One of the hottest topics in the NBA this week is the current MVP race between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
It is understandable why these two players have separated themselves from the rest of the league. They're the youngest two to score 10,000 career points and are two of the most complete players in the game. And they each dropped 50 in games this week.
A recurring question I have in my circle of friends is who to build a team around. The answer usually depends on if you want to win a championship now or in the future.
Obviously if you want to win a title now, Bryant's your pick. He has two scoring titles and most importantly, three rings. He earned those with Shaquille O'Neal on his team, but Kobe was just as critical. Kobe is still a dominant player without O'Neal and this could be the year Kobe gets back to the Finals. Kobe has surprisingly never won an MVP despite being widely regarded as the game's best player.
However, if you build for the future, conventional wisdom says take LBJ and all his talents. He's lived up to the unbelievable hype of being dubbed "King James" right out of high school. Fresh out of high school five seasons ago, James has taken the league by storm, and not just scoring. He's also a great rebounder and passer. James has already has been to the Finals after last year's wins over a Detroit Pistons team that probably should have been playing the Spurs for the championship.
Upside doesn't always translate into championships.
Even though he's been great, I don't agree with the "King" title for James simply because he has yet to win a ring. Once he gets a few of them I will call him that myself. Nevertheless after watching his evolution each year in different phases of the game, it's becoming clear that another NBA Finals appearance is not out of reach. Considering the Eastern Conference is not as competitive as the West I expect to see James playing in the last playoff series again in the next few years.
Bryant has really matured this season as a leader. He can now get his teammates involved and still get his own points. He has done a good job of using Pau Gasol's strengths to his advantage as the Lakers went 12-2 after acquiring him in a February trade. Bryant's mental approach, along with his phsyical play has the Lakers in second place of the Western Conference.
LeBron has said before that he admires Bryant because of his killer instinct. I think it's safe to say that after recent performances James' own instinct is growing.
Despite James' potential, I would take Bryant over James. That's not just because I want to win now. Bryant has been to the promised land more, come out on top and knows what it takes to get back. Bryant's veteran experience simply beats out the upside of the youngster. Upside doesn't always translate into championships. Bryant has finally grown into the leader that Lakers coach Phil Jackson envisioned when he came out of retirement to coach him.
Of course you are entitled to your own opinion. One thing true fans and observers can agree on is one of these players will rightfully earn MVP this season.
Comments
Mayoclinic commented, on March 7, 2008 at 12:28 a.m.:
Good article. Lebron is only 23 and he will own the league for many many years. But right now, we are nearing the apex of a certain individual, and all eyes are on Kobe Bryant and what he will do next.
Robert commented, on March 7, 2008 at 4 a.m.:
I agree. Kobe has evolved this year into a great leader. His team is one of the tops in the league and is making his teammates better, while still putting up big numbers on less shots. Kobe is the MVP this season.
tra commented, on March 7, 2008 at 8:22 a.m.:
i think lebron sould win because he is a good teammate and he is not a ballhog like kobe is... GO.CAVS
abhinav commented, on March 7, 2008 at 8:29 a.m.:
tra,
...and you are saying Lebron is not a ballhog?
Perfect example:-
Cavs@Bulls 3rd quarter
Lebron goes 1 for 7 from the field and anyone who watched that game (and Cavs@Knicks) will know Lebron is consistently displaying/revealing his ballhogging skills.
All Hail King James!
yeah right...
bleh commented, on March 7, 2008 at 9:48 a.m.:
amen to that ^ post
^
rere commented, on March 7, 2008 at 10:36 a.m.:
kobe's the best
JJ commented, on March 7, 2008 at 10:48 a.m.:
anyone who used to call kobe a ball hog and is still callin kobe a ball hog is just stupid
LakersFan commented, on March 7, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.:
Pau Gasol for MVP...it wouldn't matter what Kobe was doing without Gasol!!!!
JBEAN commented, on March 7, 2008 at 1:55 p.m.:
In my lifetime kobe is the only player to consistantly make me sit there in awe and say that this is the best i have ever seen. Lebrons numbers are outrageous and have amazed me this year, however numbers do not dictate mvp canidacy. If they did, kobe would have been the clear winner for the past two seasons, scoring over 35 points per game is just plain rediculous. there is an intricate balance between performing your best and not suffocating your teamates abilities. Kobe has finally seemed to master it, he could average in the mid to high 30's every year if that was his intention. Lebron is playing the best of his career but now dominates so much of the action that other players really struggle to get into any sort of rythem. Kobe is my vote, his numbers this year are not as staggering but are still good while his teamates are thriving.
