Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James
Doberman vs. King James
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James routinely factor into the discussion for MVP candidates. Each year, they have among the highest scoring averages, PERs, Win Shares, and any other metric commonly used to determine the best basketball player.
Last year, LeBron flirted with a triple double for the season, but slowed down a bit as the season progressed. Even so, he still ended up with numbers that would often win the MVP. Unfortunately for him, many players had compelling arguments for the MVP award. The highest rated by many metrics were Kobe and LeBron.
Kobe: 28.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.4 APG
- Kobe won the MVP, followed by Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, Lebron James, and Dwight Howard.
- Kobe was the best player on the second best team in the NBA.
- LeBron’s team was just average in a worse conference.
- Kobe prides himself on defense and frequently asks to guard the opposing team’s top scorer.
- Kobe shoots better from three point range.
- He plays more like Michael Jordan, the most popular basketball player ever.
- Some voters thought Kobe was “due” for the award after many fantastic seasons.
LeBron: 30 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.2 APG
- ESPN conducted a poll and determined LeBron should win MVP.
- Of course, LeBron had a much weaker supporting cast, so you can’t blame him for winning fewer games.
- LeBron also has none of Kobe’s character issues. He has never asked to be traded, was never indicted for a major crime, never changed his uniform number, and doesn’t complain about bad teammates.
- LeBron also has posted many great seasons back to back, yet still hasn’t gotten recognition. Also, if they’re including a whole career in MVP discussion, why did Chris Paul end up second?
Did MVP voters made a mistake?
The MVP just counts the regular season, so how do they compare in the postseason?
They have each carried their teams through the playoffs, but could not win a championship without an all-star sidekick.
In NBA Finals, each man faltered when confronted with stifling defense. LeBron and his Cavs were swept in the 2007 NBA Finals by the Spurs, who had won four championships in nine years. Kobe and the Lakers could not handle the intense pressure applied by the Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals.
If we just compare how each man’s team did against the Boston Celtics last year, LeBron has a definite edge. LeBron and the Cavs pushed the Celtics to 7 games.
Which Nike shoe salesman would you rather have on your team?
August 18, 2008 at 4:19 pm#
kobe of course. this answer will change in a few years though
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December 18th, 2008 at 7:36 am
you’re right!!!
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August 18, 2008 at 9:24 pm#
Since when is changing your number a character flaw?
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August 18th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
All of your fans have to get new posters, jerseys, tattoos, and more. What a pain for everyone. It’s just the sort of thing me-first people do.
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August 21st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
So was Michael Jordan a me-first person when he came back with #45?
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August 21st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Coming back from retirement is a little different than changing a number after a season. Even so, Jordan did change back to #23.
You also can’t argue that leaving for over a year to play baseball is putting the team first.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:32 pm
True enough, coming back from retirement is slightly different, but I think you get what I’m saying.
And Jordan didn’t leave the NBA to play baseball, he was suspended for gambling and decided to try baseball. Still, not putting the team first.
Although he did do what most players in the NBA wouldn’t, and that’s take a pay cut to allow more cap room to get better players around him. Winning more means getting more endorsements and making more money than you would through your contract anyways.
August 21st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Yes, many people do think he was suspended for gambling, but I don’t think it’s been proven.
Consider this: If you had two players of similar greatness, and one did not gamble or do other things that would jeopardize his career and popularity, who would you rather have on your team?
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
No argument with you there.
That’s like asking if you’d prefer to build a franchise around Gilbert Arenas or Tim Duncan? There’s no question.
Team players are essential to success.
The only hole in our conversation is that Jordan was a pretty good team player.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Jordan was a good team player, and a consummate professional. I don’t think you can say the same about Kobe.
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Or LeBron yet
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I’m not bothered about off the field issues here. I do actually follow Kobe and the Lakers so won’t knock him, but all it boils down to for me in this particular argument, is the simple fact that Lebron is a better player than Kobe.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Oh agreed… he’s just not as well established and is lacking the credentials that Kobe has.
December 18th, 2008 at 7:44 am
LOL! does changing a jersey number affects your character? ahaha
its nonsense. kobe is really a great player than james. changing number is not a big deal.
