player that detroit couldn’t stopin the eastern finals shotting over 60% from the field before gettin sick, and then your talkin jordanesque game 3 down 13,who took over the game and put his team on his shoulder & won a championship ooh!the flash, and who does shaq play robin to? ooh! the flash seriosly remember the game the cavs were playin the heat & the flash had a trillion turnovers in the first 3 quarters & bron & the cavs were up 20 who took over the game in the forth quarter and lead his team to victory will the other was bittin his nail ooh! the FLASH.
Kap Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
Hey great article but to say LeBron is better than Kobe I gotta beg to differ, Kobe’s offensive game is way beyond King James (until he can develop a descent mid-range jumper he’ll always be number 2), and Kobe plays way better defense. LeBron’s road to the Finals this year was pretty much a hand me down, they faced a DIV-IAA team disguised as the Wizards in the first round, the Nets were also in disarray, and beat up on a beaten down Piston’s team, and If da Kobe’s didn’t get hit with the injury bug, they were destined to be at least been the fifth seed and they could of beat either the Jazz or Rockets, but that’s just a what if situation, But LeBron has a way’s to go because Kobe’s da closest thing to Mike…well…since Mike.
Yelito Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
Nice article, nothing new though, I understand and believe that Kobe is the best player in the world, but Kobe is right there. Now, I’m getting tired of soooo many people saying that Jordan dominated by himself, that he makes people better and so many crap. First Jordan with Pippen= 0 Rings. In his first 7 years he did squat, just a bunch of stat but he felt miserable on the playoff. In his first tripeat, he had the most versatil player on the NBA in Pippen, an awesome power forward in Grant and a very capable bunch of role players in Paxson, Cartwright, Armstrong and others. IN his second championship run he had an even better team in Pippen in his prime, Tony Kukoc, Steve Kerr and the x factor Rodman, not to mention a rotation of big men that could do their work. Yeah, he never had a dominant center but always had blue collar players. IS Jordan the best ever? perhaps, but he didn’t do it by himself, and he didn’t make nobody better, and that’s the truth.
Yelito Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
I meant Jordan without Pippen 0 Rings.
bill Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
You are ot of your mind, untill lebron shows the competive fire he will not be as good as kobe. just because his team made it to the finals does not mean that he is better than kobe. first the east is weaker than the west and kobes team mates were injured most of the season. the lakers were kobe and sometimes lamar. the cavs had lebron and gooden and the center (can’t spell his name), and they had a couple of other players that played their best games of their life. the lakers did not have one player that played the best game of their life all year long. and lebron had players that could catch a pass in the post but the lakers did not and that makes a big difference in a teams ability to win big games. every team that has won in the past has always had a inside player and an outside player to balance the attack they did not have to be great just productive. untill lebron wins something he is still number other than one. Kobe , Wade …..Lebron
Jesse Bean Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
Most if not all of those comments were superb if only talking about Kobe. Lebron is an unbelievable talent and a remarkable athelete, easily one of the best in the world but his demeanor, mentality, ambition, and focus are nothing in comparison to Kobe and Mike. I doubt there are many my age (25) that have watched and played as much basketball as I have with my entire focus on the pros. Only Kobe is comparible in the winning catagories. Lebron is not nearly consistant enough and continually misses winning opportunities, especially at the free throw line. He does not have the intestinal fortitude of the great champions. He is more of a hawthorne effect circumstance with everyone pulling for him. Kobe is set apart from everyone else as he seemingly hits every big shot in the face of more adversity than any great has ever circum. The more they cheer or jeer, the better he is. Kobe is the only basketball player I have ever witnessed playing, includeing mike, that has made me say “wow, that is the best I have ever seen.” If Kobe had Lebron’s same opportunities in his career span he would have already won multiple MVP’s. Kobe is undenialbly, unquestionablly, unequivically the best. And probably ever.
roman Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
kobe and lerbon, both are good basketball players, all get to say
tim Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
dc. you’re right about it his name being daniel gibson, but boobie is his nickname. so yeah. neither one of you guys are wrong…in some sense
T Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
Kobe is way better than LeBron… did u not watch the usa scrimmage? kobe takes over while lebron tries but cant overcome kobe’s will to win… kobe is far superior to lebron offensively and defensively as well he has a better shot and much better on ball defense.. kobe is also more like mike.. he has the killer instinct and will to take over a game.. he lives for the final shot and is ridiculously clutch at it.. lebron is a more like a scoring magic johnson.. he scores more but pretty much rebs the same all while making his team mates better but magic was much more clutch than lebron… but i agree with kdaddy that wade has to be included in this battle… besides the 3 hes either on par wit lebron or better in certain aspects… he gets his team mates involved while dominating the game gettin to the basket at will.. he also has in my opinion a better jumper than lebron does (again not counting the 3 lebron shoots the 3 better) and he is more clutch than lebron is hittin many more clutch jumpers than lebron who has only made 1 clutch jumper that i can remember… 2 if u count tat lay up he traveled on against washington but tats not really a jumper.
1 last thing.. i agree with yelito that jordan didn’t really make anybody else better.. he juss dominated the game offensively so well and only passed to the players he trusted to make shots.. meaning that they were alrdy good players that he gave the ball to.
Dre Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 9:53 pm
I don’t even think Lebron should be that high on the list when you are talking about the best in the league. I think Kobe is the best but I would also argue for Duncan and Wade before I would argue for Lebron.
My Thoughts Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 9:53 pm
dc Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
its not boobie gibson it’s daniel gibson…
^^^
Boobie is his nickname lmao.
In my personal opinion, it has to be Kobe. He can dominate consistently in any facet of the game. Remember though, Lebron is only in his early 20s! Lebron is nowhere near his prime and will definitely take the crown soon. Dwyane Wade is my favourite basketball player, but he isn’t the best player in the NBA. He is definitely in the elite, but he still must refine his jumpshot. I wouldn’t be surprised if Flash pushed himself into the conversation again next season.
Dball Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
wowwwww, so dumb.
Kobe couldn’t get out the first round because they played the suns and are in a much tougher conference. Who did the Cavs play? a completely dismantled wizards that otherewise might’ve won. Kobe is way bette.
And Duncan is better than all of them. How about two sides of the game. Duncan is better on defense than both of them and grabs tons more boards. Then on offense he helps create for four other teammates and thats why he wins those rings.
paulwall Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
totaly a crappy article.first of all i do concur that kobe is the best in the NBA based on individual statistics.LeBron is not even in the same range as Kobe as far as the offensive and defensive skills are concerned.I mean Lebron is a phenomenal athelete but he still gots to learn the fundamentals of basketball and polish his midrange jumper.but anywyayz to make my point, Dwayne Wade aka Flash is the closest thing to Kobe as far as the offensive and defensive skills are concerned and in my opinion Wade is the best player in the NBA from a team perspective point of view.He makes his teammates better and also takes over the game when needed.What more proof do you need.Dwade is coming back strong this year for all y’all haters.
Brett Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 11:08 pm
Alright for everybody putting down lebron…thats bull…you cant say he beat down a beaten up pistons team because everybody thought the pistons were going to sweep the cavs…and he had his infamous lebrons game 5…you can say flash is better than him because while he won a championship he had shaq…lebron had zydrunas and lebrons stats rise above dwades…lebrons sidekick in the playoffs was a no name rookie daniel ‘boobie’ gibson a unknown rook who was making a name for himself…and whoever said jordan didnt make anybody better is a complete idiot
alfredo velez Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
yo f**K labron and kobe both dem ball hogs kobe never passes and so selfish and labron right up selfish labron is better then kobe but my boi carter and d-wade is way better the reason why people like kobe and labron so much is that the think thay they can pul there team on top the lakers will not win a championshie with kobe alone nore make is to the finals labron can pull him team to the finals but will always lose because team work win chamionship not selfish ballhogs
dasdf Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
um…lebron got out of first round playing a antwan jamison led washington team…kobe had to play against a 2 time mvp as well as another all nba first team…you think lebron would have them? lol dumbass
ethical suicide Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 11:20 pm
First off, the comparison should forever be between Mike and Mamba. In the time period that MJ played in, nobody had ever seen or played like him. In this day and age where every undrafted weakling can hit a buzzer-beater and throw down like vinsanity, it’s a marvel that Kobe is still beasting on these youngn’s like a joke, the way it’s s’posed to be. I just can’t understand what the fascination is, sure, MJ was great but every generation tries to annoint their best as king. Truth is, KB24 is a monster and if ppl jus stopped hating, they would realise that, no lie. Everyone throughout the world knows him even without endorsement deals (see Jordan, Woods etc.) Lastly, who have you ever heard of who can piss off 6 billion ppl because of how confident he is? ‘Nuff said.
