Dwayne Wade, LeBron James or Kobe?
- Thread starter tbear03
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I would take LeBron. Again, the question asked was "Who would you take TODAY to build a team around". Not who you would take if you were comparing them as rookies.
I would take TODAY, LeBron James. Only 20 years old, team player, and multi-talented but still gets his points. Then you can build around him.
I am not saying Kobe is not a good player or that he is not better than LeBron today, but when you look at LeBron you see the potential to become even better than he is now, which is damn good. So if your building a team, I go with the younger player who is already a star and has the potential and work ethic to become even better.
I would take TODAY, LeBron James. Only 20 years old, team player, and multi-talented but still gets his points. Then you can build around him.
I am not saying Kobe is not a good player or that he is not better than LeBron today, but when you look at LeBron you see the potential to become even better than he is now, which is damn good. So if your building a team, I go with the younger player who is already a star and has the potential and work ethic to become even better.
Good points cwebb.
Right now, all we can do with LeBron is extrapolate his talent and assume that he will just keep getting better forever. Some people peak earlier than others.
Kobe at 17 was better than Jordan at 17. Kobe at 21 you could argue, was better than Jordan. Kobe at 26, could be better than Jordan at 26 as well.
You have to remember that Jordan was the first option his whole career, and although he was getting some ridiculous stats at 26, it wouldn't be hard for me to imagine Kobe putting up the same numbers during that era playing as the first option.
But hell, if we extrapolate Bron, we must do the same for Kobe. Assuming Kobe follows the same improvement path as Jordan, we should see Kobe approaching the same levels. But I'll be realistic and say that maybe no one will ever reach Jordan's level. We just don't know until it happens.
All I know is that there are only three people in the past 20 years that could not be stopped on the offensive end and they are Jordan, Kobe and Shaq.
I can't say either that no one has ever played at LeBron's level at the age of 20. Magic Johnson is an example of this. But yes, it's rare for anyone to play at their level at the age of 20.
You gotta remember that the Lakers are a proud organization that is always trying to win a championship (Yes I know that's the point of having a team, but the Lakers are different) We had an all-star caliber shooting guard in Eddie Jones that Kobe had to play behind and we had a team that was a solid contender for the title with Shaq. If Kobe started for the Lakers as a rookie, I would have no doubt in my mind that he would have put up great numbers. LeBron had no pressure coming in. He had the money, he had a team that was rebuilding and had no hopes for a title. It made sense to play him.
Who knows where LeBron will get to? His talents could peak at the age of 25 who knows? Maybe Kobe will reach his highest level of play next year and will plateau out. It's different for every player.
What is clear is that Kobe has improved EVERY SINGLE YEAR and he's still only 26, so based on his track record, he will only get better. So assuming that if you are on a playoff team and you had to choose one player to go with, you'd probably go with Kobe. And if he's shown to keep improving every year, it's hard to make such a convincing argument that you absolutely HAVE to go with LeBron for the future. Granted, I understand why people make that argument because he's only 20, and he has a stellar future ahead of him too, but if Kobe is better than him right now, and has shown to get better every year... considering his young age (26) taking Kobe over LeBron to start a team right now is not all that crazy.
Kobe's team with solid coaching and one or two more pieces is an automatic contender. You can see even in the west right now the only team that totally stands out above any other in terms of talent is the Spurs. Do you actually think that if Phoenix played Sac right now in the playoffs that you guys would get demolished? I don't. But the teams' records would say otherwise, no?
Look at what KG is doing in Minnesota. I'm not trying to downplay how good of a player he is, but he's just not Kobe Bryant. Minnesota has a better team than the Lakers but they are just sucking right now. Since KG is such a media-favorite no one is blaming him for their failures. Why not? They always said that he didn't have a supporting cast, but the Lakers wooped them two years in a row with Kobe having a messed up shoulder in the first year and a rag-tag team in the second. They keep saying that KG's knee is bum or that there's just too many distractions/drama on his team? What? I seem to remember the Lakers playing with drama/distraction (ten times worse) than Minn. KG has had his chance with a great backcourt supporting him and solid shooters. It was up to KG to go crazy on opposing teams, but it's just not his game, and maybe over the course of 82 games + playoffs he's just not up to taking over games and demolishing the opponent. He just doesn't have it in him. Sure it makes for a great teammate, but not necessarily winning.
