Goodbye Kobe, Hello LeBron?

Written by Daniel Buerge on 01/20/2010 in Editorials, News - 46 Comments

In order for the Lakers to bring in James, they must part ways with Bryant. While the dream team of Bryant and James on the same team is something that makes all Lakers fans drool, it is pure fantasy. Both will be given maximum deals next summer, and obviously the Lakers could not bring in both. Los Angeles is far over the luxury tax limit as it is, and by signing either of these players they are already going to be pushing the limit of Dr. Buss’ wallet. But, other than the past fourteen seasons of excellence that Bryant has provided Lakers fans all over the globe, there are very few reasons why the Lakers should choose Kobe over LeBron.

If this season has been any indication of the future, it’s that Bryant’s body cannot withstand the rigors of too many more NBA seasons, especially not at the level he has become accustomed to playing at. Now there are definitely a few more seasons where Bryant will be one of the top two stars in the league, but his window is not nearly as wide as LeBron’s. James is only 25 years old, and has become arguably the best player in the NBA with his best years still to come. There is a chance that LeBron James can go down in history as one of, if not the best player to ever lace up his sneakers on the NBA hardwood. While Bryant is certainly going to be considered an all time great, his best days are behind him, and the Lakers would be choosing with their hearts, rather than their brains if they were to take Bryant over James. Bryant has transformed himself into a walking legend, but he is turning the page on his unbelievable career. The sixty point games, spectacular dunks, and overall athleticism have given way to fadeaway jumpers and successful team basketball. There is little question that Bryant will still provide championship caliber basketball for the next several years, but the long run severely favors James.

Now as there are plenty of arguments favoring James there are almost as many favoring Bryant. Obviously age and wear and tear is going to start catching up to Bryant, but he is still near the top of his game. This season Bryant is averaging 28.3 points a game going into Thursday’s matchup with Cleveland and ironically, LeBron James, which is a couple points higher than his numbers last season. Much of this could be the injury problems faced by Pau Gasol, but the numbers are there regardless. Bryant has proven to be a championship caliber player every time he takes the floor, and has proven time and again that there is nobody tougher in the league today. Bottom line on Kobe Bryant, if he has a pulse, he will give whatever it takes to win. This is something that James has not established, at least not yet. This could be age or inexperience, but if this is something that LeBron is never able to acquire then he will never be able to become the type of player Bryant is.

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About the Author

Daniel is the editor-in-chief for Lakers Nation. He's always doing his best to keep you informed and entertained. Follow Daniel on Twitter - @DanielBuerge_LA.

Comments

comments

SK

Are you kidding me! No way!!
SK

Are you kidding me! No way!!
Wade

LeBron’s stats are extremely misleading, the only reason he has better stats than Kobe is because the Cavs offense runs entirely around him, but the triangle offense gives Kobe’s supporting cast opportunities to make plays, and on some possessions Kobe does not even touch the ball. Why would the Lakers do this when Kobe is at the top of his game? We should worry about the present and not the future,LA will always be a place where star players want to play, there will be life after Kobe, but for now we should just worry about winning as many championships with this group as we can. Kobe is the best playoff performer by far,he simply has the will to win that LeBron will never have and this is why Kobe will go down as one of the all-time greats, and LeBron will be a flash in the pan once he loses his athleticism and has to rely on his awful mid range shooting.
Wade

LeBron’s stats are extremely misleading, the only reason he has better stats than Kobe is because the Cavs offense runs entirely around him, but the triangle offense gives Kobe’s supporting cast opportunities to make plays, and on some possessions Kobe does not even touch the ball. Why would the Lakers do this when Kobe is at the top of his game? We should worry about the present and not the future,LA will always be a place where star players want to play, there will be life after Kobe, but for now we should just worry about winning as many championships with this group as we can. Kobe is the best playoff performer by far,he simply has the will to win that LeBron will never have and this is why Kobe will go down as one of the all-time greats, and LeBron will be a flash in the pan once he loses his athleticism and has to rely on his awful mid range shooting.
Kobe24..

no thanks lebronx!!! Kobe 4 life!
Kobe24..

