Kobe Doin' Work

So, as much as I despise Kobe, I really am enjoying the Spike Lee directed Kobe Doin' Work on ESPN. Basically, it is a beautfully shot chronicling of one game (Lakers vs. Spurs) basically done in real time, with Kobe narrating the game. What I find most fascinating is how analytical he is about the game, and how the program gives you the sense that Kobe's greatness is as much because of his ability to understand the game at a higher level, and make decisions based on this higher level understanding, better than other players as it is about his athletic abilities. I also appreciate that Spike Lee doesn't try at all to gloss over how douchey Kobe is to the refs (although I do have some misgivings as to Kobe being overall less of a chode because he knew he was being taped as well as Kobe's narration, since it is premeditated, not necessarily being an actual window into his mind as it s during the actual game). Overall though, it is super interesting if you have any interest in how high-level basketball is played. As a side note, this is kind of a rip off of a movie that came out a few years ago that basically followed Zidane's actions for a full 90 minute game (although he did not narrate, that would have been so awesome).

Kobe vs. Lebron

Up until a few minutes ago, I didn't much care for this debate. But I just had something of an epiphany on the matter that I felt the need to share. Kobe has two rings, yes, but Kobe won those two rings play with Shaq, another legit All-Star. Unless my memory is being very selective (which it very well could be), from then until last year, Kobe's Lakers struggled to some extent with him as the one star. Last year, they were doing well, but one could argue that they didn't really become great until Pau (who, if not a legit star, is pretty close).

Now, with Lebron, he has never, ever had another player near all star caliber on his team (barring this year with Mo Williams), yet he has led the Cavs to the Finals one year and, last year, came ever so close to upsetting the Celtics in the playoffs.

My point here is that both are certainly capable of dominating a game, but Lebron seems to be able to do so more consistently with less help. That is, if Pau Gasol and Verajao (or whatever the fuck his name is) changed teams, there is no way anyone is beating the Cavs. They have never had any type of interior scorer with Lebron on the time. Furthermore, I think Lebron would be able to integrate a good secondary scorer into the lineup better than Kobe has, since despite being a physically much bigger dude than Kobe, it seems like he gets at least as many assists.

Keep in mind too that my argument applies only currently. I think, unless Lebron goes seriously off the rocker or Kobe has a Bondsian later career, it would be very, very tough to argue that Kobe's career, when it ends, would be equal to Lebron's. As proof, just consider that Kobe's first few seasons (or at least maybe his first two) weren't particularly impressive, but Lebron's were pretty solid seasons, and he's just improved from there.




Side note: fuck Derek Fisher. His flopping antics got Garnett's sixth foul tonight.

PS Game just ended. Refs suck balls, fuck Kobe, fuck the Lakers, I hate them so much.