How is it that Kobe doesn't even have a balanced team, it's brand new, has had 2 coaches with his NEW team, has never played without Shaq, has had two different offensive systems implemented... how is it that the Lakers have a better record than Minn? Kobe. It doesn't even look like Minn will get close to making the playoffs, either. I think they're done for. Kobe > KG.
On the other hand, Kobe is playing the best ball of his career. That's saying something about a guy who has 9 years of experience, 3 titles and has legendary games on the highest stage. Any knowledgeable laker fan will tell you that Kobe, post all star break, is easily playing the best of his career. He's just absolutely unstoppable right now. So yeah, it's not that crazy to take Kobe over LeBron even right now.
I wonder what SA or Sac (if you still had Webber) would do if they had an opportunity to trade Ginobili and Christie (if you still had him) respectively for Kobe or LeBron. Who would you choose? Now you might think, well LeBron from this poitn on has a longer career, but with Kobe you will absolutely guarantee yourself a championship or even a 3 year dynasty with him on board. With LeBron you would be much improved, but come playoff time, LeBron is a question mark.
Also one thing I didn't mention was Kobe's defense. If you're a coach, and you want one stop, you don't put Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest on the other team's best perimeter player. You would put Kobe on them, putting aside all Kobe hate. Hell, I would. We know he has the tenacity and determination to get that stop. And again, his resume shows that he comes up with huge defensive plays when his team needs it. Again, you can extrapolate LeBron's talents to say well he will become a great defender, but again that remains to be seen. What Kobe has always shown throughout his whole career (even at 17) has been great lateral quickness and uncanny timing. I have to admit that Kobe gets lax on defense to save energy and because he's cocky and doesn't respect his opponents, but when it really counts he is the best perimiter defender in the league, or at least equally as good as Bowen or Artest, for sure. You can no longer bully Kobe in the post either.
People, in their haste to discredit Kobe call him a "ball hog" or say he "can't play without Shaq" or that "he doesn't make his teammates better" I mean, those are basically the 3 arguments against Kobe. This is more telling of Kobe's talents than his deficiencies, because it actually shows that he has no physical or mental weakness to his game. Why is it that people keep repeating the same crap over and over again? Reminds me of when I used to hate Jordan as a kid and would call him a ball hog. Absolutely no weakness to his game. Handles, shot, post game, free throws, clutch, excellent footwork, penetration, mid-range, long-range, defense, best in-game dunks, best and-1's I mean there's really no area of his game you can attack so the only thing you can say is that he's a ball hog and that he can't win without shaq or that he can't make his teammates better. I wonder what people say when he finally wins a Championship without Shaq? "He can't win without those tatoos, and let's see what Kobe does without that Ferrari he drives"
I'm just trying to keep things in perspective here. Kobe has just been bashed so much in the media and by fans alike that he's being forgotten as one of the best if not the best player in the league. And LeBron on the other hand, is getting way too much hype. I just want the playing field leveled. And if you level it out, I think that based on talent/influence alone that Duncan, Shaq, and Kobe are the best in the league with KG and LeBron behind them.
Sorry for another long Kobe-love-fest post but here you go, in order best players right now:
1) Duncan
2/3) Shakobe and Meyers
4/5) KG/LeBron
for the future
1) Kobe
2) Bron
3) KG
4) Wade
Right now, all we can do with LeBron is extrapolate his talent and assume that he will just keep getting better forever. Some people peak earlier than others.
Kobe at 17 was better than Jordan at 17. Kobe at 21 you could argue, was better than Jordan. Kobe at 26, could be better than Jordan at 26 as well.
You have to remember that Jordan was the first option his whole career, and although he was getting some ridiculous stats at 26, it wouldn't be hard for me to imagine Kobe putting up the same numbers during that era playing as the first option.
