The game of basketball takes much skill to play.  Some uneducated and inexperienced followers of the sport say that it's easy and requires no more than "flinging" a ball at a hoop.  Basketball is so much more than that.  In my opinion, basketball is one of the toughest sports to master.  In order to master this game much versatiliy is needed as wellas naturalathleticism. 

When discussing the top players in the world, one that is frequently mentioned is Kobe Bryant.  The first ever guard drafted straight out of highschool at the age of 17.  Kobe Bryant has the biggest arsenal of moves in the NBA today.  There is no weakness found in his game.  Kobe can defend the best the player on a team.  He can shoot from anywhere on the floor as well as score in the hole and run the offense.  Kobe Bryant can be argued as the best player in the game today. 

Kobe's versatility, athleticism, and repetoire of moves is what seperates him from the pack.  Not to mention his proven willingness to win shown off by his current stock of five championship rings.  If Kobe Bryant acquires one more championship he will be in the running for best player ever alongside Michael Jordan whom Kobe has based much of his game off of.  Kobe Bryant is a winner hands down and with the passion he shows and love for the game, Kobe deserves to be in the running for the ultimate title. 

                             Michael Jordan vs. Lebron James

Competition is the driving force of the world today as we know it.  Competition attracts everyone due to the intensity and the simple fact of, there's a winner and there's a loser.  In the competition of basketball, the most commonly discussed topic is,who is the best to ever play the game?  The argued person is usually Michael Jordan and has been for somtime, but now a small forward by the name of Lebron James boasts a very strong contradiction to obtaining this high rank. 

While there are many similarities and few difference between these two players, the differences are what sets one apart from the other.  The ability to take over and win the game is shared between the two as well as clutch playmaking.  Physical differences are not extremely drastic, and athletic ability is relatively close.  The consistent arguement that always led to Jordan holding the highest rank is because he has six rings to Lebron's recently acclaimed one.  This arguement is very strong and normally wins, but I found a way to cut out all other teamates and break it down to just the two competitors.  While Jordan is an amazing shooting guard and has stepped out occasionally to running the offense through the point guard position, Lebron has won while playing every position at the NBA level.The fact that he is a winner and is versatile enough to play every position on the floor is what separates Lebron James from any other player ever including Michael Jordan.