As for the racial aspect, I’ll leave that alone as it’s probably a topic deserving of its own space some time.

And as for team basketball, ya, leave it to Sam to pick a 3rd option after I emphatically declare there is no way to sit on the fence. I’m a large proponent of team basketball myself (Raptor fan, what up) and it’d be interesting to see how either of these guys fit on a true team where they don’t have the ball in their hands at all times. In this debate though, I’m taking Kobe for the rings (Shaq or not) and the defense.

People sometimes claim that LeBron is getting more out of less at the moment which is fair, but I think the league forgets that Carlito, Neck Beard, and the Il Na Na make up maybe the best big-man trio on the East and LeBron is just a 3-point shooter away from a good supporting cast.

I see your general point that teams win titles but considering LeBron dragged those same sorry ass teammates of his to the Finals last June, I would say he is good for more than just selling Powerade and Nikes, since in doing so he beat those same all-for-one Pistons you mentioned (and the Suns haven’t made the Finals since 93)

Second, as Blake said, Kobe was on the floor at the end of the game, as the last play of the game saw Luke Walton throw a pick for Kobe and then Walton get the ball with about 1 second left. Instead of forcing up a shot, Walton PASSED the ball even when it was quite obvious he HAD to shoot the ball or time would expire. The reason why Im bringing this up is because earlier in this game, Walton was being heralded for his superb “basketball IQ,” as the commentator stated Walton’s smarts made up for his lack of talent. Following the game, no one said a word about Walton’s blunder. If a black player made the same mistake, I guarantee the play would have been called a “terrible mental error.” As many of you know, Im not a huge fan of black QBs, etc, but Im also not a fan of white players getting free passes because of their skin colour. But anyways, on to the article…

After reading the 2nd paragraph, I think I can justifiably sit on the fence. In my basketball world, there are super-stars, and then there are teams. Kobe and Lebron, well they are two-in-the-same: they are both guys who can do everything and will be hands-down Hall of Famers, but they’re also guys who dominate so much that they are both above the ‘team.’ Instead of choosing Lebron or Kobe, I would rather watch Lebron or Kobe vs., say, the Suns, Raptors, Pistons, or even the dreadfully consistent Spurs (to watch either super-star lose to any of those respective teams!). Any time you look at a ‘team’ as being a ‘supporting cast’ as opposed to a team, something is wrong. Sure, Kobe won 2 rings, but everyone seems to forget a guy named Shaq; Kobe didn’t win a ring with just a ‘supporting cast.’

So, to reiterate, I will sit on the fence cause I really don’t care who is better, I’d rather cheer for something that wins: a team. The only thing that super-stars are good at is selling shoes – and getting cheap all-star votes.

Having said that:

Black Mamba Kantana; Hunt him or be hunted.

LeBron fans can come talk to me when he makes even ONE All-Defensive team. Basketball is a two-way sport ladies and gents and as far as I can tell LBJ is essentially Big Papi of the NBA: A total game changer and the most feared and talented competitor in the sport…on one side of the ball.

Oh, and those three rings (Shaq-assisted or otherwise) will always hold weight.

Good looking on the article Blake, J.A. is jealous.

Also, guys, I love all the pseudonyms…show-time, queen’s, h to the isso, JRD, it’s good stuff . Please keep the feedback/discussion coming.