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December 21st, 2008 at 1:43 pm
What kind of person changes their jersey just to get more attention (and boost their jersey sales)? A selfish player who does not always put the team first. Remember all those times Kobe wanted to leave to Lakers? Kobe will never be more important to his team than LeBron is to his.
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August 20, 2008 at 6:10 am#
Lebron’s team was just average because he is the “team”. Give him an A-list sidekick and you’ve got a winner!
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August 20, 2008 at 1:46 pm#
One MVP attribute yet to be mentioned is the ability to make players around you better. Lebron has demonstrated that ability. Kobe has not…
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August 20th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I generally agree with you that Kobe makes players around him worse, with his ball hogging, ridiculing, and whining.
But I have to ask, who has LeBron made better? Larry Hughes? I don’t think so.
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August 20th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Daniel Gisbon for one… Kobe would have crushed his self-esteem in L.A. Drew Gooden had his best years with Lebron and Hughes actually showed consitency. Basically, Lebron has done more with less. Kobe could not have made it to the finals with the Cavs 06-07 team (w/o Lebron).
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August 20th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I don’t know about that.
Jordan Farmar has improved more than Daniel Gibson.
Drew Gooden played much, much better after being traded to the Bulls.
Hughes played a bit better on the Bulls, and was much better before being on the Cavs.
It’s hard to say what the reasons are for this, but I think it’s poor offensive planning by the Cavs. I don’t think Kobe could have gone to the Finals with any Cavs team.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:25 pm
If making players around you better was actually an MVP attribute, then we would have a different MVP… Chris Paul!
CP3: 21.1 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 11.6 APG, 2.7 SPG
Kobe: 28.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPG
LeBron: 30 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPG
His individual numbers may not be good enough to put him in the scoring title battle with LeBron and Kobe, but taking your team from 39-43 to 56-26 without huge roster changes. I mean c’mon, we all know he deserved it, but that’s just not something that factors into the MVP discussion.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pm
And the Cavs record before LeBron came was 17-65. They would probably have been even worse than that last year if he hadn’t played. But he did play and they won 45. Everyone has an argument.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I don’t think LeBron should’ve been in the MVP discussion. At least for me, the scoring title and the MVP are two different awards. I know a lot of people don’t feel that way.
August 26th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I feel you on the CP3 thing. CP3 got my vote for MVP even though he is the 3rd best player on your list because of what he did to make his team a winner. I am, however, puzzled as to why you have Lebron behind Kobe since all Lebron’s stats are better and his team gave Boston a better series in the playoffs. If Kobe was substituted for Lebron on that Cavs team, they would not have sniffed the playoffs. On the flipside, Lebron would have likely gotten the Lakers to a game 7 and possibly defeated the Celts.
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August 27th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I was just comparing stats and that’s how they were listed above. My MVP voting last year only included one name… Chris Paul.
And you’re right… it’s most valuable player, not best individual player. Chris Paul doesn’t hold a candle to Kobe or LeBron in the individual discussion.
August 20, 2008 at 3:04 pm#
I think James’s approach to how he plays the game is what makes him great. James is a willing team player. I’ve never seen a superstar that goes out of his way to get his teammates involved. At crucial times of the game rather than forcing a ton of bad shots James will make the play to the open man. Kobe Bryant doesn’t play the game in this fashion and it usually comes down to him taking on multiple defenders and forcing the action although he’s improved that. For me its simple. I think it would be more fun to play with Lebron because he seems to instill a belief in his teammates that everybody counts out there. Everybody matters. I just don’t get the feeling of team play when I watch Kobe Bryant. Bryant is a great scorer and great individual player but James in my mind is the consummate team player
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August 20, 2008 at 4:38 pm#
Lebron, and by far. KB24 may have the technical skills necessary to definitively be the best in the game, but he doesn’t have the smarts of James; despite the experience on his side.
Need proof?
