The Black Mamba or The King? This has been the topic of constant debate ever since LeBron entered the league seven years ago. In his rookie season and earlier in his career it was very clear that Kobe was still the best player in the NBA. Currently there is so much arguing over whom is better, that almost every NBA enthusiast has an opinion. Unlike other sports websites that include categories such as "best nickname" or "who would win in a fight" to determine the better player, I will examine the facts. Awards, head-to-head records, stats, and something I like to call "The Closer Factor" which I will award two points for being able to "close" this argument.
Awards
LeBron James
* 2x NBA Most Valuable Player: 2009, 2010
* NBA Rookie of the Year: 2004
* NBA Scoring Champion: 2008
* 2x NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2006, 2008
* 6x NBA All-Star: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
* 6x All-NBA:
*First Team: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
*Second Team: 2005, 2007
* 2x NBA All-Defensive:
*First Team: 2009, 2010
* NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2004
Kobe Bryant
* NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
* 4× NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009)
* NBA Finals MVP (2009)
* 12× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2010)
* 2× NBA scoring champion (2006–2007)
* 8× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2010)
* 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000–2001)
* 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005)
* 8× All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003–2004, 2006–2010)
* 2× All-Defensive Second Team (2001–2002)
* NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997)
* 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009)
* NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner (1997)
Obviously, rings outweigh MVP trophies. Although LeBron has a very impressive trophy case for such a young player, this category goes to the Black Mamba. He has been in the league longer which means more awards. However, for all of those who are livid at my analysis and are screaming at your monitors saying that I'm biased because Kobe is older, I have a question for you. Who won the NBA title last year at this supposed "old age" and was named the Finals MVP? I'm pretty sure that when LeBron made it to finals against the San Antonio Spurs, the Spurs were offered a team endorsement deal from Swiffer after completing the 4-0 sweep. Just joking Cavs fans, keep reading.
Score: Kobe 1, LeBron 0
Head-to-Head Records
LeBron wins this category because his Cavaliers have beaten Kobe and the Lakers eight times while the Kobe's Lakers have emerged victorious against the King and his court only six times.
Score: Kobe 1, LeBron 1
Statistics
Below is a comparison of career stats between James and Bryant. Bolded fields indicate that the player holds a lead in that category.
LeBron James:
Minutes Per Game: 40.3
Field Goal Percentage: 47.5 %
Three Point Percentage: 32.9 %
Free Throw Percentage: 74.2 %
Rebounds Per Game: 7.0
Assists Per Game: 7.0
Steals Per Game: 1.7
Blocks Per Game: .9
Points Per Game: 27.8
Kobe Bryant:
Minutes Per Game: 36.4
Field Goal Percentage: 45.5 %
Three Point Percentage: 34.0 %
Free Throw Percentage: 83.8 %
Rebounds Per Game: 5.3
Assists Per Game: 4.7
Steals Per Game: 1.5
Blocks Per Game: .6
Points Per Game: 25.3
LeBron obviously wins this category.
Score: Kobe 1, LeBron 2
Which brings us to:
"The Closer Factor"
Kobe Bryant is the best closer in the game. Period. End of discussion. Ok that's enough stammering and whining Cleveland fans. Let me pose this question? Who closed out this season on a higher note? Who has not allowed a single team to beat him on his home court this postseason? I'll give you a hint, LeBron collapsed and choked on his home court against Boston. If I had five seconds left in a game, I would want the ball in Bryant's hands. LeBron is a very effective player WHEN HE DRIVES TO THE HOOP. His jump shot has improved, but in clutch situations I would want a better shooter to handle the ball. "But Kobe's field goal percentage is lower than LeBron's! Surely that means he's the better shooter?" Nope. LeBron drives more which increases his field goal percentage. However, in straight up jump shots Kobe has the edge.
Final Score: Kobe 3, LeBron 2
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