Is Kobe the best player since Jordan ?

[Leetonidas]

Any student of the game can clearly see Lebron isn't close to as talented or polished as Kobe. His skillset is limited in comparison, whereas Bryant is pretty much developed in all areas.

A lot of people are bringing up this season's stats as a comparison to why Lebron is better, but stats are misleading. For starters, Lebron James touches the ball on every single possession and has literally nobody around him to help out scoring wise. He carries the same burden that Kobe carried the last two seasons, so obviously his scoring is going to be better than Kobe. His assist numbers are also inflated since he is essentially the PG of the team, whereas Kobe plays in the triangle offense. Let's not forget he also plays in a weaker EC which further inflates his stats.

The bottom line is stats aren't really a useful comparator between these two players.

LeBron is also 23 and Kobe Bryant is like 30 or about to turn 30.

He's got time to catch up.

[DazedAndConfused]

LeBron is also 23 and Kobe Bryant is like 30 or about to turn 30.

He's got time to catch up.

I agree.

But I will say this, I don't believe Lebron is a pure shooter. I don't think he will ever have the touch that Kobe or MJ has from midrange. I just don't see it in his arsenal. His free throw shooting says it all IMHO, shooting a mediocre 70 something percent.

We won't remember Lebron James as being the heir to MJ or KB. We will remember Lebron James as Lebron James. He is a unique player that doesn't really fit anyone's mold. At his position there isn't a single player in this league that can match his athleticism. He can get to and finish around the basket better than anyone I've ever seen play the game. I wish people would stop comparing him to MJ or Kobe, because truthfully he isn't very similar to either player.

[Cry Havoc]

I agree.

But I will say this, I don't believe Lebron is a pure shooter. I don't think he will ever have the touch that Kobe or MJ has from midrange. I just don't see it in his arsenal. His free throw shooting says it all IMHO, shooting a mediocre 70 something percent.

We won't remember Lebron James as being the heir to MJ or KB. We will remember Lebron James as Lebron James. He is a unique player that doesn't really fit anyone's mold. At his position there isn't a single player in this league that can match his athleticism. He can get to and finish around the basket better than anyone I've ever seen play the game. I wish people would stop comparing him to MJ or Kobe, because truthfully he isn't very similar to either player.

He might be the most athletic player in the history of professional sports, in terms of build, height, jumping ability, speed, and feel for the game. He's a bigger, stronger, possibly faster Magic Johnson. IF he develops a shooting touch and steps his defense up a notch (which will likely improve with age), he will be the single most dynamic player in history. He'll be able to guard anyone from the 2-4 spots and play the 1-4 with ease. He isn't the next Jordan, but he's got the potential to be as good or better. Not many individuals you can say that about.

[DazedAndConfused]

He might be the most athletic player in the history of professional sports, in terms of build, height, jumping ability, speed, and feel for the game. He's a bigger, stronger, possibly faster Magic Johnson. IF he develops a shooting touch and steps his defense up a notch (which will likely improve with age), he will be the single most dynamic player in history. He'll be able to guard anyone from the 2-4 spots and play the 1-4 with ease. He isn't the next Jordan, but he's got the potential to be as good or better. Not many individuals you can say that about.

Again, you're trying to argue what he could become instead of what he is now. If that's the case then yes, Lebron has the POTENTIAL to surpass both Kobe and MJ in terms of overall stats and dominance of the game.

That being said, I don't believe Lebron will ever have the shooting touch required to become as dominant as Kobe and MJ are today. It's one of those things you either have or you don't. That pitiful shooting performance he put up against BOS said it all for me. This guy will never be as complete as KB or MJ.

[Medvedenko]

He might be the most athletic player in the history of professional sports, in terms of build, height, jumping ability, speed, and feel for the game. He's a bigger, stronger, possibly faster Magic Johnson. IF he develops a shooting touch and steps his defense up a notch (which will likely improve with age), he will be the single most dynamic player in history. He'll be able to guard anyone from the 2-4 spots and play the 1-4 with ease. He isn't the next Jordan, but he's got the potential to be as good or better. Not many individuals you can say that about.

Funny, I remember the same being touted about Kobe after his first couple of seasons....interesting.

[Avitus1]

The answer to this question lies within the answer to the following question...

Is ginobili_fan our greatest poster?

[Allanon]

That being said, I don't believe Lebron will ever have the shooting touch required to become as dominant as Kobe and MJ are today. It's one of those things you either have or you don't.

Good point.

LeBron is bigger, stronger and just as athletic as Kobe and MJ. However, his possible skillset seems more limited and I haven't seen much improvement in other areas. Kobe came into the league as a kid with mad handles and a dunk champ, Jordan was the ultimate jumper. Both evolved and greatly improved their game year after year.

4 years and LeBron is still the unstoppable slasher but no serious improvement in other areas. I think he will develop a post-game but I don't know if he'll ever get a reliable jumpshot.

[Leetonidas]

Don't forget though, that LeBron doesn't necessarily need a great shooting touch. He can pretty much get to the rim whenever he wants. And if you try to stop him, he is fast enough to go around you, strong enough to go into you, and athletic enough to throw it down on you. If he shot 85% from the line and could hit a midrange jumper with decent consistency, he would literally become unstoppable.

DazedAndConfused is right though. Of course he has the POTENTIAL to be better or just as good. I think if, and that's a big if, he can add a consistent midrange jumpshot to his ability and increase his defense just a little bit (he has the potential to be a defensive monster), then he will truly be one of the all-time greats before it's over.

But yes, he really isn't like Jordan at all. Kobe Bryant on the other hand is almost like a Jordan clone.

[genomefreak13]

No.Duncan or Shaq maybe - they won championships for their team. Kobe never won an NBA championship for his team.