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One Last Kobe vs. LeBron Battle

by


We never got to see Kobe and LeBron compete against each other on highest stage. Their entire careers, divided by opposing conferences, Dwight or Dirk or Timmy or KG always seemed to spoil the match up we longed for most. Instead, we got regular season games, the closing minutes off All-Star Sunday, and them teaming up for Olympic Gold. These may not be the moments which create a true rivalry, but they are moments we will remember all the same.

Thursday night’s game between these two will be the same. In the last time these two players will share the court, they provided some classic moments, reminding us of what made them so great and why we longed so badly for a Finals series between their respective teams.

Both players put on a show, but in their own ways at their respective stages of their careers.

While LeBron can still flash his amazing athleticism (that left handed finish off JR Smith’s off-the-backboard pass was incredible) to finish above the rim, Kobe used a more ground bound game based on footwork and fakes to get his points. Both are aesthetically pleasing and effective, but detail the differences in where these players are now. Differences that, in many ways, signify what made these players who they have been and what made them so great as individual talents to begin with.

I will miss these battles. The video above reminds of us these players’ greatness, but also of how fast the end is approaching. Kobe’s career has all of 16 games left and then it’s over. This makes moments like those from Thursday night that much more special to me. We simply do not have many, if any, performances like that left — especially when you consider the state of Kobe’s shoulder and the general physical difficulty he has even getting on the floor to play these days.

So, to see it one last time and for it to come against LeBron was special. Even though it came in a loss.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    That fake on LeBron makes me wonder where Kobe would be if he really didn’t hurt his achilles, shoulder, shooting fingers, knees… he could still be competing at an elite level.

  2. Travis Y. says

    Incredible to see the polish and precision Kobe uses when going one on one.

    When Lebron had Huertas in a mismatch, he had no idea what to do! He didn’t back him down or attempt to score on him. Instead, he through a cross court pass that was intercepted.

    The whole sequence reminded me of the 2011 Finals when JJ Barea was put on Lebron.

    Bottom line, Kobe and Lebron are just different players with different gifts and personalities.

    J.A. Adande touched this in his latest article.
    http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14948574/kobe-bryant-gets-shots-last-game-lebron-james

    Let’s celebrate the last 16 games of Kobe and get ready for the future.

  3. R says

    Darius, I know what you mean. I also had high hopes that Kobe and Wade would have some epic Finals battles. All we got was Wade busting Kobes nose in an all star game!

  5. A Horse With No Name says

    For those who study talent, Randle’s game last night was full of promise as he showed his speed, quickness, power and developing offensive and defensive skills. As noted above, his attack on the rim and Tristan Thompson was something else. As is his wont, he blew past everyone and attacked with a left-handed slam that conveniently allowed him to ward off Thompson by putting the ball on the left side of the rim. It happened so fast that I watched it a couple of times in order to fully appreciate the control he demonstrated on the dribble and his high leap to flush it.

    Just as impressive was his defense on Kyrie. I’ve long touted Randle’s great lateral quickness and he showed it on a play where Kyrie thought he would do his usual remarkable dribbling attack by which he routinely gets by opposing guards. The thing here though, was he was facing a 250 lbs forward. Irving probably thought he’d leave Randle stumbling in his wake, but to his surprise, Randle easily stayed with him and then disrupted his dribble to force a turnover. (Evan Fournier, dig that.)

    He also had two worthy challenges to LeBron’s rim attacks. One he was scored on, the other one he kept LeBron from scoring by matching LeBron’s unparalleled power and quickness with his own. He also had a nice assortment of drives and finishes to score by staying under control. Of the three young guns, he looked the most ready to compete with big time players.

    Obviously Clarkson struggled, I think he sometimes gets too amped when he’s going against the top backcourt talent and plays tight. I observed the same when he face Rose recently.

    D’Angelo as usual, remained confident and poised, playing well but also showing his inexperience.

    Overall though, another very encouraging game from the young guns.

