Truth & Rumors > NBA

West changes mind on Kobe vs. LeBron

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Jerry West, the man responsible for bringing Kobe Bryant to the Lakers in a 1996 draft-day trade, basically retracted his comments last week that Cleveland forward LeBron James had passed Bryant as the game's best player. "I said something that I wish I wouldn't have said, to be honest with you, because it was in no way demeaning to Kobe Bryant," West said in a recent interview on "The Jim Rome Show." "I love his passion. I want him to win a championship without Shaquille O'Neal because I think it would vindicate him in some respect. If I had to watch a player play, there's about four players I would pay to see play on a regular basis, and Kobe Bryant certainly would be at the top of that list. Late in the game, who are you going to take to make a shot, who are you going to take in the last quarter of a game? Kobe Bryant's still the best in the league."

Los Angeles Times

LeBron James, AP LeBron James, AP
May 28, 2009  07:34 AM ET

he is still the best .but lebron is so freakish its hard not to argue..but at the end of the day its kb24

May 28, 2009  08:04 AM ET

Just imagine if one day Lebron actually gets ACTUAL all star calibier talent on his team......

Both Players are amazing........i prefer watching Kobe because of his outside game and the fact that he makes crazy shots that are almost predictable that he makes them now.

It's easy to look at the stats when comparing the two, obviously Lebron was the most Valuable Player based on PER, better record etc....I think in terms of their career Lebron has had his path carved out for him by the media......he was voted all defensive team, probably won't miss it now for like atleast 8 years...most likely just because of his stardom...

May 28, 2009  08:19 AM ET

Fug both of them Wade is statistically better.
Lebron is a prince he is no king, kings have crowns and rings to show!
I thought the Cavs were oh so invincible but Orlando has made them look very mortal.
One game win in the eastern conference finals?
Really?
Prince James needs a team indeed.
Wade is better in my view!

May 28, 2009  08:27 AM ET

He made the comment last week just to put a fire under Kobe's arse. It makes him sound stupid to retract it. Now, Lebron is going to play better because West said he is not the best anymore (lol).

May 28, 2009  08:46 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Fug both of them Wade is statistically better.Lebron is a prince he is no king, kings have crowns and rings to show!I thought the Cavs were oh so invincible but Orlando has made them look very mortal.One game win in the eastern conference finals?Really?Prince James needs a team indeed.Wade is better in my view!

Wade got beat by the Hawks. LeBron James swept the Hawks with ease. Wade would probably get swept by the magic if he were to play them.

May 28, 2009  08:49 AM ET

They are 1 & 1a....period- it's totally subjective
personal feelings ABSOLUTELY come into play
Also- they play different positions and play different offenses
- and Dee- no offense - but Wade is clearly no higher than 3rd-

I really think LBJ has done more with less- so currently I'd say LBJ
is the better player than Kobe- who has Pau (& sometimes odom)

May 28, 2009  08:58 AM ET

West it's simple, think before you speak. If you truly believe LBJ is better than Kobe then say it and mean it. Phil Jackson once said he would never coach Kobe because he was un-coachable, oh well. Say what you mean and mean what you say, period.

These over-rated coaching and talking heads get too much credit. Coaching is over-rated, in basketball if my 5 is better than your 5, I will win 90 % of the time. Ask Pat Riley when he had (Kareem, Magic, Scott, and Worth)....players win games not coaches, period.

May 28, 2009  09:12 AM ET

Man up!! You said and you believe it. God, are you scared to hurt Kobe's **** feelings? Is Kobe going to be mad at you?? Don't be a puss. You said it.

May 28, 2009  09:16 AM ET

Don't blame Mr. Clutch. Most ball fans have the same argument. Who is better? If I was starting a new franchise with unlimited funds, I'd take anyone of of them: Kobe, 'Bron, D-Wade.

And there are others not too far behind.

The NBA, where confusion happens.

May 28, 2009  09:23 AM ET

both are GREAT players but honestly....

DID ANY OF YOU FEEL NERVOUS WITH LEBRON ON THE LINE AT THE END OF THE 4TH IN GAME 4 TO GO INTO OVERTIME!?

All i know is... I felt more at ease if it were Kobe and for me... that answered it

May 28, 2009  09:29 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Don't blame Mr. Clutch. Most ball fans have the same argument. Who is better? If I was starting a new franchise with unlimited funds, I'd take anyone of of them: Kobe, 'Bron, D-Wade.And there are others not too far behind. The NBA, where confusion happens.

He said it, so stand firm on it. I think LBJ is the most dominate (unstoppable, too big, too strong) and I think Kobe is the most skilled (not nearly as strong).

If I had to have somebody take a last shot for me it's Kobe.

May 28, 2009  09:35 AM ET

Man I'm just sitting back and enjoying the show. Even MJ didn't have another player his caliber in his prime and the nearest thing to it was Scottie Pippen. I love watching Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Carmelo and that cat Durant is special.

The Kobe and Lebron commercials are off the hook I'm just enjoying this time.

May 28, 2009  10:10 AM ET

Lebron had the better season but Kobe is the better player; end of story.

May 28, 2009  10:12 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

Coaching is over-rated, in basketball

I agree-
different in Football-
but in Bball & Baseball I agree-

May 28, 2009  10:13 AM ET

LEBRON is def the most gifted Player, as the ability to do and pay anything he's the whole team! lol but there lies the problem for me. Lebron needs to dominate the ball where as kobe is more of a pure scorer. I feel especially with the lakers the key difference between the Lakers and Cavs is that the Lakers pass the all about 2-3 times before the shot goes up were as Cavs are really a 1 pass offense... either they pass to lebron and he drives... or lebron drives and dishes out... the play usually begins and ends with lebron being the main component.

I think the Cavs need to change up there offense a bit and hove Mo run the show and let lebron playoff the ball. Lebron is too fast and too strong with the ball, but imagine him without it and how much attention he would draw away from the ball.

With the ball he demands a double but i think how much more of a threat would he be if he gets a pass and he's open... the WHO defense must shift to him to recover freeing up a give and go or a open jumper for him... as opposed to him driving and drawing the dbl

May 28, 2009  10:16 AM ET

lol damn i need to spell check myself... lol my bad

May 28, 2009  10:17 AM ET

I do not know where they got their numbers... Black Mamba! Kobe! Fayber's Nightmare! #24!

May 28, 2009  10:17 AM ET

Oh Jerry easy to say now in retrospect haha you look like a jackass

May 28, 2009  10:18 AM ET
QUOTE(#12):

Even MJ didn't have another player his caliber in his prime and the nearest thing to it was Scottie Pippen.

Wait a minute.....
Pippen was an AWESOME basketball player-
- do not poo poo his talent -
during the bulls run- he Averaged roughly 20pts, 7+boards
and almost 6 assists & 2 steals a night
Not to mention he was a GREAT defender.

Pippen was the BEST small forward of his generation
and IMO a top 10 player in the NBA of that era.

 
May 28, 2009  10:20 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Fug both of them Wade is statistically better.Lebron is a prince he is no king, kings have crowns and rings to show!I thought the Cavs were oh so invincible but Orlando has made them look very mortal.One game win in the eastern conference finals?Really?Prince James needs a team indeed.Wade is better in my view!

Yeah! And Wade's Miami Heat are kicking ass in the playoffs! Woohooo!!! They're going all the way!!! What? They're out?

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