Post#26 » by milesfides » Fri Jun 5, 2009 8:56 pm
Lebron puts up better numbers because the entire Cavs' offense runs through him, quite literally.
Lebron is a better rebounder than Kobe, but other than that, if Kobe played in a more conventional offense (e.g., just give the ball to him, run him off screens, high pick and rolls, etc.), his assist numbers would be higher and so would his points.
Lebron can't score at Kobe's level - Kobe could easily average over 30 points per game. He could easily average 7 assists as well, if it weren't for the fact that the triangle offense makes it difficult for one player to average more than 6 a game.
In comparable offenses, I can see Kobe averaging 32 (at least), 5.5, and 7 in contrast to Lebron's 28, 7.5, and 7. Lebron would have a higher overall fg%, closer to 50%, while Kobe would be in the mid to high forties and shoot 10% higher from the line (a big difference).
They have different strengths. Lebron is clearly a better rebounder, and more of his shots come at the basket - thus the higher fg%. But Kobe has a much better jump shot, is a much more balanced offensive player, a more unpredictable offensive player, who can hurt you in more ways than Lebron can.
I take Kobe's diversity and mastery of the game over Lebron's drives and pull up threes. Defensively, I also take Kobe's ability to be a lockdown defender (and underrated team defender) over Lebron's weakside blocks.
As a team leader, I also take Kobe's serious and professional approach to the game, over Lebron's somewhat immature antics (posing for photographs, really?). Kobe demands accountability, while Lebron's teammates come across as sycophants.
Kobe does inspire his teammates to become better (where are you now, Smush Parker? Brian Cook?). He trusts in throwaways like Shannon Brown, forgotten players like Ariza, even broken machines like Sasha. He pep talks Bynum and Gasol, and makes sure Odom is mentally in the game.
What I saw yesterday really defined the difference between Kobe and Lebron; Kobe was a coach out there, organizing, directing, controlling the game. He made sure his teammates were on the same page as well. It's funny, Phil almost seemed upset at Kobe during game 1, that the Lakers were going too much to him. Well, the Lakers did abandon the triangle offense, and Kobe did dominate the ball nearly every possession...and it led to a dominating 25-point victory. The Lakers should definitely look for more balance as the series goes, but there's no question that Kobe made sure that Game 1 would belong to the Lakers. Lebron couldn't do the same.
Funny, nobody was talking about how bad Lebron's teammates were during the regular season when they amassed the league's best record, when they swept the first two rounds. Maybe Lebron and his gaudy stats (hey, Kobe averaged 35 a game before) could learn something from Kobe - that basketball is more than just a game of numbers. That less is sometimes more. That balance is better than the highlight dunk. That there's a way to dominate the ball without marginalizing teammates. That there's a way to stay off the ball but still contribute. That it's how you end, not how you start.
The last two games, one to close out Denver and this first game against the Magic, should be a clear indication why Kobe is superior to Lebron. Closing things out and starting things up - that's the beginning and end of the discussion.
“OH! Caruso parachutes in! You cannot stop him - you can only hope to contain him!” -Kevin Harlan, LAL-GSW 4/4/19
Its all over this board specially on G.B. 
Fultz, Ball or Bust