Dave H. Said,
July 27, 2007 @ 11:57 pm
There is no comparison to Kobe and Lebron. They play 2 different games. Kobe is a much more polished player offensively and defensively. Lebron is much younger and has a ridiculous amount of talent, but he is not as determined IMO as Kobe. I dont see the fire in Lebrons eyes that I do in Kobes. People just like to hate on Kobe, like its the thing to do. Stop listening to b/s reporters, who jump on bandwagons and rant and rave about the “hot player of the year”. Its like when people say that Nash is the best point guard of this era. That to me is hilarious. Anyone heard of Jason Kidd? Kidd is lightyears ahead of Nash in overall career production. Kobe is the best player on the planet, no questions asked. I think the question is who is the second best player in the world…Lebron might be behind Wade, Duncan and KG. Lebron is flashy and the media buys his fake charm. The dude is cocky enough to say that “this team (USA) is his team to lead”. That is hilarious. This is more Jason Kidd and Kobe’s team than his. Get in the back of the line King James. Your turn will be there, ONCE KOBE RETIRES.
Dumbass velez Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 12:00 am
how the hell is carter better…he had kidd and jefferson and still got wrecked by lebron, he shoots under 40% in playoffs…and lebron is not better than kobe…kobe can explode at any time and he ACTUALLY makes his teammates better. If lebron made his team better then he wouldnt hav scored 27 in a row…plus he cant play defence at the same level as kobe, kobe only looks worse at defence now cuz he carries the entire offensive load while lebron has gooden, hughes, Big Z who all avg 10+ points per game
wb33 Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 12:03 am
kobe all da way & wat ru talkin bout alfredo??? kobe is better dan vince carter in every stat except for rebounding & vince barely beats him there & kobe has better d dan vince too & kobe has 3 rings while vince has 0!!! vince also has jkidd & rj! da olnee thing vince has kobe on is dunking - BIG DEAL
Dave Lewis Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 12:12 am
“because he knows in his heart he was just Shaq’s caddy.”
That is some BS right there. Kobe was the MVP of the WCF all three years. It was kobe with the game winner against the Pacer in OT, it was Kobe with the game winner over Kidd against the Suns in their way to ring #2, it was kobe who scored 48pts and 16 rebounds against the Kings in Game 7, it was Kobe with 45 and 41 over the spurs Twin Towers, it was Kobe locking down AI in the Finals. It was he who got the Lakers through the Spurs, Kings and Blazers while Shaq dominated the much smaller East in the Finals getting the “easy” MVP by matchup default.
. To simply put aside Kobes huge contributions and clutch plays on the biggest stage as “Shaqs caddy” shows a lack of sophistication and memory of those games.
davon Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 12:24 am
the alfredo velez fuckboi cant even spell lebron(LABRON) lol so his vote dont count lol
Hart Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 1:07 am
Kobe is by far the best player in the league and being voted first team all nba offense and defense only validates this. Lebron’s offensive game is far from being polished and his defense is not even worth talking about. Besides, his NBA resume is not even comparable to Kobe’s.
Lebron is in a tier below Kobe and on the same level with other players like Duncan, Wade and Garnett. Both are exciting players to watch though.
Eric Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 1:20 am
What the hell, why isnt Tim Duncan the best in the league???PLEASE gimme a legit reson, why does it always have to be a wing player thats the best player???? Except for Jordan, which wing player was actually considered the best player in the league????
Antonio Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 1:26 am
First let me say one thing….Alfredo Velez, go back to school and learn how to spell (Uh, first grade is a start)
Now, lets talk about the best player in the league. The best all around player in the league is Kobe…hands down! Just look at the championship runs, yes…Shaq drew a lot of attention in the post but who did the team go to in the crunch…it certainly was not Shaq because he couldnt make a free throw! Kobe has 3 rings because he was the catalyst. You give Kobe a couple more pieces on what he has now the Lakers will once again be dominant (barring injuries).
To compare LeBron to Kobe doesnt make sense at this point…even King James said that he doesnt have the killer instinct that Kobe has…so what does that tell you! LeBron is definately one of the greatest players in the game…no doubt, but not the best!
This is how it is and anybody that really knows sports without favoring their own team or player would agree.
ronaldo9 Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 1:34 am
dude
kobe is in the western conference man. the western conference. he can’t do it all by himself and beat nash, amare, barbosa, and the others while shawn marion and raja bell are in his grill. even if he could, could kobe beat houston, san antonio, dallas, golden state, utah and denver if ever in the second round with those teams more equally balanced and have the better supporting cast.
can’t compare kobe to lebron by using the playoffs cause the eastern conference is so much weaker than the western conference. lebron had an easy playoffs, seriously. he faced and went through the wizards who were without the magic of caron butler and gilbert arenas. the only person he had to face there was antawn jamison who has been sadly forgotten since his days in golden state. then they beat the nets, who have no bigs. they got Big Z and drew gooden and varejao that are CAPABLE of doing damage. then they faced the pistons, who has no superstar that can create his own shot and no one that can defend the strength of lebron. so it was easy.
cant compare. if kobe moves to the east or lebron moves to the west. then we can see and then we can compare.
Tyler Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 1:37 am
It was a good article, Kobe is the best all around guy in the league, and he has no supporting cast, but he has not tried to get those guys better. Lamar Odom is a good player, and so is Andrew Bynum, and they would be far better playing with Lebron. Lebron is more talented then Kobe and he is younger, so I would put Lebron as the best player in the League. And I agree that Tim Duncan is the best power forward to play the game, and he definetly belongs up there with the best players in the League. Give it another year and we will find out who is the best.
m Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 1:49 am
Lebron is not a top two player in the league, he is a top one player in the East. Kobe is hands down the best player in the league, much better than Lebron. Lebron hasn’t even figured out how to hit a mid-range jump shot, and he got shut DOWN against a real defensive team like the Spurs. Sure Kobe vs. Lebron would make a good one on one game but who are you kidding Seth, Duncan, KG, and Nash are all more valuable than Lebron until his game continues to develop. These guys keep their game elevated all year in the western conference while Lebron plays in NBA junior, the leastern conference.
LéGuy Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 2:40 am
LeBron is the best FOR HIS AGE!!! He aint even in top 5 in league because he lacks experience so badly! If u r talking about the best player u have to consider all aspects which influence the game of the player… I mean experience touches the performance much more the potential of the player! (potential doesnt touch it at all)… So I disagree with lebron`s name in the talk..
But I agree… Kobe is the best (even if I dont like it too much).
GET LBJ OUT OF IT!!!
BUCK Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 3:42 am
I’m a Cav’s fan and love Lebron like a son, but I have to keep it real and Kap and Yelito wrote the the only real thing I’ve read today. I’ll even go a little farther and say Kobe is a better scorer and plays better defence then Jordan did.Only thing that between Kobe and Jordan, is Jordan’s three more rings, not skills. Also, I wish everone would stop saying great players make their teammates better, because there is no such thing, This is a myth made up by someone who was clueless. Great players draw so much att. that their teammates are given a lot of chances to show what they can do and that is it. Magic never taught anyone the sky-hook, Jordan never taught anyone to hit open jumpers.
