Wait before you start reading… who would you take with your final possession in the game, Prime Kobe or Prime LeBron? The discussion has happened a million times. People have fought about it, and gotten arrested. The discussions come less often now because Kobe is on his way out of the league and LeBron is still very much in his prime. Shaquille O’Neal has revived the discussion.
Shaq O’Neal spoke on the Dan Patrick Show and said:
“I played with both of them, and Kobe has that killer instinct. I would probably have to go with Kobe. That’s not a knock against LeBron, but I know Kobe, played with him longer, and I’ve seen what he can do.”
LeBron is 2-3 in the NBA Finals, Kobe is 5-2. It’s a dramatic difference, and if LeBron loses this year in the NBA Finals, the talk will be crazy. LeBron’s legacy is on the line wherever he goes, and in Cleveland it’s just a little bit more important because it’s his home town and they haven’t had the best track record in terms of accolades. All eyes will be on Thursday and the NBA Finals in the Oracle Arena.
So who would I take? I’d take Kobe 9 times out of 10. I say that because Kobe’s Killer instinct is really not comparable to anyone else, his hunger to win is ridiculous, and he will do it by any means. Kobe’s ‘attack’ is more comparable to an animal or the black mamba. LeBron’s ‘attack’ mode is strategic, calculated. He is a well oiled machine. He’s like the staple for what a fit and athletic NBA player is and more. There games are NOT comparable. Kobe should be compared to the great scorers like Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain. While LeBron should be compared to the Magic Johnsons and Larry Birds of the NBA.
