[KDOS]

Its really hard to say, at this point I would have to say "NO" just because what Kobe has accomplished so far. Lebron though is just shining bright with promise...not potential but promise. At this stage of his young career Lebron has all the offensive tools and excells in making other people better. Statistically speaking, Lebron is already better than Kobe.

And obviously Lebron can only get better, If Kobe ends his career without winning a ring after the Shaq/Kobe Aftermath and Lebron wins championships without having a legit Superstar in his side then I would have to say YES, Lebron may pass Kobe as the best swingman next to MJ. Keep in mind that most of Kobe's accomplishments are offensive productions. If healthy, Lebron can easily overtake what Kobe has accomplished offensively with the exception of maybe the 81 pt outburst.

This is like a flashback of the great "whose better Larry Bird or Magic Johnson?" debate in the 80's.

 

[KDOS]

Not true, he has a few scattered defensive teams to his resume as well, and he has a few notable defensive performances against certain great offensive players in this league.

I did say most, I never mentioned that he does not have any defensive acclamation. If he is to retire now and 10 years from now when people talk about Kobe the first thing that would come out of their mind is? "Scoring"...62 pts in 3 quraters outscoring the whole Maverics team, 9 consecutive 40 plus pts game, 35 ppg in a season, 81 pts in a single game you know "stuff of legend" as they may say, surely sportswriters will write how effective and dangerous Kobe was offensively during his time...that and he played defense too...see the point?.

Sure he is a great defensive player as history tells us, but his offensive barrage easily overcomes what he did defensively.

A few years back when he had more quickness he held Allen Iverson to no buckets in the second half of a game where he had 28 in the first, the comeback against the Magic when Tracy McGrady was going off with 30+ in the three quarters, and the sonning of Vince Carter earlier this season. Defensive plays? Blocks against Michael Redd, steals against the Rockets (Yao/Francis), the one play last year where he sprinted back against the Nugz to block an Andre Miller layup [granted it was his turnover that caused the fastbreak]. In regards to plays and times like these which demonstrate pure defensive skill and willpower, LeBron isn't as gifted on that side of that ball, although he does have tremendous anticipation for what the other team is trying to do in terms of shooting the lanes for steals.

Those are single games where Kobe stands out and demonstrate his defensive prowess, NO offense but if you ask any basketball fan, besides Laker/Kobe fans, I would bet that with the exception of the Kobe blocking Michael Redds shot last season or Kobe running down to block Andre Miller's shot eventhough we were ahead by many points in that game , most would have a hard time recollecting it any of his defensive plays.

I dont buy it when people say "Lebron is not gifted on the other end of the court" Lebron is athletically gifted, he has the capacity to improve as a defensive player, it does takes time for some players. Certain players will use weakness and build on it and becomes their strength. How would they respond to it is another question, and only Lebron can answer.

LeBron is newschool, and Kobe is more rugged in terms of NBA background..

Funny thing is Lebron plays more of an old school approach in the game playing team basketball, while Kobe asserts himself into the New School standard dominating mostly on scoring.

 

[KDOS]

Lebron's offensive numbers are benefiting greatly due to he rule changes.

True..partially. NBA has changed rules, But like you said. Its as if "Stern went crazy to change the rules to allow those three guys easier oppurtunities to score" I dont buy that, my opinion. League officials changed it due to the recent delcine in scoring. Less Score=Possibly less fan base. Lets face it, a good scoring game is better than a good defensive game. At least thats what I think what majority of the NBA fan base wants to see.

Im not a Lebron fan, I love Kobe for the same exact reason that I hate Lebron, and hate Kobe for the same reason Lebron is loved. Thanks Kobe/Nike .......But this we cannot deny, Lebron's skill level is highly developed in only his 3rd year in the league. A few knack on him would be " No defense" or "Not as clutch as _______" insert favorite player here, can be improved overtime.. Surely and there's no doubt as of this point that Lebron is not on Kobe's level offensively and
defensively but I thinks its a bit of understatement and is misleading ourselves if we were to say that Lebron is not athletically gifted offensively.

Just to keep some facts straight, I am a Kobe fan eversince..... even before he even wore an NBA cap on draft night and shook Davd Stern's hand., and no I am not jumping the Lebron James roller coaster ride.

When some Laker fans back then were doubting Kobe, shooting airballs after airballs in the post season against Utah..I firmly believed he can be a great player...fast forward and im glad that he turned up to be exactly what I think he would be.

But guys Lebron James is just too damn good and its too early to close the book or judge who may be ahead than who even compared to what Kobe has already accomplished.