Kobe vs. LeBron: A 10-Page Guide for Selecting the Best Player on the Planet
Published by Daniel Lewis (Featured Columnist) on March 24, 2011 at Bleacher Report. Click to download article.
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Who’s better, Kobe or LeBron? The Black Mamba or King James?
”Are you serious?” Kobe Bryant sniped back when fronted with this question, sounding offended.
Jerry West, on the other hand, claimed two years ago that “LeBron has surpassed Kobe as a player.”
Even Magic Johnson echoed this sentiment.
Then they changed their minds, backpedaling on their statements. Indeed, choosing between Bryant and James is difficult and kind of a moot point because it’s hard to go wrong with either one. After all, they both clearly stand out as the two best players in a league full of stars.
But that doesn’t stop the debate from raging on. This article compares Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in 10 different areas of their game.
Shooting
As if Kobe’s 81-point game isn’t enough.
The Lakers star can hit shots from almost anywhere on the court and his signature fadeaways routinely make defenders look silly. He has the best shooting skill-set in the game, using every shot fake imaginable to create space for his deadly jumper. It’s no wonder why he ranks sixth on the all-time scoring list.
LeBron has a higher field-goal percentage, but he is not necessarily a better shooter from various spots on the court. After all, the main knock offensively against LeBron is that he is only a decent jump shooter. He cannot create shots nearly as well as Kobe. Moreover, when he draws fouls with dribble penetration, he struggles to convert at the charity stripe, only shooting 74-percent at the line for his career.
Edge: Kobe
Passing
A small forward capable of passing as well as Rajon Rondo or Deron Williams, LeBron possesses stellar court vision. He has no problem running the floor or kicking the ball out on the drive to create easy scoring opportunities for his teammates. He is a well-rounded offensive player who knows how to set up his teammates for open shots.
Kobe, on the other hand, has only recently shed the “selfish” label. Earlier in his career, he was criticized for looking away from his teammates on the offensive end. Now Kobe has many options to pass to, including Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum down low. Averaging about five assists per game, Kobe is no doubt a great passer, especially out of double-teams.
LeBron forces defenses to collapse by attacking the rim, whereas Kobe’s penchant for jump shots leaves fewer opportunities for his teammates. Kobe can still drive to the basket and break down a defense, but he simply doesn’t do it as often or as effectively as LeBron.
Edge: LeBron
Versatility
Along with Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and Lamar Odom, King James is one of the most versatile players in the NBA. He is a jack-of-all-trades on the court—his athleticism, instincts and speed are truly spectacular. He scores like a shooting guard, passes like a point guard and rebounds like a power forward. That’s a unique combination.
Kobe is a great player, of course, but he can’t match LeBron’s all-around contributions. He has so many different ways to make a play—inside, outside, in transition, in the halfcourt, off the dribble, off a screen—you name it, he’s got it. Unlike LeBron, though, he can’t body up big men with his slender body or cover speedy point guards with his 15 years of mileage.
Edge: LeBron
Defense
Bryant’s defense is overshadowed by his offense, but there is not a coach in the NBA who won’t put him in his list of top five on-the-ball defenders—when he sets his mind to it, that is.
To be a lock-down defender means preventing opponents from scoring on a consistent basis. When compared to LeBron by this standard, Kobe is not his equal. If anything, the Heat playmaker shoulders more defensive responsibility than his Lakers counterpart. After all, Kobe often guards like a free safety, playing center field and sagging off defenders.
Besides, LeBron tallies more blocks and steals than Kobe does on a nightly basis. LeBron’s size also makes him valuable in that he can defend power forwards as well as guards and swingmen.
Edge: LeBron
Efficiency
It’s rare to see LeBron back his man down and launch a 15-foot turnaround jumpshot. His modus operandi is to threaten the three-point shot, force the defender to bite on it and then take the ball all the way to the rim. Though he is among the league leaders in turnovers, averaging 3.5 per game, his shot selection is far superior to Kobe’s, leading to a higher field-goal percentage.
Moreover, many former Lakers have gone on record with their frustrations on how Kobe hurts the team with his poor shot selection and reluctance to pass the ball. This selfishness is visible at the end of close games, in which he forces the offense into stagnancy by calling for isolation sets. Kobe probably shoots his patented acrobatic jumpers better than anyone else in the league, but that fact does not mitigate the fact that he sometimes hogs the ball and takes such ill-advised shots.
Edge: LeBron
Leadership
Along with Derek Fisher, Bryant is the leader of the Lakers and this leadership is seen in his Lakers teams’ swagger and confidence. The team plays for Phil Jackson, but everyone answers to Kobe. He leads by example with a work ethic and dedication to the game that is unrivaled by any other professional basketball player.
An energizing force, he invigorates his fellow players and demands perfection. In fact, Bryant is often visible coaching his teammates throughout the game, helping them anticipate certain offensive threats to come up with their own moves to counter the opponent.
