Back during the Mark Price era I was a big Cleveland Cavs fan. Then I somewhat drifted away from the sport. Then comes LeBron James. Once the Cavs drafted him, I kept my eyes glued to every game. Since then I think I have missed a total of 3 games on tv in his 7 years. In MY opinion, I believe he is the best player right now in the NBA. Don't get me wrong, I have respect for Kobe and Durant as well. I am a firm believer in supporting and rooting for your local team. My thinking is what is a team without its local fan base. Yes that would also make me a Browns and Indians fan. I think he can FINALLY bring something to Cleveland that me and all the other Cleveland fans have loooong been waiting for. So many people out there are sick of hearing Cavs this and LeBron that, but what many don't understand is the hardship sports fans here have been through and how deserving we are of a championship. Cleveland finally has something to be proud of.
I like Lebron. He has the body and talent to become the best player to touch the floor BUT he still has a ways to go. I'm an NBA fan and I watch a lot of games and this is just my opinion on the subject. I truly believe that Kobe is the best player in the game right now. His skill set surpasses Lebrons in my opinion. For the most part, Lebron is a dunker. His jump shot is still lacking (I know he knocks some down but I'm comparing him to Kobe). There isn't a better closer than Kobe in the game today. Hands down, he's the best at WINNING games. With time winding down, there's not a player I'd rather have, he truly is clutch. Kobe is an excellent shooter too. He was more of a shooter when he came into the league and now he's refined the rest of his game. Lebron is built like a tank, and is VERY difficult to stop. Kobe has some years on Lebron. Lebron at Kobe's age and experience level could be better than Kobe and he probably will be, but right now, I think Kobe's the best basketball player. Lebron is in a close second to Kobe, I think Lebron in a few years can surpass Kobe. He needs to win himself a championship soon too.
I watched 70% of the T-Wolf games on TV when they still had Garnett. After that I hardly watch a T-Wolves game now anymore, It's hard too.
LeBron ....................Kobe FG% .502................ .460 3p% .359................. .320 FT% .774................. .813 Rebounds 7.10......... 5.30 APG 8.2 ................ 4.7 PPG 29.3................ 27.9
I agree the TEAMS have to earn them. But until they let the fans go out and play, I'm not sure how fans can earn one other then what we/they have been through. Does the team deserve a title? Not until they earn it. Do the fans deserve one? I believe so. I never said the team is entitled to one.
Im HUGE stats guy. HUGE. And i resort to stats to settle most of my sports arguements. But these stats right here are very misleading. Kobe shares the floor with Gasol, Bynum, Artest, Brown among others. Lebron has stats because without him, Cleveland tanks. Which can go with your arguement that Lebron is the better player and worth more. I, like you, have watched most of the cavs games (not nearly as many as you though). And i have to say that Kobe is still a better player then Lebron. Both better watch out though. Durant is SNEAKING up on them fast. He's only in his 3rd year and hes reaching there level...and winning. With WAY less help.
Agreed. And don't forget Lamar Odom. The man averages a double-double and only plays 30 minutes a game. Granted, those aren't exactly "bench minutes" but 1 rebound every 3 minutes is quite a feat for a guy who plays the point-forward position in many cases. As far as the Kobe-Lebron argument, Lebron definitely puts up "better" stats if you go to a line by line comparison, but there is a reason that 90% percent of NBA coaches say they'd want Kobe taking the game winning over anyone else in the league. Kobe is just an assassin from the floor and from the line (LBJ knock there) in the closing minutes. Beyond the court, however, is where Kobe really gets my vote. Lebron James loves him some Lebron James. His post game interviews are absurdly arrogant and self centered and, when mentioning his teammates, it is often comes of as a "this is what I'm supposed to say" kind of line as opposed to something truly genuine. Add that to the fact that he wouldn't shake hands with Orlando last year in the playoffs because he's a competitor? Come on man, get over yourself. Any true competitor respects his opponent and the game he plays. Don't get me wrong, Lebron is definitely an incredible player and may go down statistically as the greatest player of all time. But, as for the KB24-LBJ debate, right now I'd take Kobe in a heartbeat.
uhh, hes either the original Tiger Woods of this decade, or a rapist ALSO Since i live in the area, i know alot of kids who went to school with Lebron, or played against Lebron, or have met him. And i will say this. Not 1 person has said a good word about his personality. Hes pretty much a rich SOB. The media always totes how awesome he is off the court, which i know is a flat out lie. Its kinda pathetic really. But, he is King James on the court :D
A different topic for a different thread, but as was shown with Tiger Woods, once someone is caught in that type of situation the girls just start coming out one after another after another. It's that case with athletes, actors, political figures, etc. But, in Kobe's case, nothing ever came of it. He committed adultery with an accuser who had a proven reputation of being quite the little "go-getter" when it came to men. Before then or since then? Clean track record. (not defending what he did at all, just trying to say he's no Tiger Woods) As far as Durant goes, I too wish he would get more exposure. They have a heck of a core group of young guys in addition to Durant (Westbrook, Harden, Green) and if they all continue to develop hopefully he'll get more exposure based on the success of the team. 6'9" guys who can handle, pass, shoot etc ---> Just unreal
Caleb, we're definately on the same page with this. Kobe's stats are very misleading because of the talent he shares the floor with. Don't forget he's playing with a broken finger on his SHOOTING hand. That alone demands respect. Durant is well on his way to shattering a BUNCH of scoring records. Westbrook is also turning into an AWESOME player. He's a triple double threat every night.
I can't believe it took to page 2 for this to be mentioned....Those stats are pretty comparable, but Kobe has a freakin BROKEN FINGER like Matt said. I like both players, for their own reasons...have liked Kobe as my favorite player since I started watching basketball...I remember his rookie season, and was a bigger fan of his then than the god MJ. LBJ has the body and skills to be the best to ever have played, and his scoring pace will do quick work of all the records Kobe has set thus far (age to reach certain level). He's sittin at almost 15K points in 7 years compared to Kobe's 25K in 14 years....that's damn impressive, regardless how terrible the Cavs have been. I can't really choose a favorite anymore after LBJ's recent stunt in Rupp Arena when I was in the student section, I thought I was going to go deaf when Bron finished off the chearleader's spelling of KENTUCKY with his now infamous Y! lmao
Well the Cavs havent been terrible per se. They have made the playoffs 5 plus years, and the Finals once.
