This is the topic that gets everyones blood bolling especially laker fans. Who is the better player Lebron or Kobe? I am going to answer this question once and for all but it will still be debated. I welcome all intelligent comments and cases stated. I am not interested in over zealous fan loyalties and I hate Lebron or I hate kobe answers. I want to hear some real logical and proof supported dialogue on why the player you stated is the best player in the NBA. I am going to break down my argument and I welcome all intelligent responses.
I am going to state why Lebron James is the best NBA player in the league. I didn't say best scorer, or best one on one player, or best mid range jump shooter Paul Pierce probally takes this one anyway but the best player in the NBA. I tend to agree with Jerry West and I am going to play his clip here and then expound on why Jerry West and I agree. The man who traded for Kobe on draft night from the Charlotte Hornets
This should be the end of the debate. The logo has spoken folks,what more can be said? This man is 3 time executive of the year, a Hall of Famer and one of the 50 all time greats oh yeah he got the rights to Kobe again from the Hornets. It pained him to tell the truth that so many refuse to tell.
Let's look at the numbers even though some people will say but Kobe has won championships. Dennis Rodman has more rings than Kobe does that make him better? No he has just been on better teams. Is Bill Lambier better than Carl Malone I think you get my point. Now as I was saying let's look at the numbers.
Date Winner Score LeBron Kobe
2/8/09 Lakers 101-91 16 19
1/19/09 Lakers 105-88 23 20
1/27/08 Cavs 98-95 41 33
12/20/07 Cavs 94-90 33 21
2/15/07 Cavs 114-108 38 34
2/11/07 Cavs 99-90 18 36
3/19/06 Cavs 96-95 29 38
1/12/06 Lakers 99-98 28 27
2/13/05 Cavs 103-89 25 26
1/13/05 Lakers 98-94 28 2
2/4/04 Lakers 111-106 32 DNP
1/12/04 Lakers 89-79 16 10
Lebron has the advantage head to head in points scored and games won. Now we are going to look at their career numbers even though Kobe should have the edge because he has been through the 5 most productive years in an NBA players career typically between age 25-30 but Lebron is just about to enter that window but let's look at the numbers any way.
Lebron numbers first PPG 27.5, Kobe PPG 25.2, LJ APG 6.7, KB APG 4.6,LJ RPG 7,KB RPG 5.3,LJ SPG 1.8,KB SPG 1.4,LJ FGP% 47,KB FGP% 45,LJ FTP% 74,KB FTP% 84,LJ 3p% 33,KB 3p% 34,
Playoff numbers for both Lebrons numbers will be first and then Kobe's
PPG 29.4 PPG 25, APG 7.3 APG 4.7, RPG 8.3 RPG 5.1,SPG 1.6 SPG 1.4,FGP 45 FGP 46,FTP 75 FTP 81,3P% 30 3P% 35
Folks if we base their careers on numbers it's not even close.The areas where most people think Kobe is so much better than Lebron one being outside shooting during the regular season they are only 1% point a part with Kobe having the edge. The only other area where Kobe has an edge is with free throws. In the regular season it's about a 10% point difference which is huge. Out of 8 statistical categories Kobe only leads in 2. One is a huge advantage the other is about the same.
I guess the only conclusion I can come up with as to why people will say Kobe is a better player would be his one on one game. When you look at the numbers that come into play with team ball Lebron leads Kobe in all categories. If I want to razzle dazzle you with the ability to get off a shot when three people are on me sure give me Kobe for that but with Lebron averaging 7 assist a game he would rather find the open man in that situation.
I think some people confused Lebron's williness to trust his team mates in times when is is double or triple teamed as not being Kobe like. In my estimation finding the open man is a good thing in most situations.
If you ask me, Jerry West and most Gm's starting a team who would they want to build their franchise around Kobe might be 4th or 5th. Not saying he's the 4th or 5th best player but saying Lebron has surpassed him.
Make your comments in support or make a better case as to why Me and Jerry West are wrong.