LeBron’s lack of leadership, on the other hand, was on display throughout his time in Cleveland. Fans have already seen the limit of what LeBron can do in leading a team to a title. Simply put, he did not embrace his role as a leader and failed to carry himself and his teammates to championship heights.
Unfortunately for LeBron, dunking, passing and rebounding do not define leadership. He needs to learn to coach his teammates and hold them accountable. While he’s a phenomenal choreographer of the pregame chalk toss, he needs to learn to step up and get in the face of a teammate when
necessary.
Edge: Kobe
Determination
Whereas Kobe spends summers honing his skills, LeBron spends them shooting commercials and promoting the “LeBron Brand.” James' work ethic during the season is among the best in the league, yet he has not put in the extra time over the past few offseasons to improve some of his weaknesses. After all, he has yet to demonstrate a marked improvement in his shooting.
What makes Kobe a champion is his relentless work ethic and intense focus, which isn’t lost on most of the NBA. In 2009, for example, he practiced alongside Hall-of-Fame big man Hakeem Olajuwon, learning the post moves that made “The Dream” such a nightmare.
With a gruesome daily workout that rivals a military boot camp, Bryant treats the gym as his sanctuary. His athletic discipline and rigorous preparation are a clear testament to his maturation from a high school phenom to the elder statesman of a championship team.
Edge: Kobe
Clutch Play
They say Kobe’s clutch play is overrated. They say that the statistics show that he misses far more late shots than he makes. They say that we only remember the good and ignore the bad.
Perhaps. However, some moments are more important than others. His plays and shots have won championships. LeBron’s few clutch shots have not come in the NBA Finals, with a championship at stake. Kobe steps into the pivotal moments of a game with a mental toughness that is unrivaled. Not to mention that he makes free throws with games on the line.
Besides, statisticians do not account for how LeBron and other players cherry pick when they try to take the game-winner, passing on all but the most favorable opportunities. Case in point: In this year’s All-Star game, LeBron passed up an open three-point shot that would have tied the game, surrendering the ball to Chris Bosh. Why? He was scared. Kobe, on the other hand, never backs down from the final shot, even when it is not the perfect look.
Sure, LeBron single-handedly brought his team to the NBA Finals by rising up against the Detroit Pistons in 2007. He also nailed a three over Hedo Turkoglu in the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago. But can anyone even count Kobe’s game-winners?
Truth is, if you are rooting against the Lakers and Bryant has the ball in the final seconds of a close game, you are probably holding your breath. He is the definition of clutch.
Edge: Kobe
Toughness
What’s an injury? Don’t ask Kobe. Last year, Kobe played through a number of injuries, including a broken index finger, a bad back and a number of other undisclosed injuries. If he can walk, he’s going to play. Seriously though, playing through an injury is hard enough for any athlete. But playing through an injury to his index finger on his shooting hand in a sport that requires constant use of that finger and hand?
LeBron, on the other hand, showed NBA fans what he was made of last season when he bruised his elbow against the Chicago Bulls in a late-season game. He made his first free throw and proceeded to shoot the next one left-handed, as if he were trying to show off his pain.
Kobe, on the other hand, completely retooled his release and still maintained a relatively high field-goal percentage in spite of his finger injury last season. Indeed, Kobe’s toughness allows him to fight through any injury and stay on the floor.
Edge: Kobe
Championships
Every NBA season culminates with a single team hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy in June and, thus far, every team in history has done so without LeBron James. Though he led the Cavaliers to the best record in the NBA in consecutive seasons, he simply has not elevated his game during the postseason. The one season his team broke through to the NBA Finals, LeBron and the Cavs were embarrassed in a series sweep by the San Antonio Spurs.
Like it or not, Kobe’s five championships put him on par with Magic Johnson. Another championship means he’s in the conversation with Michael Jordan. Bryant is chasing MJ, not Jay-Z, as his idol. He’s a greedy man—he wants fists full of rings. He wants to create a championship legacy that no player of his generation can claim.
Edge: Kobe
Verdict
So, after considering these 10 aspects, what’s the verdict? Kobe or LeBron?
The most evident finding is that LeBron remains a better overall basketball talent, excelling as a shooter, passer and defender. His ability is exemplified in his career stats: 27.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. Had he remained in Cleveland, he probably could have averaged a triple-double. Even scarier is the fact that he is only 26 years old and just entering his prime.
That said, basketball is more than stats or talent. It's about winning and Kobe Bryant is the ultimate winner.
Kobe possesses intangible qualities that are key come playoff time: clutch play, determination and toughness. He has a competitive fire eerily similar to that of six-time champion Michael Jordan.