Mr.European Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 4:07 am
From my personal point of view, the article is an absolute rubbish (no offence, Seth). First of all, raising such isue is of no use, because we all know, that for today, there is NO such player like MJ was (who was clearly the best player himself on the ground and could also inspire the teammates for the victories). Thus, debating who is the best now is of no use, because there is no such player who could dominate the opponents both physically and mentally and having an undenieably positive aura. The champions are changing virtually every year: if D-Wade was a monster in the finals against the Mavs, then Parker was the one, who caused the most of troubles to the Cavs.
And what about Kobe? Forget the times, when one player may be the corner (and the only) element for a victory. The USA national team’s disasters in the last decade proves, how much the team-play is important. The same thing came to the NBA. Kobe plays with a bunch of walk-ons (except for Odom, maybe) and he has a full trust from Phil, so he can do whatever he wants in the game. No surprise to score over 30 pts a game. Put Kobe in the US national team and he’ll either be an avarage starting 5 member or he’ll leave the team with a great scandal, because “I don’t get enough of ball and freedoom” or smth. like that…
In my eyes, LeBron is more a basketball player, for basketball is a TEAM game, and King James does a better team-play than Kobe.
sasha Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 4:48 am
In order to decide who is the greatest player you have to imagine that you are a respected player in the NBA who happens to be free agent. You have plenty of offers…from LAL, CLE, PHX, SPURS, MAVS and MIN. All of the teams mentioned have one major star on the roster. You have to choose one team and also one star. Bear in mind that your goal is to win the championship as you aren’t growing any younger…your choice should determine who is the best player in the league…and don’t tell me it’s the LAL(Kobe’s team) or CAVS(Bron’s team)…need a hint? It’s narrows down to the SPURS and PHOENIX.
Ishmael Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 5:31 am
Gotta be kidding me. LeBron James? Yeah, I’m a witness. I’m a witness to boring drives and kickouts. I’m a witness to barrelling down the lane and hoping the refs bail him out. I’m a witness to depressing egomania (What do you want to do in the next five years, LBJ? “Two words. Global Icon.” ahhhhh, I lost eight years of my life). I’m a witness to utter laziness on D. I’m a witness to uncreative assists (”underrated” passer LeBron going for his zillionth kickout to a jump shooter). I’m a witness to overexcitement, don’t know what they’re missing because we all forget even the greatness of MJ. When you’re so desperate for new blood, you forget the good stuff. Prediction for LeBron’s career: 1 championship, maybe, in an especially weak year (say, the Spurs get old, and the Lakers don’t get better or major star injuries on the elite teams). Knee inury in his late 20’s. Major fade-out in his 30’s. Career marred by lack of true focus. Never improves on D. In his late-Thirties, he’ll be a third-string jump shooter on the Seattle Supersonics dynasty, while Durant goes for his 5th ring. Hall of fame, but in the just-above-Vince-Carter level.
Rosalind Booker Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 5:39 am
D- Wade? are you kidding me? Kobe is the best to EVER walk on the court. NO ONE compares to Kobe, NO ONE. So let’s not get it twisted. Love him or hate him, Kobe is the BEST. And further more, he will be in the hall of fame, will D- Wade? NOT!!!
g Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 5:40 am
to sum it all up. lebron is good but still far frim the skills and achievements of kobe.. kobe wins man.
t emanuel Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 5:42 am
hey guys lets be real kobe is the best player in the league with the most heart period!!
rock Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 6:53 am
lebron better than kobe hands down. some of you need to open your eyes and actually watch the game of basketball.
jcasso Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 6:56 am
forget it. no one is as good as kobe. not if you’re talking about pure offensive power. yeah, lebron is a better team player, but this blog is posing the question of who is the better player in a head to head matchup? the answer to the question is CLUTCH! lebron shrivles up at the end of the game, kobe shines. end of discussion.
oliver Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 6:56 am
Cavs went to finals only cause, Arenas, Butler, got injured, and same was with some Nets players. East sucks, they would lose in first round in the west. I am not sure they would go past bulls either.
brian Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 7:51 am
Bball fans I am going to be honest I am LA fan lebron is a great player lacks d fense and desire kobe has the all arround game dwade is better then lebron and some1 said what about a big guy tim what about him so he is the poster child for the league and cries when he doesnt get calls play center were u belong especially at 7 ft just goes to show he is weak shaq let him know that kobe is the best and every1 knows that
bigdog Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 7:52 am
Kobe is the single most disruptive force in the league… to his on franchise. i don’t want to hear about he doesn’t have a supporting cast Lamar, ex laker Caron Bulter are more than average players. He has had average bigs ( Chris Mims, Andrew Bynum,Ronny Turaif,Kwame Brown) and shooters in Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic and Vladmir. If Kobe is so great then get your teammates easy looks for easy baskets. Motivate them not whine and complain and leave all your personal issuse at home. Your defense is so overrated. You’ve been torched by Dwade, Gil Zero, Bonzi Wells, Ray Allen, Cory Magette to name a few. How many “superstars” got 60 point put on them last year?Put M.J. on the Lakers they @ least get to the 2nd round.
amra01 Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 7:55 am
how can you even mention the name of god Michael in an article about over-polished by media kobe and Lebron… they ain’t that good Lebron is an nowdays Dominique Wilkins a freak of nature kobe knows how to play ball he dribbles shoots moves way better than any other guard but he is so weak mentally he just doesn’t have it inside and either of them just don’t try at D.
Wade proved himself last year he had some bad injuries this year. I expect Carmello to get better than Lebron he is fundamentally better than Lebron.
Matt Sans Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:10 am
Lebron isnt on kobe’s level. His jumps shot and defence arent even close to kobe’s and bron does have a better team then kobe and if lebron were in the west like kobe he would of been out in the first round.
bigdog Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:13 am
As far as him perhaps being the greatest? Forget about it. Bill Russell has rings for both hands. The most dominant? Wilt, Shaq, Kareem were so dominant they cause major rule changes in the sport as an attempt to slow them down. Don’t make the Jordan comparison he isn’t as good as Pippen in his prime ( you know the guy who led the Bulls the year Jordan retired), Dr.J, Charles Barkley, Magic, Bird. The bottom line is championships and without Shaq he won’t win another. Lebron has alot of potential but he isn’t there yet. But Dwade is a prime time player. He’s makes his teammates better, he’s clutch, a team player and has a ring to show for it.
david Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:15 am
You must really be getting hard up for articles. Add up both guys rings and they still don’t equal Duncan (I guess if you want to include Dwane’s gift, then it’s even). Take Timmy off the Spurs and they’re 500 at best. Pick a player to build a team around and the pundits will tell you Tim all the way. And he ain’t finished yet. So he’s boring — he wins.
Kobe should count as 2 players — himself and his ego. Sure they’re “flashy”..Yes they’re phenomenal talents. But TODAY ? Tim.
Aj Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:15 am
Ithink you all are forgetting about Allen Iverson………At six feet no one has done what he has and probabaly there will be no one. Lets take you back to 2001 when allen iverson and a bunch off bums on the team except for Mutumbo went to the finals. It was all Ai that year..In my mind if he had been 6′7 he would have been greater than jodan….but thats just me talkin….lol
LeBron James Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:17 am
Kobe is better than LeBron. Seth you’re a retard.
Seth Ferranti Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:20 am
I’m sorry guys. I was wrong. I take back everything that I said. Kobe is better than LeBron. I don’t know what I was thinking. Please forgive me.
bigdog Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:23 am
oh, i forgot about Hakeem the Dream, unstoppable. During the M.J. “retirements” the most unstoppable force in the league. Miss me with Kobe Bryant!
scuba slim Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:28 am
the video game was Jordan vs Bird… Dr. J?? C’mon now
carter Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:32 am
I still think Kevin Garnett
is the most dominate he had how many staight double doubles Is always up in the stats but just becuase he has no support people write him off
Eugene Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:53 am
let me start by saying this, Kobe, Lebron and lets not forget Dwade are the best wing players in the planet hands down. However, last time i checked 8 of the last 9 titles went to teams led by 2 player, Duncan and Shaq. Sure Kobe was on the lakers team, but like the article said he was robin to Shaq’s batman. The best players have always been jugded by championships, and although fans prefer to watch a wing player over a dominate center if you wanna talk best lets talk Duncan vs. Shaq.
