http://bleacherreport.com/articles/366456-the-difference-between-kobe-and-lebron-is-that-kobe-works

It's a good article for Kobe, but the thing I noticed the most about this article is the misconceptions about LeBron.

And the thing I hate the most is how they say Kobe earned his spot on the top and LeBron was handed his. That's bullshit. In the individual player debate, LeBron has certainly earned it. Look at his stats. But to say Kobe wasn't handed anything is insane. He got incredibly lucky from a timing stand point to be able to get to play with a prime Shaq in LA. LeBron has had to earn every level he's gotten to in the playoffs. First it was getting there, did that. Then it was winning a series, he took charge to make sure they did that. Then it was winning the conference and he stepped up to crush Detroit with the best playoff performance ever. He's earned his way to the top. He's done his part. He wasn't blessed with one of the 50 greatest players ever (a player good enough to make that list after a few years in the league) he's had to take his bumps in the road and learn from them. Wait for a team to be built around him (like Jordan had to) and make the best of what he had, while NEVER throwing his teammates under the bus. He carried a team that started ERIC SNOW to the Finals for God's sake.

I'm not downgrading Kobe, this article has a lot of good things to say about him and points out a lot of reasons to why he has become one of the best ever. But I think it's a great example of where LeBron doesn't get the respect that he earns. Too many people think he's had it handed to him. I think the nickname King James goes too far with people--it's just the nickname, started in AKRON because he IS the King of Akron.

And I can't understand the constant obsession from the Kobe side about LeBron wanting to be a global icon. About him wanting to push his name and capitalize as much as he can while he can. Why wouldn't you? The NBA dream doesn't last forever. When you retire at 40, can you maintain your standard of living? LeBron is setting up an empire like Jordan that will last long after his playing days. I don't understand why people automatically think that means he doesn't want to win. LOL, does that even make sense? Winning is everything, without winning that empire doesn't get as big as he wants it to. Jordan isn't Jordan without 6 titles. Winning is priority #1--you win and everything else takes care of itself.

I agree with some parts of the article that point out differences in them. They are very different, Kobe has had to make his name more than LeBron. But that shouldn't take away from what LeBron has done. He had the hype but he lived up to and surpassed it in a big way. The hype isn't speculation anymore when it's been accomplished. And don't bring the ring thing up--LeBron has clearly exceeded his hype even if he doesn't have a ring yet. It should be clear to everyone that it takes a team to win a title--LeBron has done everything you could ask of him and more to win. No one can deny that.

I just have a serious problem with a guy that says let's nix the LeBron talk until he accomplishes something great when the main discussion is about individual players. As an individual, to say that LeBron hasn't accomplished anything great is beyond stupid. Just a few in a long list of examples BY THE AGE OF 25: the best playoff performance ever, beating Kobe's record by more than 2 years to be the youngest to 15,000 points, MVP (his 2nd soon)...and the list goes on...

This is why we butt heads in the Kobe/LeBron debate so much--because the Kobe fans are intimidated and they don't want to give LeBron the respect he deserves as an individual.

tl;dr.

I thought you were a student. When did you become an author young grasshopper?

You know me jpake, I get fired up sometimes.

You also fire up sometimes.

SQ_Crazies wrote: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/366456-the-difference-between-kobe-and-lebron-is-that-kobe-works

It's a good article for Kobe, but the thing I noticed the most about this article is the misconceptions about LeBron.

And the thing I hate the most is how they say Kobe earned his spot on the top and LeBron was handed his. That's bullshit. In the individual player debate, LeBron has certainly earned it. Look at his stats. But to say Kobe wasn't handed anything is insane. He got incredibly lucky from a timing stand point to be able to get to play with a prime Shaq in LA. LeBron has had to earn every level he's gotten to in the playoffs. First it was getting there, did that. Then it was winning a series, he took charge to make sure they did that. Then it was winning the conference and he stepped up to crush Detroit with the best playoff performance ever. He's earned his way to the top. He's done his part. He wasn't blessed with one of the 50 greatest players ever (a player good enough to make that list after a few years in the league) he's had to take his bumps in the road and learn from them. Wait for a team to be built around him (like Jordan had to) and make the best of what he had, while NEVER throwing his teammates under the bus. He carried a team that started ERIC SNOW to the Finals for God's sake.