But hell, if we extrapolate Bron, we must do the same for Kobe. Assuming Kobe follows the same improvement path as Jordan, we should see Kobe approaching the same levels. But I'll be realistic and say that maybe no one will ever reach Jordan's level. We just don't know until it happens.
All I know is that there are only three people in the past 20 years that could not be stopped on the offensive end and they are Jordan, Kobe and Shaq.
I can't say either that no one has ever played at LeBron's level at the age of 20. Magic Johnson is an example of this. But yes, it's rare for anyone to play at their level at the age of 20.
You gotta remember that the Lakers are a proud organization that is always trying to win a championship (Yes I know that's the point of having a team, but the Lakers are different) We had an all-star caliber shooting guard in Eddie Jones that Kobe had to play behind and we had a team that was a solid contender for the title with Shaq. If Kobe started for the Lakers as a rookie, I would have no doubt in my mind that he would have put up great numbers. LeBron had no pressure coming in. He had the money, he had a team that was rebuilding and had no hopes for a title. It made sense to play him.
Who knows where LeBron will get to? His talents could peak at the age of 25 who knows? Maybe Kobe will reach his highest level of play next year and will plateau out. It's different for every player.
What is clear is that Kobe has improved EVERY SINGLE YEAR and he's still only 26, so based on his track record, he will only get better. So assuming that if you are on a playoff team and you had to choose one player to go with, you'd probably go with Kobe. And if he's shown to keep improving every year, it's hard to make such a convincing argument that you absolutely HAVE to go with LeBron for the future. Granted, I understand why people make that argument because he's only 20, and he has a stellar future ahead of him too, but if Kobe is better than him right now, and has shown to get better every year... considering his young age (26) taking Kobe over LeBron to start a team right now is not all that crazy.
Kobe's team with solid coaching and one or two more pieces is an automatic contender. You can see even in the west right now the only team that totally stands out above any other in terms of talent is the Spurs. Do you actually think that if Phoenix played Sac right now in the playoffs that you guys would get demolished? I don't. But the teams' records would say otherwise, no?
Look at what KG is doing in Minnesota. I'm not trying to downplay how good of a player he is, but he's just not Kobe Bryant. Minnesota has a better team than the Lakers but they are just sucking right now. Since KG is such a media-favorite no one is blaming him for their failures. Why not? They always said that he didn't have a supporting cast, but the Lakers wooped them two years in a row with Kobe having a messed up shoulder in the first year and a rag-tag team in the second. They keep saying that KG's knee is bum or that there's just too many distractions/drama on his team? What? I seem to remember the Lakers playing with drama/distraction (ten times worse) than Minn. KG has had his chance with a great backcourt supporting him and solid shooters. It was up to KG to go crazy on opposing teams, but it's just not his game, and maybe over the course of 82 games + playoffs he's just not up to taking over games and demolishing the opponent. He just doesn't have it in him. Sure it makes for a great teammate, but not necessarily winning.
How is it that Kobe doesn't even have a balanced team, it's brand new, has had 2 coaches with his NEW team, has never played without Shaq, has had two different offensive systems implemented... how is it that the Lakers have a better record than Minn? Kobe. It doesn't even look like Minn will get close to making the playoffs, either. I think they're done for. Kobe > KG.
On the other hand, Kobe is playing the best ball of his career. That's saying something about a guy who has 9 years of experience, 3 titles and has legendary games on the highest stage. Any knowledgeable laker fan will tell you that Kobe, post all star break, is easily playing the best of his career. He's just absolutely unstoppable right now. So yeah, it's not that crazy to take Kobe over LeBron even right now.
I wonder what SA or Sac (if you still had Webber) would do if they had an opportunity to trade Ginobili and Christie (if you still had him) respectively for Kobe or LeBron. Who would you choose? Now you might think, well LeBron from this poitn on has a longer career, but with Kobe you will absolutely guarantee yourself a championship or even a 3 year dynasty with him on board. With LeBron you would be much improved, but come playoff time, LeBron is a question mark.