no thanks lebronx!!! Kobe 4 life!
http://twitter.com/joshuwagarcia Joshuwa Garcia

It is crazy to think about Kobe in LA but also makes alot of sense to let him go and bring in a young hot shot. But I seriously don’t think it will happen.
http://twitter.com/joshuwagarcia Joshuwa Garcia

It is crazy to think about Kobe in LA but also makes alot of sense to let him go and bring in a young hot shot. But I seriously don’t think it will happen.
http://www.richardsonshops.com RockitD

Heck to the NAW!!! Kobe is by far the best closer in the game. He is a true champion who fights through injury and has proven himself to be a leader for this team and city. 4 rings prove it. What has LeBron won?!?
http://www.richardsonshops.com RockitD

Heck to the NAW!!! Kobe is by far the best closer in the game. He is a true champion who fights through injury and has proven himself to be a leader for this team and city. 4 rings prove it. What has LeBron won?!?
Haddonfield

To get LeBron, the Lakers will have to gut the team like they did to sign Shaq in 1996. No way the Lakers will go through that kind of rebuilding now.
Haddonfield

To get LeBron, the Lakers will have to gut the team like they did to sign Shaq in 1996. No way the Lakers will go through that kind of rebuilding now.
Daniel

Even when the Lakers offense was nothing but Kobe he didn’t put up as good of numbers as LeBron, at least not all around. James averages much more in terms of assists, and he does it with a very dismal supporting cast. While I don’t think the Lakers would ever do this to Kobe, it is certainly something to consider. Of course Kobe has carried the Lakers for years, but wouldn’t LeBron be able to carry them as well?
Daniel

Even when the Lakers offense was nothing but Kobe he didn’t put up as good of numbers as LeBron, at least not all around. James averages much more in terms of assists, and he does it with a very dismal supporting cast. While I don’t think the Lakers would ever do this to Kobe, it is certainly something to consider. Of course Kobe has carried the Lakers for years, but wouldn’t LeBron be able to carry them as well?
Wade

Dismal supporting cast? I’d take Mo Williams and Big Z over Smush and Kwame any day. How could Kobe get assists in that era when Kwame couldn’t even catch the ball? Would LeBron be able to hit the big shots that Kobe has in the playoffs? Is LeBron the leader that Kobe is? Both answers are a resounding no
Wade

Dismal supporting cast? I’d take Mo Williams and Big Z over Smush and Kwame any day. How could Kobe get assists in that era when Kwame couldn’t even catch the ball? Would LeBron be able to hit the big shots that Kobe has in the playoffs? Is LeBron the leader that Kobe is? Both answers are a resounding no
Daniel

LeBron got to the finals without Mo Williams. When LeBron took Cleveland to the Finals against the Spurs his best players were Eric Snow, Larry Hughes and Big Z. Kobe had Lamar Odom, Caron Butler (albeit for only a season), and Vladimir Radmanovic. While that is not very much talent, it is about as much as LeBron had in Cleveland. Also, big shots in the playoffs, how about Game 2 against Orlando last season? Sure they lost the series, but so did the Lakers the year Kobe hit the game winner against Phoenix.
Daniel

LeBron got to the finals without Mo Williams. When LeBron took Cleveland to the Finals against the Spurs his best players were Eric Snow, Larry Hughes and Big Z. Kobe had Lamar Odom, Caron Butler (albeit for only a season), and Vladimir Radmanovic. While that is not very much talent, it is about as much as LeBron had in Cleveland. Also, big shots in the playoffs, how about Game 2 against Orlando last season? Sure they lost the series, but so did the Lakers the year Kobe hit the game winner against Phoenix.
Eric

Sure you can kinda say thats an equal amount of surrounding talent, but Lebron plays in the East, which is still rather weak aside from the top 3 teams, and was MUCH MUCH worse when Lebron made it to the Finals. So…sure he made it there, but he faced no real competition on his way there and then got demolished by the Spurs haha. not too much of an amazing accomplishment if you ask me
Eric

Sure you can kinda say thats an equal amount of surrounding talent, but Lebron plays in the East, which is still rather weak aside from the top 3 teams, and was MUCH MUCH worse when Lebron made it to the Finals. So…sure he made it there, but he faced no real competition on his way there and then got demolished by the Spurs haha. not too much of an amazing accomplishment if you ask me
Wade

