Just because Kobe has #4, doesn’t mean he’s better than LeBron
1) Rings DOES matter, hands down... Role players doesn't count in an argument about superstars... If Kobe has 4 rings with 6 finals appearances and LeBron only have an appearance... That makes a world of a difference...
2) You can just go to yesterday's game versus the Heat and the Lakers and see why Kobe is that best player on the planet. He LOCKED D-Wade up (it wasn't the first time either)... They had to set screens at half-court so Wade could get a full head of steam... Then during the Defensive show, Kobe still managed to put up 33 points... Name the last time LeBron locked up on the defensive end?
3) EVERYONE gives LeBron these excuses... *News Flash* LeBron can't get you easy buckets, meaning he has no go to move... The only moves he has is going to the hole and shooting the 3... He doesn't get better at the things he can't do, but the things he already does well... Which is a huge problem for a player who is going to be considered a G.O.A.T. Its been over 6 years now and LeBron, the league's most strongest, fastest, and athletic wing man CAN'T post up? That shows you where his real dedication is...
4) #3 leads me to this point... Last year in the Eastern Conference Finals you watched a Superstar quit on his team (it has nothing to do with shaking hands/press time- that was just icing on the cake). Watch game 1 again, his team was up by at least 15 points till LeBron came back in the game and it was over... I don't know what it is, but LeBron doesn't have that fire to win no matter what (I feel like everything you see from him is a image protector). I just don't see it, its missing... And it was evident on that last play of the game where he was under the basket INSTEAD of going for the easy lay-up, he dished it out to Mo... And you know the rest... That's when the down fall began...
The game he hit that game winner was impressive, but what is least impressive about that is 1 second left on the clock, he HAD TO SHOOT... A great shot, but I don't know if he would take that shot with more seconds and more options...
The Game 6 you referred to, LeBron started passing the ball up in the fourth quarter by the half-court line and took himself totally out of the play... He gave up...
5) That whole series was complete incompetence from LeBron and Mike Brown... The whole year their style of play was to play defense, move the ball get quality shots, and play as a TEAM... Which when they got to that series it was completely different, LeBron was guarding Rafer (getting his ! busted) and Turk/Lewis were getting off on whoever was guarding them late... And when the games went on LeBron would take the ball at the top of the key and create... And that's what brings me back to #1... He can't score easy buckets like that, so isolating him for the whole game is dumb...
*FOOD FOR THOUGHT*
ESPN did a survey on whom the Top NBA exec. think is the best defensive player... KOBE BRYANT... And unless you've been sleep underneath a rock who is the best offensive player in the league? KOBE BRYANT... So why isn't he the best player again?
Until Lebron adds numerous dimensions to his game, which is possible, Kobe is the better player. Kobe is more complete and defenders can't take advantage of trying to make him go to anywhere on the floor bc he is still deadly. Lebron can't post up, remarkable bc of his size. His midrange shot can be defended still. He also has better stats because his team is set up to be shooters, making his assists easier. He is also a SF, making rebounds easier. Overall, Kobe is still leaps ahead. The reason I think Kobe will go down as a better player, is because of Kobe's 'iron man' record. He barely has missed games and is still in remarkable shape.
I tend to agree, though I really don't have a problem if anyone argues for Kobe. From a true skill standpoint Kobe has him beat just because of his great mid range shot. But LeBron gets to the basket and scores better than about anyone to ever play, not to mention he's a better passer and can play almost all 5 positions on the floor. I'm personally a big fan of both, but neither are infallable, both had their moments in the playoffs where I felt like they cost their teams at big moments, even Kobe who obviously has the rep of being a great closer (and is) but he actually kind of disappointed at times late, but you can't do it every night and he won so thats all anyone will remember.
The Cavs to me this year were a team that was exposed against Orlando as just intimidating their opponents as this steam roll force and Orlando didn't buy it. Many of their role players who played great all season were playing with supreme confidence and the way they rolled through the regular season, who wouldn't? But the first time they got challenged, many of those great role players cowered and revealed what the Cavs are which is an average team with a great player. They need to make some kind of move because if they come back with the same team they'll encounter the same problems.
Unless they actually trade for him which would be a great idea. Big Z dissapears after making a few jump shots in the 1st quarter and is terrible on defending penetration, Varaj and Ben Wallace have no basketball skill. Shaq showed he can still be great when motivated last year, and he would come out on a mission in Cleveland (after Kobe just won one! He'd probably get to under 350 lbs!). Not to mention they need a little bit of an attitude change because the role players showed to be mentally weak against Orlando. Also isn't next year the last of Shaq's contract? They'd still have front court depth issue but JJ Hickson is there and they should go for quality over quantity considering priority number 1 is to keep Lebron. You don't want him heading to free agency next year with another disappointing playoff exit like this year.
Finally, Kobe Bryant established himself as one of the greatest players ever to dribble a basketball. The monkey of Shaq's understudy is finally off his back. That being said, there's only two players in the world that can be called the best. There's a clear argument for both Kobe and LeBron for who's the best player. I think it's LeBron for these reasons. First of all, how good a player is doesn't reflect on how many rings he has. Robert Horry has seven rings, so is he better than Kobe or Jordan? I think not. Don't get me wrong, getting a ring can definitely boost a player's legacy, but winning a ring is a team affiar. Unlike Kobe's teammates, LeBron's couldn't knock down a shot in the fourth quarter in Orlando. The series should've been a sweep, but LeBron hit a fadaway 30-foot buzzer beater which looked unhuman at the time. Is everyone forgetting what LeBron did two years ago? He scored 29 of his team's last 30 to win a double-OT thriller in the Palace in his fourth year in the NBA! It was a magical performance, that only the best player in the world could deliver. Where would've Kobe been without Shaq in his fourth year? The Lakers we're a dying franchise, and Shaq lifted them up and pulled Kobe along. Kobe wouldn't have seen the finals trophy before yesterday if it weren't for Shaq. LeBron got to the finals without a soul. Be realistic, Kobe couldn't have gotten to the finals without Shaq. James has established himself as a scoring machine without anyone, let alone a hall of famer like the deisel. This is not a knock on Kobe, for all you Kobe lovers, he is the best closer in the game. He will always hold that title as long as he stays in the NBA, but LeBron James is clearly the best basketball player in the world.