Kobe Bryant, LeBron James: Who Wins the Battle of Egos and Public Perception?

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are arguably the top two basketball players in the NBA, and some would say that their immense skills on the court are only eclipsed by the size of their egos.

The claim to James' and Bryant's egotistical fame are just as different as the skill sets which define each player, and place them on a different level than their peers.

Bryant's cool confidence and cocky nature combined with events that transpired in the Rocky Mountains helped feed the image of Bryant as an egotistical maniac run amok.

The incident in Colorado was a disaster for Bryant even though all criminal charges were dropped, and the shift in public perception is something his image has never recovered from.

Bryant began his career as a brash young player who was humbled by his experiences on and off the court, yet James began his career as the most talented and humble player to enter the league in years.

James had a million-dollar smile, a new label as the future king of the NBA, and he showed no obvious signs that all the attention had gone to his head, at first.

James had been handed the NBA's crown and he wore it well until a refusal to shake hands with the Orlando Magic after a loss in the Eastern Conference Finals revealed cracks in his armor.

That episode was followed by "Nike-Gate," and another loss in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Boston Celtics finally elevated James to Kobe Bryant levels in the ego category.

And maybe beyond.

Bryant has had his moments behind the microphone when it seemed his ego would burst out of its seams, but I'm not sure Bryant can hold a candle to the frequency of James' sound bytes.

After a playoff loss to the Celtics, James threw a subtle jab at fans who were disappointed in his performance by saying that he had spoiled them with his talents, and it wasn't reasonable for them to expect greatness on a nightly basis.

That was nothing compared to what the summer held in store.

James may have re-defined ego boundaries with the manner in which he left Cleveland for Miami, and every move since then has been a public relations nightmare.

In the time since James' decision, he has predicted multiple Heat championships, vowed revenge on all who criticized him, and most recently said race was a contributing factor to all the negative backlash from media and fans.

James' fans have adopted a defensive stance that I am very familiar with, and most fans of the Lakers can relate because they have protected Bryant with the same vigor.

But, there is a difference.

Bryant's ego has been mostly attributed to his actions and attitude on the court and has been molded over the course of 14 seasons, while James has seen his image plummet and his ego soar in the span of two months.

Most people have formed their opinion of Bryant based on a tragic mistake in his personal life, and his detractors often let their feelings get in the way of honest critiques of his game.

People can point at certain periods of Bryant's career as ego-forming moments, but there is also evidence to prove he has evolved.

Instead of James growing into his pre-determined role as the NBA's next legend he seems to have regressed under the heat of the spotlight.

The confidence that once oozed through James' veins has been replaced with an air of insecurity that is alien to all who have witnessed him dominate a basketball game.

It could just be a case of bad marketing or the total ineptitude of his PR team, but through it all one thing has become painfully clear; James should probably let his game do the talking.

It's now obvious that James is much more comfortable with a basketball than a microphone, and once the regular season begins his talent on the court will likely tilt the balance of public perception once again.

James' ego has lost some fans forever, but Bryant's betrayal of Shaquille O'Neal's confidence after his infidelity in Colorado resonates with fans on a somewhat deeper level than James' ridiculous banter.

Bryant lost fans who were opposed to his morals, and even though James has revealed himself to be extremely self-centered and inconsiderate, it's hard to compare the two situations.

Some Lakers' fans even found that forgiving Bryant was a process because his indiscretions were rooted in a place that existed on a more personal level.

Even though James has emerged as a front runner for the NBA's most egotistical player, it will be much easier for him to find the redemption Bryant is finally starting to receive.

But, James can make his path to redemption less difficult once he learns to shut up and grow up, because his game has the power to express things words could never say.

Bryant eventually learned that lesson, and maybe James will too.