When people talk about “the best player in the game,” two names come up more than any others these days: Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

In fact, no one else is really even worth discussing. Wade, Paul, Duncan, and maybe Howard or Dirk, are all the elite of elite; but no one in the NBA can touch Kobe or Lebron since Michael. Fact.

The popular water cooler argument these days amongst NBA fans is, “Who is better?” “Better” isn’t much of an argument. If they had to play 1-on-1, Lebron would win because of his size and strength, but that doesn’t mean he is better.

If I am running an NBA team and tomorrow I need to win a game, I’m taking Kobe on my team to get that Win. Here’s why:

Clutch

He’s proved time and time again on the biggest of stages that he can come through in the clutch. there is absolutely no chance whatsoever that he will get rattled, panic, lose track of the clock, let an ounce of doubt enter his assassin’s psyche. Obviously, Kobe can score under pressure, but he’s also got all the tools if the play breaks down. He has the resourcefulness and athletic ability to create his own shot or make a great pass to anyone on the floor. And he’s the best tough-shot shooter in the game. Ever.

He’s a Better Pure Scorer

He can score in every way imaginable. LeBron doesn’t even have a consistent midrange game yet and his 3-point range remains streaky. Getting him to give up the ball isn’t even all that hard because he’d rather make the pass than the shot from anything outside of the paint. Kobe can make his own shot from anywhere on the court, with anyone guarding him, and you believe that the shot will go in. Plus, he’s a better free-throw shooter and beyond the arch is much better. I mean, the dude dropped 81 in a game. As a GUARD! JC.

Killer Instinct

The key difference between them still was best expressed by LeBron himself in an interview with ESPN The Magazine: He doesn’t have that instinct to go out and metaphorically kill everyone the way Kobe does. If Kobe smelled blood he’d want to dig deeper into the wound. Lebron is growing in this department but can’t match Kobe.

Defense

Although the gap is closing rapidly, if I still had to take one of the two to man-up a one-on-one with 10 seconds left, I’m taking Kobe. His experience and hustle shore up the defensive edge.

Verdict

This write-up is more a celebration of Kobe’s longevity than a direct comparison of the two. If I had to take a projected career, I’m taking Lebron, even if Kobe has his rings already, because Lebron has no ceiling. There is literally, no cap on his potential. He very well could be considered the best player ever within a few years. Yeah, scary.

But if I am forced with one of the two tomorrow, I’m taking Kobe. The gap is closing ever so rapidly so I am pumping out this blog tonight because there is no more guarantee that I’m taking Kobe tomorrow. There is no pure offensive talent in the NBA in decades like Kobe, but anyone that has seen Bron Bron (And I was live for his first Triple-Double) knows that King James is lurking.

But Kobe > Lebron for this day.

It won’t be for much longer.