Also one thing I didn't mention was Kobe's defense. If you're a coach, and you want one stop, you don't put Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest on the other team's best perimeter player. You would put Kobe on them, putting aside all Kobe hate. Hell, I would. We know he has the tenacity and determination to get that stop. And again, his resume shows that he comes up with huge defensive plays when his team needs it. Again, you can extrapolate LeBron's talents to say well he will become a great defender, but again that remains to be seen. What Kobe has always shown throughout his whole career (even at 17) has been great lateral quickness and uncanny timing. I have to admit that Kobe gets lax on defense to save energy and because he's cocky and doesn't respect his opponents, but when it really counts he is the best perimiter defender in the league, or at least equally as good as Bowen or Artest, for sure. You can no longer bully Kobe in the post either.
People, in their haste to discredit Kobe call him a "ball hog" or say he "can't play without Shaq" or that "he doesn't make his teammates better" I mean, those are basically the 3 arguments against Kobe. This is more telling of Kobe's talents than his deficiencies, because it actually shows that he has no physical or mental weakness to his game. Why is it that people keep repeating the same crap over and over again? Reminds me of when I used to hate Jordan as a kid and would call him a ball hog. Absolutely no weakness to his game. Handles, shot, post game, free throws, clutch, excellent footwork, penetration, mid-range, long-range, defense, best in-game dunks, best and-1's I mean there's really no area of his game you can attack so the only thing you can say is that he's a ball hog and that he can't win without shaq or that he can't make his teammates better. I wonder what people say when he finally wins a Championship without Shaq? "He can't win without those tatoos, and let's see what Kobe does without that Ferrari he drives"
I'm just trying to keep things in perspective here. Kobe has just been bashed so much in the media and by fans alike that he's being forgotten as one of the best if not the best player in the league. And LeBron on the other hand, is getting way too much hype. I just want the playing field leveled. And if you level it out, I think that based on talent/influence alone that Duncan, Shaq, and Kobe are the best in the league with KG and LeBron behind them.
Sorry for another long Kobe-love-fest post but here you go, in order best players right now:
1) Duncan
2/3) Shakobe and Meyers
4/5) KG/LeBron
for the future
1) Kobe
2) Bron
3) KG
4) Wade
Last edited:
iheartBrad
All-Star
in all honesty its amazing that the Lakers were able to win any games without Kobe...the team is like a bunch of nobodies really...and their bench blows...i don't get it...::shrugs::
but rumor has it that thet are the best 3pt shooting team and they have the best rebounding team in the NBA...with a frontline of who? Mihm, Odom and somebody else...that too me is amazing
If i had to overhaul that team which for the Lakers fans sake i hope they do in the offseason...id prolly get rid of everybody except Kobe, Odom and Mihm (thats only cuz well they are the best rebounding front line in the NBA)...and even then Odom and Mihm are ditchable if you are gonna get somebody better in return...they need a great PG is what really needs to happen
but rumor has it that thet are the best 3pt shooting team and they have the best rebounding team in the NBA...with a frontline of who? Mihm, Odom and somebody else...that too me is amazing
If i had to overhaul that team which for the Lakers fans sake i hope they do in the offseason...id prolly get rid of everybody except Kobe, Odom and Mihm (thats only cuz well they are the best rebounding front line in the NBA)...and even then Odom and Mihm are ditchable if you are gonna get somebody better in return...they need a great PG is what really needs to happen
Diehard Jim
Bench
didn't kobe also throw up airballs against the utah jazz?
Kobe is a great player but he also had shaq!
lebron is not hype, this kid can ball, but he is not surrounded by anyone with talent near his like wade is and kobe was.
this is kobes first year without shaq and he is doing a good job of keeping his team at a few games above the .500 mark.
there has never been a player as hyped as lebron, the only one who was close was kareem, but the media was not then, the media circus it is now.
If I was to have to pick one it would be lebron just because he is a team player, and if he needs to take over a game he can!
