Post#935 » by NYK 455 » Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:21 am
Kobe Bryant isn't the MVP or the best player in the league, he's the best player on the best team, a very stacked team that would be dangerous even if he wasn't on it. LeBron James is the best player in the league, and even though he probably won't win the MVP, he should. LeBron is just flat out better than Kobe. He scores at the same volume with better efficiency, is a better passer and playmaker, better rebounder, and a better and more versatile defender. Kobe has had a more successful career, but look at all the great teammates he's had, he wasn't even the best player on his team for most of his career, not to mention he's had the GOAT coach.
It doesn't make sense that people knock LeBron for losing the the Magic. LeBron led the Cavs to 66 wins with Mo Williams as the second best player. Let that sink in for a second. Mo Williams, a nice player, but not all-star caliber. It's crazy that the Cavs won that many games that year. Kobe Bryant in the same situation would be far less successful. If you surrounded LeBron with the talent Kobe has, this wouldn't really be a conversation.
As far as MVP goes, it doesn't mean best player, or best player on the best team, it means who is the most important to team success. The Lakers have 4 all-star caliber players sans Kobe Bryant, two 20-10 seven footers, former defensive player of the year, and one of the best 6th men in the NBA who is also one of the most versatile players in the league, all coached by the arguable GOAT coach. That team probably wins 50+ and is a top four team in the NBA regardless. The Cavs minus LeBron go from contender to lottery team. They'd be led by Mo Williams and Mike Brown......It's pretty clear that LeBron is more valuable.
For the record, I am neither a fan of Kobe or LeBron, I'm a Knick fan. I don't particularly like either, and I don't think LeBron is coming to New York anyway. Just calling it the way I see it.