When it comes to the battles of NBA legends, perhaps no two guys are talked about more than Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Though their games are very vastly different, comparing their game has been a regular routine since LeBron’s early years in the NBA.
One of the more recent conversations regarding the two is their performance near the twilight of their careers. One of the things they have in common is their ability to stay elite in spite of age and miles. Kobe, in his 17th season, averaged 27 points, 6 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in 38 minutes. Bron is averaging 25 points, 10.8 assists, and 7.8 rebounds in 35 minutes.
The numbers are truly unprecedented for players their age.
Kobe’s 2012-13 season was the last time the Lakers made the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, it’s also the last time Bryant was really ever himself. In the last moments of the season, Bryant tore his Achilles tendon, and he was never quite the same after. Up until that point, however, he was squarely near the top of the MVP race, leading the Lakers almost single-handedly to a playoff berth.
We are starting to see an athletic decline in LeBron, but he has found ways to adapt. He is shooting more jumpers in an effort to take less contact at the rim. He’s looking for teammates more in order to conserve his energy throughout the game. Somehow, Bronhas molded to become exactly who the Laker sneed him to be. And for the first time in years, they are legitimate Championship contenders.
The point is, Kobe and Bron are two of the best players the game has ever seen. Their ability to stay elite for so long is only proof of that fact.