Kobe is a great player but he also had shaq!
lebron is not hype, this kid can ball, but he is not surrounded by anyone with talent near his like wade is and kobe was.
this is kobes first year without shaq and he is doing a good job of keeping his team at a few games above the .500 mark.
there has never been a player as hyped as lebron, the only one who was close was kareem, but the media was not then, the media circus it is now.
If I was to have to pick one it would be lebron just because he is a team player, and if he needs to take over a game he can!
Gargamel
Starter
Diehard Jim said:
At 18 and in a playoff game. Maybe we'll see how Bron reacts in a similar situation with 2 years more experience. Hopefully.
Again, everything Kobe has done, it was because of Shaq...even his performances where Shaq was sitting on the bench. Shaq willed him to achieve, he was the model of offseason conditioning and skill-building that Kobe aspired to be. Shaq was Kobe's greatest inspiration and Kobe will be the first to tell you. Without Shaq, Kobe would be Jim Jackson.
Wade isn't responsible for his accomplishments either. Shaq has made him the player he is. That's just how inspirational Shaq is, not to mention how much of a teacher he is in the finer skills of the game that guards need to develop.
Actually, that wonderful teacher and mentor to all-star guards was hyped as much as Bron. Takin bout The Big Cockeye.
Wait, I thought you were picking him because he didn't play next to Shaq.
Honestly now... Level with me here, Diehard Jim, if Bron played with Shaq...you wouldn't be discounting his achievements like you've done with Kobe and Wade, would ya?
Gargamel
Starter
iheartBrad said:
They won't get a great point guard if they use their lotto pick to get a bigman. I think Mitch tries to package Butler and Co with that lotto pick for Boozer. If they do that, they'll draft one of the points that slips to the 2nd round and hope he's better than Tierre Brown (which shouldn't be too hard).
iheartBrad
All-Star
aww but he's Halle Berry's favorite player....lol
No Caron No Halle
No Caron No Halle
Kev.in
Starter
I'd take Kobe. He's got more range on his shot than Wade and a much more polished one-on-one aresenal than LeBron.
I would take LeBron if I knew (or saw him) develop his one-on-one game. The size, athletic ability and unselfishness are all great, but sometimes you need to put the ball on the floor and be The Man to win big games. LeBron hasn't show it yet, I've seen him get crowded by good defender with strong help and he has trouble getting past them or getting a good shot. He seems to have trouble breaking down his man and that is one concern I have about him.
As for Wade, I don't think you can build around a guard who doesn't have 3 point range. The relentless attacking of a guy like Wade is great, but against a team like the Pistons, they'll force him into tough situations and take charges against him because they know he's going to be taking it inside the free throw line. Against a team with significant shotblocking presence, like the Spurs, it'll be tough for him to get the shots and calls of someone like Kobe at the end of close games.
I would take LeBron if I knew (or saw him) develop his one-on-one game. The size, athletic ability and unselfishness are all great, but sometimes you need to put the ball on the floor and be The Man to win big games. LeBron hasn't show it yet, I've seen him get crowded by good defender with strong help and he has trouble getting past them or getting a good shot. He seems to have trouble breaking down his man and that is one concern I have about him.
As for Wade, I don't think you can build around a guard who doesn't have 3 point range. The relentless attacking of a guy like Wade is great, but against a team like the Pistons, they'll force him into tough situations and take charges against him because they know he's going to be taking it inside the free throw line. Against a team with significant shotblocking presence, like the Spurs, it'll be tough for him to get the shots and calls of someone like Kobe at the end of close games.