Francis Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 9:00 am
Neither are better than Tim Duncan in the league. But because this is down to two players only, and since they are completely in different positions to the great TD, I have no choice but to compare LeBron and Kobe.
Kobe is just about better in all facets of the game. Better moves, defense, clutch and shooting make Kobe a complete player, even though he may not be as physically freaky as LBJ is.
Teamwise, LeBron is more committed to involving the team, while Kobe gets his bad reps at ball hogging and isolating his team mates. James has a fairly decent team in a pathetic conference while Kobe has to tough it out in the west. Head to head they would be equal, depending on who plays the better game.
But when it comes to winning, Kobe just does it better.
Shannon Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 9:12 am
“The west is the stage, the east is a j.v. league. Lebron didnt play against Arenas and Hughes and Kristic,”
LeBron didn’t play against Hughes because he was on the same team.
Michael Boff Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 9:28 am
I didn’t even read your article after you discarded Wade from the question. Wade is SOOOOO much better than Lebron it isn’t even funny. I could name five players off the top of my head that are better, but I won’t. Dwyane Wade? We are talking about a performance against the Mavs, that Lebron’s game 5 PAILS in comparison too? To say you call it like it is, and exclude Wade, is ridiculous. But you are just part of sports media, and you feed on hype.
And if I had to pick one player in the NBA for a team, its Duncan hands down.
Michael Boff Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 9:32 am
OK I just went back and read the article….Now I’m sure your an idiot.
One of your main points is Lebron leading a bad team to the finals, and the Kobe not being able too. You are joking right???? THE CAVS PLAYED WIZARDS, NETS, and a falling apart PISTONS!
Now aside from the fact that Kobe played THE SUNS, which is better than all of the above teams combined, he would then have to have played THE SPURS.
What went through your head when you were reasoning this out?
Frank Davis Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 9:44 am
I don’t get it. We are so much into flash over substance. Basketball is the only team sport where one player can truly make the difference between winning and losing, the only one where to be in the greatest conversation you have got to be able to will your team to at least be a consistent contender. To get the crown, you have to be the best player on a championship team. Who’s the best player in the NBA? The one who gives you the best chance of winning, the one if you were doing a draft and all NBA player were eligible, you’d pick first? When Jordan played he was that man. In Shaq’s prime, he was clearly thaat guy. Right now, that guy is clearly Tim Duncan. In a society obsessed by stats and hightlights, he get overlooked, but he is the player in the league who gives his team the best chance of winning. That makes him the best
Kobe and Lebron are great players, but a Kobe led team has never gotten out of the first round and in Kobe’s game 7, against a Phoenix team without Amare 2 seasons ago, he stunk. Kobe is the league’s best scorer, but Nash has more impact on wins and losses. Lebron may become the league’s best, but he has to work on his J and free throw shooting, glaring weaknesses, to claim that throne. Meanwhile Duncan is dominating right now. 4 championships with 4 different supporting casts.
And for all you guys, like Yelito, who want to put Kobe on Jordan’s level by saying Jordan won 0 rings without Pippen, that’s just ignorance. There’s winning rings and there’s being the man. Steve Kerr has 5 rings, but nobody confuses him with a great player. Nobody wins a ring without help. Every champion has more than one exceptional player, but who is the straw that stirs the drink? Who is the player attracting double and triple teams, leaving his teamates wide open. Who is the team built around? Jordan was the man on six championships teams (that’s why he has 6 playoff mvp’s…How many does Kobe have? 0) Kobe is great, but Shaq was clearly the man on the Lakers championship teams. Can Kobe be the best player on a championship team? Maybe. But his selfishness and lack of leadership are his Kryptonite. Until that changes, he’s more flash than substance and he’s going to keep watching guys like Duncan and Wade, complete players, carry the trophy.
Here’s my list of today’s greatest players in order…
1. Duncan
2. Wade
3. Nash
4.Dirk
5. KG
6. Kobe
7. Lebron
Peace,
FBD
ralph Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 9:44 am
what? lebron or kobe? none of the above.. kobe is a selfish player, he can’t make his teamate look good and he is boastful.. lebron is just luck to have that kind of athleticism, but his not that skillful!! dwane wade is better than them i mean way way better.. jason kidd is better than them, duncan and garnett is better than them, tmac, ray allen, paul pierce, allen iverson are better than them!
bigdog Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Since Shaq left what has Kobe won? Get out of the 1st round and then talk to me about Kobe. As far as Timmy i think he benefit from playing on a well rounded, well coached team. i’ll take K.G. over him any day i think he is more talented. Put him on the Spurs he would have as many rings if not more than Timmy.
bigdog Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 10:22 am
leave Dirk out of any conversation about top players. He’s 7ft and plays like he’s 5ft. He has absolutely no heart at all much like the Mavs team. And yes i said Dr.J he was then what Jordan was later as far as skill wise and was part of one of the greatest championship teams ever.
ballathrilla Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 10:43 am
To say LeBron is better than Kobe is to big of a statement. Me, personally, would say Kobe is better than LeBron; some may consider Kobe a ballhog but how can you say that to a guy who leads his team in assists with about 5? The downfall of LeBron james is his lack of having a consistent jumpshot and to not be able to efficiently knockdown clutch shots which is nearly opposite of what Kobe does. Kobe’s jumpshot is nearly perfection as to his beautiful display of putting his team on his back and carrying them in clutch moments. LeBron maybe the Prodigy, but until his jumpshot improves and gets rid of that “lean” in his shot, we can all say he is better than Kobe and put him into the same category as MJ himself. Until then, i believe Kobe remains better as long as those two categories are in check for him.
Marc Sarc Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Well, SETH FERRANTI….WHO? Kobe is the best player in the league but LeBron is nowhere near as good as Kobe. Bron can’t hit midrange shots, his jumpshot needs improving. Wade has developed himself as a relatively good midrange shooter. So i’d rather choose Wade over Bron…
william limon Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 11:01 am
Hey seth are you ok…here we go!…better offense, better defense,
better shot, best clutch in the world. mmm..anyway lebron (and wade)
is just all physical ability that makes him good. kobe is the perfect baller, its all skills for that guy, he is by far the most skilled player in the world. And seth thats how much you know! making your pick lebron because he got to the finals playing in the east? what a joke!
If lebron was on the west side there is no way he is in finals or playoffs
kobe has no team and we play..huh.. the freeking suns!..come on.
Hey the cavs played there best basketball when lebron didn’t play, they won game after game withought him (miami goes on sick winning streak withought wade) what does that tell you. Back to kobe, time after time he has proven him self, and the haters burn and steam, time after time after time. Hey did the blue vs white game burn too?
Clutch!
Hey to all the kobe haters… its OK.. i understand…just make shure you keep doing what you do… hating the best…loving the rest…LA…
josh Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 11:03 am
get realllllllllllllll.
dwyane wade is definately better than lebron james, no questions asked.
and its debatable between him & kobe…id go with wade as of right this minute but kobe has a longer resume and thus gets the nod if this is based upon entire careers.
Bone Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Kobe’s ability to shoot from the perimeter and knock down throws makes him better than LeBron, DWade, and Carmelo. Hence he is the best in the world. If LeBron, Dwade, and/or Carmelo develop the 3pt threat as a weapon they might be able to challenge Kobe then. Hell, Kobe’s offensive skills are better than Jordan’s were for that very same reason, the 3ball. That’s why Mike never scored 70 while Kobe broke the 80 mark!
Frank_head Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 11:24 am
Lebron is a fruitcake.
Kobe is the man. Plain and simple. Kobe is so wise on the court now and his attitude and swagger.
