Los Angeles Lakers: Comparing Kobe Bryant as 8 and 24

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Lebron James: Probably one of the most intriguing topics of any “Kobe Vs.” conversations. Pitting these two against each other is an NBA fans dream matchup.

With Kobe reaching his prime between the years of 2005 and 2010, and Lebron reaching the NBA Finals in 2007, a Kobe-Lebron matchup seemed inevitable.

In 2009, heading into the NBA playoffs as the 1^st seed in the Eastern Conference with a 66-16 record, the Cavs fell short of a 2009 meeting with the Lakers in the Finals, by losing in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Orlando Magic.

That was probably the best chance for Kobe and Lebron to face up in the ultimate battle of the “next one” pantheon of competitiveness. Kobe’s entire career has been compared to Michael Jordan from playing style, to demeanor, down to the way he speaks in interviews.

Lebron James, also has been compared to Jordan, not in playing style, but based on individual merit and achievements. Because of these comparisons, all the Kobe and Lebron detractors have come out to speak against the Jordan comparisons. Jordan fans oppose all beliefs that Bryant is better than Jordan out of sheer defensiveness, as all Bryant fans detract all notions that Lebron might be able to hold a candle to Jordan’s legacy. One could only imagine what a meeting in the NBA Finals would have meant for either career. All we’re left with are those old Nike puppet-commercials.

Head to Head matchups: Lebron 16/Kobe 6

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