Lebron: Already better than Kobe?

[beau_boy04]

Sorry I didnt mean to sound offensive. Please see the post right before this mine. Thats all.

Thanks.

[Donatello]

i know i'm going backwards a bit, but i'm just catching up with this conversation.

Or using a basketball analogy instead, Robert Horry has 5 championship rings but Sir Charles retired without having won anything. Is Robert Horry better than Charles Barkley?

yes, and bill wennington is the greatest center of all time! i'm waiting for the comeback!!!

i don't really care who is better (kobe or lebron).....i just plain like lebron better.

[John-John Joe]

Sorry I didnt mean to sound offensive. Please see the post right before this mine. Thats all.

Thanks.

Hey B-Dub no need to apologize, nor was I offended in the slightest.(offended by what? ) I was just confused as to the meaning behind the question is all.

[Little_Big_Man]

After going through this thread and reading all the posts I must say that there are a lot of good arguments for both sides. One thing that we must keep in mind though is the fact that LeBron is playing for a team with nothing to lose because thats all they used to do...LOSE. Kobe is on a team with far more pressure to win in than in Cleveland. Any games the Cav's can win over .500 is great. If the Lakers don't make it out of the second round then they get butchered by the press.

I still believe that LeBron will have to put together more than one season of good play to show his consistency. Lots of players have shown great promise only to falter under real pressure. Kobe is averaging more points, rebounds and assists yet people still bash him and say he isn't as good as LeBron. Kobe's competitive nature is also superior to anyone elses. He wants to win more than anyone I've seen since Mike J.

Lets not also forget that Bron played point most of last year which makes you develop vision, whereas Kobe is a shooting guard who looks to score first because that is why he is in the league. I also read an article on Shaq where he says that he feels responsible for what Kobe has become because of the way he yelled at him and his methods of trying to get the best out of him. He said that he thinks it backfired. He says that he will try to be more of a friend to Wade and not treat him like he did Kobe when he was new to the league.

Just my two cents for now. I'm sure I'll come up with some more crap to post later

[beau_boy04]

Ok stats so far:

Kobe: 26.4 ppg, 7.30 rpg, 7.1 apg, 1.33 spg, 1.28 bpg, .397% FG
Lebron: 24.9 ppg, 6.80 rpg, 6.6 apg, 2.32 spg, 1.05 bpg, .497% FG

Well finally Kobe has surpassed Lebron in assist and rebound and is averaging more ppg than Lebron but he's still behind in efficiency. Anyhow, I think Kobe will lead the league in Triple Double. Just got another one last night and yeah i gotta go eat... so peace out

Thanks.

[EGarrett]

I think whenever someone takes the time to share their thoughts, it's useful.

It's a two-guards job to score, but you don't have to hold the ball constantly to do that. Jordan demonstrated that in his later years.

It just doesn't make logical sense to "hog the ball" on offense. One, passing the ball causes it to move faster than any person. Second, even if you can score almost every time you touch the ball, you need your teammates to play defense to win. A teammate who scores will work harder on D. So it's better than your baskets are evenly distributed.

I think Lebron knows this, that's why he plays point guard. I think they made him a point because of that, and not that he realized it because he was a point.

[Little_Big_Man]

Was Jordan not a ballhog in his younger years? Sure he always put up big numbers but he was a hog when he was younger. Kobe is the same way. Of course Kobe has been in the league for quite a while now but he is only 25yrs old. No matter the experience he still has the mentality of a 25 year old. Once Jordan got older he realised things differently which came with age and I believe that Kobe will do the same. Both are highly regarded players which receive tons of hype and accolades which does feed ego. But once you get a certain age ego doesn't matter as much, which Jordan demonstrated once he got older. As Kobe ages he will realize this, hopefully, and become a better player. No player is perfect but with Kobe's talent and clutch performances and everything else he does so well if he becomes a total team player, he will definitely become the greatest ever.

[trubucksfan]

In all honesty i dont see Kobe being better than Jordan . we like to compare bron and kobe to jordan. MJ put up some insane numbers idk how many years he averaged over 35 points but in all honesty i cant see either of these guys putting up those kind of numbers. at least not in todays NBA. Not attacking bryant but when MJ was a "ballhog" he could average 35 while Kobe will average about 30-31 with less fg percentage. Its a little early to say anything about lebron, but i cant see kobe ever putting up those kind of numbers. saying hell be the greatest of all time is being a bit unrealistic. top 10,id say thats probable, not the best though.

[NNpF]

I think whenever someone takes the time to share their thoughts, it's useful.

