NBA: Only time can tell who is better; Kobe Bryant or LeBron James
The heated debate that never seems to subside concerning Kobe Bryant and LeBron James entered a new chapter with LeBron’s recent betrayal to the Cleveland Cavaliers. James for the first time in his entire career has been able to join a team which could match up to the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron along with the All-Star power asserts he will dominate and once again prove to be the best.
Some sports enthusiasts believe James is already one of the best players in the league. That statement could very well be a fact, however what is the point of arguing on a never-ending debate.
Let us take a look at history and let it be judge amongst the two?
Glancing at NBA’s history it is easier to distinguish amongst excellent players from the legendary ones. However a player’s numbers can be a key factor to separate a great player from the legend. For example, experts consider Karl Malone as the best power forward ever to step foot in the NBA but when compared to Tim Duncan and his four championship wins, therefore history will put him on a higher pedestal because of his achievements.
Winning a championship title is a team’s achievement, and Tim Duncan had an excellent one with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, and so did Karl Malone but he could not overcome Michael Jordan’s team, the Chicago Bulls. This analysis could help in reaching a closing point regarding the argument who was the greatest power forward in history.
Basketball pundits say if Kobe decides to retire right now he will definitely be remembered as one of the greatest and in a decade or so will be considered amongst the legends. His legacy will remain with the league’s most storied franchise.
On the other hand LeBron cannot make that claim as he came to the NBA not long ago and his achievements compared to Bryant’s are far out of distance. However before assumptions used to be drawn regarding James worthy of winning a title, as each year his former team Cleveland Cavaliers banked on the thought but they were never able to win a title. Now the tides have turned and James decision to play for the Miami Heat can really help him win a title the young player has longed for.
Thinking Miami will fail in the 2011 playoffs is hard to picture, NBA fans say James has tarnished his legacy, but putting history in front one could easily determine the 25 year old has yet to establish his own legacy.
Although if James leads the Heat to win a few championship titles in the following years, along with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will his ever-evolving perception change? Or will he be seen in a lesser light just because he was partnered with two All-Star players.
It is quite possible Cleveland fans and critics will not miss a chance to put him down. Nonetheless, if he is able to win a few back to back titles and lead his new team to reach the level they have yet too, he will craft his legacy because there is no doubt despite being without a championship ring the small forward has the ability to reach to the top.
Regardless of the facts, comparing Kobe Bryant and James LeBron can never be vindicated, due to the difference between their years with the league, positions they play at and their anatomy. The comparison could probably be done twenty-years from now when both great players have retired, leaving records that history could point out and use to evaluate.
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