  6. don ford says

    Kobe’s moves at the 1:00 mark … just priceless.
    Flat out beautiful precision basketball footwork and grace that Kobe’s always done as brilliantly as anyone ever.

    Has always been a joy to watch him work … I’m long firmly in the camp that does not appreciate parts of his approach/philosophy to the game, but when he’s on, he’s just plain a true phenomenon.

    Also loved the tit-for-tat 3pointer at the end of the 2nd half. Steel 🙂

    Missed the game so glad Darius posted this vid.

  8. Vasheed says

    BCS, “One of the best rivalries that never happened.” Bwahahahahha

    Almost amazing it never happened since in the last decade one of them has been in the finals almost every year.

  9. T. Rogers says

    “Is lebron better than karl Malone?”
    —
    Peak LeBron? Yes. All of Malone’s size and strength with so much more speed, ball handling, and court vision.

  11. R says

    Come to think of it, the Celtics and Pistons were the only really tough Kobe era Finals foes. Kobe, Shaq, Pau otherwise did their heaviest playoff lifting in the West. Not a knock by any means; it’s hardly their fault the Pacers and Magic in particular were push overs compared to the Kings and Blazers.

  14. Kbj says

    Lebron has always had it easy. Played in a much weaker conference and is 2-4 in the NBA finals when going against the West. I think Kobe would have beaten him if they met in the finals.

    As for Upshaw, what more is there to say? He can’t stay on the court because hes too busy smoking weed. Anybody who thinks smoking is more important than playing bball does not belong with the Lakers.

  15. matt says

    I can’t imagine forfeiting a multi million dollar career, for weed smoking
    Good thing they didn’t waste a draft pick on him.

  17. matt says

    According to the anouncers of the cavs v lakers game, kobe was passing the torch to lebron…. gimme a break

  18. Fern says

    Well that’s that for Upshaw, there was a reason he wasn’t drafted. Good riddance. At leat i dont have to hear that this idiot was the “center of the future” anymore. I guess that answer why not a single team pluck him from the D-League. Have fun flipping burgers.LKK i feel badly for people that get hurt, have a family tragedy ect ect, for being a gigantic knucklehead? Not so much, he made his choice…

  21. KevTheBold says

    I feel also bad for him.

    Sports really should reconsider marijuana however. It’s an herb and medicine that was miscatorgirized as a drug for political and racial purposes.

  22. LKK says

    Fern….
    Substance abuse is as invasive and devastating as any disease. It destroys lives. Overcoming it is not merely a matter of will power. That big boy needs help in the worst way.

  24. Fern says

    @LKK substance abuse is a disease granted but i doubt this kid is an addict, and i never heard about a weed addict. BTW of all the recreational drugs weed is the less harmless addiction wise. If he was shooting up or snorting it would be a different situation. He got booted out of the D-League and two college programs and wrecked his education and his livehood because he made the choice to smoke a joint, so no sympathy here…

  25. Clay Bertrand says

    I haven’t read anywhere that Upshaw smoked weed. Where did this come out??……..I have a hard time believing that weed was what has got him kicked off of 2 college teams and now the D league. Weed will be scrapped from the next CBA……

    Welp, the Sixers are super tankers now……………..Meanwhile we are entering our easiest stretch of the season with several winnable games on the immediate horizon……..

  26. Marlon Brando says

    I believe his substance abuse stemmed from alcohol, not weed. addiction is a horrible disease, I hope he finds the help he needs, if in fact he wishes to get better.

  27. J C says

    Was it marijuana or another drug?
    I personally dislike weed but I do agree it should or may be excluded from next CBA due to its medicinal uses.
    However –
    Players know the current guidelines and must adhere to those until changes to the rules occur.
    Failure to abstain for even a six-month period in order to become eligible to earn Millions of $$$– illustrates a weakness of mind or as Fern mentions, a serious and tragic addiction.
    I cannot imagine the life-changing decision to imbibe and willingly forfeit the opportunity of a lifetime.
    Again: Tragic.

