King James or the Black Mamba

Yeah I know it really is an apples to oranges debate. Both MVP'S , both scoring champions, both shepherding their teams to the Finals. But before all the witnesses plant layout their case for the King, let's objectively look at the fact that he's not in the category of Mr. Bryant.

Remember folks it was not that long ago that Kobe was winning three championships in L.A., and before I hear from all the Shaq apologists out there , ask yourself if The Big Cactus wins those three rings with Vince Carter, or Tracy McGrady. Never mind that Lebron trails Kobe 3-0 in the trophy department, take into account the fact that their other biggest contemporary Dewayne Wade also has jewelry on his ring finger and Lebron doesn't.

Believe me I'm not here to slam the King, I love the guy. There has never been a player who combines the power, the size and the speed of Lebron James. That doesn't mean we should overlook his rather thin resume, particularly when in comparison to Kobe. The game winner in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Orlando was great, but I've seen both Bryant and Wade do that plenty of times. Bryant took over Game 4 of the Finals in 2000 against Indiana after O'Neal fouled out of that game. While Wade literally dragged O'Neal and the rest of the Heat across the finish line in the finals in 06.

The fact of the matter is no one wants to address the elephant in the room. Kobe Bryant is not liked very much. Fans and media members have a hard time wrapping their arms Kobe. Whether it's because of the constant bickering with Shaq about whose team it was the griping with Phil Jackson about his role in the offense, or that little trip to Colorado that was for knee surgery , but quickly turned into an episode of Law and Order SVU.

In everybody rush to find the next Michael Jordan(the NBA, fans, Nike, Gatorade) King James has been pushed to the front of the class. And while he has handled being in the public eye since he was 16. He isn't ready to fill those shoes. Kobe on the other hand has been ready It's the people who own the shoe store who are dragging their feet.