Kobe Bryant and LeBron James: Royal Talent and a King's Mentality

Few would argue that Kobe Bryant and LeBron James exist on a different level when it comes to professional basketball players, because both can do things on the hardwood that can't be duplicated.

Countless comparisons and endless arguments have been made as to which player stands above the other as the definitive talent, and although there is no clear consensus, James has appeared to edge ahead in the public court of opinion.

When looking at James' game it's easy to understand why observers would feel this way.

James is younger than Bryant, stronger, bigger, and even though Kobe is no slouch when it comes to athleticism, James may be one of the most athletic specimens to ever enter the NBA.

The argument has permeated through every house, bar, restaurant, or any other social arena where people who love the NBA congregate, and lately TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith have vocally joined the fray.

Through most of the regular season Smith and Barkley were at odds over which player occupied the top player spot, with Barkley giving the edge to James and Smith to Bryant.

As James drew closer to his second consecutive MVP award Smith's opinion began to shift towards Lebron but, it was revealing when Smith said he conceded the fact James was the superior talent, but he maintained Bryant was the better player.

Barkley disagreed with this sentiment, but Smith's opinion on the subject exposes a point of debate which people who side with James have been unable to escape whenever he is compared to Bryant.

Bryant's excellence in the postseason is one tangible piece of evidence wielded by fans of Bryant that James' fans cannot dispute, and this postseason may have provided more ammunition for Bryant's fans.

When James' Cleveland Cavaliers were blown out at home in Game Five of their series with the Boston Celtics, an opportunity for James to take the next major step in his development was lost.

James played one of the worst games of his career at the worst possible moment, and his 3-15 shooting performance and seemingly listless play were perplexing to those who felt James would dominate this type of situation.

But in reality this is the pattern James' career has followed, starting in 2007 when a younger James remarkably carried an awful Cavailers' team to the NBA Finals where they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs.

The fact the Cavaliers reached the Finals that year is amazing, and regardless if James failed in his endeavour, the loss cannot be held against him, and neither can the Cavaliers' loss in 2009 to the Orlando Magic.

Cleveland was done in that year by matchups and the inability of James' supporting cast to offer any significant help, and it may not have taken much because James' average of 38 points, eight rebounds and eight assists was astounding.

But his performance in Game Five, coupled with Bryant's play so far this postseason highlights the major difference between the two players, and if one is looking for answers, they may be found in mentality and approach.

Bryant has lost on the game's greatest stage, but he is also a four time champion, and his focus this postseason has paralleled the Los Angeles Lakers' resurgence to the forefront of NBA contender conversations.

The postseason is the only reason the regular season is played, and Bryant recognizes this and embraces it, and despite various injuries, Bryant's intensity has been high, and his focus has been concentrated on one goal.

Bryant has transformed into playoff mode, and it is a state of mind which James has yet to grasp, and an attitude he is wholly unfamiliar with.

James is known as the ultimate teammate and one of the more fun-loving members on the Cavaliers' roster, but his amiable approach with his team makes it hard for James to scold them when necessary.

Bryant has been accused of being cold and indifferent towards teammates, and there is some validity to this, but Bryant has no problem reprimanding a teammate, regardless of who they might be.

Pau Gasol is a superstar in his own right, and the chemistry Gasol and Bryant share is undeniable, yet Bryant is unafraid to approach Gasol when he feels Pau needs to be criticized, and this has made the Lakers better.

Bryant may not be the best teammate in the world, but he leads by example, and based on the Lakers' recent play, you have to appreciate the results Bryant inspires.

And in the end, the whole argument boils down to results, and so far Bryant is the runaway winner in that category, because his acclaim has been garnered on the game's biggest stage.

Whether people want to give Shaquille O'Neal all the credit for the Lakers' three consecutive championships in 2000-2002 is really insignificant because Bryant still earned those rings and he played a major part in the achievement.

Bryant has gone on to win one more title as the leader of his Lakers' team, and the Finals' MVP he earned trumps James' MVP awards, because it means he was the best player for the NBA's champion.

There is nothing anyone can say that will diminish this fact, and even though James fans will be reluctant to admit it, Bryant's postseason success stands as the ultimate trump card in their endless debate.

But there is still possible redemption for LeBron because the series with Boston is not over yet, and if he is able to resurrect his team in Game Six, a return to Cleveland could become a legendary event.

It doesn't matter what may happen against Orlando if Cleveland advances against Boston, because a victory over the Celtics would be similar to the myth of the phoenix, who is continuously reborn from it's own ashes.

When asked why Cavaliers' fans should have faith despite the bleak odds, James responded by saying, the team has him and that bravado is not uncommon from James, but does he have the mental fortitude to back it up?