One of the most debatable subjects in the NBA: Who is the better basketball player, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James?
Right now I will go with Kobe simply because he’s been to the playoffs so many times and he wants badly to get to the NBA finals.
Not taking anything away from LeBron, but he played in the NBA finals last season, and he knows he’s got his whole career to win another.
However, when it comes to stats, LeBron has more points per game and more assists than Kobe. The cause—LeBron came into the NBA and started every game while it took Kobe a few years to get started.
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If I had a fantasy basketball team and had to choose between Kobe and LeBron, I'd go with Kobe.
If I were the owner of a franchise and had to choose between the two, LeBron would get the seven-year deal. He’s younger and seemingly has more time left.
Now, if you look at the stats this season, though Kobe has fewer points and fewer assists than LeBron, he has a better supporting cast. While LeBron has more points and more assists, his supporting cast is lacking.
Kobe has been named MVP, has won championships, and has been a part of a basketball dynasty. But is it possible that he is on a decline?
NO WAY! He is one of the best players in the league and still gets at least 28 points per game, with Pau Gasol by his side.
Now the question of the day: Who is the better—all around—basketball player?
Kobe or LeBron?
LeBron James. Why? In five years he will be considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Who do you think is better? Comment your choice.
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4 months ago
Kobe is yet to be named mvp! I agree kobe is better (best on the planet). the sheer fact kobe avg'd 19 minutes his first 3-4 years compared to lebron's 32 minute average is the huge difference in stats.
PS: lebron is in the EAST, he better put up numbers like that!
4 months ago
You're reasoning for LeBron being better all around is ridiculous. Who cares where he'll be in five years, Kobe is already considered one of the great talents the league has seen. Beyond that, LeBron is hardly better all around. Sure, he might be a better passer, but that's where it ends. Kobe is the superior defensive player (note his multiple All NBA Defense selections), he's a MUCH better shooter, he can also get to the hoop about as easily as LeBron. Right now, the best all around player is Kobe Bryant. Maybe when LeBron can hit a consistent jumper and play defense, he'll be in the question, but until then, it's Kobe.
4 months ago
When Kobe's supporting cast was down (the previous 2 years) he averaged 35.4 and 31.6 respectively. Kobe did that in the West and has only missed the 2005 playoffs.
To me LeBron is almost like a video game created player. His size and speed is something that could only previously be found on NBA Live. He is incredible, no doubt.
If you break down things such as skill set, ability to shoot from the perimeter (LeBron shoots it a shade above 30% and Kobe's is 36%), and their work on the defensive end...I think Kobe holds the edge as a complete player (and a ridiculous one at that).
4 months ago
You really make a pretty weak argument. You ask who is a better player...then give the reward to LeBron because he'll be better in 5 years...wait a second...? If you were the owner of a fantasy team, you would obviously pick LeBron because he's always the top fantasy player because of his near triple double average for the season.
The question I pose to the readers is this... (Bill Simmons had this method), if you were picking teams out of a pool of every NBA player to play a game for you where your life depended on it...who would you pick first? I, personally, would pick Kobe because he has a killer instinct that LeBron does not have (yet?).
In ESPN the magazine, LeBron commented that he doesn't have the desire to "kill everyone" like Kobe does. Maybe in 5 years, like you suggest, he will learn to develop that killer instinct. Maybe DeSean Stevenson talking trash to him (who, by the way, will never be remembered for anything other than losing to Agent 0 in a 3 point contest when Gilbert was shooting with 1 hand) will light a fire under LeBron. Maybe a heartbreaking playoff loss will bring his game to the next level.
With all of that said, what each player will do in any other time besides RIGHT NOW means nothing in this debate. Of course LeBron will be better in 5 years, but we're not talking about 2013, we're talking about right now. That's what you asked...didn't it?
4 months ago
I agree with you about LeBron because when Kobe was LeBrons age Lebron is much better.
from 4 months ago
But we're obviously not talking about when Kobe was LeBron's age. We're talking about right now, right this second, who's better.
from 28 days ago
well, when kobe was lebrons age, kobe had shaq on his side. lebron doesn't really have a person on his team tat could lead the cavs to the finals without him. since he's like the only top notch player on his team, he steals the spotlight while kobe had to share the spotlight with shaq.
4 months ago
This has to be one of the weakest argument for who is better between those two. let me compare them for you:
Jumper: Kobe over Lebron
Range: Kobe over Lebron
Freethrows: Kobe over Lebron (Lebron haven't improved ANY since his rookie year)
Postmoves: Kobe over Lebron
Fadeway: Kobe over Lebron
Killer Instinct: Kobe...no one else even comes close
Dribbles: Kobe over Lebron
Beating Double teams: Kobe over Lebron
Opencourt: Lebron over Kobe
Athleticism: Lebron over Kobe (more to do with youth than anything)
and thats just the 50% of the game in which Lebron has a chance to catch kobe someday. On the defensive side, Kobe is so far ahead of him that if he looked back, he wouldn't even see Lebron.
from 4 months ago
I disagree with you only slightly.