Everybody talks about Kobe’s vastly superior shooting stroke, but then check out the shooting %. Whereas Kobe tries to go for the dramatic looking shots (fadeaway, hands in the face, off the crossover etc.) Lebron just does whatever it takes to get the ball through the hoop as efficiently as possible…
The performances on Team USA are just serving to solidy this impression for me…
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August 20th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
People tend to remember difficult shots that go in, and forget about missed shots. That’s why people still think Jamal Crawford is a good shooter.
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August 20th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
That’s my point exactly Harris. Kobe could have the best stroke in all the world for all I care, but as long as he continues with his poor shot selection it won’t matter.
And teammates can’t even be used as an excuse when pretty much everybody on Team USA seems to be scoring more efficiently than Kobe, for the simple reason that the rest of Team USA are all going for the easy shots (dunks/lay-ups) more often than not, whereas Kobe has to “challenge himself” to score from a more difficult position…
BTW Stating that Kobe is purely focusing on defense, as I’m sure many would love to, would ignore the fact that Kobe is still shooting as much as/more than anybody else on Team USA in pretty much every game.
Meanwhile, LBJ continues to stack every column on the box score…
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August 21st, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Jayone
You are hitting the nail on the head. I think most people rank Kobe higher than Lebron are just caught up on Kobe’s knack for the spectacular. Lebron is more of a workhorse and Kobe is more of a show-pony. He’s a spectacular show-pony, but a show-pony nonetheless…
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
2-9 from international 3pt range today for Kobe. Do any of you think that you’d ever see LeBron keep chucking up clunkers like that once much less several times in the space of a couple of weeks, especially in a team where he had other players also capable of scoring with ease??
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August 22nd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Yeah I didn’t like how many 3pt attempts Kobe took during the Argentina game. I think he and Mello had the team out of sync in the first half because they were pressing a bit too much in the 1rst half.
August 21, 2008 at 12:04 pm#
Maybe it’s just me but, Lebron has been playing spectacular defense in the Olympics as well. Yes, Kobe has been doing a fine job of guarding the opposing teams best player but Lebron has been effectively shutting down players at several positions (SF, PF, & C). Which task is harder?
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August 21, 2008 at 2:34 pm#
LeBron and Kobe are the top 2 players in the game. It’s a little hard to compare them since Kobe is about 6 years older than James. So James still has 6 years to be evenly compared to the Black Mamba. But so far, LeBron is on his way of surpassing Kobe’s record.
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August 22nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
That is just a kop-out. Irrespective of age/experience, you can compare players who are competing in the same field at the same time and it is plain to see (to me) that Lebron is already a more effective/productive and therefore a better player than Kpbe.
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August 25, 2008 at 5:45 pm#
Lebron has been defending out of his mind. But I think Kobe set the tone for this. Did you watch the qualifiers? Kobe completely took players out of games. I think his intensity was similar to the KG effect on the Celtics. I mean, had you ever seen Lebron play D like he did before he played with Kobe? I even saw Melo playing hard D. I think that is directly attributed to Kobe’s presence.
As for not making players better…Smush Parker and Kwame Brown were starters on the Lakers. Where are they now?
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August 26th, 2008 at 9:48 am
This was a team effort so to say that Bryant influenced James and Mello to play harder on defense is a reach. I think the motivation was from losing in 04 as well the team needing to be more committed to the defensive end. Bryant is in no way on the level of a KG on the defensive end and doesn’t inspire teammates to play defense otherwise the Lakers would have played better D in the finals (Their defense was non-existent). KG can cover up a teams defensive gaps and as well as taken care of his assignments. Bryant is not a great on the ball defender because he gambles too much. I think Bryant is a very good help defender though coming over from the weak side to help his teammates.
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August 26th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
yeah, it’s definitely a reach to state that Kobe elevated the others’ defense but I do believe he is a better on-the-ball defender than you give him credit for. He was named to to the NBA all-defensive 1st team and I don’t believe just being a very good help defender would get him that type of recognition.
Just like all his other team leadership qualities he lacks, he falls short of being the caliber of player that gets his team to elevate their defense. Kobe is a all-world indivicual talent on defense and offense, but to be the best in the game you have got to be a leader. Kobe still needs another superstar player to take that leadership role in order for the Lakers to win championships. That’s why Shaq was so important to the Lakers even as he declined in ability.
