Is Lebron James right now better than Kobe in his prime?

At this point I have to say yes. Kobe was a better scorer, but Lebron is a more efficient scorer, and is better at virtually every other aspect of the game free throws aside. Better passer, rebounder, defender, finisher....and now that his jumpshot is coming along..

What do you guys think?

(All championship talk aside, Kobe obviously has more rings. Just from a pure better basketball player standpoint)

Kobe is 1 dimensional trollface.jpg

No, he's not. Because Kobe was doing what LeBron is doing in the playoffs at 22, not 26, agianst trancendant defensive teams like the Spurs. Dude averaged 33, 7, and 7 against them in the playoffs in 2001. Ridiculous. And he was averaging 24, 8, and 5.5 in the Finals as a clear second option, while also being the Lakers best defender and guarding the other teams best player and being the teams primary creator and crunch time shotmaker. I can't imagine the numbers he would have put up if he ate first on those teams. LeBron is great. Best player in the league today. He's silenced a lot of my criticisms of him with these playoffs already. But people need to chill out with all the comparisons lately to people that have done more things like Kobe and especially Jordan. And for the record, LeBron isn't even the best defender on his own team.

i love kobe but i call them like i see them.

lebron right now is definitely better than wade in his prime and kobe is just wade on steroids and pcp...so i have to say lebron..why? because lebron looks like he might be better than even micheal Jordan..thats why..

however he needs at least 1 ring and1 finals mvp for me to make my statement true...

---

for me to put him above kobe.. he needs at least 4 rings...for me to put him above jordan he needs at least 5..

something like that...i have no time to think clearly..especially since kobe isnt done yet.

there's a reason he's been on the NBA All Defensive Team 11 times. andyboiii

IMO Kobe is overrated as a defender.

Also, even though I am a heat fan, Lebron now is not better than Kobe in his prime, Kobe was just freaking ridiculous

there's a reason he's been on the NBA All Defensive Team 11 times. andyboiii

IMO Kobe is overrated as a defender.

Also, even though I am a heat fan, Lebron now is not better than Kobe in his prime, Kobe was just freaking ridiculous

Snakemaster9

this is about kobe in his prime..which means 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003his defense was superb..he was a work horse.

At one point he was the best perimeter defender in the entire league.-Halftime-

im ending this topic with the big one

who got player of the decade???

no other than kobe bean bryant a.k.a the black mamba

[QUOTE="Snakemaster9"]

IMO Kobe is overrated as a defender.

Also, even though I am a heat fan, Lebron now is not better than Kobe in his prime, Kobe was just freaking ridiculous

KBFloYd

this is about kobe in his prime..which means 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003his defense was superb..he was a work horse.

You're saying that Kobe has been washed up since 2003?

Wow, guess you don't like him that much lol

Kobe started his career with Shaq in his prime and was soon followed by the greatest coach in the history of the league, that helped a lot.

I on the other hand see Kobe's prime from 99-09 and I don't know because so far we only have about half of LeBron's prime played.

LeBron's career highs are equal or greater then all of Kobe's except Kobe's 3 point percentage is .032 higher and his free throw percentage is almost a whole point higher.

I'd say LeBron is the better player and if we look at the start of their careers it's ever farther apart with Kobe not even hittting 8/2/2 with 6 games started and a crazy 15.5 mins a game.

Then you have LeBron with 72 games started with over 20/5/5 playing just under 40 mins a night

It's tough because LeBron started his career with no one while Kobe got Shaq to do all the heavy lifting, LeBron just got help this year and he's in the finals so ehhhhh, I still go with LeBron

im ending this topic with the big one

who got player of the decade???

no other than kobe bean bryant a.k.a the black mamba

KCKING23

[QUOTE="bobcheeseball"]I'm sorry but Kobe is overrated as a defender. He honestly is. He got burned by Leandro Barbosa and Steve Nash countless times ....-Halftime-

Some stars continue to get selected to "All whatever" teams based on reputation, even though they're beyond their prime in the given area. Even Jordan probably didn't deserve his last 2-3 All defense honors, he had lost a step and began getting burned by the likes of Pooh Richardson, Damon Stoudamire..etc.