Evenstar
Starter
it's tough to compare. kobe's been in the league for a LOT longer then either of those 2, and also has played all but this season with one of the most dominating players ever.
bron and wade haven't done a lot of the things that kobe has, thanks for that list gargy. but who's to say they can't or won't?? wade has a good chance since he's playing with the same player kobe did.
let's come back to this discussion when wade and lebron have played for 8 seasons like kobe has. they might have accomplished whats on the list, or more even. who knows. only the future can tell us.
but to answer the Q, i would have to pick lebron, based on age and upside. he's the youngest, and based on how he improved from year one to year 2, who knows how great he can be.
bron and wade haven't done a lot of the things that kobe has, thanks for that list gargy. but who's to say they can't or won't?? wade has a good chance since he's playing with the same player kobe did.
let's come back to this discussion when wade and lebron have played for 8 seasons like kobe has. they might have accomplished whats on the list, or more even. who knows. only the future can tell us.
but to answer the Q, i would have to pick lebron, based on age and upside. he's the youngest, and based on how he improved from year one to year 2, who knows how great he can be.
Evenstar said:
Exactly. Who's to say? But also you don't know if Bron and Wade will plateau a lot sooner. You're just assuming that he (Bron) will be better than Kobe.
I agree with the poster before who said that Bron cannot break a guy off the dribble easily. Kobe was doing this when he was 15 on NBA players. Just ask Eddie Jones or Jerry Stackhouse or any of the Philly NBA people. I don't think LeBron will ever develop into the killer 1 on 1 player.
4cwebb
Starter
methdxman said:
I think you're selling Lebron a little short, but I've probably already posted enough words on the subject. It's an interesting thing to think about, that's for certain, and truth be told, the choice b/w either player at this point if you're starting a team is a win/win situation, at least in my book. I'm still taking Lebron if I get first option, regardless of past performance, because I don't have to worry as much about how other players will fit with Lebron as I do with Kobe, but that's just me.
A
AriesMar27
Guest
Bricklayer said:
ummm.... kevin garnett..... great player but damn.....
id go with kobe since kirk hinrich isnt on the list..... kobe has that killer instinct that lebron lacks and he's a better 1 on 1 player.... he wants to do everything but doesnt have the pieces to do so....
with him, odom and mihm... they could build a really good team if they get a real pf and a pg.... there bench leaves a lot to be desired.....
i honestly see james a becoming a huge disappointment... he has tons of talent but i dont see him doing anything with it.... look at webber(yeah i went there) if he were more durable no one would really care about duncan or kg cause webb had more talent... but he lacked that killer instinct too...
NewEraKings05
G-League
AriesMar27 said:
lol
Padrino
All-Star
HndsmCelt said:
i think kobe is realizing that having shaq around actually improved his game. look what shaq has done for wade. i give wade a lot of credit, cuz he's done very well for himself this season, but shaq commands a lot of attention and opens up room for the younger players to develop. kobe is the only laker who commands the double-team, and its made it very difficult on him this season, not that i care. its a pleasure to see him struggle. ya know what they say: you dont know what ya got til its gone.
Kobe is the better, more experienced player, no doubt about it. But the fact that he is entering his prime and people are even having this discussion speaks volumes about LeBron James (Dwayne Wade is second-tier, IMO; he's good, but not nearly as good as either LeBron or Kobe).
I don't think it's fair to compare their accomplishments, for several reasons: 1) Kobe's been in the League for nine years, compared to LeBron's two, 2) Kobe played with Shaq for eight seasons, 3) Kobe has never played on a losing team, 4) LeBron plays in the Eastern conference, 5) Kobe didn't enter the League with an NBA body like LeBron did. I'm sure I could think of more reasons, but what for? Five is plenty.
But when you think about it, Kobe is being unfairly tagged with a "what have you done for me lately" type of thing, and it is causing people to forget about the great things that he has done in his career. He holds records, for crying out loud. He's shown brilliance - not just flashes of future brilliance - on both sides of the floor for several seasons in a row. In probably the best game I've ever seen him play, he literally shut Tracy McGrady down in the second half while scoring 37 points on him at the other end. Check this link out: LAL vs ORL. Kobe's greatness was really captured in 24 minutes of game-time that night as I watched him dominate the game on both ends of the floor, against one of the best offensive players in the NBA and the League's leading scorer for 2 consecutive seasons. He averaged 40 points for an entire month, without Shaq. There's no doubt he can get it done, and whether you like his game or his personality or not, you have to admit that he can.