The most unstoppable move in the National Basketball Association right now just happens to be LeBron James going to his right driving to the basket. That would give "dribbles" and "beating double teams" to LeBron. Going along with that last catagory, Kobe has a legit scoring option in Pau Gasol to take some of the attention off of him. LeBron has....? Defense isn't a question, like you said, although LeBron has improved greatly since his coming into the league.
Skillwise, I'd take either of them any day. Mentality wise, Kobe is so far ahead of LeBron "'he wouldn't even see LeBron" haha.
4 months ago
WOW.......WHAT A HOTT TOPIC!!!!! I LOVE LEBRON BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT KOBE IS THE BEST ALL AROUND PLAYER!!! HE IS THAT MAN. EVEN WHEN HIS TEAM IS SOUR HE POPS OFF! DEF THE BEST ALL AROUND BUT SHOTS OUT TO MY LEBRON JAMES CAUSE HE IS MY FAVORITE PLAYER!
4 months ago
Eddy,
No doubt that Lebron is force no one can mess with when he is driving to the basket but that has a lot to do with his power and speed rather than ability to break double teams or more importantly his dribbles. If you watch kobe in a double team, he splits them so easily and usually hangs in air for a jumper that it amazes most people seeing it for first time and he does this night in night out. on the other hand, lebron tries to use his speed and strength to get by people rather than using creativity. and once he gets an inch on you, there is nothing stopping him.
from 4 months ago
I didn't say he was more creative, or it looked prettier, but I said it was the most unstoppable move in the NBA. He obviously breaks constant double teams, because he has exactly 0 other viable scoring options on his team. I didn't say Kobe can't break double teams... obviously he can. I just think that LeBron is a more unstoppable force, no matter how many people are guarding him. Take the playoffs last year against the Pistons--how many double and triple teams did he face?
Don't take this as me putting you down, because you can absolutely make the case for either one, and a very good one at that.
4 months ago
The only reason KB didn't start an NBA game is because Del Harris wanted to bring him along slowly....I guess thats why he got fired too... Jokes aside, Kobe was having big games at 18 and Jerry West can tell you that Kobe was already the best guard on the Lakers when he got drafted.
4 months ago
and Lebron's game is more PHysical than technical, while Kobe's game is more technical then physical.
toss up? I'd pick kB
4 months ago
I think that it could really go ethier way, right now? Kobe, but I would rather build my franchise on LeBron.
4 months ago
Good debate topic, but the world's greatest are 1.Kobe and Lebron as 1A
4 months ago
The main question i have for everyone is....
Whos hands do you want touching the ball in the 4th quarter, with just minutes left, while you are down?
Kobe
and LeBron doesn't have another star player to share stats with him.
4 months ago
Of course I have to weigh in with my opinion on this issue...
Lebron James will be known as better than Jordan when his time is through...mark my words.
with "when his time is through" being the most important part of that statement. Right now if I wanted someone taking the final shot in game 7 to win or lose the championship I'd have to go with Kobe because he is more proven in that area but give LeBron time and he will prove to be the best ever.
Another name not in the mix as much is Paul out of the Hornets. Have you seen this guy play? He is amazing. he'll be in the debate soon for who is the best of this era.
so here are my picks:
right now, final shot situation - Kobe
Overall career - LeBron James
Sleeper for crazy good player - Chris Paul
from 4 months ago
i doubt it if he continues to play in cleveland where they aren't giving him any help.
4 months ago
Give me Kobe everytime, because he has won 3 nba titles now granted he had the big aristotle to roll with and LeBron has Big Z, but he also plays in the east where it's much less competition. We all know they can score with the everyone ever but the reason I go with Kobe is because he's an excellent on the ball and perimeter defender LeBron doesn't play any defense kind of hard to believe with his size and strength.
4 months ago
Either player would be an amazing addition to any team in the league. You put even on of those players on the worst team in the NBA, i guarantee you will have a contender. They are both playmakers and leaders. As of now Kobe seems to statistically be the better player. But the supporting cast he has around him is ridicoulas in comparison to the meager team Lebron has to work with. Who is there to help him besides Big Z, Ben Wallace (whose past his prime) and Daniel Gibson. Overall when you look at Lebron right now he has achieved milestones quicker than Kobe did. As of now i would take Kobe over Lebron.
4 months ago
LeBron even says Kobe is the best. These guys all have huge ego's and it takes a lot for anyone to say that someone else is better than them, especially a guy like LeBron. Kobe is simply the best player alive right now, not in the future but right now.
from 4 months ago
I disagree about LeBron's ego anybody would say that about a great like Kobe but LeBron might be just as good.
4 months ago
Thanks for the props on my column, Mike.
As far as this column, it's tough to make a call on Lebron and Kobe. Lebron is just a force of nature. Kobe doesn't have the physical dominance that Lebron does, but KB24's basketball technique is unparalleled. I'm just glad they're both playing for Team USA this summer.
3 months ago
Well i think kobe is much better then lebron
considering lebron james is over rated and everyone thinks hes the nexted mj
which theres no way lebron is going to be as good as the great as mj.
Kobe has won mvps and championships lebron hasnt got a mvp yet and kobe scored 82 points and lebron james hasnt.
3 months ago
Kobe is hands down the best in this modern day
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