Kobe wins this debate for now, but it’s sure to go on. For their rivalry to attain the prestige of Bird versus Magic, they need to clash on a more regular basis. Meeting twice a year in the regular season just doesn’t cut it.
Verdict: Kobe
”Are you serious?” Kobe Bryant sniped back when fronted with this question, sounding offended.
Jerry West, on the other hand, claimed two years ago that “LeBron has surpassed Kobe as a player.”
Even Magic Johnson echoed this sentiment.
Then they changed their minds, backpedaling on their statements. Indeed, choosing between Bryant and James is difficult and kind of a moot point because it’s hard to go wrong with either one. After all, they both clearly stand out as the two best players in a league full of stars.
But that doesn’t stop the debate from raging on. This article compares Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in 10 different areas of their game.
Shooting
As if Kobe’s 81-point game isn’t enough.
The Lakers star can hit shots from almost anywhere on the court and his signature fadeaways routinely make defenders look silly. He has the best shooting skill-set in the game, using every shot fake imaginable to create space for his deadly jumper. It’s no wonder why he ranks sixth on the all-time scoring list.
LeBron has a higher field-goal percentage, but he is not necessarily a better shooter from various spots on the court. After all, the main knock offensively against LeBron is that he is only a decent jump shooter. He cannot create shots nearly as well as Kobe. Moreover, when he draws fouls with dribble penetration, he struggles to convert at the charity stripe, only shooting 74-percent at the line for his career.
Edge: Kobe
Passing
A small forward capable of passing as well as Rajon Rondo or Deron Williams, LeBron possesses stellar court vision. He has no problem running the floor or kicking the ball out on the drive to create easy scoring opportunities for his teammates. He is a well-rounded offensive player who knows how to set up his teammates for open shots.
Kobe, on the other hand, has only recently shed the “selfish” label. Earlier in his career, he was criticized for looking away from his teammates on the offensive end. Now Kobe has many options to pass to, including Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum down low. Averaging about five assists per game, Kobe is no doubt a great passer, especially out of double-teams.
LeBron forces defenses to collapse by attacking the rim, whereas Kobe’s penchant for jump shots leaves fewer opportunities for his teammates. Kobe can still drive to the basket and break down a defense, but he simply doesn’t do it as often or as effectively as LeBron.
Edge: LeBron
Versatility
Along with Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, and Lamar Odom, King James is one of the most versatile players in the NBA. He is a jack-of-all-trades on the court—his athleticism, instincts and speed are truly spectacular. He scores like a shooting guard, passes like a point guard and rebounds like a power forward. That’s a unique combination.
Kobe is a great player, of course, but he can’t match LeBron’s all-around contributions. He has so many different ways to make a play—inside, outside, in transition, in the halfcourt, off the dribble, off a screen—you name it, he’s got it. Unlike LeBron, though, he can’t body up big men with his slender body or cover speedy point guards with his 15 years of mileage.
Edge: LeBron
Defense
Bryant’s defense is overshadowed by his offense, but there is not a coach in the NBA who won’t put him in his list of top five on-the-ball defenders—when he sets his mind to it, that is.
To be a lock-down defender means preventing opponents from scoring on a consistent basis. When compared to LeBron by this standard, Kobe is not his equal. If anything, the Heat playmaker shoulders more defensive responsibility than his Lakers counterpart. After all, Kobe often guards like a free safety, playing center field and sagging off defenders.
Besides, LeBron tallies more blocks and steals than Kobe does on a nightly basis. LeBron’s size also makes him valuable in that he can defend power forwards as well as guards and swingmen.
Edge: LeBron
Efficiency
It’s rare to see LeBron back his man down and launch a 15-foot turnaround jumpshot. His modus operandi is to threaten the three-point shot, force the defender to bite on it and then take the ball all the way to the rim. Though he is among the league leaders in turnovers, averaging 3.5 per game, his shot selection is far superior to Kobe’s, leading to a higher field-goal percentage.
Moreover, many former Lakers have gone on record with their frustrations on how Kobe hurts the team with his poor shot selection and reluctance to pass the ball. This selfishness is visible at the end of close games, in which he forces the offense into stagnancy by calling for isolation sets. Kobe probably shoots his patented acrobatic jumpers better than anyone else in the league, but that fact does not mitigate the fact that he sometimes hogs the ball and takes such ill-advised shots.
Edge: LeBron
Leadership
Along with Derek Fisher, Bryant is the leader of the Lakers and this leadership is seen in his Lakers teams’ swagger and confidence. The team plays for Phil Jackson, but everyone answers to Kobe. He leads by example with a work ethic and dedication to the game that is unrivaled by any other professional basketball player.
An energizing force, he invigorates his fellow players and demands perfection. In fact, Bryant is often visible coaching his teammates throughout the game, helping them anticipate certain offensive threats to come up with their own moves to counter the opponent.