It's a two-guards job to score, but you don't have to hold the ball constantly to do that. Jordan demonstrated that in his later years.

It just doesn't make logical sense to "hog the ball" on offense. One, passing the ball causes it to move faster than any person. Second, even if you can score almost every time you touch the ball, you need your teammates to play defense to win. A teammate who scores will work harder on D. So it's better than your baskets are evenly distributed.

I think Lebron knows this, that's why he plays point guard. I think they made him a point because of that, and not that he realized it because he was a point.

Hate to argue with the only other Nets fan on these boards , but LeBron stopped playing point last season since the arrival of McInnis. They made it clear he plays best as a swingman and not as a PG.

[beau_boy04]

Well MJ in the 1986-87 season averaged 37.1 ppg, and 35 ppg in the following season... So yeah only once he averaged more than 35 ppg
But what really impresses me the most is his FG% specially for the big amount of FG attempts.

Check it out http://www.nba.com/jordan/career_stats.html

In his first 9 season, his lowest FG% was .457 (which is kinda low) but take in consideration that he only played 18 games and was injured for the rest of the season. His second lowest was .482... so you get the picture folks. As far as Kobe his highest FG% in his first 8 season has been .469....... talk about numbers...

Thanks.


[/quote]

[trubucksfan]

excellent post, thanks for backing up my post with some solid numbers. like i said does anyone actually see kobe averaging this much at any point in his career. kobe better than mj is kinda improbable. i would like to say Bron wont surpass those numbers but in all honesty if i said i was sure about it i would be liar. feel free to flame if you think im crazy.

[John-John Joe]

Tell you what, why not just leave the name Michael Jordan out of the equation all together. The conversation begins to get muddled when we do that, wouldn't we all agree?

Getting back to the topic at hand, Kobe is the better player right now. Yet and still I believe Bron Bron has all the necessary tools to surpass the Kobester. I think he is the smarter player right now as we speak and is also a better playmaker. You put that with his IQ, passing ability, floor vision and athleticism and it's downright scary to say the least.

BTW, on the topic of comparisons: If I absolutely HAD to compare Bron Bron and Kobe to players of yesteryear in terms of playing style...

- I'd have to say LeBron is 50% Magic and 50% Julius Erving.

- Kobe is 50% Jordan and 50% Michael Ray Richardson.

Just my opinion, nothing more.

[fgrep15]

After going through this thread and reading all the posts I must say that there are a lot of good arguments for both sides. One thing that we must keep in mind though is the fact that LeBron is playing for a team with nothing to lose because thats all they used to do...LOSE. Kobe is on a team with far more pressure to win in than in Cleveland. Any games the Cav's can win over .500 is great. If the Lakers don't make it out of the second round then they get butchered by the press.

I still believe that LeBron will have to put together more than one season of good play to show his consistency. Lots of players have shown great promise only to falter under real pressure. Kobe is averaging more points, rebounds and assists yet people still bash him and say he isn't as good as LeBron. Kobe's competitive nature is also superior to anyone elses. He wants to win more than anyone I've seen since Mike J.

Lets not also forget that Bron played point most of last year which makes you develop vision, whereas Kobe is a shooting guard who looks to score first because that is why he is in the league. I also read an article on Shaq where he says that he feels responsible for what Kobe has become because of the way he yelled at him and his methods of trying to get the best out of him. He said that he thinks it backfired. He says that he will try to be more of a friend to Wade and not treat him like he did Kobe when he was new to the league.

Just my two cents for now. I'm sure I'll come up with some more crap to post later

Just this part, you don't "develop" vision, Lebron had the court vision coming into the league, playing point didn't allow him to develop it.

Also Kobe has basically been the PG for the Lakers the past few years, he isn't listed as it, but he ran the offense, brought the ball up, and did everything the PG did except having PG written next to his name.

[John-John Joe]

After going through this thread and reading all the posts I must say that there are a lot of good arguments for both sides. One thing that we must keep in mind though is the fact that LeBron is playing for a team with nothing to lose because thats all they used to do...LOSE. Kobe is on a team with far more pressure to win in than in Cleveland. Any games the Cav's can win over .500 is great. If the Lakers don't make it out of the second round then they get butchered by the press.

I still believe that LeBron will have to put together more than one season of good play to show his consistency. Lots of players have shown great promise only to falter under real pressure. Kobe is averaging more points, rebounds and assists yet people still bash him and say he isn't as good as LeBron. Kobe's competitive nature is also superior to anyone elses. He wants to win more than anyone I've seen since Mike J.

