The Top Two

#2 - Kobe Bryant &

#1 - Lebron James

...And then there were two. 48 players and several thousand words deep, we find the two gentlemen whose names dominate almost any debate as to who's the NBA's best. It's a twisted and difficult dilemma; it doesn't feel right denying either of them the crown. One's been the league's most revered player for ages; a 3-Time Champion and reigning MVP who just led a miraculous turn of events for his franchise, played through a broken finger, and won the toughest conference ever. The other's lightyears ahead of his age; the high school prodigy who's become the league's leading scorer, most versatile player and one of the most dynamic talents in all of sports. At 23. How do you go wrong with either? It was the toughest decision on the entire list, not only because it was the most important.

Kobe's game is immaculate; the Jordan comparisons are played out worse than Hey Ya, but Bryant's no doubt the closest thing to being Like Mike, probably in history, definitely in his generation. While his scoring took a dip this past year as he accomodated a more team-oriented focus (and, again, played through a broken finger on his shooting hand), Kobe's still the most feared triggerman in the NBA. Memories of 81 and his streak of 45's aren't too distant and the Mamba's strike isn't any less venomous now that his teammates have picked up the slack. Bryant also ranks among the league's top men on D; a perennial All-Defender who'll guard the opposition's best wing and seldom be able ot take plays off.

Although he was always a skilled passer, Bryant was historically seen as a somewhat selfish player who always looked to score and didn't create for other players. Shaq's departure in '04 only fueled Bryant's desire to be The Man; an abstract concept that he tried to grasp through personal dominance rather than team success. After years of stubbornly trying to rule the Lakers with iron fist, Bryant gave into Phil Jackson last season and adopted a team approach, becoming a totally different player in the process. He stopped publicly criticizing teammtes, and instead threaded them beautiful feeds when he drew doubles. Proving he could lead a successful team, even before the theft of Pau, Kobe's beginning to re-write his legacy...

...Just as Lebron James is cementing his as the league's best player. What he lacks in hardware (despite the ROY and two All-Star MVPs) can be accredited to his team and the inadequate job they've done of surrounding him with cohesive talent. Dragging his sad Cavaliers squad to the Finals in '07 was every bit as impressive as classmate Dwyane Wade's ring, and if the Cavs could crack the 50-win plateau he'd surely have been crowned MVP by now. Despite this, James led the NBA in per game and 4th quarter scoring last year; while his perimeter jumper remains streaky he's the league's best finisher around the net and would often have to shrug off three defenders to get that far. His 8 rebounds and 7 assists are punctuated by 2 steals and a block every game. He carries the L's most impressive numbers but makes clocking these digits look easy because the speed and agility with which he carries his 6'8"/250 frame is unheard of, his court vision paranormal, his poise unbreakable.

What would already be legendary status at any point in one's career is only compounded by Lebron's youth. Still just 23, five years deep in pro basketball, James's game is still evolving. He's becoming more comfortable with his outside shot, putting in more effort on defense, becoming the deadliest clutch player around instead of Damon Jones' set-up guy; maybe he'll even become a good foul shooter. We're all going to have to face the not-too-distant reality of Lebron James being absolutely unguardable, not even by the Celtics. His career's had to stand up to unprecedented expactations, but he's managed to exceed them time and time again. He was the ROY of the 2nd best Draft ever as a 19-year old, dropped a triple-double in his first playoff game, and as a 22-year old, managed to lead the shallowest team ever to the Finals. He's instilled too much respect for there to be many critics, but he's silenced every one of them, and as his game continues to stretch the stratosphere, the reign will only continue. Long live the King.