Why Competition Brings Out The Best in Each Of Us

Chamberlain had Russell

Robertson had West

Magic had Bird

and

Kobe Bryant has LeBron James

Kobe Bryant, the shooting guard; the indomitable will that can score from anywhere on the court at any time.

LeBron James, the small forward; a combination of the size and strength to play power forward with the skills and acumen to play point guard.

LeBron James beloved for carrying himself in the public eye more like a young business executive rather than the stereotypical young sports mega-star.

Kobe Bryant revered for his near career ending infidelity and his often messy public squabble with Shaquille O’Neal and his perceived selfish trade request.

Kobe Bryant for long regarded as a one man band, driven to prove that he could lead his Lakers team to an NBA crown without Shaq.

LeBron James regarded as a one man gang his entire career, driven to lead his band of lesser known’s to the Cavaliers first NBA crown.

Despite all of their differences, they are one in the same. Kobe Bryant needs LeBron James and LeBron James needs Kobe Bryant. And, as much as some of the viewing audience may be tired of the 24/7 Kobe-LeBron media hype fest; the NBA needs Kobe-LeBron also. These two redeem team members have truly brought out the best in one another’s games. Although the only place that Kobe and LeBron met in this years NBA playoffs was in a NIKE puppets commercial; the impact of two summers playing together and practicing against one another was clearly evident. During this years NBA playoffs the two best basketball players in the world proved that competition brings out the best in each of us.

The knock on LeBron prior to this season was that he only played sporadic defense, that he was a poor shooter and that he did not possess the killer instinct needed to close out close games and lead his team to victory. Kobe was viewed as a ball hog that was too selfish at times and was not a good leader. As LeBron was awarded his first MVP trophy, Kobe publicly fumed as NBA legend after NBA legend touted the completeness of LeBron’s game.

The discussion as to who is the better player will rage on for decades to come as these two modern day titans continue to make their perspective marks on the NBA and even further on into both of their retirements. But, what cannot be debated is the impact that they have had upon one another.     During LeBron’s Eastern Conference playoff run he made big shot after and impressed the basketball world with his ability to come up big in the fourth quarter of games. First he turned a late push by the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter of game four into nothing more than a whimper as the Cavs swept the Hawks out of the playoffs. Then, even in defeat to the Orlando Magic, LeBron provided an array of memorable moments. These ranged from his signature “chase down” blocks to his 30 footer in game two as the game clock expired and his complete domination of the fourth quarter in game five. For the series James averaged 38+ points 8+ rebounds and 8+ assists. A triple double threat from the moment James first stepped on to NBA hardwood it is not the 8 and 8 that is so astonishing; but rather, the way in which her amassed the 38+. James shot a very respectable 44 percent outside of five feet and 30 percent from beyond the three point line in the series (stats somewhat skewed by the number of shots that he forced up against the clock). For the playoffs as a whole LeBron shot a Kobe-like 33 percent from downtown. Furthermore, with Mo Williams and Zydrunas Ilgauskas no where to be found during the stretch of games it was James who kept the Cavaliers in contention with his indomitable will to win.     The talking heads from the national media lambasted Kobe for deferring to his teammates too often during the early rounds of the playoffs. They also teased him for the scowl that he wore as the playoffs went on. Yet Kobe averaged the third highest number of assist (5.5) this year that he has in the playoffs and the second highest since the last ’01 title with Shaq. Then during the Finals, Kobe’s level of play tied a mark held by the old and new logos of the NBA, Jerry West and Michael Jordan, as he averaged 30+points and 8 assists through he first 4 games of the NBA Finals. While the 30 points for Bryant are as easy as most of us lumbering out of bed in the morning, the eight assists and 5.6 rebounds are more reflective of his east coast counterpart. The fact that Bryant emerged as a nightly triple-double threat was the key to the Lakers winning their 15th NBA Championship. Not only did Kobe improve upon his assist and rebounding averages he became the leader who was able to inspire his teammates to greatness. Being both coach on the floor and motivator in the huddle.     I hope as true ‘fans of the game’ everyone is enjoying what they are being treated to. For while LeBron, at 24, is just rounding into his prime; Kobe, at 31, is at the pinnacle of his career. The only thing that could make this competition of future Hall of Famers greater is for them to treat us as fans to three or four epic clashes in the NBA Finals over the next several years. Where hopefully competition will continue to bring out the best in each man’s game.