KOBE v LeBron

How do you measure the enduring success of a professional athlete? Personal records? No. Biggest contracts? No. Most commercials? No. #1 Selling jersey? No. Bling, posses, cribs, clubs and hoes? Not really. Then what? Rings and titles that's what. Yeah, baby! Kobe Bryant has 5 rings with the same team, the LA Lakers. The media's darling, LeBron James, has 0 rings after 7 seasons. But that's just not all of the player contrasts between these two.

Kobe is a proven leader and certified winner on the hard court. LeBron wants to be the man and is a certified whiner. Kobe makes everybody around him better ala Michael. LeBron makes his teammates disappear for his "my moments" ala Chad Ochocinco. Kobe wins with others "hand-me-downs". LeBron's strategy for winning is being on all-star team. Results v Potential. You pick.

For my money, I'll take Kobe anytime. LeBron is simply a great individual player...a human highlight film. Kobe is an exceptional individual player with freaky ability and an intense passion to win within the delicate context of team dynamics. LeBron is inebriated with the exuberance of his own singular bball skills. Call it, self-love. Powder and all. Kobe believes not only in himself but in his cast.

Since the conclusion of the regular NBA season, the media's frenzy of LeBron's free agent journey has amped up trebled and become something akin to the papparazzi unveiling Tiger Woods's sordid sex exploits. The media thinks we can't have enough news about Tiger and now LeBron. I don't know about you but excuse me, I've had enough of both for several lifetimes. Please Chris Broussard, ESPN bball guru, the season is over...take a vacation.

Headline after headline asks the question of the ages: where will LeBron end up? What lucky(?) franchise will pull the winning ticket for the LeBron sweepstakes. Yawn. Frankly, whomever gets LeBron can have 'em. As Kobe shines his rings in the OC during the off season, LeBron shines his teeth in front of the highest bidders. Will Lebron ever achieve Kobe's pro success? We'll see.

Basketball is the ultimate team sport. 12 players on the team and 5 players in harmony on the court with one goal in mind...winning. Kobe understands that. LeBron doesn't! You see, LeBron is all about LeBron. No suprise there, right? He not so tacitly demands from his new boss to sign pricy all-stars and hire a compliant big name coach as part of his deal package. LeBron's thinking is simple. All-star talent on the same team SURROUNDING ME = ring(s) and that will validate my rightful position in the pantheon of the NBA superstars. However, there is one problem...LeBron himself. Unless he changes his MO from individual to team, he will likely become the modern day version of Dominique Wilkins...incredible talent but no ring.

So let's show some respect to a real champion with warts and all, Kobe Bryant. Kobe, enjoy the off season, hang with the kids, rest up and play some golf with the fellas at Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast because next year wherever LeBron ends up he'll be gunnin' for you with this new crew. What's that? You're not worried? nahhhhh!