Lebron vs. Kobe | Teen Ink

Lebron vs. Kobe

June 16, 2010
By c_ralls BRONZE, Talent, Oregon
c_ralls BRONZE, Talent, Oregon
2 articles 0 photos 5 comments

Lebron vs. Kobe


They are known as two of the greatest athletes of all time, both play on two premier teams in the league, both dominate their respected positions, and both are on their way to the Hall Of Fame. Lebron James and Kobe Bryant are reinventing the way people look at the NBA, which brings the question: Who is better? Kobe, who is the reigning NBA Finals MVP, with four Championships rings? Or Lebron, who currently has 22 triple-doubles, is the reigning NBA regular season MVP, and two time NBA First Teamer? It depends on whether you look at who has better stats, who’s playing on the better team, who is the better leader, and who others think are better.

So first let’s state the facts. Kobe averages 28.8 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game, and shoots 83.1% from the free-throw line.Lebron averages 29.7 points per game, 7.10 rebounds per game, 7.8 assists per game, and shoots 78.2% from the free-throw line. Although these numbers are fairly close, close doesn’t cut it. The stats clearly show that Lebron is a better player in more areas than Kobe. But in some games, Kobe may do better than Lebron, or maybe even Kobe’s team does better than Lebron’s team. This brings me to my next point.

Whose team is better? Kobe’s Los Angeles Lakers, or Lebron’s Cleveland Cavaliers? Kobe has been with the Los Angeles Lakers now for 13 years. He went straight from high school to the NBA. He was drafted with the 13th selection in 1996 to play on the Charlotte Hornets, but was immediately traded to the Lakers in exchange for some veterans. From 2000-2002 he led them (along with Shaquille O’Neal) to win three consecutive championship titles. They also led the entire NBA in wins in the 2008-2009 seasons. The Lakers have had four Hall of Famers in their history. Lebron has been with the Cleveland Cavaliers since 2003, when the 18 year old was drafted 1st overall. Since he has been with the Cavaliers, he has won a Conference Title (2007) and a Division Title (2009). When the Lakers went up against the Cavaliers this season, the Cavaliers won 102-87 and then again 93-87. Proving Lebron and his team are better. If you are still not convinced, then here is my next subject.

Who is the true leader? Lebron James is a true leader. He knows how to share. He gives his teammates the ball, he trusts in them, and by doing that he makes them better. But he also knows how to put the game on his back. He can drive it to the basket, and he knows when he has to take the shot. He has no history of going to jail or being a wrongful person. He knows what he values and that’s what most celebrities don’t know how to do. Kobe, on the other hand, is known previously as a “ball hog”. He didn’t like to give the pass, nor did he like it when he wasn’t scoring as high as he wanted, so he would just be a one man team. He also has a questionable history. He was accused of sexual assault in 2003. But the accuser declined to testify in the trial, so the suit was dropped. Whether or not he did it, he was still accused of it. That’s not a true leader.
Kobe is referred to as “The Best Player on the Planet” or “Black Mamba”. Lebron is referred to as “The Chosen One” “The Akron Hammer” and “The King”. James has the edge of being younger, and the way he is playing, Kobe could have never compared to Lebron. James is always, constantly getting better each year, and he still has many years to go. Bryant can take over the last couple minutes of a game, and he is also a better free-throw shooter, and he has Championship rings to prove it. But when people are asked, “Who do you think is the better player?” most will probably say they can’t decide. It is pretty hard to decide considering they are so alike in many ways. But for me, I don’t have any trouble answering; I believe Lebron is the better player!
Now you know who I think is the better player all around. Maybe you disagree, or maybe you agree. No matter what, both players are going to be around for awhile longer and will continue to make history in the basketball world. So whether it is better stats, a better team, true leadership, or overall who people think is the better player, both players are extremely accomplished. I will always believe that Lebron James holds the title of the “Best Player in the League”. But there are always up and coming youngsters, just look at John Wall.


Works Cited:
http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog.index.ssf/2010/01/lebron_james_vs_kobe_bryant_at.html
http://www.craveonline.com/sports/article/the-great-debate-lebron-vs-kobe-67419



Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 5 comments.


c_ralls BRONZE said...
on Feb. 25 2011 at 12:58 pm
c_ralls BRONZE, Talent, Oregon
2 articles 0 photos 5 comments
LeBron is a leader, just because he didnt want to carry a team on his back anymore doesnt mean that hes not a leader. Everyone needs to get over that. Its annoying and old. Cleveland WAS LeBron

c_ralls BRONZE said...
on Feb. 25 2011 at 12:56 pm
c_ralls BRONZE, Talent, Oregon
2 articles 0 photos 5 comments
Kobe has more rings, but lets look at what team and coach he has had. Thats why LeBron hasnt gotten all those rings. Rings come from Teams. LeBron is who I would want on the court because he is the most Clutch player in the NBA. Kobe IS a ballhog. Everyone knows it. Sure hes changed a little bit from his past ballhog days.

on Jul. 10 2010 at 9:06 pm
1fitzy17 BRONZE, Not Telling :p, Other
2 articles 0 photos 44 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."- Vince Lombardi

lebron isnt a leader. if he is, he would've stayed in cleveland and the "we are all witnesses" billboard would stay

on Jul. 10 2010 at 9:05 pm
1fitzy17 BRONZE, Not Telling :p, Other
2 articles 0 photos 44 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."- Vince Lombardi

k 2 quick questions: who has more rings and going into an nba finals game 7, who do u want on the court lebron or kobe? kobe is the answer 2 both of those. i hate both of them with a passion, but kobe has that "how did he just do that" factor which lebron lacks. kobe isnt a ball hog by the way. look past the stats: whenever kobe has the ball in opposing territory, 9 times out of 10 he will dish it out to 1 of the elbows. count on it. lebron, however, gets his assists by just a quick dish to mo williams, who is automatic from 3 like ray allen. nothing special. lebron tries all these razzle dazzle plays ON HIS OWN, while kobe just hits ridiculous shots. i respect your opinion, nut don't agree with it. kobe is the best! check out my sports stories too and spread the word about me!

on Jul. 4 2010 at 3:09 pm
HAWKEYESTATE4ever, Clive, Iowa
0 articles 0 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." -William Shakespeare

"Lebron James is a true leader."

Really? Because I seem to remember him going something along the lines of 3 for 14 from the field in a pivotal game 5 against the Celtics. You're right: those are the kinds of numbers leaders put up in important playoff matchups. I'm not saying that you can't have a bad game, not at all, but you can have a bad game against the CLIPPERS in December. 

 

"ball hog"

You know who else they called a ball hog? Michael Jordan. It's not a dispute that Kobe has the ball more than the other players; however, he has the skill to back it up most of the time. If putting the ball in his hands gets the Lakers a win, why would he pass it off to a less skilled player and get the loss so he won't be called a "ball hog." Plus, Gasol and Artest had huge impacts on the Lakers in the playoffs; it's not like Kobe jacks up shots from 30 feet every possession.