Kobe vs. LeBron

First off, let's be realistic. Having either one of these guys on your team would be like winning the lottery. So let's get that out of the way. Secondly, I am a Cavaliers fan. You need to put that aside before you even read this post. Otherwise, don't even waste your time reading it. Know this--this is a 100% UNBIASED post. I am a basketball fan in general. I know when I see a superstar, and I respect them. There isn't a wrong answer to the question as to who is "better."

Now that that's out of the way, I will tell you the least-wrong answer to the question as to who is better. And that answer is LeBron James. I told you to put aside the fact that I'm a Cavs fan. So clearly you haven't done that, otherwise you wouldn't be saying "wow, he's such a homer" right now.

OK. Have you finally gotten past that point? Allow me to explain.

Now, obviously anytime this discussion comes up, there's always an argument. I have no problems with arguments, as anyone who knows me knows that. So let's get down to the facts. Because, quite frankly, anytime your talking LeBron/Kobe, facts will always undoubtedly be brought to the table. Kobe is six years older than LeBron. When Kobe was LeBron's age, his outside game wasn't as good as it is now. So if your gonna try and start the argument with the whole "LeBron can't shoot from outside", don't bother. We all know LeBron's "weakness" (if you want to call it that) is that he isn't a deadly outside shooter. I'll give Kobe credit. He can stroke it from outside. But he hasn't always been like that. LeBron will get there, you have to give him time. His FG% have progessively gotten better over his career just like Kobe's did.

Secondly, if your really gonna play the "Kobe has rings" card, don't waste your time. Kobe has THE most dominant big man in the game every time he won a ring. And I know, your thinking "don't play the Shaq card". Well, you know what? I'm gonna play the Shaq card. Because ever since Shaq left, Kobe hasn't won a Championship. Call it a coincidence all you want, but that's the truth. I'm not discrediting the fact that Kobe has three championships, because he does. But Shaq played a huge part in those three championships. And quite frankly, up until this year, LeBron hasn't had anyone even remotely on the superstar level for him to play with. Z was the closest thing, and as much as I love the guy, he isn't very close. Mo Williams is the closest thing.

Next up, LeBron rebounds and assists much more than Kobe ever has in his career. Last time I checked, basketball wasn't only about scoring points. I was always led to believe that playing a team game will do you better than being selfish and shooting all the time. Now don't get the idea that I'm calling Kobe selfish, because I'm not. Again, just stating that Kobe is mainly a scorer, and doesn't really focus on rebounding or dishing out assists as much. LeBron on the other hand does. Kobe rarely gets triple-doubles. LeBron gets them on a fairly frequent basis. Facts people, facts. LeBron does more all-around for his team than Kobe does.

Next, defense. Look, Kobe is a lock-down defender. Anyone who watches basketball will admit that. That being said, LeBron James plays crazy good defense as well. Now, most of you probably don't even know that. Why? Because you don't expect him to play good defense. But if you actually watch the Cavs on a frequent basis, you'll know that LeBron chooses to take on the best players on the other teams in the 4th quarter, because he knows that he can guard them. A lot of so called "experts" are saying that LeBron should seriously be considered a legit contender for DPOY. Hey, I just call it how I see it.

Kobe has six years on LeBron. When it's all said and done, Kobe, LeBron, and Jordan, IMO, will be considered the three best to ever play the game. In what order, that's debatable. In fact, it'll be debated long past any of us are around most likely.

The fact is this--you can't go wrong with either of them on your team. But based off the sheer fact that LeBron is doing things that Kobe wasn't doing at the same age, biased or not, you have to at least admit that LeBron could be doing stuff in six years that Kobe can't do right now in his career. We've seen Kobe at his best....he's not going to get any better than he is. We still have yet to see the best of LeBron James. And if we haven't seen the best of him, who knows how good this kid could really be. I mean, if he's going off for 52-11-10 now, what could he potentially be doing when he's at his optimal best in a few years?

It's scary to think. And even you, yes you, the huge Kobe fan who read this entire post seeing nothing but biased statements, have to admit that if LeBron is still going to get better, there's a good chance he'll reach heights even Kobe couldn't get to.