You have to remember though Big Z was an all star before LeBron got their and Larry Hughes was putting up very good numbers in Washington before he went to Cleveland. Also the season you are talking about the Lakers did get off to a nice start despite all of the roster moves, but injuries to Kobe and Lamar, plus Rudy T having to step down led to a poor season. LeBron made the finals in an era in which the east was pitiful at best, all they had to beat were the Pistons and that season was the beginning of the end for them. Hell you put Kobe in the east, even with Kwame and Smush and I am sure that he could get to the Finals, and I guarantee he wouldn’t have gotten swept like LeBron did. If you want to come up with a plan for life after Kobe, here is a more sensible one. Play it out with this team and try to collect as many rings as you can, then when Kobe calls it quits make a play at the likes of Carmelo, OJ Mayo, ect. . . LeBron doesn’t have what it takes to lead a team to a championship and he is far from a good leader. When he’s winning he tries to show the other team up by dancing like an idiot and he gets offended when people call him out for it. Yet when he loses he refuses to shake hands and refuses to talk to the media like a baby. Also, we have seen Kobe’s athleticism drop to a degree, yet he still works endless hours in the off season and becomes a better player, can you see LeBron doing that? I don’t. I think I can speak for many Lakers fans when I say that the idea of getting rid of someone who may go down as the greatest Laker or even greatest player ever for a classless asshole like LeBron is a terrible idea.
Wade

You have to remember though Big Z was an all star before LeBron got their and Larry Hughes was putting up very good numbers in Washington before he went to Cleveland. Also the season you are talking about the Lakers did get off to a nice start despite all of the roster moves, but injuries to Kobe and Lamar, plus Rudy T having to step down led to a poor season. LeBron made the finals in an era in which the east was pitiful at best, all they had to beat were the Pistons and that season was the beginning of the end for them. Hell you put Kobe in the east, even with Kwame and Smush and I am sure that he could get to the Finals, and I guarantee he wouldn’t have gotten swept like LeBron did. If you want to come up with a plan for life after Kobe, here is a more sensible one. Play it out with this team and try to collect as many rings as you can, then when Kobe calls it quits make a play at the likes of Carmelo, OJ Mayo, ect. . . LeBron doesn’t have what it takes to lead a team to a championship and he is far from a good leader. When he’s winning he tries to show the other team up by dancing like an idiot and he gets offended when people call him out for it. Yet when he loses he refuses to shake hands and refuses to talk to the media like a baby. Also, we have seen Kobe’s athleticism drop to a degree, yet he still works endless hours in the off season and becomes a better player, can you see LeBron doing that? I don’t. I think I can speak for many Lakers fans when I say that the idea of getting rid of someone who may go down as the greatest Laker or even greatest player ever for a classless asshole like LeBron is a terrible idea.
WAZ

HEEEELLLLL NAW!!!!!
WAZ

HEEEELLLLL NAW!!!!!
Facebook User

Sorry Dan, but the year Lebron made it to the finals was when the East was extremely weak. Nothing like what Kobe faced in the West.
Facebook User

Sorry Dan, but the year Lebron made it to the finals was when the East was extremely weak. Nothing like what Kobe faced in the West.
brian

Even with all the talent on team usa. lebron couldnt lead them to a gold until kobe came. kobe has that killer instinct that lebron doesnt have.
all that talk that lebron would win if he was on the lakers is trash. 24 over 23 anyday.
also i hate how everyone makes lebron to be this basketball god. he hasnt proved anything.
brian

Even with all the talent on team usa. lebron couldnt lead them to a gold until kobe came. kobe has that killer instinct that lebron doesnt have.
all that talk that lebron would win if he was on the lakers is trash. 24 over 23 anyday.
also i hate how everyone makes lebron to be this basketball god. he hasnt proved anything.
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Robert