    • KevTheBold says

      Totally agree JC,

      I can’t fathom him coming so far in a 3rd chance, then letting it all blow away.

      May he find himself one day.

  28. Kbj says

    Sorry, I just assumed he got in trouble for weed because that is what most athletes use when they violate the substance abuse policy. An NBA example is Larry Sanders.

  29. Anonymous says

    I played the NBA draft lottery on ESPN 10 times and the Lakers only kept the pick once. Losing the pick would be a kick in the nuts.

  30. KO says

    True JC

    And this may be the future for many young people as clueless states choose tax dollars over possible increased additions.

    Spin it anyway they want its called dope for a reason.

  31. Kareeme says

    KO, I find it ironic that an alcohol dealer is bemoaning weed, when alcohol is by and far the more/most harmful substance in the United States. I had heard that Upshaw’s deal was alcohol. Alcohol addiction is much more real. I hope that Upshaw can pull it together or at least find the help he needs if that is the case. Somehow sports fans have this idea that because these athletes have the possibility of money they all the sudden stop being people who often come from very different life experiences than many of us. The judgement of a voyeur is so easy.

  32. KO says

    I was told by someone inside it was pot. He supposedly has failed 3 tests.

    Go research rehabs, vast majority are now drugs with heroin being the new epidemic. My point is does America need other additive item with pharm, alchole and now this. Growing up in SCal I have watched way to many of my friend/clients distroy their lives. 20 years in the music biz can change ones percpective.

  33. KO says

    “He failed a 3rd organisation drug test per reports from several sources.” They do not test for glasses of wine just illegal drugs.

    That makes 3 times, 3 teams. That is called addiction.

  34. J C says

    SSR featuring a Dwight discussion.

    How about this for a starting lineup next year?

    Dwight
    Randle
    Harrison Barnes
    Clarkson
    Russell

    Bass, Williams and Nance off the bench.

    I actually think that’s not bad.
    And very possible.
    No ping pong balls required here.
    If we add a Simmons or Ingram, all the better.

  35. Fern says

    I assumed it was weed too, if it is something else sonething more serious I retract my prior comments…

  36. Fern says

    Losing the pick would suck anon but it’s not the end of the world. We have a young core in place and a boatload of capspace. Now, if we lose the pick and on top of that we didn’t have any capspace, now that would be a kick in the nuts…

  37. LKK says

    I haven’t read anything specifying which substance Upshaw abused. Does anyone know for sure or is it just speculation at this point?

  38. Mid-Wilshire says

    Well. I feel badly for Upshaw. He’s very young and obviously fighting some sort of demon(s) in his life.

    The tendency for us is to immediately lapse into judgement. “He blew it. He screwed up. He’s no good. He’s gonna get what he deserves.”

    I would caution against this reaction. Addiction is a disease which afflicts all human beings. All. According to Gerald G. May, author of “Addiction and Grace” (the definitive study on the subject of addiction and a true classic), San Francisco, 1988:

    “All people are addicts…Addiction to alcohol and other drugs are simply more obvious and tragic addictions than others have. To be alive is to be addicted” (page 11). May is both a psychiatrist and an M.D. He explains in his book how addictions (which we all have) permanently alter the brain. They create new connections between the cells in the brain (the connections are called synapses) that will never go away. As a result, the structure of the brain becomes permanently altered and we end up living with our addictions for a life time.

    Also, he states that we easily become addicted to things in our lives other than, say, alcohol and drugs. He calls these “non-substance addictions.” So, one can get addicted to watching TV (which is very common) or to sewing or eating (over-eating is a major addiction) or, something I’m familiar with, running (runners often refer to a “runner’s high”). For all we know, you can get addicted to peanuts.

