Drop it. Seriously.

Clash of the Titans: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are the top candidates
gunning for this season's MVP honor.
(David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

I’m sure a lot of NBA heads out there are still doing the LeBron-Kobe (with the Michael Jordan references) debate now that the MVP race is heating up even more. I’m gonna try to be objective about it since this topic is obviously a hot one. So here we go.

First, a brief history of the 2 top players in the NBA (I apologize if I missed out some info on them. Please let me know if ever).

2003 was the year a young LeBron James entered the NBA arena as if a psychic had actually predicted of his coming. The hype was there of course. Comparisons to Money and Magic Johnson always followed him even before making his first step in the L. After he was drafted at number 1, everything certainly fell into place thus creating a new era, a new beginning in Cleveland. Wore number 23 like his hero MJ, carried his team on his shoulders, became playoff contenders and the rest was all history.

Kobe Bryant on the other hand, had a different experience when he first entered the L. He was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets back in ‘96 but later on the LA got his draft rights and soon he was already wearing the purple and gold uni. Won the dunk contest in the same year. Had the same comparisons to MJ as well. A few years later, he along with Shaq brought 3 NBA championships to LA. Shaq was then traded to Miami on 2004. The spotlight is now on Kobe. Dropped the number 8 and wore 24. Became MVP last season. Brought his team back to the Finals but lost to the Boston Celtics in the end.

One of the things perhaps that is similar with these cats is that they were both compared to one Michael Jordan. The other is certainly the obvious, both are playing in the NBA. There’s no doubt both have the talent, skills and athletic gifts but both have some differences. I don’t have to mention Bron’s height and athletic advantage or Kobe’s championship experience and scoring prowess. Everybody knows all of that stuff. The MVP race this year is indeed gonna be a tough call. But like all discussions in NBA forums, blogs, etc., it all comes down to King James and Mamba.

If y’all are gonna ask me who should be MVP between LeBron and Kobe? I say give the MVP award to King James. A lot of Kobe fans (especially here in the Philippines) will have a lot to say on this. Kobe Bryant's got a lot of Filipino fans here. The reason: he plays like Michael Jordan.

Speaking of MJ, so much talk on Bron and Kobe having similar traits with the G.O.A.T. How both of them have the same, if not all of Money’s attributes. I’ve been trying stay silent or better yet, keep away from this very sensitive topic/debate. I guess it’s time to drop my two cents on this one.

The comparisons should stop already.

They (Bron and Kobe) may possess some of MJ’s moves and all but they also have their own ways/abilities to take their own game to the next level. Money got the same treatment (being compared to Dr. J) when he was a rook. Sure, he idolized the doc but he did something more. Added some offensive in his arsenal and won more MVP hardware and NBA championships than Julius Earving did. Jordan literally took his game to the next level.

If I’m gonna cite examples on Kobe why he shouldn’t be compared to MJ, here’s one of them: Kobe wasn’t a starter in his rookie season as opposed to Money who was already given the starting spot and was the go-to guy for the Bulls when he was a rook. That’s one thing that can be compared to Lebron. Though I’m no Kobe Bryant fan, I followed his career since the day he was drafted in 1996. The other, Mamba won his 3 ‘chips with a dominant center. Jordan however, was the dominant player that earned him 6 titles and MVP honors with the Chicago Bulls. Plus, Kobe never won the ROY.

As for Lebron, the obvious is his size/height. Bron is 6′9″ although he’s listed at 6′8″. The other one, something both he and Kobe have in common, not college ball and jumped straight to the pros. Jordan balled in college and won NCAA championship(s) before being drafted in the NBA. Going back to the height differences, Kobe is actually 6′7″ but is listed at 6′6″.

I could go on and on with the list of reasons why none of these 2 or any player for that matter, should even be compared to Michael Jordan. All I can say is, there’s no comparison at all.

Comparing LeBron James and Kobe Bryant alone is like comparing apples to oranges, what more if any of them are compared to Money. They have their own attributes. They have their own road to success. Hence, each player is unique. It’s not fair for anyone to be compared to another. It’s not fair to MJ, Mamba, Bron or anyone for that matter. Kobe can only be Kobe. LeBron can only be LeBron. Everybody wants to be like Mike but the truth is, nobody can be like Mike. Michael Jordan can only be Michael Jordan. His moves can be copied but not all of them. There are certain moves that only MJ can do.

The NBA shouldn’t look for the next Michael Jordan. Because there won’t be another. MJ shouldn’t be the only yardstick of greatness in the NBA. That level of greatness can be reached depending on one’s ability or passion for the game. The L should instead look for someone who’s not trying to be someone he’s not. A player who can be himself. In other words, one should just be true and play the game the way he wants to play it.

Bottomline is, there’s only one Michael Jordan. Period.

(Note: This is a synchronized post.)