I'm not downgrading Kobe, this article has a lot of good things to say about him and points out a lot of reasons to why he has become one of the best ever. But I think it's a great example of where LeBron doesn't get the respect that he earns. Too many people think he's had it handed to him. I think the nickname King James goes too far with people--it's just the nickname, started in AKRON because he IS the King of Akron.

And I can't understand the constant obsession from the Kobe side about LeBron wanting to be a global icon. About him wanting to push his name and capitalize as much as he can while he can. Why wouldn't you? The NBA dream doesn't last forever. When you retire at 40, can you maintain your standard of living? LeBron is setting up an empire like Jordan that will last long after his playing days. I don't understand why people automatically think that means he doesn't want to win. LOL, does that even make sense? Winning is everything, without winning that empire doesn't get as big as he wants it to. Jordan isn't Jordan without 6 titles. Winning is priority #1--you win and everything else takes care of itself.

I agree with some parts of the article that point out differences in them. They are very different, Kobe has had to make his name more than LeBron. But that shouldn't take away from what LeBron has done. He had the hype but he lived up to and surpassed it in a big way. The hype isn't speculation anymore when it's been accomplished. And don't bring the ring thing up--LeBron has clearly exceeded his hype even if he doesn't have a ring yet. It should be clear to everyone that it takes a team to win a title--LeBron has done everything you could ask of him and more to win. No one can deny that.

I just have a serious problem with a guy that says let's nix the LeBron talk until he accomplishes something great when the main discussion is about individual players. As an individual, to say that LeBron hasn't accomplished anything great is beyond stupid. Just a few in a long list of examples BY THE AGE OF 25: the best playoff performance ever, beating Kobe's record by more than 2 years to be the youngest to 15,000 points, MVP (his 2nd soon)...and the list goes on...

This is why we butt heads in the Kobe/LeBron debate so much--because the Kobe fans are intimidated and they don't want to give LeBron the respect he deserves as an individual.

hmmm

I need a cliff notes version of SQ's post.

wes_mantooth wrote: I need a cliff notes version of SQ's post.

To summarize.....Lebron = GOAT

^^^^awww....much better.

SQ_Crazies wrote: I just have a serious problem with a guy that says let's nix the LeBron talk until he accomplishes something great when the main discussion is about individual players. As an individual, to say that LeBron hasn't accomplished anything great is beyond stupid. Just a few in a long list of examples BY THE AGE OF 25: the best playoff performance ever, beating Kobe's record by more than 2 years to be the youngest to 15,000 points, MVP (his 2nd soon)...and the list goes on...

LeBron only did ONE of those BY the age of 25.


I didn't read the article, but I read all of what you had to say. You are one of the few who isn't so far up LeBron's ass to be able to talk rationally about the debate. I like what you had to say for the most part, because you know what the hell you are talking about. It was all very well said.

I read your whole post and I definitely agree. People who say Lebron has been handed everything are just looking for something negative to say. I guess I don't really blame them since it truly is hard to come up with much else.

OK went back and read the article.

The only thing I really agree with is the last little paragraph.

So let's nix the LeBron talk until he accomplishes something great. He has a fantastic chance of doing it this June. Most likely against Kobe himself. And when he does finally beat the best player in the world, he'll have earned the title for himself.

And Cavs(LeBron) fans can not disagree with this nor dispute it. LeBron has not won anything yet.

^^^^Bullshit.

3 time ohsaa state champion...lol

Is there another Kobe? I mean, this clown said that Kobe, "overcame selfishness", to overcome selfishness, would mean that you are NO LONGER SELFISH.

He also talked about how LBJ had everything handed to him, then, the only thing he mentioned was his nickname, "The King", well, we all know Kobe earned his nickname...."The Rapist". Sorry SQ, I know you didn't want it to go this direction, but the truth is the truth.

wildcats20 wrote: OK went back and read the article.

The only thing I really agree with is the last little paragraph.

So let's nix the LeBron talk until he accomplishes something great. He has a fantastic chance of doing it this June. Most likely against Kobe himself. And when he does finally beat the best player in the world, he'll have earned the title for himself.

And Cavs(LeBron) fans can not disagree with this nor dispute it. LeBron has not won anything yet.

I never see any Cavs fan say anything to the contrary, but I see alot of other teams fans bring it up.

lol