If Kobe Bryant was the equivalent of Michael Jordan, LeBron James has no comparison because he’s equal parts Jordan, Wilkins, and Bird. Although he hasn’t ended his career yet, analysts already acknowledge him as a once-in-a-generation player. However, looking at the numbers alone, Kobe’s accolades are no match for LeBron’s magic. They’re no1 and no2, and the fact that they complement each other in terms of playing style and attitude on the court doesn’t make it any easier. Naming a clear winner between the two is incredibly difficult, especially because both LeBron and Kobe are “love them or hate them” players. In fact, Kobe was picked 12 times for the NBA All-Defensive team, while LeBron was only picked six times. Kobe was also a better defensive player than LeBron.īeing great on the offense is a plus, but when two offensive teams face-off, the one who wins is the one who has the better defense.Īnd that’s where Kobe made a difference with his ability to start counterattacks. It’s quite rare for a basketball player to have these qualities, but then again, that’s the fabric that legends are made of. Kobe played against all the odds, he had incredible mental strength, and he always gave it his all, even if the score would have another player give up. In the 2000 finals, he played with an injured ankle, and he won finals with a damaged index finger. Kobe was always committed to win and give 110% percent on the court, regardless of his physical condition. His instincts were out of this world, and few other players could match his on-court elegance.Īlthough one could argue that Kobe’s selfishness was a downside for the entire team, we cannot deny that his determination and work ethic also saved the team many times. Overall, Kobe stood out as a more well-rounded player who was great on the offence and could still defend. In a Sports Illustrated interview, Grant Hill of the Phoenix Suns, who defended against both Kobe and LeBron, said LeBron was great at two pitches, but Kobe really had it all, and one could never feel comfortable guarding against him because he did a great job at isolating defenders. What skills made Kobe better than LeBron? This was apparent during his time at the Cleveland Cavaliers, but even more so after he joined the LA Lakers in 2018.Īnd finally, although LeBron won fewer championships than Kobe, he played a bigger role in achieving them – and that’s why he has more MVP awards: four, compared to Kobe’s one award. In comparison, LeBron has always been a team player, and that held everyone together. That made LeBron a better player the fact that he didn’t care only about his personal wins, but he was also willing to let others shine.Īccording to his former coach, Phil Jackson, Kobe’s individualism sometimes hurt the team as a whole, and, at times, he took arrogant decisions that affected everyone. When given the opportunity, Kobe always attempted to score, whereas LeBron happily passed the ball to someone else if they were in a better position. We all know that Kobe was a fantastic shooter, but LeBron was that, plus a fantastic passer. Where does LeBron James shine?īeing a good clutch player is an essential skill to have in the NBA.Ī player’s ability to keep their cool, perform well under pressure, and drive his team to victory against all the odds can turn the tides and, from this point of view, LeBron James is clearly better than Kobe.Īlthough fans tend to remember Kobe as the better clutch player, statistics show that LeBron has been able to score more points in the final five minutes of the game and not even the “Black Mamba” could come close.Īnother area where LeBron James shines is his incredible team spirit. Who is better LeBron or Kobe StatsĪs you can see, we don’t have a clear winner across the board, and that’s because, despite being both great, LeBron and Kobe are different types of players. Let’s see what the numbers have to say when we look at them side by side. The comparison is inevitable especially considering that both legends came from similar backgrounds:īoth were drafted in the NBA after finishing high school, had a major impact on the league, and were dominant ever since their early days.īoth players have compelling arguments for themselves, and if you also add personal preferences into the mix or the fact that the memory of Kobe’s tragic passing is still raw, then the debate can get pretty heated. 5 What was LeBron’s relationship with Kobe?īoth players have made it into the NBA Hall of Fame and gave us some fantastic moments, but they were never actually rivals.Īlthough their careers overlapped for 13 seasons, the two never faced off in the playoffs.Īnd yet, fans love to compare the most prominent basketball players of all time, and perhaps it’s precisely the fact that LeBron or Kobe never went head-to-head that makes them wonder: which one is better?.
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