Comebackkid commented, on March 7, 2008 at 4:06 p.m.:
JBEAN,
Good observation; I noticed you commented Kobe is only one in your lifetime to make you sit there in awe. Well youngster, not taking anything away from Kobe, I wish you had been old enough to observe MJ....
The Master Ball Player in a lot of folks lifetime
Great article Mitchell.......
Earvin commented, on March 7, 2008 at 5:34 p.m.:
i want to start off by saying that kobe is the best for more of a reason than his scoring ability but, for his killer instinct and his growth in learning how to use his teammates while still contributing to help pull out the win. so whoever says he's ballhoggin lets me know that u havent been watchin him play (kobe).and what puts me in awe is that kobe is stand out amongst all other superstars. to be greater than the great is an acomplishment. as for lebron, not taking anything from his game. but when hes thirty theres not going to be any more driving and beasting. i say no more. kobe is MY MVP
koberocks commented, on March 7, 2008 at 5:55 p.m.:
Kobe is simply the best there is. Lebron is good but not as good as kobe. people dislike kobe because what he has done but that shouldn't decide wether or not he is a good player. And lets face it he is the best we have seen since Jordan. And tra abhinav is right Lebron is as much of a ball hog as kobe is and on top of that kobe is passing Know. The Lakers are going to winn the title again this year!!!!!!!!!!
All hail kobe.
cavs fan commented, on March 7, 2008 at 6:12 p.m.:
I think koberocks is right kobe is underminded for what he has done sure it may have been wrong but this is who is the best player not who you like more as a person. It is crazy to think kobe has not deserved an MVP. I mean steve nash is good but not 3 time MVP good kobe at least deserves 1 of those. It's just that people don't like him. As my name says Im a cavs fan but still I agree that kobe is better than Lebron at least for now.
Sam (Los Angeles, CA) commented, on March 7, 2008 at 6:31 p.m.:
Forget about “he’s young, he’ll one day have his chance”. If you’re by most people’s estimation, and by most taken into account criteria, the most valuable player, then you should receive the award.
That said, Kobe Bryant deserves the MVP this year. He’s only played through injury, carried his team with unreal scoring binges late in closely contested games, brought leadership in word and deed (including defense), and willed his team to the top of the greatest Western Conference maybe ever in the NBA. Come on, if Kobe doesn’t get it this year, then when? On second thought, if he didn’t get it when he scored 35.4 points per game, carried a squad with guys like Smush as the starting point guard and Kwame, the starting power forward, guys who barely belong in the NBA and led the team to 45 wins.... .. You know what? On second thought, if he didn’t “deserve” it then, then I suppose he doesn’t deserve to get it this year.
Screw it, give it to Lebron James...... and Kobe’ll take the Finals MVP.
Bobby (Los Angeles) commented, on March 7, 2008 at 8:01 p.m.:
Kobe has been awesome, .. he should of had the MVP many times, however this year he has done a termendous job that I can't imagine how the MVP can escape him, .. he has been out of this universe, .. LBJ, is very strong, he is skilled, however, I don't see him with Kobe moves or at Kobe's level, or at Kobe's all around game, .. even he himself has admitted that, .. infact, if his team was in the west he would of NOT been in playoffs, infact far from it, he would of been #10, .. Kobe is skilled, and an experienced leader, .. Kobe is the MVP hands down, and with the most endorsments from his peers. Kobe = MVP x 10
foo fo commented, on March 7, 2008 at 8:28 p.m.:
kobe for mvp every year......damn it
LARA commented, on March 9, 2008 at 5:53 a.m.:
its KOBE! end of story. :p
joel thamuk commented, on March 9, 2008 at 2:10 p.m.:
i think that we cant compare kobe to lebron james after mj there is no player who helps his team like kobe and also bring a lot of joy in watching the NBA Kobe deserve to be the MVP i am a basket ball player too i play high school basket ball and i will love to be a player like Kobe i am almost there and i should have King James power so King james and King bryant watch Joel thamuk is coming!!!!! but Kobe you are the MVP right now!!! and Lebron James you the next you are still very young keep on playing yo!!!
dazc commented, on March 9, 2008 at 2:29 p.m.:
Well the media seem to have a really short memory. For the past two or three years Kobe has had MVP calibre campaigns based on stats alone. They always play favorite to teams (New England Patriots) or someone they like (Lebron). By the way I do not mean to disrespect New England or Lebron. I am just stating my observations. How is Lebron better than Kobe or should I say Is it convenient for lebron to win the MVP based on stats? Well if that is the case, then the media owes Kobe two MVP awards for the past two years. If Kobe doesn't win the award this year, then it will be highway robbery.
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