by Pete Mcmullen

Created on: May 07, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

From glancing at the 48 articles written prior to this, I can tell you that 7 out of every 10 people would choose LeBron James over this year's Most Valuable Player, Kobe Bryant. To those who would take "King James", you are wrong and I'm about to tell you why.

Experience. LeBron has very little. Kobe has a ton. In fact, he has started in 116 of the 136 playoff games he has taken part in, and has averaged 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in those games. James can only boast of his playing 40 playoff games. Yes, his averages look better on paper, but how many rings does he have? Zero. Bryant has three. Also, LeBron shoots an abysmal 29% from long range while Kobe shoots 33% from deep. Not to mention that the MVP has shot better than 40% on threes in a postseason twice in his career.

Next is playmaking ability in the clutch. I'm sure many of you will refer to the series last year in which LeBron proceeded to dismantle the Detroit Pistons defense. I am now going to mention the series that followed against the Spurs. In it, James earned himself a new nickname, LeBrick, for his inability to put the ball in the hoop. Kobe, however, has proved that he can knock down that final shot when the game is on the line. Everyone realized this when the Lakers defeated the Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. Kobe is the more elite playmaker and is, without any doubt in my mind, a more clutch player than LeBron.

Finally, I will mention Kobe's ability to change the game on both ends of the floor (something that LeBron does not do). Yes, "King James" is a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end, but if he wants to elevate his game and become a more complete player, he will need to start playing some defense. This year's MVP is a 7-time All-Defensive team selection. With the way LeBron plays D, he will never come close to getting on a all-defensive team.

Kobe is a playmaking veteran who knows how to win in the postseason and is willing to play tough defense on the other team's best perimeter player. LeBron is an inexperienced and indecisive young player with a lot of talent but refuses to give it his all on defense. Whom would you rather take? The answer is simple in my mind. Kobe Bryant has an ability for basketball like no other. LeBron James may have the better stats, but at the end of the day when the game is on the line, Kobe will be sinking clutch shot after clutch shot. James, however, will be getting knocked out in the first round of the playoffs like he did this season.

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