39,000 and strong!

[Desiderium]

ESPN SportsNation is holding a poll that currently has over 39,000 votes. The Question: Who is the best basketball player in the world right now?

The players to choose from are Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Derrick Rose, or other.
Kobe Bryant leads the vote around the nation, and around the globe.

Here are the results as of Tuesday evening:
Kobe Bryant 32%
Dirk Nowitzki 28%
LeBron James 17%
Derrick Rose 16%
Other 7%

After Lebron James failing to play up to his capabilities in the NBA Finals its seems as NBA fans across the world believe that LeBron was “crowned” to early, staying with the 5-time champion Kobe Bryant

http://lakernation.com/2011/06/poll-say ... the-world/

[Jetset]

I hate SportsNation polls. They're always so overreactionary it's ridiculous. True basketball fans know LeBron is the best player in the league. It's funny how your ability as a player is somehow lessened if you're don't go over well with the public.

[Gek]

LeBron is the best athlete in the league, not the best basketball player.

[hermes]

how is 'other' not ahead of lebron??

[Jetset]

LeBron is the best athlete in the league, not the best basketball player.

If we're talking basketball from just a skill standpoint then obviously Kobe is the best. But if we're talking from an overall mixture of talent, skill, and athleticism LeBron is clearly the best player at this point.

[crazyeights]

how is 'other' not ahead of lebron??

[Gek]

LeBron is the best athlete in the league, not the best basketball player.

If we're talking basketball from just a skill standpoint then obviously Kobe is the best. But if we're talking from an overall mixture of talent, skill, and athleticism LeBron is clearly the best player at this point.

I would take Wade any day over Lebron.

[Jetset]

LeBron is the best athlete in the league, not the best basketball player.

If we're talking basketball from just a skill standpoint then obviously Kobe is the best. But if we're talking from an overall mixture of talent, skill, and athleticism LeBron is clearly the best player at this point.

I would take Wade any day over Lebron.

Ahh the Andrew Bynum of wingmen. Good luck with that.

[doozyj]

I hate SportsNation polls. They're always so overreactionary it's ridiculous. True basketball fans know LeBron is the best player in the league. It's funny how your ability as a player is somehow lessened if you're don't go over well with the public.

Then tell Lebron to best his way to 5 rings.

[Jetset]

I hate SportsNation polls. They're always so overreactionary it's ridiculous. True basketball fans know LeBron is the best player in the league. It's funny how your ability as a player is somehow lessened if you're don't go over well with the public.

Then tell Lebron to best his way to 5 rings.

You still think Kobe is the best in the league? Take your homer shades off and look at their games. Kobe thrives off past fame, he isn't nearly the same player he once was. And there's nothing wrong with it, one is 33 and the other is 26.

[Desiderium]

I hate SportsNation polls. They're always so overreactionary it's ridiculous. True basketball fans know LeBron is the best player in the league. It's funny how your ability as a player is somehow lessened if you're don't go over well with the public.

Then tell Lebron to best his way to 5 rings.

You still think Kobe is the best in the league? Take your homer shades off and look at today's game. Kobe thrives off past fame, he isn't nearly the same player he once was.

what skill are we talking about...the ability to take it to the hole? last i checked, he lacked a midrange jumper and a decent post-up game...two areas on offense that kobe has mastered. when you have 5 people waiting for you at the rim, you can't just rely on driving to the rim for an easy dunk/layup.

[doozyj]

I hate SportsNation polls. They're always so overreactionary it's ridiculous. True basketball fans know LeBron is the best player in the league. It's funny how your ability as a player is somehow lessened if you're don't go over well with the public.

Then tell Lebron to best his way to 5 rings.

You still think Kobe is the best in the league? Take your homer shades off and look at their games. Kobe thrives off past fame, he isn't nearly the same player he once was. And there's nothing wrong with it, one is 33 and the other is 26.

Best=the highest jumper or the one who can run down the court faster or throw it down harder. Kobe's skill is unmatched in this league, unmatched. Got it. Lebron isn't even the best player on the Heat.

[Jetset]

I can't even voice an opinion without Kobe homers sweating me. You guys are ridiculous if you think a 33 yr old Kobe Bryant with bad fingers and ball security issues along with a busted knee is better than LeBron. Now I know LeBron had a bad Finals series, but stop living in the moment. You all are making it seem as if Kobe is supposed to remain on top of his game until he retires. He's getting old and declining what the hell do you expect to happen?


