The Great Debate

You know I am getting pretty tired of hearing about the Lebron James and Michael Jordan comparisons. Anytime you hear Lebron James, some how Jordan's name gets thrown into the picture. I just wanted to share my thoughts on the matter because I think it is unfair to both athletes.

Michael Jordan is a legend of our lifetime and set the standard for all basketball players to look up to as the best player of all-time. Jordan is a one of a kind individual who was blessed with unbelievable athletic ability and all types of skills. Jordan wasn't a four year varsity player in high schoo, but he used that as motivation and wanted to prove that he was the best and wanted to become the best.

Jordan went on to player 3 years of college basketball and North Carolina, winning the National Championship his Freshman season and went on to leave his mark on UNC's legacy. After that the rest is history. NBA Rookie of the Year, 5 time NBA MVP, 6 time NBA Champion and NBA Finals MVP and countless records for his name.

Then came along Kobe Bryant. An athlete who didn't go to College, entered the NBA straight out of High School. Bryant had early success with the LA Lakers being paired with Shaq O'neal. Kobe showed that he was a prolific scorer and was well on his way to being one of the NBA's elite. He and Shaq went on to win 3 straight NBA Finals a year after Jordan retired the second time.

Year after year, Kobe showed signs of being a great scorer and he began to garner the title of "the next Jordan," which quickly became a phrase of use once Jordan officially retired. Was this because he really was as talented as Jordan or was this because everyone missed Jordan and were hoping to find the next great athlete.

Then in 2003, the next High School Phenom entered the scene. It was a kid out of Ohio, but this guy was no kid. He was a freak athlete in a body of a 30 year old, but he was only 18 years old. Standing at 6'8" and weighing around 240 pounds, maybe more, Lebron James had the speed of a running back and the power of a freight train.

To cut this shorter, Lebron became the first pick of the 2003 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers and his career took off from there.

Lebron is now in his sixth season at the age of 24 and Kobe is 30 and in his twelfth season. These two are are the face of the NBA and both are clearly the most talented players in the league in their own ways respectively. Lebron has always looked up to Kobe and always said Kobe is the best player in the league.

Lebron is only 24 and has made 1 NBA Finals appearance in his fourth season and has always been at the top of the league scoring wise and even in the running for MVP. But this season is looking like his best opportunity to win his first MVP award and even an NBA Championship.

Kobe won his first NBA MVP award last season and is doing his best to lead his team to an NBA title.

Now here is my argument that neither of these two players should be compared to Jordan.

First off, the NBA now a days is way different than it was in the 90s when Jordan was playing. Jordan was a shooting guard. He rarely played out of that position, the other may have been point guard. Kobe Bryant is a shooting guard and is about the same size and frame as Jordan. Leborn James is a Small Forward, who with his freakish ability can easily play positions 1 through 4 and have much success. Now his shooting has been streaky early in his career, but he is coming around year after year.

I say let the comparisons go. There is no need to compare players. Jordan is probably the best player in the history of the game not based on his success, but by how he played and his desire, drive and will to win. He never wanted to lose. He always wanted the ball and wanted to carry his team to victory. He is a one of a kind leader and a natural born athlete. He was determined to be the best.

Kobe has developed that killer instinct over the past few seasons and is the most prolific scorer in the league to date. But Kobe is a different player and plays his own way. He doesn't like loosing and can out score anyone.

Lebron James is a one of a kind athlete that we will likely not see for another 10 or 20 years. Size, speed, strength all in one package. Lebron wants to be the best player and win championships, but he does it in his own fashion. A team leader the day he was drafted, James is a natural born leader who has the will and power to get any shot he wants on the court. He has improved in every area year after year and is now the face of the league along with Kobe.

Both of these athletes are special in their own way and in no right should be compared to Jordan or anyone. Let's leave the comparisons alone and let's move on to a new generation with the two faces of the basketball world in Kobe and Lebron. These types of athletes come along every few years and there is no reason to compare players. Let them represent themselves and prove that they can be apart of the best players in basketball history as Jordan did.

Yes Jordan set the mark for today's generation, but it was players like Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson among others that Jordan looked up to that inspired him to become the greatest.

Now let Kobe, Lebron and the other great players of today's NBA set their standards for future NBA prospects.

And just to throw another fact out there, as my man John once said, "the best shooters in the NBA have been white, Bird, Reggie..."

That has nothing to do with what I was talking about, it was just a funny comment I wanted to share.

Let me know what you think.