Appearance vs Reality

I can't resist. I am an unabashed Lakers fan. I, as well as many knowledgable basketball fans, believe Kobe to be the best player in the league. Popular media would disagree as they have a vested interested (read it's about money) in pushing Lebron James. It has to stop. I can hate a person and respect them. I hated Tim Duncan while he was playing the Lakers in the earlier part of this decade. But I always respected him because watching I knew that I was watching one of the best players ever. I never feel that when watching Lebron. His teammate Antawan Jamison just described his "taking over" of a game the other day as witnessing history. Really? A first round playoff game? This is history? My question is who really thinks this is history? This is "the greatest player ever's" body of work? He beat a so so Bulls team in a first round playoff game. That's it. Nice win. He scored 40 points. I'm 99% positive that has happened before in the history of the league.

Let us forget Kobe Bryant for a minute. Let's talk about Michael Jordan. He has 6 championships in a far superior era of basketball. SIX. Say it with me SIX. Not one or two. SIX. How many does King James have? None. That's right. Zero. Not a single one. Michael Jordan is the best ever not because of his terrific skill set or athleticism. It's because he used all that skill to win and win a lot. He is responsible for a whole crop of the best players ever not winning championships. The comparisions just have to stop.

Now back to Kobe. Kobe has 4 championships. What was Lebron's number again? Oh yes, zero. And I don't want to hear that Kobe is older and had Shaq and all this other stuff. He had all those advantages and came through. He won when he could have lost. He had 3 of his 4 championships before the age of 23. When his team had the best record they won the championsip. Lebron? They were taken out by Orlando in embarassing fashion. You might remember this as the series where Lebron went sulking off the floor refusing to shake hands. The King can't congratulate his peasants?

The point I'm making is very simple. Just as no one had to tell me Jordan was the best, no one has to tell me Kobe is the best. I can watch and see it. Lebron is a terrific athlete and player but I never get that sense when watching him. No amount of announcer plugging, or bulletin boards or stats are going to change that.