AB_40 Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 11:25 am
ohw yeah great article, not. ey how old are you 12? have you even watched the nba this year? none of those players will ever be in the same breath with MJ because of one thing??? you know the thing that wins championships, san antonio anyone? defense. MJ won the dpoy and mvp in one year. I don’t see kobe doing that and lebron will never be an eat you up defender while he can be, just watch ron artest in 04 he could do that. ah well in my eyes, kobe is the best individual player. and tim duncan the most valuable
fresherthanyou Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Kobe is the better player by far. He has no flaws offensively and his defensive team accolades speaks volumes. Lebron is a strong player and undoubtedly one of the best in the game, but he is at least three years away from being a complete player. His jumpshot is no where near Kobes, and he has yet to develop a dominant post game— not to even mention the flaws in his more times than not weak defense. Yes, Lebron did lead the Cavs to the finals, but he did it in the JV eastern conference. If the Cavs faced the Suns in the first round like Kobe did they would have been packing too. Mamba is the best since that mICHAEL jORDAN guy…. accept it
migz Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 11:53 am
how can u pick lebron because he went to the finals and not kobe because he cant get out of the 1st round. maybe u forgot east and west are different
LeBron_sucks Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 11:56 am
You either:
a) chose LeBron because you enjoy pissing off Kobe fans.
or
b) chose LeBron because you are an idiot.
LeBron for the long haul, but Kobe faces competition that makes all of the Eastern conference go: “Dyyyaammmmmmmmmnnnnnnn”. If LeBron wouldn’t have been swept by the Phoenix Suns …
super Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
i agree that Kobe vs. LeBron would make a great one-on-one video game. i dont agree with that being criteria for why they are the two best players in the NBA. they are two of the most athletic, dynamic, versatile and exciting players in the L. definetly the two most talented players in the league, few other players enjoy their gifts. but i rank DUNCAN and NASH ahead of them without hesitation. Because they are BALLERS, they play to win, and they are good at that. Duncan has led his team 4 times to championship glory. You want an example of someone leading a team of misfits deep in the playoffs? how about Nash leading a team without a big man to the western conference finals? Boris Diaw at centre and tim thomas at power forward. Duncan and Nash are currently the top two basketball players in the L. Kobe and LeBron definetly have more talent and all that remains is them figuring out basketball in their heads. I think also Dwayne Wade and Dirk Nowitzki round out the top 5.
jboogie Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
i think dwade MUST be included in this conversation.. he led a bunch of old washups to the championship.. and kobe might be the most talented right now but he hasn’t shown the ability to lead a team by himself…lebron is a phenomenal athlete and basketball player and he did lead a pretty bad team to the finals.. BUT thats wat seperates wade from lebron.. wade has the ring…you’ve got to remember.. kobe=in his prime… lebron and wade aren’t even in their prime yet.. so kobe maybe most talented now.. but a few years from now .. dwade vs lebron is gonna be a battle for the ages..and i don’t think any one can predict who’s gonna come out on top.. till then.. we just have to guess
neotank Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Lebron and Wade are the two best in the league IMHO. And I wish people would stop saying that the Cavs were givin a free pass to the Finals. If Detroit made it to the Finals nobody would say that.
Detroit was a very very good team, and Lebron socked them in the chops. If you look at the matchups, Detroit should have owned the cavs. And you all saw what happened.
And I also can’t believe people talk about Lebron not being clutch. He had the single greatest performance I have ever seen in all of sports in the Eastern Conference Finals, and he’s only 22!
Has anyone watched Kobe’s playoff performances the last 2, 3 years. He’s stunk it up pretty bad in clutch games. And he’s a head case that RUINS the teams pshyche and chemistry. Give the guy some meds please.
And answer me this. Would Kobe’s Lakers have beaten the Pistons? NO WAY!!!!
Dave H. Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Frank Davis…come on man. That list is horrible. Yeah, all those dudes are the tops in the league but the rankings are HORRIBLE
It should be like
1. Kobe (easily)…no questions asked
2. Duncan (best pf ever)
3. Nash/KG/Kidd…tied
4. Wade
5. Lebron
6. Nowitski…and im being generous. Did you see the playoffs? Dude put his tail between his legs and ran. Terrible.
And as for the greatest of all time….that is so hard to say. MJ is everybodies “sexy” pick. “wanna be like Mike”/sticking out the tongue….bla bla bla. MJ was a BEAST, dont get me wrong. But its not as clear cut as everyone tries to make it out to be. Everyone says he never had a team around him. hahah. Scottie Pippen, Rodman (maybe both make the HOF someday. maybe not Rodman, but Pippen for sure), Kerr (one of the best 3 point shooters all time) Horace Grant (solid bigman, who knew his role and played it perfectly) Kukoc (another good role player, that could drain threes) Harper (good complimentary guard that takes care of the ball and plays good D) Hodges (another good 3 pt. shooter) So dont say he did it by himself. That is a damn good team. He had Pippen to guard the best guy everynight. And that era the balance between great guards and great big men were about even. Nowadays there are few great big men, and tons of great guards. Best of all time could be MJ, Magic, Wilt, Russell, Kobe (we will see after career) T. Duncan (again, to be continued) Kareem. ITs not as obvious as most make it. True basketball fans make real arguments for whos the greatest. ESPN highlight watchers make funny comments like Lebron being the best in the league. uhh uh! Stop watching highlights.. Who is the best ALL AROUND player out of those top guys I mentioned? Kobe. He hits the three easily, makes all team defense and offense. He still averages 5 assists and his team is TERRIBLE. You only make your team mates better if they hit the open shot. If you say that he doesnt get his teammates open shots, watch a Laker game. Dude is double/triple teamed nightly and passes it to watch his boys throw up bricks. surround Kobe with some dudes with heart and that can hit a jumper he could easily average 30pts 7rebs 8 ass. Too bad they still dont have a “shooter”. Please end this discussion. King James isnt even the best in the Eastern Conf. He still has to compete with Kidd and Wade
Dwyane Wade Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
First off guys, I am not on the level of those two players. the championship was handed to me by refs in 2006. Bill Simmons saw through it, Mark Cuban, NBAdraft.net, heck every good sports site saw that the refs gave it to me.
Second, MJ is over-rated, due to over-expansion the mid 90’s were the weakest era in basketball. Talent has gotten considerably better today. Old fogies put this era down to exemplify their era. Team ball was better back then but talent wise, we have a deeper pool of talent since we have gone international. Sure we don’t produce the scores or the steals or blocks of older players but that has a lot to do with the talent. Watch videos of players in the eighties and seventies and the majority of them dribbled with only one hand. If a person only dribbles with one hand you could easily predict him and pick the ball with ease. Bill Russell was a rebound monster in his era because the courts were smaller. Trust me when I say a smaller court affects defensive stats significantly in fact, a big guy has less effect the bigger the court gets. Kobe is the best SG ever.
The best five players ever according to me, D-Wade, are(this is based on talent alone, not statistics or awards):
pg- Jason Kidd, Magic was good but he struggled against Dennis Johnson, who was a defensive dynamo, in fact he struggled against any big guard who played D, even Walt Frazier in his twilight gave him trouble. Imagine a guy who weighs 30 lbs. heavier, is faster, stronger, and plays team ball better than DJ. JK would have a field day due to the fact Magic played weak D.
sg- Kobe Bryant, has better handles, better fadeaway, not the best but a good 3, and he plays D.
sf- Michael Jordan, he played mostly SG, but I have too much respect for him to leave him off the list.
pf- Tim Duncan, he has the fundamentals, and another two way player. KG is not on the same page. He isn’t as good of an defensive intimidator in the paint, and plays less in the post than Tim.
c- Shaquille O’Neal- Shaq was the ultimate player in his prime, collecting 30, 15 a night in the Laker mini-dynasty era during the playoffs minus the last run which Kobe was more in control, his high FG% overcomes his FT, and the fact he put opposing big men in foul trouble. Sure he was burned by Hakeem in the Magic Finals but Shaq in LA would have had his #.
As for today’s top ten is goes like this:
1. Tim Duncan- another ring, still in prime
2. Kobe Bryant- alienates team too much to take top spot
3. Kevin Garnett- Good player bad team, remember surround him with one close to all-star talent(Latrell pre-final year in Sota), and another all-star(Cassell pre-final year in Sota), and he can make the playoffs.
