Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 at 9:00 am  |  310 responses

Jerry West: ‘LeBron Has Surpassed Kobe’

by Marcel Mutoni

Of all the legends in NBA history, Jerry West is probably Kobe Bryant’s favorite. After all, Mr. Clutch is the one who shrewdly worked out a trade to bring Bryant to L.A. when KB was a teenager, and the man provided counsel through Kobe’s most tumultuous times in the League.

Jerry West, who for years has called Kobe Bryant the League’s greatest player, has a new favorite these days. It’s some guy from Ohio.

Reuters reports:

“If I had to have somebody make a last-second shot, it would be Kobe Bryant,” said West, architect of the great Lakers teams from Magic Johnson years in the 1980s through the Shaquille O’Neal clubs of the early 2000s.

“But even though it’s hard for me to be objective, because I brought Kobe to Los Angeles, I do think LeBron has surpassed Kobe as a player.”

Jerry’s assessment of the two superstars was brought up during the postgame chat with reporters following the Lakers’ Game 1 win over Denver, and Kobe said it didn’t bother him one bit. Absolutely no one believed him, nor should they.

I’m guessing that Jerry probably shouldn’t expect a Christmas card from the Bryant family this year.

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  • Justin

    The comparisons are ridiculous. Kind of tough for LeBron to have 3 titles when he’s only been in the league 4 years. So comparinng the two based on titles RIGHT now is dumb. Compare their skills when LeBron is Kobe’s age, or has played as many years. As for whether Jordan could guard these guys, I think you forget just how quick and strong Jordan was. I suggest you go to YouTube, type in hoopsencyclopedia-Michael Jordan and relive the best player to ever play, and will ever play

  • Chris C

    Maybe when Kobe retires, the world will understand why he is the best there is. Lebron is the best ATHLETE in the NBA not the best basketball player. That’s what people don’t understand, he’s a great player no doubt. But, dont’t misconstrue athletisism with skill. to say lebron is a better player than kobe is to say: to get where he is today, lebron has worked harder on his game than kobe has. But it won’t be until Kobe retires, will people actually understand.

  • truthteller

    LeBron is clearly chasing Kobe and his accomplishments. Just think about it, everything that the media is celebrating about LeBron, Kobe’s already done that.

  • Joshua Holder

    Lebron is 23, has never played with a shaq, and has already passed kobe in triple doubles. kobe is getting to the end of his greatness, no matter how much you whining laker fans want to deny it(cause i know yall whine, if kobe does it yall do it cough*Bandwagon*cough). Second, MVP Lebron James. Third, i don’t care if you score all day long, you still aren’t the greatest. Kobe, yeah he’s a great player but Lebron is already starting to become better.
    And for those of you who think kobe is the best are idiots!!! COMON! REALLY?!?!
    2 words MICHAEL JORDAN! Greatest of all time no contest. 6 for 6. Anyone remember the last time kobe won 6 championships and didnt lose in any finals? I don’t think so.

  • Desmond

    ok im a lebron fan and if i saw a sheet that said kobe bryant averaged more PPG, RPG,APG, and is #2 best defensive player then i would say yes kobe is better than lebron BUT thats not the case lebron has more of everything except 3 pointers and foul shots and we all know kobe gets every call and kobe cant win a championship with out shaq. kobe may have more rings but thats TEAM accomplishment and shaq did better than kobe in all of them. lebrons only 23 and lebron has surpassed kobe in everything except rings. There is a reason for STATS and lebron wins. MJ and jerry west agree lebrons better. KOBE FANS EXCEPT IT ur preciouse little ball player isnt the best o and lets not forget that every time kobe fouls he cries about it for 5 min like he never fouls…. 2002 was rigged any way game 6 lakers vs kings…. kings won it so kobe should only have 2 rings google that crap. …….LEBRON 2008-2009 MVP. we da best

  • alex

    i have to dissaggre with mr. west hes old and crazzy! kobe is still better and i think hes over his prime! lebron at his prime(now) and kobe at his prime (acouple years ago) landslide! KOBE!

  • alex

    truthteller said it best!

  • cassie

    to all u f**** kobe fans that decided to post a comment on this article suck it up b***** we all know whos the best… i mean come on kobe has this way of hypnotizing u ppl to the point where u follow him everywhere but the funny part is one of the greatest players jerry west even says it i mean im lost for words man the truth shall set u free i mean was kobe even this good at 24 nah dont think so

  • JBO

    Well you know what, I bet Jerry is going to change his mind about Lebron right now.LOL

  • JBO

    To Desmond,well your wrong. Jordan said Kobe is better than Lebron liar.
    Now jordan is permantely right forever about kobe being better than Lebron.Queen James rather piggy back ride instead of winning it as the leader and the best player of his team.Watch lebron fans defend him.Even though MJ never ran to the Lakers or Celtics because he couldn’t win.LOL

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