Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant And THAT GUY!

It sure is a funny world!

In his third professional season, Mr. James gets 48 points in a sterling must-win playoff game, on the back of a wonderful season, and he's compared to THAT GUY.

A veteran of over 10 seasons, of which the last five have been magnificent (in any way you want to take it), night after night, his performances instigate talks of the ultimate comparison-is he better than THAT GUY?

To me, this is what is wrong about the naysayers, the critics, the fans, of the NBA. That immediately after we see the gold, we tend to believe that the rust and dust has already abated and waned. It's not fair, not to Jordan, and certainly not to James and Bryant. Let'em be....let us enjoy them for who they are. 

It's pretty simple-no one compares to Jordan, as no one does to Dr. J, Bird, Magic, Russell....or any of the all-time greats. Jordan was, in the eyes of a huge percentage of NBA minds, the greatest of all time, with stats and records to match, and perhaps, never ever reach.

Kobe can certainly get there, but I doubt if he has time (and mental cohesion) on his side. Which, does help Le Bron's case, because he certainly has the benefit of time. 

The best part about these big 3 is so obvious-you can't take your eyes off'em. You just can't. You look at how they do the things they do, the fear they put in the opposition's minds and strategies, the havoc they create, the joy they bring to the fans, and also, the occasional heartbreak.

For me, it's so easy-Jordan was always the MAN. You knew that he'd step up, that he'd rile his team back from any deficit, that he'd steal anything near and around him, that he'd clamp down anyone (Just ask Vince, for our generation's sake!), and that he'd never ever give up, not for a second. Doubt was never his salvation,  determination and force of will was. 

Since maybe 2002-03, I have seen the same in Kobe, though he's seen worse. Lets not even talk about the preseason banter about Kwame, Bynum, management, etc.....call him selfish, jerk, prick, whatever you will, you know deep inside that when he's on the court, nothing is safe, not your team, not your defence, nor your offence. He's that irrepressible. 

And LeBron.....man, what a force of nature. Big, athletic, powerful, versatile, what can he not do? Alas....that' the paradox....he can do everything...but he just has nothing to play with. How many seasons can you expect him to pull his team through, night in and out, series after series....? It's bound to demoralize him any day....IF Washington does the impossible and ends his season, I bet that he'll have a hard talk with management. He deserves it. 

I realize I've given Boston a pretty hard time of late. I apologize for it, but I'm actually a bit jealous......KG's always been one of my favorites and I just appreciate his team-ness, his play, his force of will. And now, co-helped by two solid All-Stars, it's actually gotten easier for him, the two have facilitated his immense abilities, fortified their team's presence, and the results prove it.

Just how the hell did they lose two straight to Atlanta is just beyond me. 

But maybe, I'm just over-excited.

I pity Kobe actually. Shaq was the dominant force during the 3-title run, but he couldn't have done it if Kobe wasn't Kobe then. And all the while, they said that Kobe was a ball-hog, that he just cared for his numbers-poor Kobe. Run 40 straight for 10 games when the big guy's out, carry his team to playoff contention, and still get no votes for MVP. 

Have an outrageous scoring season and lead a team of no-hoppers to playoff contention against the West's best team and almost get through....and still get crucified, because he just didn't trust enough? Perhaps, he just didn't....and who can blame him for his teammates' inefficiency? 

Maybe he was no leader then, maybe he just wasn't patient and tolerant enough....but it's over, just a lesson for his team now. Because they have grown up. And Kobe has led them by example and by faith. 

I wish I could say the same about LeBron next year, and the next. As I can say about KG now. These are gems....they truly are. 

Yes, we can say the same about those eternal usual suspects-the Spurs and the Pistons....yes, they are what a team should really be. And hats off to them and their consistency through the years....sadly, they just don't do it for me. They just don't make my blood boil and race, it's just not good for my heart. 

Not that I don't appreciate what they give and do-I do. How else can you explain their success and belief through the years? You have to give them that.  

But this playoffs, I'll take Kobe, KG, and LeBron over them... and one day soon, maybe I won't have to regret my words.