Rick Kamla: Kobe or Lebron Video

[pearfruitboy]

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_t ... skobe.nba/
Rick Kamla breaks down who the better players is today, Kobe or Lebron. I'm a big kobe fan and a lot of the stuff he said I do agree with, but for the toughness, hunger, and leadership part I kinda disagree with. So what do you guys think?

[EHL]

I love how this dude says that Kobe hasn't led a team to the Finals, and then addresses the reality that Bryant in fact got to the Finals this year by saying "Well, would the Lakers have gotten to the Finals without Gasol?", as if that actually addresses the reality that Bryant was in fact the best player and leader of a team that in fact made the Finals 6 months ago. His rhetorical response about Gasol can be applied to any great leader; does Magic make the Finals in 85, 87, or 88 without Cap? Jordan without Pippen? Just lunacy.

Even worse, he claims LeBron was the leader of Team USA, somehow missing the reality that not only did Wade statistically outplay LeBron, but that Kobe was literally involved/responsible for every single point down the stretch of the gold medal game against Spain, a game that came down to the wire.

Kamla truly is a reject of epic proportions.

[magic1fan]

kamla is a complete joke. he acts as if the lakers were not good before gasol came over. secondly kobe was without a doubt the leader of last year's team. he forgot to mention that lebron got to the finals in the watered down east. i am not going to belittle lebron to put up kobe because i don't have to. kobe's work speaks for itself. he himself admitted that kobe was the better man on man defender but somehow lebron sneaking over for weak side blocks and gambling in passing lanes is better defense? give me a break!

[AceFresh]

I love how this dude says that Kobe hasn't led a team to the Finals, and then addresses the reality that Bryant in fact got to the Finals this year by saying "Well, would the Lakers have gotten to the Finals without Gasol?", as if that actually addresses the reality that Bryant was in fact the best player and leader of a team that in fact made the Finals 6 months ago. His rhetorical response about Gasol can be applied to any great leader; does Magic make the Finals in 85, 87, or 88 without Cap? Jordan without Pippen? Just lunacy.

Even worse, he claims LeBron was the leader of Team USA, somehow missing the reality that not only did Wade statistically outplay LeBron, but that Kobe was literally involved/responsible for every single point down the stretch of the gold medal game against Spain, a game that came down to the wire.

Kamla truly is a reject of epic proportions.

[pearfruitboy]

Yeah I really didn't like the way of how he talked about Kobes D. He said he won't bring up stats cuz it would make him naive in doing so, but he puts out how James's steals and blocks are better than Kobe, but in the same time says Kobes man to man defense is better. Really didn't know where he was going at.

[crazyeights]

Couldn't finish the video after play-making. First of all, he gives Kobe shooting, but they don't cover it at all, it's almost as if it doesn't matter.

Then he talks about play-making while they only show video footage of Lebron shooting...all while this bowl-cut douche harps on about Lebron's passing ability.

His only real way to prove Lebron is a better "play maker" is using their season averages for assists, which earlier in his argument he says he's not going to bring in "fantasy" stats, because Lebron's had Kobe's number in the virtual world for a long time.

Ass backwards.

I don't even mind the argument (Lebron v Kobe), but I can't watch that guy making it.

[snaquille oatmeal]

this guy is a joke. he has admitted in the past that he is a Kobe hater and a Lebron nut rider. reguardless of weather he is right or not I will not listen to anything he has to say because he has an admitted bias and I can't take his opinion as objective.

[Cboywhitey]

This is a complete joke. The guy says he doesn't want to use fantasy numbers but uses nothing but stats to represent his point. And he fails to use position to adjust his numbers. As well as offensive schemes and touches. I mean come on a forward should average more rebounds and blocks than a guard. Is lebron the better player because he does what he is supposed to do sufficiently? And should a forward be knocked because he isn't as good of a shooter as a SHOOTING GUARD? It's silly.