    These attachments create permanent structures in the brain and we end up being lured to those activities compulsively. And so we say things such as the following: “I need my coffee” or “I need to go for my usual walk” or “I need my dog” or whatever. The operative word is “need.” The issue is one of autonomy. Can you truly do without that thing in you life? Or do you actually NEED it? If the answer is the latter, then, in all likelihood, you’ve developed an addiction. We all have addictions. We’re messes of addictions. That’s why it’s dangerous to judge.

    This, apparently, is where Robert Upshaw is. At this point in his life, I would suggest to him that basketball is secondary (if it’s even that high a priority). He has other things to worry about. He probably needs help. And he needs it as part of a community. (You almost NEVER get over an addiction by yourself. The more you fight it — by yourself — the stronger the addiction gets.)

    The book by May is an excellent read and is crucial to anyone who want to know more about this important topic.

    Regarding Upshaw, he has my compassion and my best wishes. I truly hope he gets better. He may have a long road ahead of him.

    His NBA career is over.

  39. matt says

    John Ireland on the radio said, upshaw was busted because of marijuana. And also disagrees with it, but i see it as a person who gets busted for a dui 3 times. Its just incompetence. Getting busted once ok i can understand that, after that the severity of the punishment would cause you to take it seriously and stay far away for doing it again, you gotta know they sat down and discussed this with upshaw at the beginning of the year. As for the cba changing this rule in the future, it’s hard to understand how players are allowed to party all night before a game, but this is off limits. I’m for players not being allowed to use drugs, each team has a training staff that can give medicine if needed. I can’t comprehend a pro athlete who would want to smoke weed, i used to smoke it and could hardly get out of bed to go to work. I guess it’s just part of hip-hop culture they feel they need to be part of. If players can’t follow rules and respect their body enough to strive for excellence they have no business being professionals.

    • KevTheBold says

      I would bet many players indulge but are smart enough vape, not smoke, and to clear their systems afterwards.

      As for you not being able to rise from bed, you used the wrong strain, the relaxing, versus energizing type.

  40. Anonymous says

    Losing the pick would suck anon but it’s not the end of the world. We have a young core in place and a boatload of capspace. Now, if we lose the pick and on top of that we didn’t have any capspace, now that would be a kick in the nuts…
    —

    Well cap space only helps if there are players to rake it. My gut says that won’t happen until the summer of ’17. No additional talent this summer is a kick in the nuts.

  41. Robert says

    Cap Management: One obvious key to outperforming in the cap management area, is to have players signed for amounts that are less than their market value. We have the opposite of that now (clearly). After this year, we will no longer have the over-paying situation to any great extent (Although Young and Williams are not attractive contracts). That said we will also not have too many opportunities for the “bargain” player. There are two ways you do this. One is with young picks, and the other is the vet signing below market (Ex: Duncan). The Lakers will have no vets at this point who will give us such a gift, and 2 out of 3 of our young guys bargain periods are almost over. We will have to pay Clarkson at least his market value and some would say over his market. In Randal’s case, unfortunately the injury cost us a year, so we only get one more year before he can become a RFA. Nothing we can do about any of this, but it is food for thought when stating that we have a phenomenal cap situation. Not really – teams with phenomenal caps have a couple “bargain” players. So hopefully – Russell becomes that – because he is our main hope in that department. Darius – let me know if I have the contracts wrong or if you have a different take.

  42. matt says

    Being that the lakers are playing well with lou williams out, i would trade him for a 2nd round pick even, i do think he’s got qualities, but does not fit well here.

    According to hoops hype…randle is a restricted free agent in 2018-19…..Russell in 2019-20

  43. Fern says

    ******Well cap space only helps if there are players to rake it. My gut says that won’t happen until the summer of ’17. No additional talent this summer is a kick in the nuts.****** People don’t seen to get that im not talking about Durant or a elite free agent. If our young core keep playing like they been playing since the ASG and a wide open young Laker team without Kobe large shadow looming over it can be attractive to free agents. Before we can contend we have to go back to a certain degree of respectability. If defining success next summer for you means getting KD or God forbid Lebron, well, it’s going to be a looong summer because that’s almost certainly won’t happen. We need to build around what we have, pick or no pick…

  45. Baylor Fan says

    It looks like Upshaw is more Bynum 2.0 without Bynum’s work ethic. He never got into NBA ready shape and that has held him back. Upshaw is the anti-Kobe in his devotion to basketball.