4. Lebron James- He does a lot of everything, if he play D, improves FT, and gets a jump-shot the top is his.
5. Dwyane Wade- Me of course
6. Dirk Nowitzki- I don’t wanna hear how he does not have an impact, points are just as important in the beginning as they are in the end. Also he shoots close to 50, 40, 90, every year, that’s efficiency, some thing A.I. & Gil needs to learn, and T-Mac used to have.
7. Steve Nash- Assist leader, in the playoffs the past few years he averages 20+ppg, 10+ apg, and always shoots close to 50, 40, 90.
8. Amare Stoudemire- The team suffers more when Nash is gone, and they can still win w/o him but if the Suns want gold he is the key.
9. Shaquille O’Neal- He’s not a beast anymore but his mass still affects the game.
10.Jason Kidd- He’s not the guy he was 4 years ago but he still has a huge impact.
Honorable Mention:
Chris Bosh- You could argue him, w/o him the team would not have any success. He’s left-handed, poor-man’s KG.
Carmello Anthony- An efficient scorer, if he played more D, and rebounded better, he would make the ascension. Also he gave the Spurs more trouble than Lebron, but then again AI, Camby, and Nene trump LBJ’s cast.
T-Mac- Despite his terrible shooting, he averaged similar stats to cousin Carter but his impact is more profound than that, he led the Rockets to wins when Yao was out.
Tie- Deron Williams & Baron Davis- Baron when healthy is always a monster, people were surpised what he did against the Mavs but he did the same against Orlando when he used to be a Hornet, injuries have marred a possibly great career. Williams at the moment is better than Paul, he can hold his own against bigger points due to his athleticism, and weight, he can shoot the three, and he can get in the paint at will. His rebounding is understated due to Boozer, Kirilenko and Okur. And minus steals, he is a better, physical defender.
These guys are the current Superstars of the NBA, sorry to burst your bubble but these are the facts. Well, I gotta go, Shaq is having a party at his house.
bigdog Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Are we talking about the same player who, in a game seven decide not to shoot the ball and watch his team lose to make a point? Is this the same guy who talks behind his teammate’s back about how bad he is? Is this the dude who the front office bends over to grant his wishes just to hear him complain even more? This is the same guy who can’t get out of the 1st round without Shaq right? The best player in the world who wants to get traded because he can’t win with his present team. You know the team that he demanded to be traded to when he was drafted by the Hornets out of high school. This is the same Kobe that snitch on his teammate when he got caught with his pants down. I don’t know of another superstar in the history of the game that’s a bigger Ass than your boy Kobe. No matter if he’s in the west or as You all like to bite off Steven A. Smith and say the J.V. league if you are the best and draw comparison to M.J. stop making excuses and win!
rafael Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
Ok LeBron led the Cavs to the Finals but he plays in the Eastern Conference , not the Western like Kobe does. If Kobe was playing in the Eastern Conference in palce of LeBron, he would also have led them to the the Finals, no doubt about that. So I think for now, Kobe is better than LeBron, but in a few years LeBron will be the best player to ever play the game.
Fair and balanced Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Instead of a long letter, everything I can say has basicaly been said, I will just give my answer: KOBE. So lets see, thats about 450 responders so far picking Kobe, and about 3 responders picking Lebron. I actually think Wade and Duncan got as many or more votes here today than Lebron. Anyway, this forum with responders from around the world, has overwhelmingly, hugely, landslidingly, chose Kobe.
Minneapleseed Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
In my estimation, the question of who is best can be answered by asking the question of who wins the most games ON THEIR OWN. The easy answer there is KG. Check out this article http://dberri.wordpress.com/2006/05/28/the-tragedy-of-kevin-garnett/
It is by one of the Wages of Wins guys.
Kobe had Shaq and Dr. Phil. Duncan won in a half season, an after Jordan season, and a ref scandal season, so I won’t count him. Call the Spurs front office the best, and I would agree. LeBron and Wade have yet to peak, so to claim them the best seems a bit premature. Dirk is Dirk. Nash is the best PG in a era devoid of true playmakers at the position.
KG won MVP in 2004 and has had similar or better years every year since and garners no media attention outside of ridiculous trade specultation.
Recognize the true Best Player on The Planet resides in Minnesota.
KG4MVP
bigdog Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
If M.J. would play in todays NBA he would be killing people with the way the rules are. The game has become so soft. Kobe wouldn’t have survived the Bad Boys with there physical style of play or the old Knicks with Mason, L.J.’ Patrick Ewing, Starks among others. And i ask again what superstar that you know of got torched for 60 (by Gil zero), 45 ( by Redd) among others who had 30+ points. Doesn’t sound like a defensive stopper to me. Tell who has ever did that to M.J.? And by the way Jordan didn’t always play with Pippen, he hit the Larry Legend led Celts up for 64 before Pip, Rodman,Grant and whoever else you want to bring up. Pippen came in with Grant 4yrs later.
bigdog Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
in a matter of fact he averaged 35.0 a game, won his first MVP as well as Defensive player of the year in 1987-88 with Pip being a rookie backing up Brad Sellers and Grant backing up Charles Oakley. In other words M.J. was always a baller so don’t try to still his shine because he played with Pip.
noble monyei Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
Kobe is the best individual player if you take the overall offense/defense and overall team impact.
Le Bron is the future and if he cultivates that assasin mentality the Kobe has he will go down as the best ever.
Shout out for my man D-Wade who is a stone cold killer also!
slugger Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
Are you kidding? I will take Wade over any of those two, and I’m a Laker fan.
Jeremy Rudolph Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Lebron is the best PERIOD !! Think about it, Dwayne Wade and kobe have not been out of the first round of the playoffs without Shaquille O’neal. Wade’s rookie year was a first round exit and nobody really knew who he was until SHAQ arrived !!! The same goes with Kobe Bryant, The last time he advanced out of the first round was with Shaquille O’neal. Lebron James does not nearly have the supporting cast those 2 guys had, but made it to the finals. I’m tired of hearing that the cavs had an easy road to the finals, because we still had to beat the best team in the east ( Pistons ) to advance. I assure you that the heat or the lakers would not have beat the pistons this year !! This makes Lebron the best player………..
Yelito Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
Dwyane Wade Said, I agree with your assessment.
johan Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
being in the east couldve been a factor to why LBJ was able to bring the cavs to the finals.
jeff Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
i agree with everyone’s opinion’s. but for someone to say that MJ didn’t make the players around him better. MAN, you gotta be kidding me and that’s all i have to say.
Geo Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 4:46 pm
Kobe’s scoring skill set is far superior to Lebron’s. Lebron isn’t even in same league with his back to the basket, set jumper, pull up jumper, natural nose for the bucket, or man defense. I’d even say Lebron’s jumper was below average.
only advantages lebron has are passing and power–that’s it.
cre8or Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
It is sad that there is this much debate over these two players, when a boring to watch Duncan is clearly the best player that truly makes his teammates better and guaranteed to win championships for any team he plays for. Can’t say the same for Kobe or Lebron. He doesn’t get credit because he is not a guard and everyone wants to see another Mike but there will never be another Mike so stop comparing
Mark Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
Kobe is hands down the best basketball player right now - he can do anything lebron can (and Better) plus he is a better outside shooter & Defender (One of the best defenders in the league). Kobe is the best scorer and one of the best defenders (sounds like Jordan to me) Lets not also forget, no matter how good Shaq was, he couldn’t win it all without Kobe Bryant (and Vice Versa), if he could he would’ve won it with Orlando when he and Penny Hardaway were teamates and had a great supporting cast but he needed someone like Kobe to get him over that hump.
The article closes with “For me, though, I’ll go with LeBron because he just led a similar Cavs team to the Finals while Kobe’s Lakers can’t get out of the first round”.
Have we also forgotten that Lebron is in the weak Eastern Conference and Kobe is in a STACKED Western conference? In addition, lets compare players on both teams
- Ill gladly take:
- Larry Hughes and Boobie over Smush Parker and Jordan Farmar
- Big Z over Bynum
- Drew Gooden over Kwame Brown
I like Lebron’s Game a lot, but he is second only to the man with that clutch mentality to take the game winning shot and knock down clutch free throws down the stretch, stuff that Lebron struggled with (free throw shooting during key moments in games) is still improving on, but not yet up to Kobe’s Level. Hands down, ill take Kobe over Lebron - Not even close at this point.
