The Difference Between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James

Clutch.

So many people today have said that LeBron James has overthrown Kobe Bryant of his glory, his success, his prestige.

LeBron James won his first Most Valuable Player Award last season, as Kobe won his the year before. So since LeBron has already dominated the NBA at such a young age, does that mean that Kobe hasn't lived up to the 'real standards'?

Kobe is the best player in the NBA. He scores, he passes, he rebounds. "LeBron is averaging close to a triple-double, though," is probably in your thoughts. Yes, maybe, but Kobe has raised his game to a level that LeBron can't comprehend.

Bryant has won four world championships. How many has LeBron won? Kobe has led his Lakers dynasty to an incomparable distance. LeBron is yet to win a game in the NBA Finals (they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in 2006).

LeBron James is known for one thing: his ability to drive. And though he can drive, he usually cheats defenses by taking six steps; it's not his fault he does it, the refs don't call it. James has been averaging about 26 points a game. He is very good at what he does, but that's just the offensive end of the court... What about defense? 1 steal and 1 block per 48 minutes is nothing.

Kobe's bread-and-butter is his ability to just flat-out score. He can drive just as good as James (though James has a force that Kobe doesn't have), he can pull up at 18 feet and drill a dagger in the opponent's heart. Bryant averages 25 points. Kobe hits his free throws, LeBron only makes 73% of his; Kobe is at 84%... and Kobe gets there more often.

So LeBron James can score with the best, like Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade.

The difference between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant is just one word: CLUTCH. LeBron James has hit one clutch shot in his career that I can think of. That's at the Eastern Conference Finals last year when he hit the miracle shot over Hedo Turkoglu in game three. Nice shot, I said.... Kobe's hit three this season. Michael Jordan said it best:

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Though both athletes have been nothing but amazing in their NBA careers, one has to be better than the other. Just give it to Kobe. LeBron has his chance when... IF, Kobe retires. Kobe's so good and so dominant he may never retire! Joking. LeBron will have his opportunity to show himself.

Is LeBron James the real "King"?

We will find out sooner than later.