  46. Clay Bertrand says

    Agree w the other Stephen, Nice post Mid!
    KevTheBold, PuffPuff Give bro!!!

    My Dad (not a psychiatrist or anything close) always says, “Everyone is addicted to SOMETHING…..” a True Statement to be sure!

    If this is a weed thing with Upshaw affected his performance, then that’s reason to sever ties. But absent his conduct, performance or work ethic being adversely affected, if this is just a league mandated action, I think its total BS—IF IT IS TRULY JUST WEED we are talking about as reported by John Ireland.

    Now if this was a move made strictly by the Lakers Organization based on an implicit, explicit, or even written agreement between the team and Upshaw based on his past issues, then it is totally warranted. These guys get paid MILLIONS by BILLIONAIRES so the rules are the rules clearly. Its a rule of employment. Its not a RIGHT to play in the NBA after all. If your employer doesn’t want you doing something, then that is a contract issue. You sign that contract and you are bound honor it or face the consequences of your breach.

    But the current league rules are ridiculous. This RANDOM testing for WEED absent it being tied to performance is pure crap—the NBA knows it and so does the NBAPA. They WILL NOT include weed in the next CBA. Mark my words.

    The ultraconservative NFL, actually tests for weed during the entire off season but testing STOPS in the middle of August every year like on August 14. League play starts a week into September—So from August 14 on they don’t test ALL SEASON!!!!! And that’s the OLD BOY NETWORK—-the Cigar Chomping, Scotch drinking OLD CRUSTY guys that own those teams!!!! The NBA is more liberal and more progressive and it always has been.

    Weed is TOTALLY legal in 4 states and medically legal in 19 states and THE NATION’S CAPITAL, D.C. As of Janurary 2015, only 16 states DO NOT have some form of legalized cannabis. In Denver, NFL players actually go the the dispensaries when they are in town to play the Broncos!!!!!

    Punishing people for weed use is going to have to be a CONTRACT ISSUE ONLY going forward like a contract that forbids riding a motorcycle (Jay Williams/Monta Ellis) or engaging in other “potentially dangerous activities” like snowboarding (VladRad). Leagues that punish based on its FEDERAL ILLEGALITY are seeing that rationale dissolve before their eyes with every election.

    Our children will hear about Weed Busts like we all hear about Prohibition and they’ll shake their heads like we do and say, “What were they THINKING!!?!?!?” Frankly, I find more socially useless addictions like Starbucks and “The Walking Dead” worse than WEED!!!!!!!

  47. Clay Bertrand says

    Its probably Stoners drinking all that coffee and watching them Zombies!!! ; )

  49. Clay Bertrand says

    Damn Fern!!! — I’m juss teasin’!!!! lol……. goin ALL CAPS on me!! ; )

  50. Fern says

    Lol Clay i love those walkers/zombies lol. About Upshaw i don’t think he was dumb enough to go play stoned, i mean, i give him more credit than that. But if it’s the company policy in this case the D-League/ NBA and is in the contract, well he breached that contract. I think weed is no worse than alcohol but if it’s still ilegal and you know they are going to test you for it? c’mon man. I be happy to play in the NBA only one season at the minimun, i would be allright money wise for a looong time. He was stupid to blow that chance.Next thing for him is to go overseas and try to make a name for himself and he might be back if he shows some signs of maturity…

  51. matt says

    Kobe is much more of a dynamic player, than lebron, lebron is a physical specimen, i am so glad to have kobe all these years on the lakers, it’s like he just fits los angeles, east coast can keep lebron, it’s all about kobe he’s unguardable……
    …..btw did you see lebron try a kobe type fadeway it looked bad.