But most won't remember that and will continue to site MJ's 9 1st team All Defense selections as part of the evidence of his great lock-down D. That's why in general I don't like all the comparison's, it will never be done fairly by most people, and can't be done fairly anyway.

Jordan was supremely talanted, Kobe likewise, Lebron likewise, Baylor, Doc, Bird, Magic ...etc. IMO there really is no "Greatest"

Also note that during Kobe's prime he didn't win a ring.bobcheeseball

[QUOTE="bobcheeseball"]Also note that during Kobe's prime he didn't win a ring.-Halftime-

Also Chris Mihm at times, Brian Cook, an underdeveloped or underachieving Bynum...

[QUOTE="bobcheeseball"]Also note that during Kobe's prime he didn't win a ring.-Halftime-

[QUOTE="KCKING23"]

im ending this topic with the big one

who got player of the decade???

no other than kobe bean bryant a.k.a the black mamba

No_Hablo_Ingles

[QUOTE="No_Hablo_Ingles"][QUOTE="KCKING23"]

im ending this topic with the big one

who got player of the decade???

no other than kobe bean bryant a.k.a the black mamba

KCKING23

Yes Lebron is a better all around player right now than kobe ever was

Plus Lebron holding Rose to 6.3% shooting was nothing short of impressive.....bobcheeseball

Yeah, I gave Lebron much credit for doing a great job on Rose too,....but thinkng about it a little more, how much of it was Miami's collasiping team defense on Rose once he saw a path around Lebron? I saw a few times when Rose could have gotten by Lebron but the hole was closed quickly by Miami so he pulled up for the J.

Kinda what Boston did to Kobe as a team in 2008. With limited or no other offensive threats to worry about the paint can be stacked against the star taking away his penetration. Lebron did good but doesn't deserve all the credit. I know Lebron's height and athleticsm added to Rose's poor shooting %, but what did he shoot with specific other players "guarding" him? Pretty bad also I believe. I don't believe Lebron could stay in front of Rose one on one.

I say it's hard to say.

Kobe was amazing and racked up crazy individual performances, but LeBron did take the Cavs to the Finals and far into the playoffs by himself, almost single handedly, with role-players on the team and no 2nd superstar, while Kobe had Shaq earlier in his career and didn't get far into the playoffs during his latter career until Pau came on the team.

I know LeBron didn't win with the Cavs, but it was still an impressive run. And it also showed how good he was at making his teammates around him better.

So I think the answer to this topic's question can go either way.

Honestly you have got to be kidding me. Are you going to use Kobe's All NBA First team over Dwyane Wade this season as evidence for his greatness also? Those awards are a complete joke don't try to kid yourself.bobcheeseball

Lebron is bigger, and it's his bulk, height and strength that make him more of a force to deal with compared to Jordan and Kobe. But I'm not so sure that makes Lebron "better". Lebrons' court vision/passing is better than MJ and Kobe but that's about the only edge he has that's not due to his added size.

I'd take Kobes and Jordans ball handling, footwork, shooting, will...etc, especially Kobe, Mr. sixringz;)

February, 2003, is one of the times when Kobe was at his best while not trying to carry a really sad team. Not sure Lebron has or can play better than that ( it's not just the points, if I remember correctly he had pretty good all round stats too.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/514596-remembering-the-2002-2003-season-kobes-streak-of-nine-straight-40-point-games

Lebron is bigger, and it's his bulk, height and strength that make him more of a force to deal with compared to Jordan and Kobe. But I'm not so sure that makes Lebron "better". Lebrons' court vision/passing is better than MJ and Kobe but that's about the only edge he has that's not due to his added size.

I'd take Kobes and Jordans ball handling, footwork, shooting, will...etc, especially Kobe, Mr. sixringz;)

February, 2003, is one of the times when Kobe was at his best while not trying to carry a really sad team. Not sure Lebron has or can play better than that ( it's not just the points, if I remember correctly he had pretty good all round stats too.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/514596-remembering-the-2002-2003-season-kobes-streak-of-nine-straight-40-point-games

mont13

If the 2002-2003 season was Kobe's best then LeBron has it beat with his 2007-2008 season.

