This post is in response to my fellow sports blogger Desmond, and his views on how LeBron James is better than everyone. FALSE!!!
I'll give LBJ credit, he has taken over the league quicker than any other player in NBA history but that doesn't mean he's better than everyone. I put him third, behind Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
First off, MJ had continued success in the regular season and throughout multiple post-seasons, unlike LeBron. His six NBA titles don't only tell you how great of a player he was, it's all of his accolades as well, and overwhelming talent his exposed. MJ was always the best player on the court, and there was no one who could even come close. Of course his teams were dominant, but if it wasn't for his proven leadership, they would've never had the success that they had. LeBron however, has made one trip to the NBA Finals and got swept easily by the Spurs. Since then, he hasn't even been able to take his team back which says a lot about him because each year since that Finals lost, his teams have improved.
Now as for the Kobe-LeBron debates, it shouldn't even be discussed upon. Kobe has the battle easily in his back packet, and he even knows it.
Let's hold off from the careers for a moment and just look at last year alone. LeBron won MVP while Kobe finished second, and the Cavaliers had the best record in the league while the Lakers were second. Now all of that would've looked great if LeBron had beaten Kobe the two times they played each other. And let's not forget that the Cavs were undefeated at home when the Lakers came to town and ended that streak. Oh yeah, Kobe was sick too.
Then in the playoffs, the Cavs easily rolled past their first two series opponents while the Lakers easily defeated the Jazz but had struggles with the Rockets. Now in the Conference Finals games, it took LeBron a game winning three-pointer just for his team to win one game. ONE GAME!!! The sad part is that the team that destroyed the Cavs (the Magic) is the same team Kobe and the Lakers demolished in the NBA Finals.
Need I say more.
Now don't get me wrong LeBron is a very versatile player, but his versatility isn't better than Kobe's all around game. Kobe can easily beat you off the dribble or he can post you up like a big man and hit those tough fade-away shots that have you shaking your head like "how did he do that." Furthermore, he is definitely a way better shooter than LeBron from all angles on the floor. Kobe has so many ways to beat you, which makes him so difficult to defend. On the other hand, LeBron only uses his strength to do his work.
It really isn't fair to compare these two because their so different. However, Kobe's traits are what make him a far more better player than LeBron. And I haven't even mentioned the four NBA titles Kobe has under his belt, and other numerous awards he has attained such as being an 11x All-Star, 7x All-NBA First Team, and 7x All-Defensive First Team.
For those who feel Kobe needed Shaq to win those 3 titles in the early 00's are most definitely wrong. It was the other way around, Shaq needed Kobe because when Shaq was in foul trouble, and/or missing clutch free throws who was there to pick up the slack. KOBE WAS! He was overshadowed because of Shaq's dominance against those easily beatable teams. Even if LeBron would've had the type of player that Shaq was back then, which was a player that can take all the attention off him, it still wouldn't have mattered. LeBron doesn't produce in big games, and rarely he is clutch. I don't even know why I'm asking this question but who would you want with the ball in the 4th quarter? Hands down it's Kobe, because he's proven what he can do late in games, unlike LeBron, once again.
Kobe will continue to be better than LeBron, until he retires which wont be any time soon. Bron-Bron, you can have it in a few more years, hopefully you make the discussion more intriguing.
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