LeBron, however, has shown flashes of that brilliance in large doses, himself. He has his name in the record books as well. And, perhaps the single most important characteristic about his game is that he doesn't care about being the star. He's not selfish or egotistical (which are two big knocks on Kobe's game). I don't know why people are knocking his defense in his second season (Jordan wasn't a great lockdown defender at 20 either; has there been one?), as if he's atrocious defensively or he's not going to get better as time goes on. He's third in the League in steals per game, second in total steals, the third best defensive rebounder that isn't a power forward or center (behind Shawn Marion and Paul Pierce), etc. He's a good defensive player; not as good as Kobe, but he certainly has what it takes (desire/willingness to learn) to be a great defender.
Bottom line, IMO, is that the comparisons are endless between the two of them. If I had a choice to take one for the next two years, I'd take Kobe hands down. If I had a choice to take one for the rest of their careers, I'd take LeBron. If I had a choice to take either of them in the first three years of their careers, I'd take LeBron.
I don't think it's fair to compare their accomplishments, for several reasons: 1) Kobe's been in the League for nine years, compared to LeBron's two, 2) Kobe played with Shaq for eight seasons, 3) Kobe has never played on a losing team, 4) LeBron plays in the Eastern conference, 5) Kobe didn't enter the League with an NBA body like LeBron did. I'm sure I could think of more reasons, but what for? Five is plenty.
But when you think about it, Kobe is being unfairly tagged with a "what have you done for me lately" type of thing, and it is causing people to forget about the great things that he has done in his career. He holds records, for crying out loud. He's shown brilliance - not just flashes of future brilliance - on both sides of the floor for several seasons in a row. In probably the best game I've ever seen him play, he literally shut Tracy McGrady down in the second half while scoring 37 points on him at the other end. Check this link out: LAL vs ORL. Kobe's greatness was really captured in 24 minutes of game-time that night as I watched him dominate the game on both ends of the floor, against one of the best offensive players in the NBA and the League's leading scorer for 2 consecutive seasons. He averaged 40 points for an entire month, without Shaq. There's no doubt he can get it done, and whether you like his game or his personality or not, you have to admit that he can.
LeBron, however, has shown flashes of that brilliance in large doses, himself. He has his name in the record books as well. And, perhaps the single most important characteristic about his game is that he doesn't care about being the star. He's not selfish or egotistical (which are two big knocks on Kobe's game). I don't know why people are knocking his defense in his second season (Jordan wasn't a great lockdown defender at 20 either; has there been one?), as if he's atrocious defensively or he's not going to get better as time goes on. He's third in the League in steals per game, second in total steals, the third best defensive rebounder that isn't a power forward or center (behind Shawn Marion and Paul Pierce), etc. He's a good defensive player; not as good as Kobe, but he certainly has what it takes (desire/willingness to learn) to be a great defender.
Bottom line, IMO, is that the comparisons are endless between the two of them. If I had a choice to take one for the next two years, I'd take Kobe hands down. If I had a choice to take one for the rest of their careers, I'd take LeBron. If I had a choice to take either of them in the first three years of their careers, I'd take LeBron.
Ray Allen34
Bench
wade owned kobe last night
4cwebb
Starter
Kev.in said:
I'm not picking Wade over either of those guys, so I'm not the one to answer this question, but I'm not taking Wade last year, either. He's having a great season, and he certainly had a great playoff run last season, but he's just not the type of supremely special talent that either Kobe or Lebron are. Still, when paired with Shaq, Wade is a force to be reckoned with.
And, just for fun, the Lakers are on a three-game slide, and Kobe had another average performance in a loss to the Pacers. Lakers now on the outside looking in at the playoffs. If we compare Lebron and Kobe this year, with their current teams, it shows to me that I'd rather have Lebron instead of Kobe. Not trying to take anything away from what Kobe has done in the past, but he didn't really have any championship accomplishments on his own. Not saying Shaq carried him, but it certainly didn't hurt to have the big fella on the floor.
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