by Erich Orozco

Created on: March 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

These two great players have very contrasting styles and I don't think that a successful case can clearly be made for one over the other in regards to basketball skills. But clear distinctions can be drawn between their personalities. Also, they are at different points in their careers and on that basis I am able to say I would rather have LeBron on my team.

Kobe is a smooth finesse player and based on his 6 consecutive 50 point games near the end of the 06-07 season and his epic 81 point performance he is the greatest scorer since Wilt Chamberlain. Not only is he a great scorer but when it comes to pure killer instinct Kobe ranks with the likes of Michael Jordon, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. This off-season his win at all costs attitude manifested itself in ugly public tirades against the Lakers organization. But in hindsight these can now be viewed as a Kirk Gibson moment. Many of the Laker players who last season played as if they were half asleep have been playing this season as if the devil is chasing them. Because of that Kobe is likely to win the MVP this year. He should have won it in previous seasons but the award is not given to the best player but to the best player on the best team and for the first time since the Lakers said Bon Voyage to Shaq the Lakers are the best team in the West.

Having said all that I must admit that I am starting to see the signs of Kobe's downward slide. He doesn't have his legs underneath him anymore to make those last second shots and he is having regular sub 50% shooting nights. I am not saying that he won't make those buzzer beaters when it counts or that he can't pull a 40 point scoring spree out of his bag of tricks in the playoffs. But the bottom line is that he has too many miles on him.

On the other hand, Lebron has just woken up to who he is going to be, and who he is going to be is the greatest all around player since Oscar Roberston. Lebron James appeared to have even surprised himself with his performance in the playoffs against Detroit. He single handedly defeated the toughest bunch of basketball players at that time in the NBA. He made them look like they were standing still with his powerful drives to the basket and he hasn't looked back since.

Not only is he a rising star but unlike Kobe his teammates enjoy playing with him. Just watch a Cavaliers game and you can see the genuine affection that the players seem to have for their superstar. Compare that to the way the Laker players react to Kobe. They respect Kobe but given the choice I am sure they would much rather play with Lebron. And given a choice I would rather have Lebron on my team. Despite Kobe's incredible skills and killer instinct I think that based on these intangibles LeBron is the clear choice.

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