LeBron’s lack of leadership, on the other hand, was on display throughout his time in Cleveland. Fans have already seen the limit of what LeBron can do in leading a team to a title. Simply put, he did not embrace his role as a leader and failed to carry himself and his teammates to championship heights.
Unfortunately for LeBron, dunking, passing and rebounding do not define leadership. He needs to learn to coach his teammates and hold them accountable. While he’s a phenomenal choreographer of the pregame chalk toss, he needs to learn to step up and get in the face of a teammate when
necessary.
Edge: Kobe
Determination
Whereas Kobe spends summers honing his skills, LeBron spends them shooting commercials and promoting the “LeBron Brand.” James' work ethic during the season is among the best in the league, yet he has not put in the extra time over the past few offseasons to improve some of his weaknesses. After all, he has yet to demonstrate a marked improvement in his shooting.
What makes Kobe a champion is his relentless work ethic and intense focus, which isn’t lost on most of the NBA. In 2009, for example, he practiced alongside Hall-of-Fame big man Hakeem Olajuwon, learning the post moves that made “The Dream” such a nightmare.
With a gruesome daily workout that rivals a military boot camp, Bryant treats the gym as his sanctuary. His athletic discipline and rigorous preparation are a clear testament to his maturation from a high school phenom to the elder statesman of a championship team.
Edge: Kobe
Clutch Play
They say Kobe’s clutch play is overrated. They say that the statistics show that he misses far more late shots than he makes. They say that we only remember the good and ignore the bad.
Perhaps. However, some moments are more important than others. His plays and shots have won championships. LeBron’s few clutch shots have not come in the NBA Finals, with a championship at stake. Kobe steps into the pivotal moments of a game with a mental toughness that is unrivaled. Not to mention that he makes free throws with games on the line.
Besides, statisticians do not account for how LeBron and other players cherry pick when they try to take the game-winner, passing on all but the most favorable opportunities. Case in point: In this year’s All-Star game, LeBron passed up an open three-point shot that would have tied the game, surrendering the ball to Chris Bosh. Why? He was scared. Kobe, on the other hand, never backs down from the final shot, even when it is not the perfect look.
Sure, LeBron single-handedly brought his team to the NBA Finals by rising up against the Detroit Pistons in 2007. He also nailed a three over Hedo Turkoglu in the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago. But can anyone even count Kobe’s game-winners?
Truth is, if you are rooting against the Lakers and Bryant has the ball in the final seconds of a close game, you are probably holding your breath. He is the definition of clutch.
Edge: Kobe
Toughness
What’s an injury? Don’t ask Kobe. Last year, Kobe played through a number of injuries, including a broken index finger, a bad back and a number of other undisclosed injuries. If he can walk, he’s going to play. Seriously though, playing through an injury is hard enough for any athlete. But playing through an injury to his index finger on his shooting hand in a sport that requires constant use of that finger and hand?
LeBron, on the other hand, showed NBA fans what he was made of last season when he bruised his elbow against the Chicago Bulls in a late-season game. He made his first free throw and proceeded to shoot the next one left-handed, as if he were trying to show off his pain.
Kobe, on the other hand, completely retooled his release and still maintained a relatively high field-goal percentage in spite of his finger injury last season. Indeed, Kobe’s toughness allows him to fight through any injury and stay on the floor.
Edge: Kobe
Championships
Every NBA season culminates with a single team hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy in June and, thus far, every team in history has done so without LeBron James. Though he led the Cavaliers to the best record in the NBA in consecutive seasons, he simply has not elevated his game during the postseason. The one season his team broke through to the NBA Finals, LeBron and the Cavs were embarrassed in a series sweep by the San Antonio Spurs.
Like it or not, Kobe’s five championships put him on par with Magic Johnson. Another championship means he’s in the conversation with Michael Jordan. Bryant is chasing MJ, not Jay-Z, as his idol. He’s a greedy man—he wants fists full of rings. He wants to create a championship legacy that no player of his generation can claim.
Edge: Kobe
Verdict
So, after considering these 10 aspects, what’s the verdict? Kobe or LeBron?
The most evident finding is that LeBron remains a better overall basketball talent, excelling as a shooter, passer and defender. His ability is exemplified in his career stats: 27.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. Had he remained in Cleveland, he probably could have averaged a triple-double. Even scarier is the fact that he is only 26 years old and just entering his prime.
That said, basketball is more than stats or talent. It's about winning and Kobe Bryant is the ultimate winner.
Kobe possesses intangible qualities that are key come playoff time: clutch play, determination and toughness. He has a competitive fire eerily similar to that of six-time champion Michael Jordan.
Kobe wins this debate for now, but it’s sure to go on. For their rivalry to attain the prestige of Bird versus Magic, they need to clash on a more regular basis. Meeting twice a year in the regular season just doesn’t cut it.
Verdict: Kobe