Besides the obvious differences between the two, like Lebron's size and advanced physical maturity coming out of high school. I believe there is a key difference between the two. It may be the key factor in why Kobe Bryant got just about every ounce of potential out of his career, while Lebron James has to look deeper for motivation. There are positives and negatives for each individual.
First of all, let me explain what I'm alluding to. Both Kobe Bryant and Lebron James are players that can be considered best in the league. While opinions like who is better can be debated, you canot debate that both were the best in the league at some point. I say that because someone will call one of them "trash" or other words that should automatically eliminate the opinion that spoke the words. I'm simply looking at what might contribute to Kobe Bryant's incredible focus and determination while Lebron James sometimes seems satisfied to be there. I believe much of that can be traced back to their childhood and the psychology of both people.
While Kobe Bryant was raised without any of the insecurities that overwhelm many of us every day. Lebron James came from a very humble background including being raised by a single mother. In addition to having to focus on basketball Lebron also had to be the man of the house and deal with the insecurities of not having money. Kobe Bryant never had any of those concerns. He didn't have to worry about what he was having for dinner. He also didn't have to worry about what his classmates would think of his parents car or his clothes. Because Kobe Bryant had the confidence that all of these things were adequate he didn't have to worry about these things as focused on his goals. Since Kobe Bryan'ts father Joe was also a professional basketball player he either had to reach another level to feel he achieved or not do it at all. So from an early age Kobe Bryant's focus was to be an all-time great. While many of us were just trying to fit in and be accepted, he was taking advantage of all his privileges to become even better than his father was. Kobe Bryant also has incredible focus. Even while battling through a court case in Eagle Colorado he would fly back and be able to focus on the game that night. Guys like Dwight Howard have trouble focusing on their profession with just the basic distractions that come in life.
Of course with Kobe there is also the negatives. I believe that because Kobe was the youngest sibling and the only boy he grew a little entitlement and arrogance. Both entitlement and arrogance can be positives and negatives depending on the situation. Kobe alienated teammates and didn't care what they thought about his shooting. At times that helped him reach of goals of personal success but also caused some people not to like him and some players not to want to play with him. For others that had the confidence to stand up to Kobe it gave them motivation. Motivation to work harder and be better so that Kobe couldn't admonish them. Some of the most successful people have some sort of combination of arrogance, entitlement, or narcissism. I only know Kobe through 20 years of watching him play so I have no idea what that combination is. But after hearing him speak and listening to how he treated some teammates I have my opinion of the combination. I probably should have picked another player because I might be subjective about Kobe. But him and Lebron are great comparisons so that's why I continue. With Kobe I learned to accept the good with the bad. Realizing that the Lakers don't have 5 championships without Kobe I had to accept Kobe with all of his ingredients to truly appreciate the success. That's also not taking away from what Shaq did as well.
Lebron James is much different. I could argue that no player coming out of high school has ever had the ingredients to be a great basketball player like Lebron James had. Kevin Garnett is a close second but couldn't handle the ball like Lebron. Lebron James came into the league built like a man already. While Kobe Bryant was a skinny kid similar to Brandon Ingram this year, Lebron had a physique unheard of coming into the league out of high school. Magic Johnson was the closest comparison to Lebron in my opinion. I still see more of Magic in Lebron's game while I see more of Michael Jordan in Kobe's game. Lebron can play any position, guard any position, while also being what seems to be a good team player. Lebron much of the time looks like he would prefer to pass and set up his teammates over doing it himself. If Kobe Bryant had Lebron James' body? I believe we would have witnessed the most dominant ball hog ever seen in basketball. I believe Shaquille Oneal is the most dominant player I ever watched but Lebron is a close second. Michael Jordan relied on more finesse being 3 inches shorter than Lebron. But Jordan also had bigger hands than Kobe. So the comparisons can go so deep.
My point with Lebron is that he should be even better than he is. There are times I've watched him lose a game or a series where he never tried to take over. Other times where I thought he tried to take over too late. I just know that with the teams he's had in the Finals I was surprised when he didn't win. Yes, the Spurs are a great team. Greg Popovich in my opinion is the best coach in the league. He's similar to the Patriots Bill Belichick. Most of the time he just seems way smarter than the other coach. I've studied Lebron James' body language and at times he seems as though he's ok after a loss. You can't say that about Kobe Bryant. That's why the debate will never end with these two and guys like Jordan. I'm sure somewhere there is an equation that could spell it all out for us but none of us know it. Instead, we all stand up for our guy and say why he's the best. I try to stay objective while at the same time appreciate while avoiding hate.
When I was a kid I couldn't stand Michael Jordan. I didn't like his swagger, his isolation play, or his Bulls against my Lakers. As I get older I'm not as emotional and as one sided. I can sit back and appreciate players like Lebron James even though I'm not a fan. I appreciate the way he kept his team strong even after going down 3 games to 1. I look at his block on Iguodola at the end of game 7 and I felt how much he wanted to win the series for the city of Cleveland, Akron, and Ohio. I watched one of the most dominant NBA players ever humble the sudden arrogance and swagger of the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry. As a Laker fan I can sit and appreciate the 9 championships that I can remember. I was young for the first championship with Magic Johnson but I remember the rest. Of course I want my team to be good. But I'm not going to be one of those myopic fans that believe my team should always be the best. I can be genuinely happy for Cleveland and Lebron James. Not many players have had to endure the hate that guy gets. With the hate I think it fuels his ambition to win. For a guy from Akron Ohio this has to all be amazing to him. Yes, at six foot nine it was known from an early age he'd be a very good basketball player. But sometimes we all have different ideas of success. While some of us are just happy to be there? Others have goals that far exceed ours. Although they might not achieve their goals or their goals might sound ludicrous. It just shows how many ingredients go into us all but specifically into a sports athlete.
Another comparison could be Steph Curry and Allen Iverson. Steph's father played in the NBA so Steph seems comfortable in the NBA. Iverson struggled. He struggled with the chip on his shoulder and with the media. There are many more I could point too.
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