I also like how he says lebron didn't fold against the celtics like kobe...and that lebron lead his team to the finals and is making solid points for lebron...but leaves out the fact that lebron didn't win a single game against the spurs in the finals. Don't compare a loss to the celtics instead of a loss to the spurs. Just because it was the same team doesn't make it a legit argument. If you want to make it an argument...compare how the two looked in the finals.

It's easy to make a guy look good when you're not pointing out his flaws. And when you're using your opinion as if it is fact. The whole time reading about team USA I heard that kobe AND lebron were the team leaders. And I also read accounts that lebron actually was having a hard time with the fact that the coaching staff was turning to kobe more for leadership in games than him. One guy said that kobe was the natural leader while lebron was almost like the cafeteria bully trying to be as loud and vocal as he could to keep his leadership role intact as time when on...while kobe was just kobe and that was enough to quiet the cafeteria bully as the coaching staff put the ball in his hands in the gold medal game in the final minutes. And why not point out that lebron was on this team for the past several years working his way into the leadership role...and kobe's first year he became one of the leaders and the guy the coaching staff put the ball into his hands. Even when Wade had been the best player on the squad they went to kobe. The guy who couldn't make a jumper to save his life. Hmmm think about it. And why even use the USA teams when you have several years to pull on both players on their nba teams! He says he has so much to pull from but only uses team USA. There is so much news on how kobe is a bad leader but he picks team USA where kobe was actually trusted by the coaches to lead the team and foreign players had nothing but good things to say about kobe...one australian player said that the only guy with any class on USA was kobe. The only guy he respected. His teamates all admited that they didn't know kobe until team usa and have nothing but respect for him after being with him as a teammate. It makes no sense to pick team USA and then state without any facts that lebron was the leader not kobe.

Anyhow I'm not trying to debate that kobe is better than lebron. I'm not trying to say lebron isn't better than kobe. I'm just saying this guys debate was a complete joke.

After hearing his gasol remarks I'd like to hear his take on that little no name no talent guard lebron has down in cleavland this year. Oh and that worthless bald headed center with the sweet jumper that opens the lane for all of lebrons dunks oh and that former champion all defensive pf/c with the fro...chumps I tell you chumps. Good thing lebron is like a "super hero" and hungry. Heck I bet lebron would be better off with a development league team than those girls he plays with now.

One guys team has nothing to do with him making the finals but the other guys team has everything to do with him making the finals. I also love that everyone forgets that booby was playing out of his mind the year the cavs made the finals. People point out that the lakers reserves played out of their minds last year...which in a way they did...but this remark is never made about lebron and his cavs teammates a couple years ago. Just silly. How do guys like that get on tv?

As a laker fan I'm expected to respond like this...but honestly I'd be just as upset if he said kobe was better. It's just the way he went about it. It stunk of mancrush. Lebron is so dreamy...

Ah I apologize guys. I'm just getting fed up with all the media rubbish out this year. I honestly think basketball has the worst media coverage. As far as writers/reporters and specialists basketball just gets the bottom of the heap.

[snaquille oatmeal]

Kamla is to Lebron what Vic the Brick is to Kobe

[Slava]

This coming from a guy who wrote an epic article titled "Kobe Bryant is Overrated", comes as no surprise.

[SashAlex]

I speak better english than Kamla ! Kamla is just a dumb !

[EHL]

this guy is a joke. he has admitted in the past that he is a Kobe hater and a Lebron nut rider. reguardless of weather he is right or not I will not listen to anything he has to say because he has an admitted bias and I can't take his opinion as objective.

Really, he admitted it? I'd love to see that. It's too obvious regardless.

[snitch55]

Kamla is a stat's whore , oh and a well known Kobe hater , what do you expect him to say ?

[garcia3]

hahahaha wow, that was a lame video

[kevin_405]

Lets not be biased guys..

