2005-06 Lebron James vs. 2005-06 Kobe Bryant

[Lebron23]

http://loyalkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/kobe-bryant-lebron-james.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-63bhYDbpG2Y/Sq7nQPfpjQI/AAAAAAAAG8Q/oGCXKOgLsa4/kobe-and-lebron.jpg

Lebron finished second in the MVP voting behind Steve Nash. The Cavaliers won 50 games for the first time since the 1992-93 NBA season while Kobe led the Lakers to 45 wins in the Western Conference.


Here are 21 yrs.old Lebron and 27 yrs.old Kobe stats.


Lebron James

Regular Season

31.4 ppg on 48 FG%, 7.0 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.6 spg, and 0.8 bpg.

Playoffs

30.8 ppg on 48 FG%, 5.8 apg, 1.4 spf, 0.7 bpg. (13 games)


Top 10 plays: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ6CuIfzboY


Kobe Bryant

Regular Season

35.4 ppg on 45 FG%, 5.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.4 bpg

Playoffs

27.9 ppg on 49.7 FG%, 6.3 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.4 bpg ( 7 games)

Top 10 plays. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS4EKSY3MDs

[NumberSix]

Xmas wins this one.

[Jameerthefear]

I can't really say. Don't really remember that year very well. I know Kobe was a monster tho.

[AintNoSunshine]

Pre-prime Lebron still better than a peak Kobe, why can't we put this debate to rest for good

[coin24]

I can't really say. Don't really remember that year very well. I know Kobe was a monster tho.

Its hard to remember games from when you were 5 years old i guess:oldlol:

[Mr. Jabbar]

1 on 1? kobe would embarrass lebron so badly even i would turn it off halfway through

5 on 5? ^^^^

[Jameerthefear]

Its hard to remember games from when you were 5 years old i guess:oldlol:
7*

[Velocirap31]

Kobe's team was worse than Lebron's that year and they played in the west as well. This was Kobe's prime, he was incredible. He was the only scorer on his team and all the opposing team had to do was stop him, but they couldn't do that most of the time. That extra 4ppg isn't easy to make up.

[NumberSix]

1 on 1? kobe would embarrass lebron so badly even i would turn it off halfway through

5 on 5? ^^^^
Not if it's on Christmas Day.

[fpliii]

Kobe made his bed so he had to sleep in it, but he didn't have a legitimate second scorer. This should've been one of his best defensive seasons. In 07-08 even before acquiring Pau, he was more committed on that end. He was also a more willing passer.

I'm not a huge LeBron fan pre-2008-09, since I think so much of his value is on the defensive side of the ball. He showed some flashes, but it wasn't until the next season that he became a plus defender.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Kobe pretty easily.

Had more 1st place votes in MVP voting. Better all around player. 1st team all defense while Lebron didn't make an all defensive team and was an average defender at best. Kobes regular season was historic & dominant also

[inclinerator]

kobe, probably only cuz of the vast experience he had at that point

[Lebron23]

Kobe's team was worse than Lebron's that year and they played in the west as well. This was Kobe's prime, he was incredible. He was the only scorer on his team and all the opposing team had to do was stop him, but they couldn't do that most of the time. That extra 4ppg isn't easy to make up.


Lebron's teams were 22-8 against the west in 2006.

[Lebron23]

kobe, probably only cuz of the vast experience he had at that point


But 2005-06 Lebron could have been the youngest MVP in history. 2006 NBA MVP Steve Nash's Phoenix Suns won 54 games during that season.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Kobe was the best player in 06 and 07. CP3 and KG were the 2 best in 08. Lebron took his reigns in 09. He wasnt as complete before, very turnover prone, avg defender at best and streaky shooting.

[Heavincent]

It's clearly Kobe.

[Illuminati]

21 years old putting up those numbers, unbelievable.

[cos88]

Its hard to remember games from when you were 5 years old i guess:oldlol:


:roll: :roll: :roll:

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Give the slight edge to Kobe.

[Lebron23]

21 years old putting up those numbers, unbelievable.

A 21 yrs.old Bron finished ahead of Prime Kobe in the MVP Race.

[SilkkTheShocker]

This is LeBron pretty easily. He was absolutely unstoppable getting to that rack that season and actually won a playoff series. Not to mention taking Detroit to 7 games with a backcourt of Eric Snow's corpse and Flip Murray

[Vertical-24]

LeBron had a great year but wasn't nearly as polished or complete as a player as Kobe was. LeBron was heavily criticized for his defense that year, or lack of for that matter and wasn't quite the player we see LeBron as today despite the awesome numbers. He was still very raw and while I would say that this is a pretty good match-up, people watching basketball that year knew that Kobe was the best player in the league. Even the worst of the Kobe haters knew this.