Responding to you two had made seem as if I'm defending LeBron. I despise LeBron, but it's clear he's currently the best player in the league. He has the talent he's just soft mentally.

[Desiderium]

I can't even voice an opinion without Kobe homers sweating me. You guys are ridiculous if you think a 33 yr old Kobe Bryant with bad fingers and ball security issues along with a busted knee is better than LeBron. Now I know LeBron had a bad Finals series, but stop living in the moment. You all are making it seem as if Kobe is supposed to remain on top of his game until he retires. He's getting old and declining what the hell do you expect to happen?

i think we can accurately judge kobe and his age this upcoming season when he's injury free and rested. and jetset..lebron didnt have just ONE bad finals series...this has been a recurring theme for him.

[Jetset]

I can't even voice an opinion without Kobe homers sweating me. You guys are ridiculous if you think a 33 yr old Kobe Bryant with bad fingers and ball security issues along with a busted knee is better than LeBron. Now I know LeBron had a bad Finals series, but stop living in the moment. You all are making it seem as if Kobe is supposed to remain on top of his game until he retires. He's getting old and declining what the hell do you expect to happen?

i think we can accurately judge kobe and his age this upcoming season when he's injury free and rested. and jetset..lebron didnt have just ONE bad finals series...this has been a recurring theme for him.

We will see. And as I said in my previous post he has the talent, he's just mentally weak. I think you're getting the two confused.

[The_Trade_Seer]

Polls are useless ... Kobe, Lebron, Dirk, Wade, Durant, Rose, Dwight and CP3 all play like the best player in the league from time to time ... Kobe is the only one that stands out on that list with his 5 rings, 7 conference championships, 28k+ career points, etc ... but give me anyone of the above guys to go to war with and I'm good.

I would say Lebron is the most atlhletic and gifted player in the league by far ... CP3 is probably the most efficient offensive player, Dwight is easily the most dominant force, KD, Dirk or Melo are probably the most unguardable, Kobe is the best "winner" and the most "hungry", Rose is a freak but his D sucks and to me superstars have to be 2-way players ... so ... give me Kobe, Lebron and Dwight as the top 3 all-around players.

[doozyj]

I can't even voice an opinion without Kobe homers sweating me. You guys are ridiculous if you think a 33 yr old Kobe Bryant with bad fingers and ball security issues along with a busted knee is better than LeBron. Now I know LeBron had a bad Finals series, but stop living in the moment. You all are making it seem as if Kobe is supposed to remain on top of his game until he retires. He's getting old and declining what the hell do you expect to happen?

i think we can accurately judge kobe and his age this upcoming season when he's injury free and rested. and jetset..lebron didnt have just ONE bad finals series...this has been a recurring theme for him.

We will see. And as I said in my previous post he has the talent, he's just mentally weak. I think you're getting the two confused.

That is an automatic disqualification for being the "best player" in the league. You said it, I didn't but I could have told you that as well.

[Jetset]

That is an automatic disqualification for being the "best player" in the league. You said it, I didn't but I could have told you that as well.

So basically what you're saying is LeBron is not the best player because he's mentally weak and Kobe is because he isn't? Do you even have an argument or are you just arguing because the topic has turned into a LeBron vs. Kobe thread?

[doozyj]

That is an automatic disqualification for being the "best player" in the league. You said it, I didn't but I could have told you that as well.

So basically what you're saying is LeBron is not the best player because he's mentally weak and Kobe is because he isn't? Do you even have an argument or are you just arguing because the topic has turned into a LeBron vs. Kobe thread?

You started it by coming to a Laker board and spewing your displeasure about the poll results clearly showing Lebron is not being the most chosen one (no pun intended but fitting) not me.

[Desiderium]

That is an automatic disqualification for being the "best player" in the league. You said it, I didn't but I could have told you that as well.

So basically what you're saying is LeBron is not the best player because he's mentally weak and Kobe is because he isn't? Do you even have an argument or are you just arguing because the topic has turned into a LeBron vs. Kobe thread?

you're making an argument that lebron is the BEST athlete..not best basketball player.
dude if anything, wade has proven to be the best player/closer for the miami heat team.