LaBron is having an amazing season, maybe the greatest ever efficiency wise. From Hollinger- Once again, a hallowed record (at least in my world) is in play for James as we enter the final eight games: He could surpass Michael Jordan's 1987-88 campaign for the greatest single-season PER in the modern era. I have to add the "modern" qualifier because the league didn't keep track of things like blocks and individual turnovers before 1973-74, rendering the PER exercise a guessing game for players from previous eras. James' current PER of 31.81 is second best in "modern" history, and with eight games left (of which he'll probably play only five or six), he retains an outside shot at breaking Jordan's all-time mark of 31.89. At the very least, he's going to be within hailing distance. Top All-time PER Seasons Player Year PPG RPG APG MPG PER Michael Jordan 1987-88 35.0 5.5 5.9 40.4 31.89 LeBron James 2009-10 29.8 7.2 8.6 39.0 31.81 Michael Jordan 1990-91 31.5 6.0 5.5 37.0 31.79 LeBron James 2008-09 28.4 7.6 7.2 38.6 31.76 Michael Jordan 1989-90 33.6 6.9 6.3 39.0 31.31 Michael Jordan 1988-89 32.5 8.0 8.0 40.2 31.29 And check this out..... The MVP race has been over since about mid-January. LeBron James has run so far away from the pack that he could shoot 0-for-100 from the field over his final eight games and still win the award going away. (For fun, I fact-checked this: Even with 100 straight misses, no assists and no rebounds in his next 200 minutes, he'd still lead the league in PER.) http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-100330
I've always thought it was ridiculous to even have the Kobe-or-Lebron debate over the last few years. It isn't close. Lebron is head-and-shoulders above Kobe. The only people picking Kobe are the L*ker fanboys. If Lebron gets a few rings, he will be in the conversation as one of the best ever, IMO.
He might be! I remember they would show him standing side by side with Ben Wallace and he was bigger then big ben!
I agree. Kobe is actually one of my favourite non-Blazers, because he's amazing to watch play, but he has an "aura of greatness" that extends beyond his actual greatness. Kobe is an inner circle Hall of Famer but has never been as good as James has been the past few years. And now Kobe is actually in his decline phase. I agree. He should be anyway, but it'll take a few rings to get that kind of recognition. Right from the start, I felt James was the most talented player I'd ever seen in my lifetime with the possible exception of Michael Jordan. If he has a career of good length, he should be in the conversation with players like Jordan, Chamberlain and Robertson as best ever.
Brian Grant is such a douche. I've always said that if he just cared a little more he could've been the next LeBron James. Cut the check, Brian. Cut the check.
I'm not a Laker fanboy. Give me a prime Kobe over Lebron though for me. Not a slight against Lebron. I just take Kobe's skills over Lebrons athleticism. One works for you when you get older and decline, one not as much.
And on the decline of his career.. do you think he will be as good as Kobe is during his? Eventually he will slow down some, and what will he rely on? Thats part of why I take Kobe over him. Obviously not now at this point in their respective careers.. but if same age and looking at now and long term.
How is this a "skills versus athleticism" debate? James is immensely skilled. As is Kobe. Both are freak hybrids of athleticism and skill. James just has more of both. James was originally expected to be a point guard due to his ball-handling and passing skills. His shooting skills have become fantastic, and his defensive skills have turned him into one of the best-regarded defenders in the league. I honestly don't see anything Kobe does (or did in his prime) that James doesn't do better.
I dunno it really is hard to explain sorry. I guess with scoring, I see Lebron going down quite a bit with what he relies on, vs what Kobe does.
Well you really didn't fix it: How many times have they significantly contributed to their team winning a championship title: Kobe-4 Lebron-0 Fixed
While I do concede that Lebron is better. Its really not by much (this year he's been ahead). Also, Kobe's skill level is superior to that of Lebron's imo. If we were to rate their athleticsm (at the their athletic peak --which is now for Lebron ) Kobe would be an 8.5 while Lebron would be an 11. He's an absolute physical specimen and the only two that can contend with him are a young Shaq and Wilt Chamberlain. Also, Lebron is an overrated defender. Seriously. Kobes still ahead of him in that regard while Lebron is a better rebounder and passer. In all fairness though, Kobe is SG who fiddles at PG while Lebron plays SF/PF most of the time. I'd take Kobe in his prime over Lebron, though Lebron hasn't reached his yet. Just two cents from a Laker fan who has been heralded as a Kobe hater every now and then.
LeBron doesn't have to score to impact the game. That's what's so great about him. He has the court vision and passing ability of Magic Johnson.