Kobe could torch any defense despite playing on generally one knee and carrying every ounce of that team. There was a time where he was dropping 40+ pts on teams like it was nothing and he was thought to be having a bad or mediocre game when he was dropping 25-30.

Both had terrible teams that season too. One just happened to be on the West.

Going to give the edge to the man everybody feared going to war with that year...Kobe Bryant.

[East_Stone_Ya]

Kobe...those scoring outbursts were phenomenal

[DMAVS41]

Total toss up to me. Slight edge to Kobe in the regular season...and then have to say Lebron was clearly better in the playoffs. Just can't ignore Kobe quitting in Game 7 and blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Suns.

I know the Suns were much better, but Odom played a great series and the Lakers did win a game where Kobe shot 6 of 18. And barely lost game 1 with him shooting 7-21.

06 Kobe was great, but I think it's a bit of an over-rated year for him honestly. Other guys were scoring a ton (iverson/lebron)...and Lebron was easily as good or better overall player. Combine that with Kobe's lackluster playoff performance in game 7...can't give it outright to Kobe over Lebron.

[Haks]

Total toss up to me. Slight edge to Kobe in the regular season...and then have to say Lebron was clearly better in the playoffs. Just can't ignore Kobe quitting in Game 7 and blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Suns.

I know the Suns were much better, but Odom played a great series and the Lakers did win a game where Kobe shot 6 of 18. And barely lost game 1 with him shooting 7-21.

06 Kobe was great, but I think it's a bit of an over-rated year for him honestly. Other guys were scoring a ton (iverson/lebron)...and Lebron was easily as good or better overall player. Combine that with Kobe's lackluster playoff performance in game 7...can't give it outright to Kobe over Lebron.
and you've officially solidified yourself as a box score watcher lol. Better all round player lmao

[Jameerthefear]

...what is Kobe's best year for everyone here?

[fpliii]

...what is Kobe's best year for everyone here?

08 (or 03 regular season/01 playoffs if you're considering them separately). I think his peak was some time between 04-05 and 07-08 (though obviously the first season can't be part of the conversation), and expect posters to be fairly split between the three.

[DMAVS41]

and you've officially solidified yourself as a box score watcher lol. Better all round player lmao

i said as good or better

lol...which he was.

[PJR]

21 year old LeBron was just as impactful of a player as Kobe EVER was. Pretty crazy when you think about it.

[Element]

06 Kobe>>>pre-09 LeBron

[SamuraiSWISH]

I definitely think '06 - '08 Kobe is better than '06 - '08 LeBron. Just more polished, and the numbers don't tell the entire story. LeBron was an average at best defender until he became a good one in his first MVP season of 2009. His jumper improved that season too, so anything before that and I'm going with Kobe.

[Illuminati]

...what is Kobe's best year for everyone here?

Now that I think of it, was Kobe ever the clear cut best player in the league for a season? I mean, he put up unbelievable numbers that season, but it's arguable LeBron will put up better overall numbers, which puts him up there with one of best for the season. Has Kobe had as dominant, impactful seasons as LeBron had these past 2/3 seasons?

[Stringer Bell]

Now that I think of it, was Kobe ever the clear cut best player in the league for a season? I mean, he put up unbelievable numbers that season, but it's arguable LeBron will put up better overall numbers, which puts him up there with one of best for the season. Has Kobe had as dominant, impactful seasons as LeBron had these past 2/3 seasons?

2006-08 Kobe are the strongest cases, I wouldn't say he was the "clear-cut" best, he was arguably the best.

And no, I wouldn't put his best 2-3 year stretch over current Lebron.

[red1]

For this stretch its kobe

[D.J.]

Kobe had the edge at that point. LeBron was a very streaky shooter, average man defender, and was still very raw. Kobe was just on another level. How he led that Lakers squad to 45 wins, I have no idea. Not that LeBron's supporting cast was all that great, but they were still significantly better. That Cavs squad went something like 22-8 against the West.

[Bandito]

Now that I think of it, was Kobe ever the clear cut best player in the league for a season? I mean, he put up unbelievable numbers that season, but it's arguable LeBron will put up better overall numbers, which puts him up there with one of best for the season. Has Kobe had as dominant, impactful seasons as LeBron had these past 2/3 seasons?
Kobe was playing with other legends in Nash, Iverson, Garnett, Dirk, Shaq, Duncan, etc... so it's not a knock on him. Who's after Lebron? Durant, Melo and Paul that's it.

