I am going to be honest I am a little tired of the Lebron/Kobe debate. It has been overkill as of late especially considering they are two totally different players at two totally different times in their career.
But I was Twittering it up this morning (http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline) with my friend mrsFAB (http://www.twitter.com/mrsFAB) about Lebron/Kobe which she made an interesting point that got me to thinking. She was pointing out how she would like Lebron to get his ring, but she thinks Kobe will. I think that is the sentiment of a lot of people and since a lot of people ask me all the time what do I mean when I say they are totally different players and different times in their careers it inspired me to write the comparisons in terms that everyone could understand.
At the time that Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman a lot of people felt he was past his prime. He was still Ali, but he wasn't the Ali of the Sonny Liston days.
If you are a true NBA fan you can tell that Kobe is not the same Kobe of his prime. From about 2000-2006 that Kobe was a beast. You know what happened to Kobe last year in the Finals against the Celtics? He got hit with a "Frazier Left Hook". Similar to when Ali meet Frazier in Madison Square Garden a lot of people wanted Ali to win, but no one gave the memo to Frazier just like no one gave the memo to The Celtics last year.
Kobe now similar to Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle he is much more of a cerebral assassin. See the physical gifts can go away, but the mental capacity gets stronger and that what carriers them over not as driven opponents. That is where Kobe is right now in his career. A former champion who is trying to recapture past glory, knows he is running out time and is pulling out every trick in the book to get that championship back.
Lebron on the other hand is a freak of nature. A human battering ram, a terminator and indestructible force. I don't think people even realize what they are seeing. He is averaging 30,9,and 9 in the playoffs. That is not human. Players wouldn't average 30,9,and 9 against the D-League.
Physically he is better than Kobe Bryant. He is bigger, stronger, faster and younger. He has been knocking out people left and right. He is hungry. He has the best squad in the league. He has been dominating in the playoffs while Bryant has struggle.
He is George Foreman before he met Ali. People thought Foreman was indestructible. Most media were concerned that Ali would get seriously hurt by fighting Foreman. You want to watch something painful watch Foreman two round destruction of Joe Frazier.
So the stage is set you have this young charging bull going 100 MPHs toward this fading champ on his last legs.
We know how the Rumble in the Jungle turned out, so it would be interesting to see if a Kobe vs. Lebron final would have the same result or would Lebron be able to knock out the old champ. A lot of Boxing people think that if Foreman would have won he would have had a very long and glorious reign as Champ and that Ali wouldn't have been as beloved as he is today.
We still have a ways to go before we find out what would happen if Kobe and Lebron would meet in the NBA Finals and it is entirely possible that it will never happen since both the Magic and the Nuggets are capable of winning their respected series, but what fun would that be?
On a side note I wanted to point out something about last night's Nuggets vs. Lakers game. A lot of people don't like Kobe Bryant and even a lot of people who love Kobe the player are a little indifferent about Kobe the person, but last night was a prime example of why until someone takes the title from him he is still the best player in the NBA.
Kobe played the last 18 minutes of the game with a ferocity that you won't see from many if any players in the NBA. Kobe in basketball years is old. He's been playing almost non-stop for two years with injuries and never missed a beat.
That was game the Lakers should have lost and would have lost if he didn't single handily keep them in it and it wasn't just his offense he was fighting tooth and nail on the defense end trying to slow down the Nuggets two best players Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony.
People always wonder what is the difference between the Vince Carters of the world and the Kobe Bryants of the world and that was it. When it mattered most and when he was totally gassed he put his head down drove to the basket and drew fouls. Then like the serial killer he is nailed all the free throws.
I shudder to say it but it was "Jordanesque" in its brilliance.
Say want you want about Darth, but make sure you include legendary player to any title.
"He is bigger, stronger, faster..."
Sounds like the Six Million Dollar Man! (I love the reruns of that show) Anywho, great post. I am still "Team Lebron" but I have to give Kobe his props. He took care of business when it counted the most.
I definitely see where you are coming from. Kobe was like a man possessed last night. He knows this maybe he last shot.
That is why the Mamba is a legendary figure. As he gets older, you see how more wily he is. Jordan did it as his physical skills started to diminish. Go Lakers!!!!!
Kobe on his last legs???? The man is what, 30-31 and keeps himself in tip-top shape. He isn't Mutumbo now.
Ghost I think what he is saying is that Kobe only have so many years left where as Lebron has at least a decade in his prime
Agree with most of the points in this article especially this statement
"I am going to be honest I am a little tired of the Lebron/Kobe debate. It has been overkill as of late especially considering they are two totally different players at two totally different times in their career."
Only one thing I disagree with is Cavs being the better team. Lakers still have the deepest bench in the league and sans Mo Williams and at times Varajeo and Delonte West, Cavs are as equally matched if not worst than the Lakers on some occasions. Both need their superstars to motivate them, LeBron just does a better job of KEEPING his team motivated. They still rely heavily on him like that burning coal that keeps the train engine running and blowing steam
All things aside,like you said LeBron got plenty of time to win a ring. He's at the beginning of building his dynasty. Kobe is completing his. Its now or never and like or not they dont call him Black Mamba for nothing...he CAN do it!
kobe sucks balls! lebron is a freak, but in a good way though. Lebron is a freakin TRAIN BEAST! ALL YOU KOBE FANS SUCK IT, AND THE LEKERS SUCK AND THE CAVS ARE GOING TO WIN IT ALL
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