Who is CURRENTLY the superior player? Take into consideration everything: Stats, individual + team impact, success, clutch factor, ability to make plays/players better, defense, etc.
Don't turn this thread into "If I was starting a franchise, I'd pick . . ." I accentuated currently for a reason =)
Kobe Bryant, bar none. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K7z67RNMkKo&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K7z67RNMkKo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Take that LeBron.
LeBron is more versatile and can impact the game in more ways, but I am a bit biased about Kobe since he was probably my favorite player in the early 2000s. At the moment, neither have looked too impressive. Melo has been playing better than both of them this season.
Offensive skills wise Kobe is still the best in the NBA. But Lebron is a more complete player and valuable to his team!
People don't kid yourselves.. You all are so blinded by highlights and athleticism. Kobe is still superior as a player, but not in every aspect. Overall, he is. Kobe can be classified as athletic, a shooter, a scorer, a post threat, playmaker, defensive player, clutch, etc etc I think Lebron has all of those qualities minus 'shooter' and he hasn't consistently proven to be 'clutch'. Plus, I can't label him a post threat without hesitation..
he actually passed kobe 2 years ago. however, after last season, most people have finally come to the same conclusion.
LeBron if I want to win games. Kobe if I want to put together a "Better Basketball - 1 on 1 offense" video.
If basketball games were only 5 minutes long I would take Kobe but since they are 48 minutes I'll take Lebron. He is physically FAR more capable of carrying a team for an entire game (or series) than Kobe. Even prime Kobe could not impact that game in all aspects and for as long as Lebron can and Kobe is past his prime and picking his spots.
