Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James: Who Would You Rather Have for a Playoff Series?
The NBA is currently defined by two players: Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
Kobe is regarded as the best player in the game historically, while LeBron James is known as the best player in the game currently. Both have earned MVPs, Olympic Gold medals, and all the praise the NBA has to offer.
So when it counts, when the playoffs roll around, who do you want on your team? The truth is that you can't go wrong either way, but when you only get one, you have to choose.
So is it the savvy veteran with five rings, or the most complete player in the game? Let's take a look at five reasons for each, and figure out who wins this show down. ย
10. Kobe: Experience
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Nothing ruins a guy in the biggest moments than being scared of it.
Kobe has been to the big moment and back again. With 175 playoff games under his belt, and over 6800 minutes, there is no big moment, no game seven or last second shot that's going to get the better of him.
Having been there before matters more than you think.
9. Kobe: No Quit
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Maybe it's a cheap shot at LeBron, but you have to take into account the way he seemed to quit on the Cavs.
The King threw in the towel when the Celtics were on the ropes. With only 14 points on 14 shots in the pivotal game five, it appeared that LeBron gave up.
Call Kobe a lot of things, but no one has ever thought to accuse him of loafing it. Even on an awful 6-24 shooting, Bryant managed a remarkable 15 rebounds to go along with 23 points.
He fought harder when he didn't have it. ย
8. Kobe: Field Goal Percentage
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On paper, it's clear that LeBron has the slight edge.
Lebron has posted a .459 while Bryant has put up a slightly less .448. But the edge still has to go to Kobe for having been almost as consistent over a much longer period of time.
And it should be noted that since Bryant took control of the team in the last five seasons he hasn't posted less than a .457 FGP.ย
7. Kobe: Defense
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This one is the clearest no brainer of them all.
While LeBron has worked on his defense, there isn't a contest between the two players defensively. Eight times he's made the all-defensive first team, and twice he's made the second team. Kobe knows how to lock a guy down when it counts.
LeBron is still learning how to do that. ย
6. Kobe: Clutch
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Since 2003, Kobe Bryant has hit 18 game winners.
He's hit four of them in the playoffs.
When it has mattered most, Kobe Bryant has found a way to deliver. It's one of the things that make's him the leagues most respected, and most feared player. ย
5. LeBron: Age
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You can talk about Kobe's experience, but LeBron's doesn't have the wear and tear on his legs that Kobe does. Kobe has played in over 41,000 minutes. LeBron, while often killing himself for the Cavs every night, has played less than 22,000 minutes. It's not just the age that seperates these two, but the miles.
When it comes to the marathon of the playoffs, you want a guy who hasn't run so many racesโespecially if you're trying to win it.ย
4. LeBron: Penetration
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The playoffs is a marathon.
There are days when you don't bring your A-game. These days, Kobe has a harder time adjusting to that because his game, and the wear on his legs, has turned him into a jump shooter. However, LeBron is one of the most explosive players in the game and can get to the basket anytime he wants.
Sure, over time that will change, but for now Lebron can get to the basket when he has nothing else working. It's not as easy for Kobe.
3. LeBron: Assists
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Most of the time Kobe is maligned for taking the ball away from his teammates. His version of taking over a game is often to take his supporting cast out of it.
LeBron is always involving his teammates. Playoff teams, even those facing the Miami Heat, know that if LeBron is doing all the work himself then Miami will lose.
The beauty of LeBron is that even at his most selfish, he's never afraid to make the right pass to the open guy. Getting your teammates involved helps you win games.
Kobe forgets that sometimes. ย
2. LeBron: Rebounds
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This stat is significant, not by position, but by style of play.
Kobe has averaged 5.1 rebounds a game to LeBrons 8.3. Now, certainly LeBron's position as a forward should lend him to more rebounds, but you have to remember that Lebron isn't a back to the basket, low post scorer. This means he's often not in position for a rebound as determined by his style of play.
Another stat worth noting is that Lebron averages in rebounds, points, and assists go up during the playoffs while Kobe's dig, albeit slightly.
1. LeBron: Clutch
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While Kobe has far more experience on the biggest stage, the NBA Finals, LeBron is no slouch when it comes to coming through in the clutch. Since the 2003 season, LeBron has made 34 percent of his game winning shots while Kobe has converted on 25 percent of his.
In the playoffs they both have made 50% of their shots. So while people complain that LeBron isn't a man who embraces the moment, the statistics don't agree.
Conclusion: LeBron
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Clearly Kobe has the hardware, but at this point in time you have to take LeBron.
There are more than a few questions about Kobe's energy level and Lebron has proven himself time and time again as a guy who can give you a better all around performance. I didn't think my results would reveal this, but it makes sense.
Every legend gets replaced at some point. It's LeBron's turn to replace Kobe as the player you'd want in a series that matters the most.
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