LeBron James' Future or Kobe Bryant's Past: Which Would You Rather Have?

LeBron James is perhaps one of the most scrutinized American sports figures of all time. After his infamous departure from his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, he dismantled what could have been one of the greatest legacies of all time...sounds a lot like Joe Paterno, but still not even as horrible.

Despite the negative perception that LeBron has bestowed upon himself, there is no question that LeBron is among the best NBA players of the modern era. 

On the other hand, you have Kobe Bryant, someone whose biggest fault was cheating on his wife with a crazy woman from Colorado. Basketball-wise, Kobe has five rings and can be considered one of the greatest closers of all time, right next to Michael Jordan.

Out of his five championships, Kobe was named the finals MVP twice. He won the league MVP award in the 2008, and has been named an All-Star 13 times, including being on the All-NBA First Team nine times. He has led the league in scoring twice, as he averages 25.3 points per game for his career.

Michael Jordan had said that Kobe is the best player out there right now. That is a whole other argument in its own, however the point being is it says a lot. 

But the question still remains: Would you rather have LeBron's future or Kobe's past?

No, LeBron has never won a championship currently in his eighth year in the league. But even the greats have had a supporter to get the job done. Jordan had Scottie Pippen, Kobe had Shaquille O'Neal, Batman had Robin, Tim Duncan had Tony Parker—and the list goes on. You cannot name a championship team where it was one star player carrying an entire team of mediocre players.

Now let me ask you: Prior to the big trade who was LeBron's most talented teammate? Mo Williams? Ben Wallace? Antawn Jamison? Old Shaq? Eric Snow? LeBron had absolutely no one prior to his trip to South Beach, but yet he carried a miserable franchise to the finals in 2007. 

In his first year with the Miami Heat, LeBron fell just shy of the championship losing in six games to the Dallas Mavericks. Can you honestly tell me that deep down you were shocked to see a brand new team with three stars on it not have unbelievable chemistry and win a championship right out of the gates? Can you honestly say that you exQkpected them to beat an experienced Boston Celtics team that was on fire heading into the playoffs with ease?

Can you honestly say that falling short to a well-deserving Mavs team was not impressive?

Whether it was visible to everyone or not, the Heat made a statement last year making it as far as they did. Yes, LeBron has been horrendous in the fourth quarter but with Dwyane Wade to take the load off in the coming years, is it possible for LeBron to develop his clutch? You cannot possibly predict how the rest of his play in Miami will result based off just last year. 

There is no doubt that Kobe had and is still having one of the best careers of all time right next to Jordan and Bill Russell. But what defines a player as being great or having a great career?

It cannot solely be the number of rings they have; otherwise Robert Horry would be considered better than Kobe, Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, etc. No, Horry, wasn't the best player on any of his championship teams, but like I said before, Kobe won just two finals MVP awards out of five.

If LeBron wins three championships can he be considered better than Kobe? Four? Five? Does it take a ring to define a great player?

LeBron is one of the best scorers in the league, but what is the difference between him and any other good scorer (i.e. Carmelo Anthony)? Defense. Selflessness.

Yes, selflessness—he averages seven assists per game for his career, two more than Kobe. Yes, they play different positions but you cannot say that Kobe is selfless with the basketball. 

A lot of people have already set their minds on how good LeBron will be, but the truth is he is only 27 and is just getting started.

Kobe has already proven himself as an all-time great, and LeBron has the potential, and the right situation to do the same. So now I ask you: Which would you rather have?