Since everyone hates the lakers and spurs, here's the series thread here.

[OH10]

Offensively and defensively, who do you think is close to playing at his level?

More subjective "Kobe vs. Lebron" debates, huh?

Offensively, I'd take Lebron over Kobe. Defensively, I'd take Garnett.

Total package, I'd take Kobe.

But, "by far"? That's stretching it to say the least. He's not on this level...

Michael Jordan, Basketball, Chicago Bulls - 03.10.97 - SI Vault

 

[OCBucksFan]

More subjective "Kobe vs. Lebron" debates, huh?

Offensively, I'd take Lebron over Kobe. Defensively, I'd take Garnett.

Got it,
Lebron > Kobe.
KG > Kobe.

 

[Jaxbuck]

More subjective "Kobe vs. Lebron" debates, huh?

Offensively, I'd take Lebron over Kobe. Defensively, I'd take Garnett.

Total package, I'd take Kobe.

But, "by far"? That's stretching it to say the least. He's not on this level...

Michael Jordan, Basketball, Chicago Bulls - 03.10.97 - SI Vault

None of which answers the question who has an all around game in the NBA right now that compares to Kobe?

 

[OCBucksFan]

At this point I just sit back and say "Let's see what people think of Kobe 10 years after he's done" and maybe we'll get a more objective opinion than we get now. Since he's currently in the league, everyone looks for faults in his game, especially if he's not on your team. Once all is said and done, depending on his success he has over the next 5 or so years, and how his stats come out, it will be easier to compare him with others.

For now, I just enjoy the show, I think the guy is awesome to watch and I can't think of any other player currently in the league that I would want to have the ball, down by 1, with 3 seconds left.

 

[OH10]

None of which answers the question who has an all around game in the NBA right now that compares to Kobe?

No, but there's also no one that has an all-around game that compares to Eric Snow and his bench-blistered ass. It's not about comparisons. It's about "who's the best?" And it was stated that Kobe was the best "by far" - which is an outlandish statement. This is the same guy who, the last two years, couldn't get out of the first round. And it's fine to blame that on his supporting cast. But don't lay down at the feet of the Lebron the fact that he hasn't won a title when his cast is the pu pu platter.

It's all a ridiculous subjective argument. But I would still take Lebron on the offensive end over Kobe any day. No one takes the ball to the basket like Lebron. He's simply the most unstoppable force in the NBA with the ball in his hands. His combination of size, strength, speed and touch are unmatched. His vision also far surpasses Kobe.

Defensively, Kobe is certainly a better on-ball defender. Lebron made strides against Pierce the first couple games of their series and showed that he can defend well if he wants. But, Kobe is still obviously better. And that is why I would take Kobe over Lebron right now. They are close offensively, but Kobe is definately better defensively, enough so that I think he's slightly better overall than Lebron.

Got it,
Lebron > Kobe.
KG > Kobe.

Yeah, that's what I said.

You want to play semantics or hyperbole, fine. But, not too many people that aren't Laker or Cavs fans are going to find that either one is "by far" better than the other - through the averge definition of the phrase.

But, Kobe is "by far" better than Flip Murray. I'll agree to that.

 

[OCBucksFan]

congrats....u son of a bitch.

Any Lakers fans have something to add to this sig for Billmac?

 

[OCBucksFan]

But, Kobe is "by far" better than Flip Murray. I'll agree to that.

I am surprised you were willing to give him that

I learned from the Winslow V Gates during the pro-bowl that arguing with you is like pounding my head into a brick wall until I pass out.

As I said in a previous post, sit back and watch, we'll see how it all pans out when Kobe is done.

 

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

I do not think that Kobe is on MJ's level (yet), in fact I never mentioned MJ until now.

As far as LeBron being better offensively, well, that is just laughable IMO. LeBron is great and all, but his jump shot and fade away shooting are completely inferior to Kobe's.

 

[billmac91]

I do not think that Kobe is on MJ's level (yet), in fact I never mentioned MJ until now.

As far as LeBron being better offensively, well, that is just laughable IMO. LeBron is great and all, but his jump shot and fade away shooting are completely inferior to Kobe's.

Laughable in a sense that LeBron averaged more points per game while taking less shots per game, or laughable in a sense that LeBron averaged more assists per game while also averaging more points per game.

Plus he did it with a vastly inferior supporting squad.

Give LeBron Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, and the Lakers bench while putting Kobe on the Cavs roster and it's a whole 'nother argument.

Now excuse me while I puke due to this avatar and sig.....

 

[OCBucksFan]

 

[OH10]

I learned from the Winslow V Gates during the pro-bowl that arguing with you is like pounding my head into a brick wall until I pass out.

And there's goes reasonable discourse. (whew, out the window with a nice personal attack)

I even called Kobe the best player in the league, and I'm taking the unreasonable position that somehow he's not "by far" the best player.

Sorry, he's God. There, you can stop pounding your head against the wall

 

[OCBucksFan]

And there's goes reasonable discourse.

I even called Kobe the best player in the league, and I'm taking the unreasonable position that somehow he's not "by far" the best player.

Sorry, he's God. There, you can stop pounding your head against the wall

And... I never said "by far" I said "there's no player in the league that I would rather have the ball down by 1 with three seconds left."

Hell, last i checked, I was the one that said any comparisons were stupid until Kobe's career was over. Fuck me for being reasonable.

 

[OH10]

And... I never said "by far" I said "there's no player in the league that I would rather have the ball down by 1 with three seconds left."

Read the thread then. That's what I was arguing about.

And FWIW, I agree. There's no one I'd rather have with three seconds left, down by one. Down by 10, with 8 minutes left, I'd still take Lebron. Even up, with 48 minutes, I'd take Kobe. It's all a guessing game really. But I'm unreasonable about it.

 

[OCBucksFan]

Read the thread then. That's what I was arguing about.

And FWIW, I agree. There's no one I'd rather have with three seconds left, down by one. Down by 10, with 8 minutes left, I'd still take Lebron. Even up, with 48 minutes, I'd take Kobe. It's all a guessing game really. But I'm unreasonable about it.

I only jumped into this debate because you tossed in Jordan, and I don't think it's a fair comparison, not because Jordan is who he is, but because Kobe is still playing. You can't compare two players when one is still active. Do I think Kobe is better than Jordan? Hell no, but I think he's got the potential to have the type of game to leave an everlasting footprint in the game like Jordan did.

I, seriously, hate that topic and it gets on my nerves. It's like comparing Chris Paul to Jerry West, different time, different rules, and one is still playing, foolish argument.

And I don't expect you to say "I would trade my team for Kobe." Lebron is your guy, Kobe is my guy, both are exciting to watch and good for the game, that's really what you hope for, that spark to give you hope and make basketball exciting.

 

[OH10]

I only jumped into this debate because you tossed in Jordan, and I don't think it's a fair comparison, not because Jordan is who he is, but because Kobe is still playing. You can't compare two players when one is still active. Do I think Kobe is better than Jordan? Hell no, but I think he's got the potential to have the type of game to leave an everlasting footprint in the game like Jordan did.

It wasn't so much a comparison to Jordan as a use of the SI cover. BuckeyeSkins made it sound like Kobe is Jordan in that picture, while Lebron is Grant Hill, Garnett is Ewing, Tim Duncan is Shaq, Chris Paul is Gary Payton, and Dwight Howard is Barkley.

Kobe ain't got it like that... yet. That's a strong example of when a player is "by far" better than everyone else. The SI cover was perfect.