I don’t know what the right word to use but we should not pull off an NBC on Kobe. American people are supposed to be the most compassionate and people’s reaction to NBC’s late night fiasco backs that up. Look, if we have to rebuild after Kobe retires then so be it but we will not sell our souls to the devil. Kobe has meant so much to this franchise and the city of Los Angeles and dropping him in favor of Lebron is a totally heartless and sell out of our collective souls. It’s like letting Magic go for Larry Bird, dropping our hero for years for an enemy who is much much younger seems like the greatest betrayal in the Legend of the Lakers.
Robert

I don’t know what the right word to use but we should not pull off an NBC on Kobe. American people are supposed to be the most compassionate and people’s reaction to NBC’s late night fiasco backs that up. Look, if we have to rebuild after Kobe retires then so be it but we will not sell our souls to the devil. Kobe has meant so much to this franchise and the city of Los Angeles and dropping him in favor of Lebron is a totally heartless and sell out of our collective souls. It’s like letting Magic go for Larry Bird, dropping our hero for years for an enemy who is much much younger seems like the greatest betrayal in the Legend of the Lakers.
TK28

I hear you SK!!!…….This is the most dumbest thing I’ve heard yet!!….I’m sure even La Bron is laughin’ at this one!!!
TK28

I hear you SK!!!…….This is the most dumbest thing I’ve heard yet!!….I’m sure even La Bron is laughin’ at this one!!!
Jojo

I can just see Kobe torching the Lakers for 82 the very next season if they ever let him go.
Jojo

I can just see Kobe torching the Lakers for 82 the very next season if they ever let him go.
http://www.facebook.com/people/DaVion-Lee/676335694 DaVion Lee

Am I the only one who understands that the Western Conference is much tougher than the Eastern Conference? The East is lucky to have 5 teams above .500 in a season, while the West has at least 10 teams battling all year. So its much easier for LeBron to reach the finals in the East. I feel like that debate is misleading when not considering the levels of competitiveness within both conferences.
http://www.facebook.com/people/DaVion-Lee/676335694 DaVion Lee

Am I the only one who understands that the Western Conference is much tougher than the Eastern Conference? The East is lucky to have 5 teams above .500 in a season, while the West has at least 10 teams battling all year. So its much easier for LeBron to reach the finals in the East. I feel like that debate is misleading when not considering the levels of competitiveness within both conferences.
Jeff

You can’t make the case that Lebron is better than Kobe because he took Cleveland to the Finals in 2007 when Kobe lost in the first round. Let’s be real, the Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns, a team head and shoulders better than every team in the East.
Jeff

You can’t make the case that Lebron is better than Kobe because he took Cleveland to the Finals in 2007 when Kobe lost in the first round. Let’s be real, the Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns, a team head and shoulders better than every team in the East.
http://bernardcaballero.com dem_kab

Amen, it’s been like this for quite some time. It’s pretty sad when you know going into the season in the Eastern Conference that as a team you have about 20-25 guaranteed wins as long as you show up and are breathing. Basically the top teams have to play .500 ball to get 50-55 wins in the East. How can the Raptors be a 5 seed? Them the Bulls, Bobcats and Heat are really below average teams.
http://bernardcaballero.com dem_kab

Amen, it’s been like this for quite some time. It’s pretty sad when you know going into the season in the Eastern Conference that as a team you have about 20-25 guaranteed wins as long as you show up and are breathing. Basically the top teams have to play .500 ball to get 50-55 wins in the East. How can the Raptors be a 5 seed? Them the Bulls, Bobcats and Heat are really below average teams.
Daniel

LeBron single-handedly beat the Pistons though, and that Pistons team beat Kobe, Shaq, and the rest of the Lakers in the Finals. While the lower end of the East was definitely garbage, that Detroit team certainly wasn’t.
Daniel

LeBron single-handedly beat the Pistons though, and that Pistons team beat Kobe, Shaq, and the rest of the Lakers in the Finals. While the lower end of the East was definitely garbage, that Detroit team certainly wasn’t.
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derrick A

its cause lebron played a weak eatern conference division…trust me lebron wouldnt have made it pass the suns either. they probably would have been swept, cause for sure lebron would have missed that shot kobe made.
derrick A

its cause lebron played a weak eatern conference division…trust me lebron wouldnt have made it pass the suns either. they probably would have been swept, cause for sure lebron would have missed that shot kobe made.