I'll never say it in public but I really think LeBron has potential to be better and he's already more popular than Kobe (I know for a fact the jersey count is really just because Laker fans buy multiples, HA). I never really hear a person say "I Hate LeBron James" (except for me during games vs. the Lakers). But you will always hear contrasting answers when Kobe's name is mentioned. LeBron's body is just built for basketball and he has a charisma that fills seats and is amazing to WITNESS. Comparable to that of MJ. But it's just like the MVPuppets commercial, LeBron isn't hungry. I don't see his killer instinct, willingness to take over the game (because the game is usually already his), effort to make his supporting cast better, work to improve his own game. He seems like he's resting on his laurels and relying on the talent he already has. Granted, he's got a ton of talent. Sure "his leadership has improved" but what does that really say? I feel like that's always a cop out when critics can't think of areas where players have gotten better. I'm staring at LeBron's career averages and there's really no dramatic difference with the exception of his rookie year and his sophomore year, and this is on a team BUILT AROUND HIM. I mean...what is he working on? Take the first 5 years of both of their careers and you see Kobe steadily improving on a team that wasn't built around him. His highest career averages appear in the post-Shaq, no championship years when the franchise WAS BUILT AROUND HIM. Putting up pretty much the same numbers as LeBron on a team built around him. LeBron literally spikes after his second year and then plateaus up to now.
As far as charisma, this is why I like Kobe. Kobe isn't particularly appealing to the general public which is why they call him one of the most polarizing players in the NBA. He doesn't give you much reason to like him other than the fact that he's an amazing player and you have to respect him. He let's his game speak to his greatness. You see it in interviews, always so quiet, calculating, thoughtful. He doesn't rap after a victory like LeBron or crack jokes with a goofy attitude like Dwight and Shaq. I know he's capable because he does it with the team and what not, but during games it's all business. It doesn't make for great PR when he's so serious all the time in front of a camera. I mean honestly, this is a face only a mother and/or a hardcore laker fan could love:
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