[RedBlackAttack]

That was before James became a really solid defensive player. He was still learning the ropes under Mike Brown at that point (Brown's first season in Cleveland).

He was already pretty incredible offensively, though... Crazy explosive.

I'd give the nod to Kobe at the end of the day. He was the better all-around player and that version of Bryant is one of the very elite scorers in the history of the league. But, it's probably closer than most people think.

That was actually a pretty good Wizards team the Cavs beat in the playoffs that year... and then they gave the Pistons a far better series than anyone anticipated (myself included).

[Scholar]

This was the greatest basketball season I'd ever seen. Superstars were still on their own teams, 3 players averaging 30+ PPG (w/ Agent Zero at 29 PPG), Kobr was having monster games, Wade was healthy and looking like a top 10 contender, Shaq was still playing well, Nash was a beast, Amare being injured was relevant, VC & Kidd were highlight reels in NJ, etc.
That season got me into the NBA like crazy. I was 16 and always pumped to watch every game.

[Solefade]

I'd probably go with Kobe but LeBron's 2007 finals run especially the ECF is something Kobe can't touch.

[TheMarkMadsen]

I'd probably go with Kobe but LeBron's 2007 finals run especially the ECF is something Kobe can't touch.


LOL

22 YO Lebron 2007 ECF: 25.7/9.2/8.5 on 45%

22 YO Kobe 2001 WCF: 33.3/7/7 on 51%


TOUCHED

[NumberSix]

LOL

22 YO Lebron 2007 ECF: 25.7/9.2/8.5 on 45%

22 YO Kobe 2001 WCF: 33.3/7/7 on 51%


TOUCHED
Shaq

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Shaq

Those aren't Shaq stats, tho.

[NumberSix]

Those aren't Shaq stats, tho.
Those stats are a result of Kobe being an afterthought to the defenses.


As much as you Kobe Stans brag about him against the Spurs, you always ignore that Pop has said that it was his strategy to pile on Shaq and let Kobe shoot as much as he wants.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Lebron 2007 ECSF: 25/7/9 on 42%

Kobe 2001 WCSF: 34/9/4 on 47%


:cheers:

01 Kings & Spurs >>>>>>>>> 07 Nets & Pistons

[NumberSix]

Lebron 2007 ECSF: 25/7/9 on 42%

Kobe 2001 WCSF: 34/9/4 on 47%


:cheers:

01 Kings & Spurs >>>>>>>>> 07 Nets & Pistons
Shaq

[TheMarkMadsen]

Those stats are a result of Kobe being an afterthought to the defenses.


As much as you Kobe Stans brag about him against the Spurs, you always ignore that Pop has said that it was his strategy to pile on Shaq and let Kobe shoot as much as he wants.

Pop lets 22 YO Kobe "shoot as much as he wants"

Spurs get swept

Pop lets prime Lebron shoot as much as he wants

7 game series

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Those stats are a result of Kobe being an afterthought to the defenses.


As much as you Kobe Stans brag about him against the Spurs, you always ignore that Pop has said that it was his strategy to pile on Shaq and let Kobe shoot as much as he wants.

Well I'm not a "Kobe stan", but we ALL know you're a HUGE LBJ homer. Given that fact, and making sure you're consistent, would you concede Bron's FG% is "inflated" because of his stacked team?

[magnax1]

Pop lets 22 YO Kobe "shoot as much as he wants"

Spurs get swept

Pop lets prime Lebron shoot as much as he wants

7 game series
It's quite different when there are 2 superstars vs 1.
That being said it's 06 Kobe and not very close.

[NumberSix]

Pop lets 22 YO Kobe "shoot as much as he wants"

Spurs get swept

Pop lets prime Lebron shoot as much as he wants

7 game series
Yup. That's what happens when prime Shaq leads a team and has Derek Fisher, Robert Horry to hit all the clutch shots.

[NumberSix]

Well I'm not a Kobe stan, but we ALL know you're a HUGE LBJ homer. Given that fact, and making sure you're consistent, would you concede Bron's FG% is "inflated" because of his stacked team?
Obviously. Duh. If the defense could just focus on him alone, of course he'd be less efficient. Who would even argue?


Yes i am a LeBron homer. Doesn't mean I'm delusional though. I still place truth above any rooting interest.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Obviously. Duh. If the defense could just focus on him alone, of course he'd be less efficient. Who would even argue?


Yes i am a LeBron homer. Doesn't mean I'm delusional though. I still place truth above any rooting interest.

You'd be surprised. At least you're consistent, though. :applause:

[TheMarkMadsen]

Yup. That's what happens when prime Shaq leads a team and has Derek Fisher, Robert Horry to hit all the clutch shots.

