Lebron: Already better than Kobe?

its pretty impressive how lebron and wade are doing things that kobe was doing in his 4th/5th year in the league.. eventually, i think both of them will be better than kobe

Just to note, Lebron's teammates average more points because they get the ball more.

Lebron isn't the next Jordan either. He's a hybrid of Michael and Magic. Not just another gunner like so many guys in the league now.

And that guy who argued for Kobe by saying he had so many haters sounded like Scoop Jackson.

This question was raised on the KIA NBA Shootaround prior to the Spurs/Pistons game. Greg Anthony and Tim Legler were in favour of LeBron while Stephen A. Smith backed Kobe.

Upsss I think i did something wrong.. Could somebody post the comparisons of Lebrom VS Kobe?

Thanks.

who erased my post?!? (it was regarding the stats thing)

anyways, i wrote there that chucky stats WHEN HE WAS A STARTER are similar to the way hes doing right now (or at least accding to that post's stats). its clear that kobe didnt make him better, its just that they're essentially they're the same when he started for boston.

the rest are because lamar's not really doing anything on offense. he's just taking open shots. look, lamar's scoring has dropped 3ppg. i dono about you, but he's looking like crap right now, even if his FG% was up. i mean, there are some players that are shooting 50% but averagin like 2 points. efficient? sure.. but that dont mean they're better. im pretty sure you'd like to see lamar get 20 points then shoot 5-5 from the field in games

playing time is pretty important. players that start (or get major minutes) have the ablitity to shoot out of slumps. if you see a benchy go 0-4 from the field, you pull them out (this is in the case of both atkins, in det, and chris mihm). both wouldn't have the chance of shooting out of their slumps, tarnishing their FG%. because they're both starters now, they have that ability.

well we are a quarter of the way through the season and the only thing im really sure of is that this season LeBron is playing better than kobe. once again i am a huge fan or bron bron but one thing i would like everyone to keep in mind is that before the sex scandal kobe was 20 pounds heavier than he is right now and that 9 game streak he had 2 years ago was something special. something he didnt do last season or thus far this year. if kobe can get his head on straight this offseason and hits the weights and gets his mind and body healthy he could come back stronger than ever. the emotional stress he has had to deal with this past year has taken a toll on him and i dont know of anyone that wouldnt still be feeling the lag. just something to think about.

I said this before and I'll say it again. Mind you this is actually coming from a die hard Laker and Kobe Bryant fan, within (operative word here being within, it could be five years or it could be tomorrow) the next five years Lebron will eclipse Kobe as the best perimeter player in the game. By the time his career is done will argue about whether he is the GOAT. Yes, I said it and let me reiterate just in case you didn't catch that. GOAT

I expect that bold statement to spark a lot of debate and I understand anyone who would take issue with it, honestly. I mean, we're only talking about a second year player right? One who isn't even half way into his second year campaign right? A 19 year old kid, right? I know, I know but I retract nothing that I've said despite admittedly knowing that it sounds absurd.

Waiting for the inevitable reply of outrage......

well we are a quarter of the way through the season and the only thing im really sure of is that this season LeBron is playing better than kobe. once again i am a huge fan or bron bron but one thing i would like everyone to keep in mind is that before the sex scandal kobe was 20 pounds heavier than he is right now and that 9 game streak he had 2 years ago was something special. something he didnt do last season or thus far this year. if kobe can get his head on straight this offseason and hits the weights and gets his mind and body healthy he could come back stronger than ever. the emotional stress he has had to deal with this past year has taken a toll on him and i dont know of anyone that wouldnt still be feeling the lag. just something to think about.

Not true, not true. At this juncture of Kobe's career this is the heaviest he's ever been. Yes of course I remember how he bulked up for the 2002/03 season and how he lost it all when he had the summer from hell. ( )

But he is in fact bigger than ever before.

I said this before and I'll say it again. Mind you this is actually coming from a die hard Laker and Kobe Bryant fan, within (operative word here being within, it could be five years or it could be tomorrow) the next five years Lebron will eclipse Kobe as the best perimeter player in the game. By the time his career is done will argue about whether he is the GOAT. Yes, I said it and let me reiterate just in case you didn't catch that. GOAT

Let's start with the Kobe comparison. Lebron will have the chance in next 5 seasons to be the best in the game. He is already making a strong point right now. But I wouldn't rate him above Kobe just yet, and the reason for this is the man isn't proven. I know, it's his second year. But he has to prove to me that he can carry a team and deliver under pressure down the stretch and into the playoffs before I admit he is better than kobe. This will likely happen in the 5 years that you said, but as for right now, I can't say he's better. I'd still take Kobe if i had to choose one for the rest of the season.

As for the prediction of GOAT, it's a wait and see thing. Lebron has had huge expectations on him since he was on the cover of SLAM, but while I expect him one day to be the best in the association, I'll have to see him surpass MJ's accomplishments before i say he is (imo) the best to play the game. It's possible, but it's just as likely he does a Bo Jackson and ends his career on unfortunate circumstances.

