Kobe Bryant Wants LeBron James in the 2010 NBA Finals, Eager To Disprove Critics

Make no mistake, Kobe Bryant hears everything that the media has been writing about him.

With the argument that Kobe cannot win a championship without Shaq being refuted, Kobe is patiently enduring new criticism coming from all directions.

Kobe has read the false media speculation claiming that the Lakers team is internally falling apart while teammates begin to defy Kobe's leadership.

Kobe has heard the rumors that Phil Jackson is considering leaving his head coaching job with the Lakers due to disagreements with owner Jerry Buss.

Kobe has seen NBA analysts arguing that his body is succumbing to old age and the wear-and-tear of 14 NBA seasons.

Most of all, Kobe knows that millions of people have already throned LeBron as the new king of basketball, and scowls at the notion that the Cleveland superstar has supposedly surpassed him as the world's best active basketball player.

But through all of this fresh criticism, Kobe Bryant has chosen to remain quiet and let his team's play on the court speak for his accomplishments.

Said Bryant, “When you’re young, [you think], ‘Enough is enough. I’m going to say something.’ And all of a sudden…”

"Everything negative—pressure, challenges—is all an opportunity for me to rise."

The truth is, according to one close confidant of No. 24, Kobe Bryant is eager to face LeBron James in this year's NBA Finals and would like nothing more than to disprove all his critics.

Kobe isn't pursuing some type of global empire, nor does he seek to become an international basketball icon. Kobe doesn't want to be the next Jordan, nor does he want to be acknowledged by Jordan.

"I don't want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant."

Rather, all Kobe is concerned with is establishing his legacy alongside the greats by accumulating as many NBA titles as possible. Kobe is seeking a personal legacy that will cement his place in NBA history as one of the greatest basketball players ever to have lived.

While LeBron spent his summer visiting New York music moguls and furthering his international brand via clothing and shoe chains, Kobe spent days in Houston refining his game by learning new post moves from one of basketball's all-time big men, Hakeem Olajuwon.

While LeBron throws his powder dust in jest and entertains himself in group photo antics, Kobe has separated himself from the pack by cultivating his inner cold-blooded assassin, which explains his silent, emotionless demeanor during pre-game introductions.

While LeBron James continues his feeble aspiration of becoming a global icon, Kobe Bryant is establishing himself alongside Michael Jordan and Bill Russell as one of the best players in the game, with rings to show for it.

While LeBron masks his jersey switch from Jordan's No. 23 to No. 6 in a cynical attempt to give tribute to Michael Jordan, Kobe continues to build up an impressive resume of NBA titles to destroy the six-title legacy that Jordan has built.

In fact, as Kobe arduously battles through sprained ankles, broken fingers, and a strained back in his pursuit to challenge Jordan's legacy, LeBron has continued to reach out to Jordan in an attempt to receive his "Airness'" blessing.

“He’s always looked for that approval from Michael,” one Jordan associate says, “and I don’t know that he’s ever really gotten it—or ever will.”

As Adrian Wojnarowski explains straightforwardly, "Jordan's interaction with LeBron and Kobe mostly stems from professional courtesy. Jordan is still protective of his legacy as the greatest player ever, and he’s never been terribly motivated to lend a hand in the overtaking of that."

Michael Jordan's competitive nature and his desire to remain as the best basketball player this world has ever seen will never allow himself to acknowledge Kobe nor LeBron as the greatest. So while LeBron eagerly awaits the day that Jordan will anoint him as king, Kobe, like a renegade, has taken his fate into his own hands by striving to beat Jordan's six titles.

This year, this generation's two separate heirs to Jordan will likely clash in the 2010 NBA Finals. Unlike previous years, LeBron finally has the supporting cast to battle against Kobe's Lakers. In fact, one can even argue that LeBron's surrounding roster is deeper and more consistent than Kobe's Lakers.

To challenge L.A.'s frontcourt of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest, and Lamar Odom, Cleveland has assembled the deepest frontcourt in the league with the acquisitions of Shaquille O'Neal and Antawn Jamison to play alongside Cleveland returners Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao.

Meanwhile, LeBron's speedy and skilled backcourt players in Mo Williams, Delonte West, and Anthony Parker outshine anything Kobe's Lakers have to offer, including an aging Derek Fisher, scrawny Jordan Farmar, and tweener Shannon Brown.

LeBron's Cavaliers can also boast of having one of the deepest and consistent benches in the league in Jamario Moon, Boobie Gibson, Leon Powe, JJ Hickson, and Jawad Williams, whereas half of the Lakers' bench in Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Adam Morrison, Josh Powell, and DJ Mbenga will likely find themselves unemployed in the next few years.

Simply put, there are no more excuses for LeBron anymore.

If LeBron and Kobe do face off in this year's NBA Finals, and LeBron does not win his first championship, it won't be because LeBron has a weaker supporting cast or because LeBron's team did not build enough chemistry. On the other hand, losing one series against Kobe's Lakers will not mean that Kobe is the better player either.

However, one thing is for certain; should LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers lose to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, it will be because LeBron has failed to do what Kobe has done multiple times: win an NBA championship ring.

Just like last year, when LeBron James selfishly stormed off the court after refusing to shake hands with members of the Orlando Magic, LeBron will find himself in the ultimate storm of ridicule and disapproval once Kobe Bryant's Lakers deliver the guillotine to LeBron's championship hopes.

To this, we will all be witnesses.