Kobe in that season put up 30-7-6 shooting .451
LeBron put up 30-8-7 shooting .484

Kobe had 2.2 steals and .8 blocks while getting to the line 7.3 times per game
LeBron had 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while getting to the line 10.3 times per game

Both seasons are sensational, the added part for LeBron is that he can play defense on everyone from center to point guard where Kobe wasn't/isn't as versatile.

IMO Kobe is overrated as a defender.

Also, even though I am a heat fan, Lebron now is not better than Kobe in his prime, Kobe was just freaking ridiculous

Snakemaster9

[QUOTE="mont13"]

February, 2003, is one of the times when Kobe was at his best .......

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/514596-remembering-the-2002-2003-season-kobes-streak-of-nine-straight-40-point-games

Jaysonguy

If the 2002-2003 season was Kobe's best then LeBron has it beat with his 2007-2008 season.

Kobe in that season put up 30-7-6 shooting .451
LeBron put up 30-8-7 shooting .484

Kobe had 2.2 steals and .8 blocks while getting to the line 7.3 times per game
LeBron had 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while getting to the line 10.3 times per game

Both seasons are sensational, the added part for LeBron is that he can play defense on everyone from center to point guard where Kobe wasn't/isn't as versatile.

I'm not saying 2002-3 was Kobe's best and haven't done a year by year comparison of Kobe and Lebron, just don't think you can. I'm certainly not saying that limited strech in February 2003 makes Kobe better than Lebron overall either. Just was noting that during that stretch Kobe played some of the most "magical basketball ever seen" (in the words of one talk show host).

I don't think we got to see the best of Kobe during his most atheletic, high octane years because of having to play in a more structured offense and having to share the ball with a dominant big man. If Kobe had the green light from the start of his carer and was the unquestioned "Man" I believe his stats would match or exceed what Jordan and Lebron put up early in their careers. Kobe was in, I belive, his 9th season when he got "his own team", still great, still a young man, probably smarter etc, but was not going to put up the stats he would have if he had his own team the first part of his career.

IMO, that stretch in February 2003 showed what Kobe could do when given the green light, as Phil did because the Lakers were struggling. Kobe could play as well as anybody who ever played the game (I think better offensively than any non-center).

Of course all of this is speculation, which is why I don't like comparisons...but I don't think Lebron could have played any better than Kobe did when given the green light in Feb. 2003 or if Kobe had it early in his career.

This year...Lebron has played 5 more minutes per game. If I'm not mistaken, ppg is not averaged out per 48 minutes, but just plain "how much you scored each game and divide by 82 (or how many games you played)". If thats the case, you have to acknowledge the fact that Kobe gets a lot done even though he only plays 34 minutes a game and Lebron plays 39. Please correct if I'm wrong on my assumptions regarding ppg calculations.

This year...Lebron has played 5 more minutes per game. If I'm not mistaken, ppg is not averaged out per 48 minutes, but just plain "how much you scored each game and divide by 82 (or how many games you played)". If thats the case, you have to acknowledge the fact that Kobe gets a lot done even though he only plays 34 minutes a game and Lebron plays 39. Please correct if I'm wrong on my assumptions regarding ppg calculations.

GrindingAxe

[QUOTE="GrindingAxe"]

This year...Lebron has played 5 more minutes per game. If I'm not mistaken, ppg is not averaged out per 48 minutes, but just plain "how much you scored each game and divide by 82 (or how many games you played)". If thats the case, you have to acknowledge the fact that Kobe gets a lot done even though he only plays 34 minutes a game and Lebron plays 39. Please correct if I'm wrong on my assumptions regarding ppg calculations.

No_Hablo_Ingles

As I've stated in the past my main problem with all the comparison stuff is :

How do you look at player "A", whether its Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, Russell, Magic or whomever and say because his stats and accomplishmenst are such and such in this era, against this competition, in this system, with this set of teammates, under these rules, with this coach ...etc,etc, ..and then conclude that he is the greatest or better than this or that player who played under different circumstances?

Did anyone watch last nights game, because Lebron dominated them like the best of basketball should.

