New Media or not, James should learn from the Big O

by Tommy Dee on May 30th, 2009 at 9:45 am

The most interesting thing that I’ve noticed from what’s happened during the NBA playoffs is the news that has come from off the court. While advertising dollars have been spent on commercials featuring Kobe Bryant and LeBron James that engulf the television screens, what’s most fascinating is that the play on the court leads us to believe that the much-anticipated match up seems as if it won’t happen.Even though I fully believe that James’ Cavaliers still have every right to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals, fans may not have the chance to end the debate of “Who’s better?” between the King and Kobe. At least for now.

But I’ve been amazed that two NBA greats have already decided that LeBron is the better player. Jerry West, the man in NBA logo who traded for Bryant, went on record a few weeks ago to say that he felt James had surpassed the Lakers legend.

“If I had to have somebody make a last-second shot, it would be Kobe Bryant,” West told The New York Times recently. “But even though it’s hard for me to be objective, because I brought Kobe to Los Angeles, I do think LeBron has surpassed Kobe as a player.”

And what about Oscar Robertson, the man who once mind-blowingly averaged a triple-double for a season, a feat that James himself would one day like to replicate?

“LeBron has been terrific for Cleveland, Kobe been great for the Lakers. But you need help. You need a good, strong bench to win basketball games for you; if you don’t have it, you’re not going to win.”

Which is why LeBron needs to be in New York. I’ve recently asked countless fans what their thoughts are when then think of The Big O. Sure, they can recite the triple-double year, but they have no clue what team that was on. more.
  • KBT1615

    Kobe is better. He shoots better and he has that killer instinct when the game is on the line Kobe goes for the kill while Lebron is passing the ball around getting the assists.
    Remember when Lebron played us we stayed in that game because he was spreading the ball around.
    Also Kobe does what has to be done to win if thats spreading the ball around or scoring all the points.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Lebron is 24…

  • KBT1615

    didnt say he will never be better than Kobe just said he isn’t now. Who Knows What The Future Holds.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I’m with Jerry west and the Big O…

  • KBT1615

    Why because Lebron gets Triple Doubles?

  • Mucha

    Kobe is a better player from a pure basketball standpoint, I mean he’s clearly more skilled. But LeBron has that ridiculous combination of speed and strength that allows him to have a bigger impact.

    I would much rather have LeBron James. He has a bigger impact and he’s more “unstoppable” than Kobe Bryant but #24 is a better basketball player, I mean could you imagine Kobe Bryant with LeBron James’ body?

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I’m not buying that Kobe is the better “player” -he’s more of a skilled offensive player but not by much. LEbron could go for 40 A LOT if he wanted to, but he’s been schooled that passing and getting teammates involved is the “right” way to play.

    and it is.

    Lebron is the ultimate teammate too, Kobe’s teammates often hate his guts and let’s be honest, they should.

    THe fact that we are having this discussion is a testimate to Lebron’s greatness. He’s 6 years younger and he’s comparable to Bryant.

    Mucha the better question is would the Cavs ever lose a game if they had Gasol, Odom and Bynum?

  • italian stallion

    Personally, I don’t even think this is even close.

    Lebron is massively better than Kobe. I’m not even sure Kobe is the 2nd best player in the NBA. Seriously, Kobe has great skills. If you wanted to make a checklist of athletic ability, shooting, passing, moves, ability to make tough shots etc… Kobe ranks real high.

    But translating skills into effiicent basketball is something else. Lebron is the much more efficient scorer, better rebounder, better shot blocker, and better assist man. He’s a PG in the body of a strong PF.

    Any team that gets Lebron will improve massively.

    Any team that gets Kobe will be a lot better, but not by nearly as much.

    Seriously guys, Kobe may be one of the most overrated players in history and this is coming from a guy that considers himself a big fan. He’s not that efficient a scorer. He just shoots a lot.

  • KBT1615

    Really Mucha. I mean Imagine Lebron in Kobe’s body he would be good but not as good as he is. Kobe is skilled and most of Lebron being good is his massive body.

  • KBT1615

    The Cavs would lose plenty games if they had Gasol, Bynum and Odom. They would lose more than what the Lakers lost this year.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    I think the younger generation wants Kobe to be jordan-esque. But if you watched both there is zero comparison. It’s almost an insult to michael when he was at his best.

    But when you think about Lebron, it’s scary how good he is and how good he’s going to be.

  • Mucha

    LeBron James is more efficient, he has a bigger impact. Tommy, I totally agree with you, maybe this is a misunderstanding but LeBron James is the best player in the NBA in my opinion because of his impact. Give him Gasol, Odom and Bynum and he’ll have a better record than Kobe Bryant.

    But Kobe Bryant is a better player from a PURE basketball standpoint in my opinion, and LeBron will be the first to say it – he still has to learn to reach Kobe’s skill level. I mean his power allows him to get a lot of easy buckets and he’s a good jumpshooter. But could he really duplicate Kobe’s floater against the Phoenix Suns (the one that tied the game)? Kobe’s first buzzer beater in Portland? Kobe’s turnaround jumpshot against the Knicks? Kobe’s fallway jumpshot (with a hand in his face) in Cleveland? I mean there’s a reason why Kkjrhadashdzjezdzski let Kobe have the ball in his hands in the 4th quarter against Spain.

  • KBT1615

    All I will say anymore is who demands more attention. Who makes people’s heads turn to him every time he touches the ball. What do people say when they play Lebron “Turn him into a jumpshooter” what do they say when they play Kobe “get the ball out of his hands”.

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    can’t argue that.

    I’d take lebron 1st thru 4th than kobe in the 4th…

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    i’d argue lebron had more “wow” moments this year.

    and actually what teams say about lebron now is “let his suckjob teammates beat you..”

  • BiggieSmalls

    anyone who says Kobe’s supporting cast is not significantly better than Lebron’s just isnt watching the games.,

    Lebron on the this Lakers team (less Kobe) would win 70 plus games and be undefeated n the playoffs.

  • KBT1615

    Speculation talk facts.

  • italian stallion

    Absolutely agree!

  • CircleLimit4

    Speculation talk facts.

  • CircleLimit4

    There is no doubt that Kobe’s supporting cast is much better, including his system and coach. Kobe was a whiny boob and demanding a trade before Memphis front office gave up Gasol for chump change. The Lakers were barely sniffing the second round before that.