LeBron is truely the best player in the League.. but Kobe has played at that level for 13 years .. where as LeBron is just starting out.. So for LeBron to be equal to Kobe he has to play at this level for another 10 years and then some.. and may be win a few titles..

If u rate on last 3 years performance
1> LeBron
2> Wade
3> Kobe

If u rate on last 10 years performance
1> Kobe
2> LeBron
3>Wade

All this will change if Lakers win a title this year.. In most peoples opinion all that matter is titles..

And also after 10 years Lebron and Wade have less than 3 titles they wont even be counted on par with Kobe...

That said Kobe is playing the best BB of his career for the last 2 weeks.. I dont know if it is his lighter shoes or his pinky getting healthy.. If he plays like this for the rest of the season he will beat both LeBron and wade hands down..

[magic1fan]

Lets not be biased guys..

LeBron is truely the best player in the League.. but Kobe has played at that level for 13 years .. where as LeBron is just starting out.. So for LeBron to be equal to Kobe he has to play at this level for another 10 years and then some.. and may be win a few titles..

If u rate on last 3 years performance
1> LeBron
2> Wade
3> Kobe

If u rate on last 10 years performance
1> Kobe
2> LeBron
3>Wade

All this will change if Lakers win a title this year.. In most peoples opinion all that matter is titles..

And also after 10 years Lebron and Wade have less than 3 titles they wont even be counted on par with Kobe...

That said Kobe is playing the best BB of his career for the last 2 weeks.. I dont know if it is his lighter shoes or his pinky getting healthy.. If he plays like this for the rest of the season he will beat both LeBron and wade hands down..

sorry but no way. kobe has been the best. did you forget that just a few years ago the guy was putting up 35/5/5. even now with alot of people claiming kobe has slowed down and lost a step,he is right there in stats with lebron and wade. kobe is playing more patient and under control. just because lebron can jump higher does not make him a better player. kobe's all around game,is still miles ahead of lebrons. that's not being biased,that's being honest. it just seems like so many people are in such a rush to usher in the lebron era,that they start making up things or seeing things that aren't there yet.

[snaquille oatmeal]

this guy is a joke. he has admitted in the past that he is a Kobe hater and a Lebron nut rider. reguardless of weather he is right or not I will not listen to anything he has to say because he has an admitted bias and I can't take his opinion as objective.

Really, he admitted it? I'd love to see that. It's too obvious regardless.

last year during one of his Lebron for MVP arguments he made his entro by saying that he is known as a Kobe hater and that only if the Lakers would beat New Orleans would he put Kobe at second behind Lebron and in front of Paul.

I saw it on NBA TV last season so I don't think there is a link for it.

[kevin_405]

I would rather see a Wade or a CP3 era.. I am not much of a LeBron fan, but LeBron has some god given gifts.. Size , Speed , Quickness and Court Vision which is miles ahead pf all his peers.. Kind of like Micheal Jordan had ..

Like Rick Kamla Compared it is not just about Points scored.. there are the other stats like Assists and Rebounts and Steals and Blocks that make Lebron a better player.. but then again they play at different positions ..

Kobe needs to win the title this year to prove he is the top man.. He has the team.. Will it stay healthy, does he have it in him this time only time will tell.. He has faltered twice before and we all remember that..

For now this discussion cannot be finished because the season is just getting started..

sorry but no way. kobe has been the best. did you forget that just a few years ago the guy was putting up 35/5/5. even now with alot of people claiming kobe has slowed down and lost a step,he is right there in stats with lebron and wade. kobe is playing more patient and under control. just because lebron can jump higher does not make him a better player. kobe's all around game,is still miles ahead of lebrons. that's not being biased,that's being honest. it just seems like so many people are in such a rush to usher in the lebron era,that they start making up things or seeing things that aren't there yet.

[DubaLakers]

I usually liked Kamla cuz he's a bball junkie, but I don't see his argument at all. First off he rated the toughness as tied. Tied? I never thought of Lebron as tough. Kobes got a laundry list of toughness.