Jon Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
Without any doubt in my mind Kobe Bryant is the best player on the planet. This is a great article but to say in the end that lebron is better than kobe is just stupid. Ya lebron maybe is the second best player in the league but he can’t match up with Kobe. Kobe leads this group of flunkies to the playoffs every year and then has to play an all star team for the past two years so don’t criticize him for not getting past the 1st round jackhole. Nobody in the league can take over a game like Kobe Bryant.
Jon Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
Let me go ahead and just add on to my previous statement. For all u idiots who say kobe is a ball hog then u don’t watch and know basketball. Because kobe leads his team in assist. Also (listen carefully) there is two parts to an assist:
part 1: completing the pass
part: making the shot
and with kobe’s garbage teammates how is that possible. i mean come on ….kwame brown!!!! r u serious
so there kobe is the best ..i win
chan Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
once again ppl are ranking players because of how their teams did during the season. LISTEN, if u put Kobe in place of steve nash or duncan he would be winning championships also!! dont tell me “Kobe’s a ball hog, kobe’s selfish” if u watch any of the lakers games u see kobe passing the ball plenty of times to open teammates that cant hit the shots. So if he had a tony parker, ginobli, or Amare/Marion, u would say he’s the best player in the L today. And u cant compare Lebron and Kobe, Kobe’s game is way versatile than lebrons, his midrange game is untouched and he knocks shots down when his team needs it.
pipios Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Lebron needs to learn how to make a wide open J before he can be compared to kobe
Nikos Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
Kobe is far far far away from Lebron. He is much more talented. But excuse me mr. Ferranti, Lebron who???? Put him in a west coast team and he’ll never get playoffs. Wade, Nash and Dirk are greater than this… king thing invented by the US media. And please, please, please, don’t link that guy with Mike, you commit sacrilege.
Regards from Greece
Nikos
Nikos Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
I just read your last comment and now i Know!!! You have nothing to do with basketball man, sorry but you should wash some dishes instead…
Brian Boytono Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
this article sux, and get it right kobe is 29. did you hear the list of guys that recited from the bulls championship roster????? my god Odom is better than any of them. Mike Wilks won a championship with the spurs, does that make him a championship calibur teammate? in closing ive come to expect horrible articles from you that waiste my time at work, and may god have mercy on your sole
Dre Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
People keep saying Kobe can’t get his team out of the first round putting all the emphasis on offense. Offensively he can do what needs to be done but he can’t do it all by himself on defense.
Comparing Kobe’s teams the last few years to Jordan’s teams, and Jordan’s guys played defense. Jordan, Pippen, and later Rodman gave them 3 of the best defenders in the league.
The Lakers got killed on the pick n roll and the fast break against the Suns in the last two years. Them losing has nothing to do with his inability to make his teammates better.
Whatever commentator started that saying “making your teammates better” should be killed, it is not possible. The most you can do is get your teammates open shots, it is up to them to knock them down. That has go to be the most overused and annoying phrase in basketball.
william limon Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:25 pm
KOBE is the BEST in the WORLD..come on world.. lets stop playing games.
Lets get serious… haters!… you can’t say anything anymore…you can’t
run from the truth(kobe)…say what you say.. it’s easy to see who is the best… since he came in the league…time after time…
For the kobe aficionado check it out…at..youtube.com
-kobe bryant greatest of all time-
-best of kobe bryant-
Ishmael Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
You CAN make your teammates better. You can create an environment where people believe with all their hearts that they are a part of something larger, you can make playing fun, you can lead your teammates to playing for the good of the whole. Granted, that’s a bit hard to do with freaking Smush and Kwame and Mihm. It’s not about ball-hogging, or about being “selfless”. Kobe pouted and just passed the ball off in passive agressive whininess after he was called a ball-hog. Sure, Jordan might have been a bit of a ball hog. But everyone felt a part of something GOOD, something TRUE. Kobe can’t do that. I don’t think he will. MJ set the bar too high. MJ forever, baby. Peace.
Ballin Boi D Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
ooo all yall smokin that iiissshhh yall kno jordan the greatest of all time he made ALL his teamates better think bout it ery1 jordan played wit was piss afta they left him or b4 they got wit him except maybe rodman but neva eva compare kobe or lebron 2 jordan please jordan was beyond great james got some potential 2 b close 2 jordan but as of now hell naw but kobe good maybe great but he doesnt make his teamates better n he cant even get near the finals without shaq if anything shaq like jordan (except he a bigman of course) he make every1 aroun him better but if u ask me duncan n nash the best in the nba duncan prolly not the most fun 2 watch but he is 1 of or the best n nash is fun 2 watch n is prolly the best
be serious Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 10:01 pm
kobe is way better than labron, Seth watches to much espn, the network that is in love with Labron James, truth is the man could not make an open jumper in the finals. Bruce Bowen dared him time and time again to take the open jumper and time and time again he threw up bricks, he needs to change his whole form cause he has that terrible lean in what is already a broke jumper, he is big and his best move is freight train down the lane and hopes people either move out the way or he gets a foul call. As a matter of fact D Wade is way better than Labron did we forget about what a HEALTHY D Wade did in the finals in 2006? Common we are talking about the finals the same stage Labrin failed on so miserabely a few months ago
On the other hand Kobe Bryant does it all, he has the most range on his jumper that i have ever seen do you see where this man takes and makes some of his 3s from its absolutely amazing, we are spoiled out here in LA cause we get Kobe every night, he has a great handle, a good passer, rebounds, plays defense, has a great back to the basket game, pull up jumper, takes it to the hole, we really need to stop hatin on him cause we might be watching the best basketball player to ever pick up a basketball. That is why he switched to 24 cause he is one better than Jordan 23.
jimmy Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
Boobie is Daniel’s nickname… his mom used to call him that when he was a kid.
frankie Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
Kobe is better…If kobe brought the lakers to the East they would get to the finals as well..Lebron cant play a nick of defense!!Kobe has the intestinal fortitude to bring it on the defensive end.Hes been 1st team all defense for many years when lebron cant even make a 3rd team.When you are that good on both sides of the court YOU are the BEST player bar none…Kobe has 3 rings even though Shaq was there but without Kobe shaq wouldnt get his 3 rings!!Yah Lebron makes his teammates better but so does Kobe…Kobe is on par with Lebrons assists numbers…when it comes down to it,
Kobe will have more rings than Lebron and thats where greatness lies, the number of rings baby!!!
The Professor Said,
July 28, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
All I got to say is Kobe is flat out an assassin. The flare in his eyes and his competitive nature is unbeatable. If you surround kobe with teammates like Lebron has in Cleaveland, they would definetely would have won at least 2 championships by now. Now put Lebron in LA, the lakers wouldnt even make the playoffs. KOBE is hands down much better then Lebron. But then again, Lebron is still young but Lebron doesnt seem to be the star he is capable of becoming. He’s seems like he basically lives for his sprite and nike commercials. I see him putting more effort into that then basketball. What seperates the two players is the LOVE for the game. Kobe is a perfectionist just like Jordan. He puts in the extra hours and perfects his game and he’s been doing this since his first year. Lebron, on the otherhand, hasn’t shown that committment as of yet. All in all, Kobe is much better then Lebron, unless Lebron shapes up and come’s back next season with a vengence to go to the finalz and win a championship. Also, if Kobe had a shot like Lebron in the Finalz last year, we all Know KOBE would have made sure he goess back to LA with his 4rth championship ring. You have to admit that, don’t fool yourself. Payce……
NiWdLE Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 12:02 am
i’ll choose kobe anytime. he’s the most unstoppable player in the offensive end and he’s fiercest defender in the NBA which means he’s a complete player but a broken attitude. he got nerves of steel and simply dominates the game! It’s like 1 vs. 12(like what he did with the mavericks). In fairness lebron is still very young with a lot of years to develop specially with his shooting technique. he just needs to dedicate more on perfecting his shooting and probably be a better defender. i chose kobe over bron because the west is simply loaded with all star power forward and centers as compared to the not so loaded east. how can’t you be competitive you just keep going against sub par teams who gets to the playoffs just because of the seeding. lebron’s team is much more balanced than kobe’s so he’s doing everything he can to lift up his team. Kobe’s 81 point explosion really explains how dominant he can be when the game is on the line. i like lebron too but kobe is way to better. kobe is like poetry in motion while lebron is more of an explosive dunker and great upper body strength which makes him tops the league in “and-1″ situation. t
the bottom line for me is kobe is the complete devastating package while lebron is still getting there. im no expert im just voicing out my opinion regarding this topic. peace dudes!