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August 26th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Good points man
November 18, 2008 at 2:58 pm#
In my opinion, I think LeBron James is the better player. LeBron James is a better team player, and doesn’t whine and complain about not having good teammates. If you put Kobe on The Cavs in the 06-07 season (and take away LeBron), they would have not made it to the Finals. And if you put Kobe on the Cavs in 07-08, Kobe would have definately not put up 30,7.9, and 7.2 with a team like that.
If LeBron had teammates like Kobe had in 07-08, LeBron would have definately won the Championship. Heck, he got close to beating the Celtics with the Cavs. LeBron is just a better team player and he doesn’t put down his teammates like Kobe does.
In the Finals Kobe was just chucking up jump shots, and was never driving in because he couldn’t get past the Celtics Defense. On the other hand, when LeBron was facing the Celtics, the Celtics couldn’t hand LeBron, he dropped 41 points in Game 7 and came close to knocking off the Celtics (who then went on to win the Championship). When Kobe’s Lakers faced the Celtics, they got destroyed and lost by 39 points in Game 6 of The Finals. Point is, LeBron is just a better player than Kobe.
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November 24, 2008 at 4:36 am#
In terms of skill, Kobe Bryant is definately better than Lebron. However, in terms of athleticism, power, and size Lebron is much better. That is why he is able to drive so much and go for those high percentage shots. But Lebron is still young, so he can still improve in skill.
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December 18, 2008 at 7:25 am#
well for me, KOBE is one of the great players of the NBA after Michael Jordan. we cannot compare kobe to michael because they are different from each other in terms of basketball games. we all know that michael is one of the legendary players of the NBA.
but when we compare kobe to lebron, i can say that kobe is 100x much better than lebron james. they have different styles and strageties in every game they have. many people don’t like and booed kobe because they have nothing to do about being a better player of one of the most all time great player.
you cannot judge kobe by his charater and the crime he commited if it is really true. we don’t really know the real issues. but it is out of the topic of being the MVP. we are talking about who among the two players will be reigning as MVP and not crimes issues.
well let’s see if who will be the MVP and let’s see if what team will make it to the finals and became champion.
KOBE is the ALL TIME BEST PLAYER for me!!!!!
GO LAKERS!!!
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December 18, 2008 at 4:46 pm#
Dwyane Wade is the best in the world period
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December 21st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
At turning the ball over, or recklessly driving to the hoop? In all fairness, he plays like a younger, more team-oriented Kobe Bryant who turns the ball over too much.
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December 18, 2008 at 8:17 pm#
we have different opinions between the two player. but we should be proud to both of them because they’re making history in the NBA. we all know that in every competition there is a winner, and that is KOBE BRYANT! he is a versatile player. he is a great player. kobe already gone his time in the NBA. he did a great job in the court. and lebron is making his time in the NBA. both of them are really ah good player. we should be proud to both of them. let’s not make war. peace men!!
go kobe!!!
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December 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Basketball is a competitive team game. A player who contributes to winning games deserves all the glory. Any team that adds LeBron instantly becomes a contender for the NBA championship. Kobe does not have the kind of influence on a team.
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April 22, 2009 at 7:42 am#
Actually Kobe is much better than Lebron. Kobe is a bomb (explosive) on the court. James idolize Kobe he said it himself^^.
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May 19, 2009 at 10:21 am#
YO MUTHA ****AS, LeBron is the best, Kobe is fuckin ass…..Cavs are gonna take it this year, they gonna go 16-0 in the playoffs, sweeping anybody who comes in their way!!!!
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May 21, 2009 at 10:04 am#
LeBron A.k.A King James Is Better than Kobe Bryant Any day man Kobe cant Handle LeBron, LeBron is a BEAST Kobe Is jus average man. LeBron didnt win MVP fa no Reason man CAVZ ALL DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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May 21, 2009 at 10:05 am#
LeBron Is DA BEST RIGHT NOW AINT NO STOPPIN HIM HE 2 HAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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