Kobe vs. LeBron

Rio Grande Herald Sports Writer:
Gerald Salinas

When you get the Los Angles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers (Cavs) you get two power houses going at it. Who? LA's Kobe Bryant and Cleveland's LeBron James.

Kobe Bryant standing 6-6, 205 and at age 30 is one of the NBA most dynamic player in recent history. Jumping straight out of high school to the pros. Leading his team to 3 NBA Finals victories. And coming so close to a fourth NBA Finals victory just last year. When you have a guy like Kobe on your team more importantly on the floor, expect an average of 25 to 27 shots taken a game. And expect about 15 to 18 of those shots to be made. Kobe will deliver the entire game and when it matters most in the fourth quarter.

LeBron James standing 6-9, 260 clearly overpowering Kobe by a pretty good amount, and at age 24 is one of the most exciting players ever. LeBron another athlete who made the transition from high school to pros, and one of the rare next to Kobe to do it successfully. LeBron doesn't have the resume quite like Kobe but he will if not surpass it. Taking his team to the NBA Finals just two years ago, and not really coming close to victory, LeBron did prove that he himself can take his team to the Finals. LeBron forte is driving it to the rim, strong. Where most coaches want their players, it draws fouls and a better shot opportunity. With LeBron gifted abilities the sky's isn't the limit, it's beyond that. LeBron will dominant the game in many ways. As a scorer he will average about 28.5 points per game, as a magnet to the ball he averages 7.5 rebounds and as a team player he'll average 7 assist.

As much as I and NBA fans want to see LeBron and Kobe one on one, it just ain't going to happen. As both their respected teams collide LeBron's team does lead Kobe's team in overall meetings 6-4. Last meeting Lakers did top Cavs, and Kobe did manage to dislocate his ring finger on his shooting hand.

Meeting for the final time in the regular season, Feb. 8, 2009, LeBron's team will bump heads again with Kobe's team. This time proven to be a bit more interesting, last time they met it was in L.A. This time it'll be in Cleveland where the Cavs are 23-0. Undefeated at home for the first time in franchise history. The Lakers might put an end to that streak, they done it to the one of the hottest teams already twice, ending Boston Celtics 19 game winning streak on Christmas day and yet again last night ending Boston 12 game winning streak. Will they make this ending streak a habit? Or will LeBron and his team make a stand?

These two love to compete, it's almost as they love to compete with one another. Just last month these two teams play each other, just last week these two players lite up MSG, and now just hours away these two teams, and two players will compete against each other. Kobe is the better shooter of the two, and LeBron is the better stronger driver of the two. Clash of the titans no doubt. Kobe is able to do things LeBron cannot do and LeBron can do things cannot do, that's what makes this all but more exciting. Two different styles, with two different players, on two different teams.

Both are ready to lead their teams to victory. Whatever the outcome, I guarantee this will be an explosive match up. Who's the better player of the two? Only time will tell.