Lakers average margin of victory for that series was 22 points per game :roll:

[Smoke117]

Lebron was clearly better. They were both volume scorers with Lebron edging him out by a little bit efficiency wise (doesn't really come into play here though) while just being much better at creating shots for other teammates and making them better. Neither was particularly at the top defensively but Lebron still had more of an impact. Kobe didn't do shit defensively in 06.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Lebron was clearly better. They were both volume scorers with Lebron edging him out by a little bit efficiency wise (doesn't really come into play here though) while just being much better at creating shots for other teammates and making them better. Neither was particularly at the top defensively but Lebron still had more of an impact. Kobe didn't do shit defensively in 06.

Except for being all nba first team defense while Lebron was.. not selected to an all defensive team

[knicksman]

if kobe is better than prime lebron then theres no year that lebron has been better. Ill take a tough shot creator over an all around player. Basketball is a 5 man game so you can find other players to fill the role that lebron does. Even iguodala could do it minus the scoring. but only dirk is capable of replacing kobes role. Its about the rarity or difficulty of skillset not the quantity. Thats why the only way you can win with lebron is through superteams coz its hard to find a kobe in this league.

[Lebron23]

if kobe is better than prime lebron then theres no year that lebron has been better. Ill take a tough shot creator over an all around player. Basketball is a 5 man game so you can find other players to fill the role that lebron does. Even iguodala could do it minus the scoring. but only dirk is capable of replacing kobes role. Its about the rarity or difficulty of skillset not the quantity. Thats why the only way you can win with lebron is through superteams coz its hard to find a kobe in this league.


You are really an idiot. Kobe played with a very stacked team during the years when he won a championship. His first 3 rings are sidekick aka Pippen Rings.

[knicksman]

You are really an idiot. Kobe played with a very stacked team during the years when he won a championship. His first 3 rings are sidekick aka Pippen Rings.

PS

I hope you kill yourself right now. You disgraceful Son of a B1tch.

its not his fault that shaq wanted lakers but he has proven he can win w/o shaq

[TheMarkMadsen]

You are really an idiot. Kobe played with a very stacked team during the years when he won a championship. His first 3 rings are sidekick aka Pippen Rings.

PS

I hope you kill yourself right now. You disgraceful Son of a B1tch.

You have problems

Dat "intelligent basketball discussion" doe

[Lebron23]

You have problems

Dat "intelligent basketball discussion" doe


The guy is trolling. Both Kobe and Lebron deserves the MVP Award over Steve Nash.

[D.J.]

The guy is trolling. Both Kobe and Lebron deserves the MVP Award over Steve Nash.


You could even make a case for Dirk as well.

[TheMarkMadsen]

The guy is trolling. Both Kobe and Lebron deserves the MVP Award over Steve Nash.

He didnt even mention Nash in his post..


if kobe is better than prime lebron then theres no year that lebron has been better. Ill take a tough shot creator over an all around player. Basketball is a 5 man game so you can find other players to fill the role that lebron does. Even iguodala could do it minus the scoring. but only dirk is capable of replacing kobes role. Its about the rarity or difficulty of skillset not the quantity. Thats why the only way you can win with lebron is through superteams coz its hard to find a kobe in this league.

If anything, sounds like he wouldn't value Nash's skill set as high as others

[knicksman]

the diff bet prime kobe and prime lebron is how kobe performs against a prime spurs to lebrons performance against the past-their prime spurs which is huge. Then how much more for lebron that faced the spurs in 2007 finals :lol

[VIntageNOvel]

the diff bet prime kobe and prime lebron is how kobe performs against a prime spurs to lebrons performance against the past-their prime spurs which is huge. Then how much more for lebron that faced the spurs in 2007 finals :lol

this!

dont forget how prime bron + 2 other star couldnt even beat washed up dirk,
kobe has been owning em since 2001

[knicksman]

this!

dont forget how prime bron + 2 other star couldnt even beat washed up dirk,
kobe has been owning em since 2001

Lebron fanboys just cant get that Lebrons skill set although a lot is not that hard to learn. You can even see iguodala doing it whereas it is rare to see a player who can shoot tough shots as good as kobe

[Magic 32]

This is the way I messure it.

Who would fare better on on an elite team with great coaching...playing against an elite team with great couching.

Give me 06-08 Kobe any day.

I mean, Kobe could still light up Gregg Popovich's team last year, when prime Lebron was struggling for 6 games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeiqLTJCuQY

28 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds 12-19 FG

[SilkkTheShocker]

Lebron 2007 ECSF: 25/7/9 on 42%

Kobe 2001 WCSF: 34/9/4 on 47%


:cheers:

01 Kings & Spurs >>>>>>>>> 07 Nets & Pistons

01 Shaq>>>>07 Larry Hughes

:oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

[chazzy]

Those stats are a result of Kobe being an afterthought to the defenses.