Agreed Camby, agreed. No way is he better than the Kobester right this minute but he will be sooner than later. Here's what is better than Kobe right now.....

- Floor vision
- IQ
- Playmaking abilities
- Passing
- Athleticism
- Strength

You might be able to throw desire in that list also for Lebron.

Floor vision

This is what makes Lebron special imo. He can sense when his teamate has the advantage and looks to get him the ball. Kobe can't always tell where his own man (or opposing teams defense) weaknesses lie, let alone his teamates. More often than not, Kobe will look to set up his jumpshot instead of driving right to the rim. When a player is as good as kobe has the ball, he shouldn't let his defender dictate to him what he should do (by giving him space and allowing kobe to go into his jumper).

IQ

I'd say this is a tie. Lebron has some really really good basketball instincts, stuff you just cant teach. Like Magic had. But Kobe has some good smarts too, and I think kobe will get better with this. It takes all the great ones time to really develop their basketball intelligence, and i think both these guys can improve this area. But right now it's a tie imo.

Playmaking abilities

Hands down, Lebron. He knows how to make a defense pay and makes everyone around him better. He might be the best playmaker in the game today.

Passing

Kobe isnt that bad of a passer, but lebron is better. He has smarts behind his passes, and alot of his passes are to teamates who can do somthing with the ball. But i expect kobe to improve now he is the 1st,2nd and 3rd option.

Athleticism

This would have been a great debate when kobe was 20. But Lebron is somthing else. I have to admit, he is not only better than kobe, but the best in the league.

Strength

I'd say this is a tie. Lebron looks pretty big, but so does kobe. Kobe also seems to know how to use his strength better, when posting up for example. But somthing tells me lebron hasnt finished improving his strength.

If lebron develops a jumpshot close to kobes, and continues improving as a defender and leader, it will be all over. He will be the best in the nba, bar none.

You might be able to throw desire in that list also for Lebron.

Floor vision

This is what makes Lebron special imo. He can sense when his teamate has the advantage and looks to get him the ball. Kobe can't always tell where his own man (or opposing teams defense) weaknesses lie, let alone his teamates. More often than not, Kobe will look to set up his jumpshot instead of driving right to the rim. When a player is as good as kobe has the ball, he shouldn't let his defender dictate to him what he should do (by giving him space and allowing kobe to go into his jumper).

IQ

I'd say this is a tie. Lebron has some really really good basketball instincts, stuff you just cant teach. Like Magic had. But Kobe has some good smarts too, and I think kobe will get better with this. It takes all the great ones time to really develop their basketball intelligence, and i think both these guys can improve this area. But right now it's a tie imo.

Playmaking abilities

Hands down, Lebron. He knows how to make a defense pay and makes everyone around him better. He might be the best playmaker in the game today.

Great assessment there, but think about this. Read again what you said about Bron when it comes to floor vision, that falls right under IQ wouldn't you say? Being able to read the situation in a blink of an eye and react accordingly. Kobe is a smart player no doubt but is prone to make some bone-headed decisions that I feel a 9th year player should not be making at this point of his career. I give Bronzie IQ hands down.....

If lebron develops a jumpshot close to kobes, and continues improving as a defender and leader, it will be all over. He will be the best in the nba, bar none.

I concur!

Hi! I know Kobe is better than Lebron, however this will not last very long. My question is how long would it take Lebron to win his first championship? if any...

Thanks.

Hi! I know Kobe is better than Lebron, however this will not last very long. My question is how long would it take Lebron to win his first championship? if any...

Thanks.

Well when you talk about championships you're talking about team success which is predicated on several factors and not just one single player. That's why it cracks me up when people talk about how "Shaq won those three championships" OR "Mike won six rings!" As if they went out there and dismantled teams one on five or some shit. (I'm not saying that you were implying any of this nor saying that you personally feel that way).

It takes several components in order to win a championship:

- Good ownership.
- An astute and aggressive GM.
- Good coach
- Star players
- Solid role players
- Staying healthy
- Lots of luck

You know what I mean? For instance, Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins never won shit while Trent Dilfer won a Superbowl ring with the Ravens in 2000. So do we say now that Trent is better than Marino?

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?

So really my point is that there is now way to predict when LeBron will win his first championship if ever. Whether he does or not will have little bearing on what kind of player he is and what he brings to the table night after night. When comparing players, using championship rings as criteria is overrated IMHO.

Great assessment there, but think about this. Read again what you said about Bron when it comes to floor vision, that falls right under IQ wouldn't you say? Being able to read the situation in a blink of an eye and react accordingly. Kobe is a smart player no doubt but is prone to make some bone-headed decisions that I feel a 9th year player should not be making at this point of his career. I give Bronzie IQ hands down.....