[QUOTE="No_Hablo_Ingles"][QUOTE="GrindingAxe"]

This year...Lebron has played 5 more minutes per game. If I'm not mistaken, ppg is not averaged out per 48 minutes, but just plain "how much you scored each game and divide by 82 (or how many games you played)". If thats the case, you have to acknowledge the fact that Kobe gets a lot done even though he only plays 34 minutes a game and Lebron plays 39. Please correct if I'm wrong on my assumptions regarding ppg calculations.

GrindingAxe

i personally think they are equal.

[QUOTE="KBFloYd"]this is about kobe in his prime..which means 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003his defense was superb..he was a work horse.

Jaysonguy

You're saying that Kobe has been washed up since 2003?

Wow, guess you don't like him that much lol

Kobe started his career with Shaq in his prime and was soon followed by the greatest coach in the history of the league, that helped a lot.

I on the other hand see Kobe's prime from 99-09 and I don't know because so far we only have about half of LeBron's prime played.

LeBron's career highs are equal or greater then all of Kobe's except Kobe's 3 point percentage is .032 higher and his free throw percentage is almost a whole point higher.

I'd say LeBron is the better player and if we look at the start of their careers it's ever farther apart with Kobe not even hittting 8/2/2 with 6 games started and a crazy 15.5 mins a game.

Then you have LeBron with 72 games started with over 20/5/5 playing just under 40 mins a night

It's tough because LeBron started his career with no one while Kobe got Shaq to do all the heavy lifting, LeBron just got help this year and he's in the finals so ehhhhh, I still go with LeBron

when i say 99-2003 that was kobes DEFENSIVE prime...after that he got very sloppy on defense.

oh and yes jasonguy, lebron is probably better because he can pass the ball... kobe was always very bad at that...the only pass kobe is great at is penetrating and handing it off to his center for a dunk or an ally oop...he was a perfect match for shaq.OH

shaq was not in his prime when he met kobe... he was coming down already.....it's just that kobe was such a perfect match that it made shaq seem like he just hit his prime but he was towards the end of it..by 2004 he was done in the nba.that title he won with wade...they barely pulled that off. miracle actually. however those years with lakers were his funnest years to watch. pure dominance.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

[QUOTE="KBFloYd"]this is about kobe in his prime..which means 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003his defense was superb..he was a work horse.

KBFloYd

You're saying that Kobe has been washed up since 2003?

Wow, guess you don't like him that much lol

Kobe started his career with Shaq in his prime and was soon followed by the greatest coach in the history of the league, that helped a lot.

I on the other hand see Kobe's prime from 99-09 and I don't know because so far we only have about half of LeBron's prime played.

LeBron's career highs are equal or greater then all of Kobe's except Kobe's 3 point percentage is .032 higher and his free throw percentage is almost a whole point higher.

I'd say LeBron is the better player and if we look at the start of their careers it's ever farther apart with Kobe not even hittting 8/2/2 with 6 games started and a crazy 15.5 mins a game.

Then you have LeBron with 72 games started with over 20/5/5 playing just under 40 mins a night

It's tough because LeBron started his career with no one while Kobe got Shaq to do all the heavy lifting, LeBron just got help this year and he's in the finals so ehhhhh, I still go with LeBron

when i say 99-2003 that was kobes DEFENSIVE prime...after that he got very sloppy on defense.

oh and yes jasonguy, lebron is probably better because he can pass the ball... kobe was always very bad at that...the only pass kobe is great at is penetrating and handing it off to his center for a dunk or an ally oop...he was a perfect match for shaq.OH

shaq was not in his prime when he met kobe... he was coming down already.....it's just that kobe was such a perfect match that it made shaq seem like he just hit his prime but he was towards the end of it..by 2004 he was done in the nba.that title he won with wade...they barely pulled that off. miracle actually. however those years with lakers were his funnest years to watch. pure dominance.

That part right there has to be a joke right? He was in hist 5th year when he "met" kobe, and 24 years old. I had to have misinterpreted what you were trying to say cause that comment makes zero sense. He put up some of the most, if not THE MOST, dominating years in the history of this sport in the laste 90's early 2000's. If he was on his decline then, please point out when he was in his prime cause if that's not his prime i'd love to see when it was