As much as you Kobe Stans brag about him against the Spurs, you always ignore that Pop has said that it was his strategy to pile on Shaq and let Kobe shoot as much as he wants.
What about 08? And why he need to pile on Shaq when he had Duncan? You make it sound as if Kobe was conceded open jumpers all game, fake Laker fan

[catquickspider]

Those stats are a result of Kobe being an afterthought to the defenses.


As much as you Kobe Stans brag about him against the Spurs, you always ignore that Pop has said that it was his strategy to pile on Shaq and let Kobe shoot as much as he wants.

same reason lebron can flirt with 60% shooting

his 2 all stars and best role players in the league

[Jameerthefear]

this!

dont forget how prime bron + 2 other star couldnt even beat washed up dirk,
kobe has been owning em since 2001
"washed up" dirk. fvck out of here.

[K Xerxes]

06-08 Kobe was better than LeBron. You can look at offensive stats and say LeBron, but that doesn't say shit about defense. LeBron made the jump to the top of the game in 09 IMO when he upped his game defensively, even though his stats remained pretty much the same.

[Ca$H]

But 2005-06 Lebron could have been the youngest MVP in history. 2006 NBA MVP Steve Nash's Phoenix Suns won 54 games during that season.

If the Lakers had Gasol that year then Kobe would have won MVP, an NBA title, and FMVP.

[DMAVS41]

If the Lakers had Gasol that year then Kobe would have won MVP, an NBA title, and FMVP.

Maybe, maybe not...08 Kobe...a better year for Kobe in my opinion. Didn't win the title for fmvp. Is he for sure getting by both or one of the 06 Spurs or 06 Mavs? Not sure about that...

It's splitting hairs to call 06 Kobe definitively better than 06 Lebron.

[TheMarkMadsen]

Maybe, maybe not...08 Kobe...a better year for Kobe in my opinion. Didn't win the title for fmvp. Is he for sure getting by both or one of the 06 Spurs or 06 Mavs? Not sure about that...

It's splitting hairs to call 06 Kobe definitively better than 06 Lebron.


Kobe will get past the 06 Mavs all by himself :cheers:

[DMAVS41]

Kobe will get past the 06 Mavs all by himself :cheers:

Yet he couldn't get past a far worse Suns team with Odom (19/11/5 for the series) outplaying Marion for half the series.

:cheers:

[TheMarkMadsen]

Yet he couldn't get past a far worse Suns team with Odom (19/11/5 for the series) outplaying Marion for half the series.

:cheers:


LOL Marion was solid putting up 18/9/2/2, not to mention the 06 Suns weren't a 2 man team, they had 3 players other than Nash averaging 15+ per game that series, and then another 2 teammates putting up 12 each, half these guys were shooting over 50% from the field..

meanwhile in Laker land the best player besides Kobe & Lamar was Kwame Brown, Luke Walton, and Smush Parker. My man Smush putting up those NUMBERS.

The Lakers starting point guard had more turnovers than assist, and averaged 9ppg on 33%

Smush/Kobe/Luke Walton/Lamar/Kwame

that is an ugly starting line up.

[DMAVS41]

LOL Marion was solid putting up 18/9/2/2, not to mention the 06 Suns weren't a 2 man team, they had 3 players other than Nash averaging 15+ per game that series, and then another 2 teammates putting up 12 each, half these guys were shooting over 50% from the field..

meanwhile in Laker land the best player besides Kobe & Lamar was Kwame Brown, Luke Walton, and Smush Parker. My man Smush putting up those NUMBERS.

The Lakers starting point guard had more turnovers than assist, and averaged 9ppg on 33%

Smush/Kobe/Luke Walton/Lamar/Kwame

that is an ugly starting line up.

How is that relevant? You said he'd get by them by himself. Obviously not true...as you now bring up his help against a Suns team that was clearly worse than the Mavs.

This is my exact point...can't just assume Kobe is going to win. That was my only point.

Never said Kobe had enough help to win in 06...you said help was not relevant though...now you are backtracking.

[TheMarkMadsen]

How is that relevant? You said he'd get by them by himself. Obviously not true...as you now bring up his help against a Suns team that was clearly worse than the Mavs.

This is my exact point...can't just assume Kobe is going to win. That was my only point.

Never said Kobe had enough help to win in 06...you said help was not relevant though...now you are backtracking.

calm down i was playing around about the 62 points in 3 quarters during the 06 season