The vision does fall under basketball IQ, but isnt the only determining factor. Like i said lebrons instincts are far and away superior to anyone in the nba, but kobe knows how to handle the strecth run maybe a bit better than lebron, knows how to handle the pressure of the playoffs and end of game situations. But maybe i'm totally wrong here, becuase lebron has only had one season.. if he is better down the strecth this season.. i'm not sure if i can make the argument for kobe. Lebron is closing in so quick, who (out of serious nba fans) would have predicted it?

Lebron is closing in so quick, who (out of serious nba fans) would have predicted it?

I did! And I got BURIED by Laker fans (for obvious reasons) and NBA fans alike.

I think sometimes from a psycological standpoint we get turned off to a player if we feel the media is as we say in the hood "dick riding." Like I was shocked to see how many people were outraged that he won the ROY over Melo last year, Bronzie was the obvious choice. Though it would have been nice to have them Co-ROY's no doubt.

But guys were acting as if he didn't deserve it, blah, blah, blah. It told me that they weren't truly watching these games and were just catching internet boxscores and Sportscenter highlights.

im surprised to hear that kobe is heavier than he has ever been, he just dosent look like he gained taht much weight but ill take your word for it, i dont understand why people are saying lebron isnt as good as kobe right now! this season! the numbers are very similar with kobe averaging 27-7-7 and lebron averaging 25-7-6.5. id say when you take brons 2.39 spg numbers and put them with Kobes great on ball defense(his steal numbers are around 1 for some insane reason)though you cant translate on ball defense into numbers i think everyone would agree kobe is a blanket when he has to be.id say they are pretty even defensivly bron has made some big steals to seal games in at least 4-5 games this season. right now they seem to be dead even. lakers are 10-7 while the cavs are 12-6. the only thing i can say is i cant wait till these two teams line up and play each other.then again these are only numbers, in my own estimation ive seen far too little games by bryant this season to make a full decison on his play compared to brons.

im surprised to hear that kobe is heavier than he has ever been, he just dosent look like he gained taht much weight but ill take your word for it, i dont understand why people are saying lebron isnt as good as kobe right now! this season! the numbers are very similar with kobe averaging 27-7-7 and lebron averaging 25-7-6.5. id say when you take brons 2.39 spg numbers and put them with Kobes great on ball defense(his steal numbers are around 1 for some insane reason)though you cant translate on ball defense into numbers i think everyone would agree kobe is a blanket when he has to be.id say they are pretty even defensivly bron has made some big steals to seal games in at least 4-5 games this season. right now they seem to be dead even. lakers are 10-7 while the cavs are 12-6. the only thing i can say is i cant wait till these two teams line up and play each other.then again these are only numbers, in my own estimation ive seen far too little games by bryant this season to make a full decison on his play compared to brons.

Excellent post trubucksfan. (btw, I LOVE the way your team plays! I think Porter is an outstanding coach)

I still say Kobe is better right now because of his experience and being "battle hardened." His shooting percentage is low right now but I think that plantar fascitis in his foot is bothering him more than he's letting on. He just knows how to take over a game and is still the best clutch player in the league, not to mention that his on the ball D is vastly superior.

Kobe is still better but surprisingly enough, not by much. LeBron is a freak of nature, the kind of player that only comes around once in a blue moon. I think of the fact that hes a second year player who hasn't even turned twenty yet and all I can do is shake my head. I'm scared that he's going to take take Kobe's #1 spot on my favorite players list if he keeps this up, because I drop EVERYTHING to watch him play no matter who the opponent is. Haven't missed a game yet....

lol yeah im thinkin about buyin league pass just to be able to watch him every game, or when my bucks arent playing

lol yeah im thinkin about buyin league pass just to be able to watch him every game, or when my bucks arent playing

It'll be worth every penny to see Bron Bron play without having to wait for TNT, ESPN, etc.

Dre Naismith, are you a Michael Jordan's fan by any chance? if not then I have nothing else to say. But if you are I wonder why you dont have MJ in your signature picture

Anyways, who cares if LB is not better than Kobe. Kobe is in his 8-9 pro season and his is only James' second season. By next season James will take over the # 1 spot.

Thanks.

well LeBron was asked who is the best swingman in the NBA by the ESPN crew on NBA Nation, and he said
KOBE

of course he couldn't of said himself, yet..

Dre Naismith, are you a Michael Jordan's fan by any chance?

A Jordan fan? Who isn't? I've had the opportunity to watch Jordan since his rookie year and he gave me many great moments as an NBA fan.

if not then I have nothing else to say. But if you are I wonder why you dont have MJ in your signature picture

B-double, where are you going with this bruh? I'm more than a bit perplexed by the question as well as the intentions behind it, please explain. Magic is my favorite player of all time and Larry Legend runs a close second with Kareem coming in at the third spot.

Now, what does it matter whether or not I have MJ in my sig? "If not then you have nothing else to say?" What on earth are you talking about? I'm baffled to say the least.....

Don't worry about it, I think he's just wondering why you wouldn't include Jordan in the "basketball in it's purest form" thing. I'm guessing that's just a personal choice deal