1. LeBron James
This isn’t a debate about who is better. LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are two different players that impact the game in different ways. They are both great in their own right and could have definitely learned a thing or two from each other.
The brute strength, size and playmaking skills that James possesses is something Bryant would have loved to have. However, there are also things James could learn from Bryant, which he could get at the Mamba Sports Academy.
At the top of that list is the killer instinct that Bryant has. Michael Jordan is the only player that has reached that level of killer instinct. We have seen James take over games throughout his career and this season with the Lakers. Sometimes he is passive, so getting a little of that killer instinct would be interesting to see.
Where James could really use some lessons from Bryant is at the foul line. The late free throws are one thing. That is part of the mental aspect that Bryant laps the field on when compared to other players. However, James struggles from the foul line no matter the time of the game.
James’ best season from the foul line was 78 percent during the 2008-09 season. He is on pace to make under 70 percent of his free throw attempts for the third time in his career this season. His career-low percentage of 67.4 during the 2016-17 season. He did break the 80 percent mark once in the 2014 playoffs, shooting 80.4.
Bryant, on the other hand, has shot under 80 percent once in his career from the line, making 79.4 percent his sophomore season. Even his worst shooting percentage from the foul line is better than James’ best.
Free throw shooting is not solely James’ issue this season. The whole Lakers team is struggling, as they are on pace to become the first team in the NBA history to shoot under 70 percent. Too bad James and the Lakers can’t get sent to a free throw improvement sessions like an offseason in NBA 2K.