Kobe vs. Lebron.....

Magic vs. Bird, Jordan vs. Bird, Jordan vs. Magic... These were matchups that drew many spectators to watch the NBA in the past. With the retirement of the greats a major chunk of the interest in the league left with them.

However, there has been a resurgence in the past few years and that is due mainly to Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. When these two match up the commissioner David Stern has to wear a smile, because whether you are a NBA fan or not, most will watch this game.

Everyone wants another Michael Jordan; well it is my opinion that there never will be another MJ. I wanted as much as anyone for Lebron to step up and take that title. Many feel like Kobe is the closer of the two at this point in their careers. The fact is, these two are redefining the game in their own ways.

Lebron has changed the game in that he is possibly the greatest athlete that has ever walked the earth. At 6'8, 260, Lebron defies the laws of gravity like no other before him, and his speed is unmatched for a man of his size. Not to mention that he is putting up numbers (at the ripe old age of 25) that will be hard for anyone to touch. Twenty five years old and he already has 14,264 points, 3,616 rebounds, 3,493 assists in his career. He changes the game because he has point guard ability and power forward size. This guy alone is changing the face of the NBA. Is he the next Jordan?....

Kobe Bryant has four rings, and his team currently is one of the league's best. His game is defined by his desire. Althought I am not a fan of Kobe personally, I respect his tenacity and distaste for losing. He has the eyes of the tiger and he uses them. He is 31 years old and has been in the league 13 years and accumulated 24,981 points in his career. Since the days of Michael Jordan, you have never seen a player that is more clutch than Kobe has been in his career. His game is one that he takes to other levels when its on the line and for that you must respect him. Is the the next Jordan?...

In comparison, both players are impressive and have done some unbelieveble things in their careers. People ask the question I used to sum up both of them. The anwser to that question is without a doubt, NO!!!

Neither are Jordan and thankfully enough they respect Jordan enough to not try to be. In this world of posers, these two guys get it. They have made it on who they are and the game they have. Both push themselves and their teams to levels that may have never been seen before in the sports world. With the failures of many athletes today. Baseball has its steriods, golf even has its issues.. These two guys go about their business and stay out of the light outside of the game. Yes, I know Kobe has had his issues with the "affair." However, unlike some sports stars today he manned up and faced the scrutiny and negative exposure and openly apologized and fixed his life.

So in conclusion, Kobe vs Lebron tonight is just one game, but in the long run these guys are two of the greatest that have ever lived. Tonight on TNT you get to see two greats like this face off head to head. It's worth taking a moment and not idiolizing two men, but enjoying two great basketball players as just that; two of the greats going head to head.