Lets not also forget that Bron played point most of last year which makes you develop vision, whereas Kobe is a shooting guard who looks to score first because that is why he is in the league. I also read an article on Shaq where he says that he feels responsible for what Kobe has become because of the way he yelled at him and his methods of trying to get the best out of him. He said that he thinks it backfired. He says that he will try to be more of a friend to Wade and not treat him like he did Kobe when he was new to the league.

Just my two cents for now. I'm sure I'll come up with some more crap to post later

Just this part, you don't "develop" vision, Lebron had the court vision coming into the league, playing point didn't allow him to develop it.

Also Kobe has basically been the PG for the Lakers the past few years, he isn't listed as it, but he ran the offense, brought the ball up, and did everything the PG did except having PG written next to his name.

Agreed, every point you made is 100% correct. It should also be noted that because of LeBron's height and size he never played the point guard position before in his life, amazing that he was a decent point guard on the NBA level with absolutely no experience under his belt.

[EGarrett]

Hate to argue with the only other Nets fan on these boards , but LeBron stopped playing point last season since the arrival of McInnis. They made it clear he plays best as a swingman and not as a PG.

You're right, I just meant that he plays point on occassion. Being 6'8" with his athleticism, the team needs him closer to the basket. Especially with Boozer gone.

The last few posts have all been excellent. I see no reason to disagree.

[Jeffx]

Let LeBron do what Kobe's done in the playoffs, then we can talk. That's when the real players step up.

[beau_boy04]

I was really impressed by Kobe tonite against the Clippers. He really took over the game when his team was down while he was resting on the bench. Got back out to the game and make 3 consecutive shots to take the lead.... blablablabla.

Kobe is a great player but I think there's still room for improvement. He needs to improve his shot selection and he wont until some of his teammates step up to the plate.

Thanks.

[John-John Joe]

I was really impressed by Kobe tonite against the Clippers. He really took over the game when his team was down while he was resting on the bench. Got back out to the game and make 3 consecutive shots to take the lead.... blablablabla.

Kobe is a great player but I think there's still room for improvement. He needs to improve his shot selection and he wont until some of his teammates step up to the plate.

Thanks.

Agreed.

[beau_boy04]

I agreed with whoever said Lebron should be getting more rebounds due to his physical presence ( 6'8", 240 lbs ) but I don't think he would ever averaged what K Garnett is averaging because Lebron is the best offensive player for the Cav and the more you shoot the less opportunities you have to get a rebound, dont ya think? When Lebron reaches his prime he'll averaged, +30 ppg, 8 rpg, 8 apg... kinda like Magic Johnson just more offensive production and high flying dunks =P

Thanks.

[Garnett21]

for me kobe is great and better in one-n-one's, fg abilities r currently close with lebron.(but just for now)
but LeBron is a livin' talent and second best player in the leauge (first KG )currently with his young age.I love him and enjoy watchin him. He's so greaT!!
lets see that things happen in a few years..
LeBron roXxx..

[The GOAT]

I see your a first-time poster, Welcome
Let me give you some advice though, don't resurrect threads a month old.
As for LeBron being the second-best in the NBA...What, did Duncan dissappear?

[Yessie]

is lebron better then kobe. why would someone post this. Lebron is better then any player in the league period not just kobe.

[cyanide]

Duncan: 21.4 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 0.78 spg, 2.78 bpg
Kobe: 27.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.35 spg, 1.03 bpg
James: 25.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 7.6 apg, 2.39 spg, 0.85 bpg

James is right up there in points and beats out Bryant in rebounds, assists, and steals per game. The only area that Duncan beats them out in is rebounds and blocks, but his assists, steals, and points per game are lowest of the three.

For his age, LeBron is doing an incredible job.

[Alvin]

lebron definitely plays better than kobe. lebron keeps his teammates involved in the game. kobe plays too selfishly IMHO. can't compare them with duncan, duncan plays a different position altogether.

and right, for his age, lebron is doing a great great job. it's crazy coz his potential is mesmerizing

[Chris_23]

One day Im going to hang myself if people keep saying that one player is better than another just because the numbers are bigger... Bah

Its like saying that Wilt is the best player in the history of basketball.

I mean, come on, nobody rates the players presence on court, his influence on his own team and on the opponents, their hustle, leadership... more and more and more...

Im eager to be flamed but Kobe would beat LeBron in one on one hands tied behind his back. And nope Im not the fan of either of these players.

Best players in the league right now are Garnett and Nowitzky, then Garnett again and then comes Duncan.

So, you LeBron bandwagoners, come COME and light my fire!