May 23, 200917 yr Smarter? Based on what? Better in the clutch? Without a doubt. Better shooter/scorer? Shooter? Yes. Scorer? No. A better, more polished offensive arsenal doesn't mean he's a better scorer? Lebron can use his unmatched combination of size, strength and speed to get to the rim almost at will. And, he's a decent three point shooter. Kobe uses a smorgasbord of moves to score, while Lebron has two main weapons. But, either guy could drop 50 (maybe 60) almost any time they wanted if that was their only goal. Smarter based on more experience and his ability to make better in the moment plays and decisions, if that makes sense. Watching both, it is clear to me that Kobe is smarter at this point in both of their careers. 3XCats said he has Jordan-esque smarts and I completely agree.
May 23, 200917 yr Kevin Garnett is 31 and he has no knees now. 13 years in the NBA since you were 18 makes you an old 31. The body can only take so much. I would much rather have Kobe from 2005- early 2008 than this year's version. That version was way more fresh than this one, never got tired, never came out the game, still penetrated on any and everyone. This version penetrates and gets more shots blocked than I have ever seen him get blocked. Why, no legs, therefore he is not in his prime. To me it's very evident and that simple. That's the point people overlook, IMO. They remember Jordan being so great in his 30's, but MJ played three years of college. Additionally, his stints on two olympic teams didn't entail nearly as much time as what Kobe has devoted to olympic basketball. Kobe at 30-31 has much more mileage than an average NBA player at that age. He really could use a summer off to rest and heal up. He isn't as explosive. He's lost some of that forever. But, I think he could get a little back with some down time and rest.
May 23, 200917 yr Kobe vs. LeBron Titles- Kobe Athleticism- LeBron Shooting- Kobe Scoring- LeBron Passing- LeBron Defense- Push. On the ball defense- Kobe All other defensive categories- LeBron Rebounding- LeBron Knowledge- Kobe Size- LeBron Kobe is a smarter player, who has played longer, been on a title team, and can shoot better. LeBron is a smart player, who hasn't played long, has never had a title worthy supporting cast, and is better at all other parts of the game. I agree with all of the above except scoring should be a push.
May 23, 200917 yr Smarter based on more experience and his ability to make better in the moment plays and decisions, if that makes sense. Watching both, it is clear to me that Kobe is smarter at this point in both of their careers. 3XCats said he has Jordan-esque smarts and I completely agree. I'll concede. I think he's smarter as well. But, I'm gonna make you work for it.
May 23, 200917 yr Smarter based on more experience and his ability to make better in the moment plays and decisions, if that makes sense. Watching both, it is clear to me that Kobe is smarter at this point in both of their careers. 3XCats said he has Jordan-esque smarts and I completely agree. I think he is smarter just by how he talks about the game. Hearing him on "Kobe doin' work" sounded like hearing Jordan talk about basketball. As far as natural instinct "smarts" LeBron is in a league with only Magic Johnson.
May 23, 200917 yr That's the point people overlook, IMO. They remember Jordan being so great in his 30's, but MJ played three years of college. Additionally, his stints on two olympic teams didn't entail nearly as much time as what Kobe has devoted to olympic basketball. Kobe at 30-31 has much more mileage than an average NBA player at that age. He really could use a summer off to rest and heal up. He isn't as explosive. He's lost some of that forever. But, I think he could get a little back with some down time and rest. Jordan had the most milage on him of just about any player when he made his first retirement. Remember the Jordan Rules? That can shorten anyone's career.
May 23, 200917 yr I'll concede. I think he's smarter as well. But, I'm gonna make you work for it. :lol: I would expect nothing less.
May 23, 200917 yr I guess by better scorer I meant he has more ways to scorer. Nobody, in the history of hoops, can match Kobe's offensive arsenal...and do it with the level of skill and execution that he does. That's why I like Kobe. I appreciate "stat sheet stuffers" like Lebron, and I understand that they affect the game in so many ways, but the object of the game is to score and Kobe makes it fun to watch. I love to watch them both, but with Lebron it's just freakish, once-in-a-lifetime atheticism. Kobe has never been athletically challenged, but he has refined his game to the point that it's like watching a master craftsman do his work. His moves, footwork, etc...just a pleasure to watch, IMO. I'm not sure how to phrase it... With Kobe, it's like you have a different appreciation because you know he has worked his tail off to develop those moves and refine them to the point that he can pull them out at any time with confidence. I appreciate because there are other players as physically gifted as Kobe, who could do what he does if they were willing to work that hard. Simply put, he's better than them because he's outworked them. With Lebron, it's more like awe. It's not that you don't appreciate it, but you know he's doing things that only he could do. Every player in the league could work as hard as Kobe and still couldn't do what Lebron does at times. Lebron is better than the majority of the players in the league just because he is. (Not that he doesn't work hard as well.) Does that make sense?
May 23, 200917 yr I think he is smarter just by how he talks about the game. Hearing him on "Kobe doin' work" sounded like hearing Jordan talk about basketball. As far as natural instinct "smarts" LeBron is in a league with only Magic Johnson. Larry Bird? Come on man. You can't dis the real Bird man.
May 23, 200917 yr Jordan had the most milage on him of just about any player when he made his first retirement. Remember the Jordan Rules? That can shorten anyone's career. You're equating a handful of physical playoff series to a minimum of probably 3 full years of elite level basketball. Seriously? Coincidentally, when Jordan returned, he posted up and shot fadeaway jumpers all the time.
May 23, 200917 yr Author The argument is who is better now. I will agree without hesitation that LeBron is going to pass Kobe very soon, if he hasn't already. When it is all said and done, LeBron has the chance to go down as THE best player of all-time. The same can't be said for my man Kobe. Sadly that is true. To say he is clearly better is crazy I think.
May 23, 200917 yr Author Just because Kobe can't drive the lane like he used to doesn't mean he is past him prime. He is a far better player now than he was when he was posterizing people.
May 23, 200917 yr :lol: I would expect nothing less. It's not that I don't think they're "close". I do. I just think when you really look at those two guys right now, Lebron is clearly the choice. However, if I'm in a situation where I have to have a basket, I still want Kobe. People can say what they want about Lebron "finding the open teammate", but he's been too passive in late game situations. People can criticize Kobe for shooting when a teammate is open, but he can elevate and hit those shots. I want Kobe taking that shot unless somebody is just so wide open you can't ignore them. I can't help but wonder if Cleveland would have won Game 2 had Hedo made that shot with more time on the clock. With one second, Lebron didn't have time to think about anything but catching and shooting. What would he have done had he had enough time to make a move or drive and dish?
May 23, 200917 yr A little food for thought... Check out their PER's... In '05-06, Kobe averaged 35.4 ppg and had the highest PER of his career (28.11). In that same season, his third in the league, Lebron delivered the third highest PER of his career (28.17). Lebron has three seasons with a PER better than Kobe's career best. Since '04-05, Lebron's second year in the league, he has topped Kobe in PER in all but once season, 2006-2007 when Kobe bested him 26.13 to 24.56. 04-05: 25.74 to 23.33 (Lebron) 05-06: 28.17 to 28.11 (Lebron) 06-07: 24.56 to 26.13 (Kobe) 07-08: 29.15 to 24.09 (Lebron) 08-09: 31.76 to 24.46 (Lebron) Look how much the gap has widened in the last two seasons. I'll post some advanced stats that show the point differential for their teams when these guys are on the court and on the bench if I can find them again.
May 23, 200917 yr Lebron's PER in the post-season is insane (41.59). That's like video game stats. To put it in perspective, Tony Parker, at 29.34 has the second best PER in the post-season. Kobe's is currently 25.90.
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