How many years of Kobe over current Lebron?

[cupcakesnake]

I don't think "current" Lebron is touching any of Kobe's prime.
I think a more interesting comparison would be 2020 or 2021 when Lebron's weaknesses are creeping in but he can still play mostly like himself. This version of Lebron can still pile up numbers and make strong reads, but he has no first step, needs a run way to attack, and his only real on-ball move is dribbling into a post-up. He takes a lot more outside shots than anyone wants him to.

It's been painful to watch him take up entire possessions to get the right switch (Murray) and then proceed to slowly back him down.

I still think Lebron is an incredible player, but this version (old and injured) is such an old wolf. I think he'd still be able to fit in on a more high power offense, but as a fulcrum he doesn't have enough high powered tools in his tool box.

[Djoker]

In all Kobe seasons from 2001-2013, he was a superior player than current Lebron. 2004 Finals was really bad but so was the 2011 Finals and 2011 Lebron is obviously way better than the current one. It's only one series.

[HeartBreakKid]

I don't think "current" Lebron is touching any of Kobe's prime.
I think a more interesting comparison would be 2020 or 2021 when Lebron's weaknesses are creeping in but he can still play mostly like himself. This version of Lebron can still pile up numbers and make strong reads, but he has no first step, needs a run way to attack, and his only real on-ball move is dribbling into a post-up. He takes a lot more outside shots than anyone wants him to.

It's been painful to watch him take up entire possessions to get the right switch (Murray) and then proceed to slowly back him down.

I still think Lebron is an incredible player, but this version (old and injured) is such an old wolf. I think he'd still be able to fit in on a more high power offense, but as a fulcrum he doesn't have enough high powered tools in his tool box.

I think James in 20-21 is comfortably ahead of Kobe. That is pretty much prime James still.

[cupcakesnake]

I don't think "current" Lebron is touching any of Kobe's prime.
I think a more interesting comparison would be 2020 or 2021 when Lebron's weaknesses are creeping in but he can still play mostly like himself. This version of Lebron can still pile up numbers and make strong reads, but he has no first step, needs a run way to attack, and his only real on-ball move is dribbling into a post-up. He takes a lot more outside shots than anyone wants him to.

It's been painful to watch him take up entire possessions to get the right switch (Murray) and then proceed to slowly back him down.

I still think Lebron is an incredible player, but this version (old and injured) is such an old wolf. I think he'd still be able to fit in on a more high power offense, but as a fulcrum he doesn't have enough high powered tools in his tool box.

I think James in 20-21 is comfortably ahead of Kobe. That is pretty much prime James still.

I disagree. He missed half the season due to injury and matched his career low in free throw attempts. Starting in 2019, Lebron consistently has a hard time staying on the floor. The bubble year (and it's giant mid-season break) is the only season where Lebron didn't perpetually struggle with injuries. In 2021 (at the latest, honestly these things were showing big signs in the 2020 run), it's very noticeable that Lebron's first step explosiveness, 2-footed jumping, and second jump are all fading pretty hard. Lebron is smart enough to find other ways to be effective, mostly trading in a lot of drives for a lot of post-ups, emphasizing playmaking, and letting it fly from 3.

I think Lebron has been able to keep enough of his game to make us still quint and see prime Lebron, but if we're paying attention to the details, he's had normal, steady decline in his late 30s. This is nothing to be ashamed of at all, he's literally the best late 30s player of all-time with no real competition. But prime Lebron only goes to age 33 (or probably 34 if you care about the injuries less).