JERMAINE THE KOBE FAN Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 12:11 am
Don’t they mean Kobe vs Wade! During those Kobe and Shaq championship run the media overrated Shaq during those runs! Shaq never won a title without a great SG! Shaq benefited from Kobe and Wade! Michael is more successful then kobe not better! Even Jordan former teammates have said this! Kobe average 25 points a game during those championship run Shaq average 29 points a game during those championship run! That’s more then kareem and magic! Kareem has six rings Magic have 5 rings how come people don’t say magic got five rings because he play with Kareem! But when you mention Kobe three rings with Shaq they quickly reply and say because of Shaq! Because they don’t like Kobe!
Tyler Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 12:53 am
Kobe could not have gotten the Lakers past the Pistons, Lebron had two shots at it and finally did it. Lakers have had two shots at the Suns and their second year was worst then their first…….sad. My order of greatest goes like this.
1. Duncan
2. Lebron
3. Nash
4. Wade
5. Kobe
6. Milicic…hahaha
wiZo Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 1:17 am
GREAT article. till the end. i personally think kobe is the best. it also happens to be every single GM or Player’s poll i’ve seen in the last 2 years all have Kobe as the best player by a good amount too.
still, i have no problem with someone thinking lebron is the best….BUT, the one thing i can’t stand is the argument that lebron is better for taking his team to the finals. its simply illogical and ridiculous. do you really not think ANY of the western playoff teams could win the east? the lakers had it rough with a ridiculous amount of injuries and lamar and kwame playing thru pain in the playoffs. but aside from injuries, stick any of the western playoff teams (lakers, warriors, rockets, etc) in the east and they’d be a top 3 seed and favorite to win the eastern playoffs cuz in the end, like you pointed out, stars win playoffs series. not depth. not coaching. its stars that can steal one or two games thus changing an entire series.
i have no doubt lebron will overtake kobe soon. maybe even as soon as this year. but the last 3 years its been all kobe.
sam Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 2:02 am
if anyone watched this years finals they would know that lebron is years behind kobe. its not even a debatable topic. stop hating on kobe cos he got caught doing what every other nba player does
Mr.European Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 2:29 am
maybe it should be added, that LeBron is 22 years old…
RLCJ Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 3:16 am
Ok, Kobe has been in the league for a while and has developed a game better than anyone else in the league. If anyone paid attention to Kobe when he first got started in this league, without ShaQ Kobe looks just like Lebron today. There is the argument. End of discussion. They are the same one just has more experience in the NBA. Personally I think D-Wade is the best because of his will. He is not cocky and is easy to get along with. And at the same time a leader. Kobe could have never won a championship the way D-Wade did in his 3rd year. Yeah he had Shaq but Shaq was not a factor. For all u Duncan lovers If he played anywhere else and for any other coach he would lose.
Jay Ocampo Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 5:15 am
How come Kobe is always compared to Jordan? Their game is similar but that is all it is. He doesn’t have what it takes to elevate the game of those around him other than himself that’s why he will have a hard time winning a championship without someone like Shaq. During the Lakers’ championship runs the players rally behind Shaq not Kobe. Even now that he runs the show by himself I dont see his teammates really give their all for their “leader”.
As for LeBron, he can make his teammates better only because he has a point guards’ instinct and they feed off from his passes. Other than that I also dont see his teammates really getting better whenever he’s on the court with them.
Remember those average players like Buchler, Burell, Wennington, etc. really giving their all, focused and confident whenever Jordan is around eventhough they know they will hardly touch the ball, let alone score. Jordan pushes his teammates to be better and they dont hate him for it not like Kobe who’s game affects his teammates in a negative way.
By the way, Wade gets my vote! He has the ring and the championship videos to show!
Rita Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 6:40 am
Dwayne Wade is way overrated. Just like Penny Hardaway, as soon as you take Shaq away, he’s average at best.
Rita Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 6:41 am
Kobe vs Lebron…. hands down kobe. Dwayne Wade sucks homeless dog balls
san man Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 6:53 am
ok
kobe may not have gotten out of the first round in the west but thats not to say they wouldnt have been deep in the hunt in the east the problem with kobes lakers vs shaQ and kobe lakers is the caliber of the confrence..
the west is so packed it awsome just to get a 7 or 8 spot in playoffs (ask the mavs) they got there buts handed to them by the 8th seed..
when it come to the kobe lakers not getting past the sun this year well i just have one word. Amare nuff said … the lakers didnt improve like the sun did end of story….
if the NBA playoffs were a 16 team tournament with the best 16 teams records wise played the east would be dead by the second round but no one wants to admit that..(1 playing 16 and so on of course)
could the Cav really have beaten the sun, rockets even utah let alone the spurs i bet the lakers could have even had beaten them so were does that put the eastern confrence champs in the west well maybe the 9th seed ooops isnt that the lottery……
its a sad day when you have the best for the west play the best for the east who might not have even made it to the quarter finals in the west…
the NBA finals should have the best two teams in the league playing each other lucky for the western confrence fans we saw that in round 2 with the sun vs the spurs…
Dre Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 7:01 am
“You CAN make your teammates better. You can create an environment where people believe with all their hearts that they are a part of something larger, you can make playing fun, you can lead your teammates to playing for the good of the whole.”
Yeah right, and how did Jordan do that by punching Steve Kerr out, among other things.
carter Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 7:57 am
top 5
1. Steve Nash
2. Kevin Garnett
3. Kobe
4. Duncan
5. Lebron
Neither are the best and don’t give me this duncan crap. Duncan has neve had nothing to work with he has always had a supporting cast
Misha Hyman Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 8:43 am
ok ill set it strait right now. Kobe is at least 3 times better than Lebron. I’m being redundant saying that LeBron made it to the finals by default and beating teams that didnt deserve to be there (except for the Pistons). Ill give it to LeBron, that 29 of last 30 or whatever it was one of the most amaziong things ive ever seen. but it was no 81…Kobe has LBJ on almost everything. since 2001, kobe has been prolly the best or top 3 players in the L but didnt get the recognition because he was playing with a top 10 player of all time. i forget who said it but they were right, (above) that kobe was the MVP of the west finals til they got to the finals and shaq could dominate Rik SMits, Dikembe, and Todd McGullugh…in the 02 finals, kobe should have got the MVP cuz he did drop 30 and 36 in the last 2 closeout games.
ok now u might hate me but im going to say what i truely thing and one of you or maybe more agreed with me on this one…
Kobe is a better basketball than MJ.
MJ didnt get his 1st ring til he was 27 and Kobe has 3 at 28…MJs career high was 69, and KB24s is 81. and my last statement was that when MJ retired, the bulls made it to the second round. if kobe retired, theyd get Greg Oden…enough said…
MJ transcednded the game and they way iots played…but Kobe is and might be that much better…
as i said, you can hate me for it`
seth is a clown Said,
July 29, 2007 @ 8:57 am
wade’s career>>>>>>>lebron’s career
3x allstar
champion
1x finals mvp
2x most skilled player
ESPY best player in the nba
2x bronze medallist
1x most improved athlete
SI sportsman of the year
1x 2nd team defense
2x all nba 2nd team
1x all nba 3rd team
those are wade’s 4 year career a very deep resume and had he not been injured this year he would be looking at