Kobe Bryant and LeBron James: Bound By Greatness
The basketball is passed in and dribbled up the hardwood court. The grand stadium is filled to the brim with eager eyed fans packed in like sardines. The air above the court stinks of sweat, blood, and anticipation. The anticipation of what is to come. The anticipation of greatness. The sixteen championship banners hang down arrogantly, confident in their superiority, impatiently waiting for another brother to join their number. The retired jerseys of legends hand high among the rafters, illuminated like stars in the ebony sky, secure in their places in the pantheon of basketball heaven. But tonight they are again equal with the mortals below as they too eagerly watch the game below, for tonight two of their own do battle.
The ball is passed to the top of the key and they face each other. One clad in purple and gold, arrogant because of what he has accomplished, the awards and the championships, satisfied with his 25, 6 and 6. But as he looks into his opponents eyes only hunger emanates from them, hungry for more, hungry to be the greatest; they are the eyes of a snake, the eyes of a killer, the eyes of a champion. His opponent, who stares back undaunted, is clad in black and red, in a headband that adorns his head like a crown prematurely placed. His many tattoos shine against his skin, but none burn hotter than “The Chosen One” brazenly inscribed across his back. His triple double tonight is one of the many of his career, but only a win will suffice to earn the crown upon his head.
As they stare the link between them becomes evident. It is a link forged of the potential and expectation that has accompanied throughout their careers. But mostly it is a link wrought of fear. The fear of some who watch that see what they may become, where they will stand when they are through, and the implications of that standing. The fear that perhaps they will not be snuffed out by the omnipresent shadow cast over all modern basketball players. The fear they may surpass Him. Him of the red and black, Him of the 6 rings, Him of the 5 MVPs, Him of the 30,6, and 5. The Basketball God. To accept that either of these two may be better than him is to admit that he is less then a God, but merely a man capable of being surpassed. For some, to accept this thought is heresy, sacrilege, and even as the two men’s stars shine ever brighter they will turn their fear into hatred and blatantly try to dull their light. But they who have illuminated the basketball world for ten years shall not be extinguished.
He dribbles the ball and looks at the clock, 10 seconds remain and each tick threatens to tarnish his legacy. 8 seconds, he looks again at his opponent and they share a respectful nod,” Lets end this.” 6 seconds, he goes to his right. 4 seconds, he crosses back to his left. 3 seconds, he steps back. 2 seconds, he shoots. As the ball ascends the world stops and the air is collectively sucked out of the stadium as if by some great vacuum. The ball descends slowly with all eyes, including those of the two basketball titans, riveted to it. The shot goes in. One of these men is could be the greatest. But the answer as to whom is hidden somewhere in the future and for now all we can do is watch in awe.
