Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James: A Head-to-Head Comparison

It’s here—The Black Mamba vs. King James!

Kobe and LeBron are the NBA’s two main eventers. They’re both immensely talented, charismatic showmen who are at the top of their trade.

They draw huge crowds, have millions of fans, and make bank in endorsement deals and merchandise sales.

This all begs the question: “Who’s No. 1?”

Let’s take a look at the two head-to-head to determine who gets the edge in a statistical tale of the tape.

Round One: The Rookie Years

Kobe averaged 7.59 points, 1.86 rebounds, 1.28 assists in 71 games his rookie season.

LeBron averaged 20.94 points, 5.47 rebounds, 5.89 assists, and 1.65 steals on the way to winning the Rookie of the Year in 2003-2004.

LeBron clearly gets the edge over Kobe here. Really, it's not even close.

However, let's keep in mind that the 1996 Lakers had two All-Stars at the shooting guard position in Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel. Kobe wasn't expected to be the primary scoring option as a rookie.

LeBron, on the other hand, was expected to carry the franchise from day one.

That's not to say that Kobe couldn't have done the same thing if he was put in that situation.

Round Two: Seven Years In the League

Let's take a look at how Kobe and LeBron's numbers compare at the same point in their careers.

2002 was Kobe's seventh season in the NBA; he averaged 30.01 points, 6.88 rebounds, 5.87 assists, and 2.21 steals per game.

This season, James averaged 29.71 points, 7.29 rebounds, 8.57 assists, and 1.64 steals per game.

Kobe gets the edge in points and steals, and LeBron gets the edge in rebounds and assists.

Round Three: 2010 Statistical Averages

Who gets the edge in statistics this season?

Like I said before, James averaged 29.71 points, 7.29 rebounds, 8.57 assists, and 1.64 steals per game this season.

Kobe averaged 26.99 points, 5.36 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.55 steals this year.

Some of this difference can be attributed to scheme as well as the fact that they play different positions, but LeBron still gets the edge in every category.

Round Four: Regular Season Awards

Here is a breakdown of the major regular season awards won by Kobe and LeBron.

- Rookie of the Year: Kobe (0), LeBron (1)
- NBA MVP Awards: Kobe (1), LeBron (2)
- Scoring Champion: Kobe (2), LeBron (1)
- All-NBA First Team Selection: Kobe (8), LeBron (4)
- All-Defensive First Team Selection: Kobe (8), LeBron (2)

Even if you only count the last seven seasons, Kobe holds the edge in scoring championships, All-NBA First Team selections (6-4), and All-Defensive First Team selections (6-2).

LeBron is one up on Kobe in MVP Awards and won the Rookie of the Year Award ,which Kobe did not.

Round Five: All-Star Awards

Let's look at the total number of All-Star games as well as All-Star MVP Awards each has won.

- All-Star Appearances: Kobe (12), LeBron (6)
- All-Star MVP Awards: Kobe (3), LeBron (2)

Since 2003-2004, the breakdown looks closer.

-All-Star Appearances: Kobe (7), LeBron (6)
-All-Star MVP Awards: Kobe (2), LeBron (2)

Round Six: Playoff Statistical Averages

The playoffs are where great players are separated from good players. A player’s legacy is either cemented or tarnished by how he performs in the clutch.

In 175 playoff games, Kobe has averaged 25 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

In 71 playoff games, LeBron has averaged 29.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.

LeBron gets the edge as far as pure statistical numbers, but that is only part of the playoff equation.

Round Seven: Playoff Series Records

Because Kobe has had a longer career than LeBron, it's hard to measure this with complete objectivity. However, let's look at these numbers.

In Kobe's 14 seasons, the Lakers have failed to reach the playoffs only once, and they have lost in the first round three times.

In all, the Lakers have a 30-7 series record during Bryant's tenure (13-4 since 2004).

In LeBron's seven year career, the Cavs have missed the playoffs twice. In his five career playoff appearances, James has led Cleveland to a 7-4 series record.

Round Eight: Playoff Wins Since 2003-2004

Until now, the pictures have corresponded with the player who has an edge (for the most part). However, this LBJ-KG picture says more than any picture of Kobe ever could.

Since 2003-2004, Kobe has 60 playoff wins to James' 40 playoff wins. Even if you don't count the 2003 or 2004 playoffs, Kobe still has more wins than LeBron with 46.

Given, that's not much when it comes to wins. However, that's the difference in winning six more playoff series, and that is a big difference.

Round Nine: The Finals

Players are judged by how they perform in the playoffs, specifically in the NBA Finals. Since LeBron's only Finals appearance resulted in the Cavs being swept by the Spurs, this is easy.

In Kobe's first seven seasons, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals three times and won the title all three times.

Since LeBron has come into the NBA, Kobe has gone back to the NBA Finals three more times. The Lakers have won the title once, and they have a chance to win another one this year.

Any way you try to slice this one, it's no contest.

The Score Cards

Here is the breakdown of the head-to-head analysis.

- The Rookie Years, James
- Seven Years in the League, Push
- 2010 Statistical Averages, James
- Regular Season Awards, Bryant
- All-Star Awards Since 2004, Push
- Playoff Statistical Averages, James
- Playoff Series Records, Bryant
- Playoff Wins Since 2004, Bryant
- The Finals, Bryant

Out of nine categories of statistical comparisons, LeBron edged out Kobe in three of them, there were two rounds where it was essentially even, and Kobe came out ahead in four of them.

Kobe vs. LeBron: The Winner

The winner of this head-to-head is Kobe Bryant.

Here's why.

While Kobe and LeBron are similar in many respects, it is impossible to overlook LeBron's lack of playoff success.

Especially this season, the Cavs were picked to at least get to the Finals. However, they fell short. Much of that responsibility has to be placed on their franchise player—LeBron.

True, it is easy to point the finger at Mike Brown or the supporting cast, the fact is that the Cavs finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference the past two seasons—that doesn't happen with bad coaching and a poor supporting cast.

Fact, LeBron has two MVP's to Kobe's one; I'm sure Kobe would rather have his four championship rings anyway.