A 6’8”, 250 lb. freak of nature, he is the combination of an explosive linebacker, resilient offensive lineman and agile wide receiver. LeBron James is a mutant, and he does not play football.
He plays basketball.
James has the rawest talent in the league. However, after seven years in the show when the clock is ticking down, he has not made that big shot consistently. James does a fine job knocking down all sorts of preposterous jumpers and absurd dunks. But when it comes down to a tight game in the closing minutes and the shot clock has dwindled down to five seconds, James clutches the orange ball a little firmer and pushes a little harder.
Another man named Kobe Bryant does not have this dilemma. The difference between the two is something known as the “it” factor. The “it” factor is a characteristic few people hold that allows one to become clutch and dependably get the job done. It derives from an ability to remain calm and poised in moments where games are decided. Bryant has won five NBA Championships and two Finals MVP Awards. He has made big shot after big shot in any situation you put him in. Bryant wants the ball late in games and delivers more times than not. He is one of the most clutch shooters in the history of the NBA.
Bryant and the Lakers recently traveled to the 305 to play the Heat and came up short. The Heat won both matches against the Lakers this year, with James outplaying Kobe in each match. Before the game, the Heat had lost five or six games in a row at home. Both teams are going through some growing pains down the stretch, which is unusual.
Currently, the Lakers and the Heat each hold the third best records in their conference. Los Angeles and Miami are 47-20 and 45-21 respectively as of Sunday, March 13. Each team has solid competition in their front and rear view mirrors. The Spurs and Celtics hold the best records in each conference. Boston is by far the deepest team in the league and the Chicago Bulls are the hottest, having won six straight as of Sunday.
James and the Heat have been ripped and hated this entire season. Part of the reason is the teaming up of three superstars. Fans viewed the partnership as giving in to the competition and bettering their shot at an easier championship. This has not been the case. Similarly, the Heat have been hated because of the confidence they exuded when the team acquired Bosh and James. The arrogant talk was as if they had already won a championship without playing a game together. For good reason, people pray to watch James fail at what he is trying to do. I don’t pray for James to fail. I choose, rather, not to bet in favor of him because of his lack of the “it” factor.
As an organization, it comes down to winning. Winning teams bring fans into the stands. More demand for the product on the field or court will result in increased revenues. Kobe Bryant has five rings and LeBron James has zero. If I am an owner and begin a franchise with current players, I want one man in his prime, Kobe Bryant. He is a proven winner. Bryant is going for his second set of three peats with the Lakers under arguably the greatest coach in NBA history, Phil Jackson.
These statistics are accurate as of Sunday, March 13.
Tim Shanahan can be reached at tshanahan@spartans.ut.edu.