He said Kobe plays better on ball defense, and Lebron plays better overall defense files lanes and pics passes gets spectacular dunks. Exactly he's such an athletic freak picking passes and filling lanes is a lot easier than grinding down and playing on ball D, or team D. Kobe used to do that when he was a pup just like Lebron roam around and help and leave his man wide open.

However the thing that pissed me off more than any other is Kamla saying LBJ was the leader on Team USA. Kamla breathes basketball this one he really swung and missed on. LBJ might have been the vocal leader, he's a really funny guy, but there was no doubt amongst the players who was the leader, It was Kobe. You gotta remember LBJ had failed what 2 consecutive Olympics to win the gold, he had a ton of failure coming in that's what motivated him as well as Wade and Melo. Kobe came in, one shot, one kill, and got the Gold. Did any of you watch that final game? KB24 took over the last five minutes by himself and saved Team USA from embarrasment once again. Without Kobe Spain would have been the Olympic Champion. Few saw or barely acknowledged this game because of the time constraints and the fact that Team USA was killing people up to that game and it appeared as a near formality. Spain was tied with like 3 minutes left. KB24 was in beast mode that last 5 minutes and willed them to the gold medal. This was the most overlooked victory in the Olympics, it was that close, yet nobody saw it it was on at dawn USA time.

[Sedale Threatt]

Both were essential to winning the gold. I thought LeBron had the better, more consistent tournament, while Kobe made all the big plays at the most important moment. I thought LeBron was the more vocal leader, while Kobe made a huge impact by leading through example, especially with his effort on defense and in practice.

As for who's better right now, I go back and forth on this on a seemingly daily basis. They're both so, so good. If I had to pick one, right now, I'd lean towards LeBron, but I wouldn't do so with complete confidence.

I just wish they were a bit closer in age, so that wasn't such a glaring factor. Because I find it hard to pick against a 6-8, 250-pound freak of nature who is just entering his prime compared to a 30-year-old who has already cracked the 1,000-game plateau.

A couple of years ago, this would have been a fairly easy choice for me. But really, the only non-intangible area I can think of that Kobe has a substantive edge is perimeter and free throw shooting. Otherwise, it's either a dead heat or LeBron holds the edge in nearly every other category (per 36 minutes, to find some sort of even ground).

Scoring is virtually identical (27.3 for LBJ, 26.8 for Kobe).

LeBron leads in assists 6.5 to 5.5, and is the better natural passer in my opinion.

LeBron leads in rebounds 6.3 to 4.3, but that results from his physical gifts rather than skill.

Steals are virtually identical (1.9 for LBJ to 1.5 for Kobe).

LeBron leads in blocks 1.1 to 0.4, for the same reason as rebounding.

LeBron shoots 51% from the floor compared to 47% for Kobe.

Kobe shoots 33% from 3 and 87% at the line, compared to 29% and 78% for LBJ.

LeBron has a .597 true shooting percentage, while Kobe shoots .565.

LeBron has a 32.6 PER (first in the NBA, on pace to set the single-season record) while Kobe is at 24.7 (7th).

Defensively, Kobe has his moments but in my opinion tends to drift/gamble way too much; I've always thought he was a bit overrated as a defender so I might not be the best judge. LBJ still won't confuse anyone for Scottie Pippen, but in the handful of Cavs games I've seen he looks vastly improved on this end.

Kobe works harder and is hungrier, I think, but I also think LeBron is starting to get a handle on just how hard it is to win in the NBA, and what it takes to do so. I highly doubt he's ever going to be as savagely competitive as Kobe is, but I see him getting in the same ballpark at some point.

It's almost like the Shaq-or-Duncan debate to me -- you can make a super strong argument for both, and you can't really fault anyone for picking one or the other. But to be completely honest, from a purely statistical standpoint it looks to me like LeBron holds a slight, yet distinctive edge.