Kobe Bryant Vs. LeBron James: Who is the NBA's Best All-Around Player?
And both stirred up enormous hype at an early age and then went on to completely justify it with their performances.
But as of right now, which player is better? LeBron James is the younger of the two by far but he has done more at his young age than Kobe Bryant did, especially considering he doesn't have Shaquille O'Neal at his side like Kobe did. LeBron James basically single-handedly beat a Detroit Pistons team that has been on top of the east for a good four years with a monumental performance in game 5 of that series.
Kobe Bryant on the other hand has three championship rings. While many feel that Shaq had the biggest hand in those 3 titles, no one can argue that the Lakers would have been able to do it without Kobe. Kobe was the closer on those teams: the guy who took over in the clutch and scored most of the game-tying and game-winning baskets with everything on the line. In those situations, other teams took Shaq away by fouling him and putting him on the line in the clutch so the Lakers had no choice but to go to Kobe, and Kobe delivered just about every time.
Now that both players have their own teams with no other superstars on them, we might get a more accurate measurement.
LeBron's Cavaliers have had a bit of a slump but are still in good shape in the East as they try and find their health and their rhythm. Meanwhile the Lakers are holding ground in an extremely tough Western Conference and Kobe is doing all he can to keep them in the race with a not-so-great supporting cast.
As far as their strengths (and weaknesses, although there are very few), the two have somewhat different games.
LeBron James usually picks his way early in the game, using his superior passing skills to get his teammates the ball and get them involved. He also launches a lot of jumpers and is more of a streaky shooter than a good shooter from outside at this point in his career. If LeBron had one weakness it would be his penchant for launching ill-advised jumpers when he could drive to the basket. James does drive to the basket a lot in the clutch, however, and when he does he basically takes over the game because he's too big and fast to stop on most drives.
Bryant on the other hand is more flexible and usually just goes with the flow. Sometimes he'll decide to put up 30+ shots a game, other times he'll just sit back and dish the ball off the entire first half. Kobe's weakness is that he has doesn't have the ability to possess the ball for long periods of time or to post up. He has to make a quick move or two and is a little skittish with the ball due to his small hands, as brought to light in an interview with the late ESPN and Sports Illustrated columnist Ralph Wiley. Wiley wrote that if Kobe had larger hands, he would "own the game." Kobe also doesn't quite have the wide frame or the bulk to post up like LeBron James does.
In the end, it's hard to pick a better player out of the two. Kobe is a little more creative with the ball and when he's in the zone there's pretty much no way to guard him. LeBron is more consistent and will get higher-percentage shots most of the time.
The main difference between the two is defense, however. It's all about attitude with these two and Kobe has the mindset to be a defensive stopper while LeBron doesn't. This might be something LeBron develops with age but right now the edge goes to Kobe. With that in mind, perhaps it will be best to make this comparison after their careers have drawn to a close.
Published by Nick Meyer - Featured Contributor in Sports
I am a 26-year old writer trying to stay sharp and earn some side cash. My specialty is sports writing. I've always had strong opinions but I've become more humble over the years. I welcome freelance writ... View profile
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62 Comments
Post a Commentkobe sucks. lebron is better than kobe point blank. lebron is all round his shoot is wet his dunk is ridiculous an his deffense is amazing. the only reason why kobe has rings is because the team he is on. lebron was on the cavs since his rookie year and ever since than they relied on him to make the game winning shoot or the clutch steal. if lebron was on a team lik kobe is he'd have just as many rings as kobe.
Lebron is better. You can't argue with that. Lebron was way better than Kobe straight out of High School.
I really dont get how people can watch kobe's greatest games then watch lebron's greatest games and say lebron's better. it honestly baffles me.
If it based on championship rings then Kobe has the edge. If it based on this season's performance then give the edge to LeBron...By the way I found a website that give you prizes for your opinions and 4 play games here is the topic about this NBA Players:
http://opinion.ezwingame.com/topics/who-is-better-kobe-bryant-or-lebron-james
iz all bout kobe bc kobe do all he can dunk,shoot,and way better than lj in free throw and better handle so wat all lebron do is dunking
All Lebrons good for is dunking and choking....KOBE all the way
i agree with my fellow Lebron fans Kobe only has the rings he has bcz he had Shaq he only earned one of his own. Lebron has worked harder and is a better team player not to mention an overall player. The Lakers are bout to get there tales whooped this season. Kobe can kiss this one good bye bcz he aint gotta chance.
all yall kobe fans say da same thing kobe has mo rings. if u take shaq away how many rings would kobe have umm. 1 da 1 he just got n 2010 wit paul and bynum. leborn own all da stats against kobe. wat r yall goin to say now da LEBRON JAMES has WADE and BOSH and win CHAMPIONSHIPS bac to bac if dey dnt get hurt
Rings dont give you individual accomplishments but are great to have. Far as i recall in order to obtain rings like miami is doing the lakers went out and got payton, horry, rodman, malone etc. (ALLSTARS) so why is it a problem when Miami does it. Its a shame that only laker fans are crying about the decision. Being the best player and not scorer consists of blocked shots(LJ) rebounds(LJ) assists(LJ) and the ability to win without a supporting cast which kobe has always had GTFOH chris
leBron is better then kobe easy...u guys just say the same things over and over KOBE HAS MORE RINGS who cares thats a team thing michal jorden didnt win his first ring tell he was 28 and LeBron is 24...kobe the best player of all time ya right 1 MVP i mean steve Nash has more...O one more thing u guys say that kobe does better in the playoffs well LeBron averages more points more rebounds and more assists so how is better in the playoffs?