Jordan. Lebron, or Kobe?

Never before can a single Generation have compare 3 dominant players of their time in one lifetime. I was fortunate to be a 80's guy. Great music like Thriller, Material Girl and Sugar Hill Gang; great fashion, and of course great basket ball. I was too young to remember the dominance of Bird's three MVPs and Three Championship, I was too young to see the Doc and Moses crushed their opponents to a NBA Championship, and I was too young to see the brilliance of Magic, Kareem, and Worthy. However, I knew how great they were because my father, wearing his loyal Laker P-cap, would gather with his friends and discuss Basketball with exuberance.

My First memory of basketball was when the rising star from NC, Michael Jordan started his quest to become NBA Champion. The team around him was a healthy mixture of youth (Scottie, BJ, Grant) and experience (Cartwright, Paxon, Livingston). I immediately fell in love with the scrappy Bulls. That year they had 61 wins and dominated the playoffs just losing 2 games. Fittingly, it was the Lakers, one of the great teams of the 80s who relinquished their crown to the Bulls. After that, the league became Michael's playground. In 14 years Michael would retire twice, winning 6 NBA titles, 6 Playoffs MVPs, 5 NBA season MVPs, 10 straight scoring titles, Defensive player of the years, first teams in defence and offence, 72 win 10 lose during the 1995-1996 season, third leader in scoring, 2 Olympic Gold Medallist and lead the Bulls in all recognizable statistical category, and finally but not least, Jordan is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. Thoroughly Jordan revolutionize the sports. His endorsements, products, his movies made Jordan a crossover superstar and he will always be remember as such.

As a young man after witnessing the charismatic Michael Jordan, I also saw that same swagger duplicated by a young Kobe Bryant. No doubt this player had all the talent and potential to be the "next Michael Jordan" that the media desired. Kobe like Jordan have to be initiated in a learning phase. Just like Jordan, Kobe had well known failure in playoffs situations. Like Jordan, Kobe hade to learn how to trust his teammates and have confidence that they can and will contribute when the team's season is on the line. Unlike Jordan, Kobe needed a veteran and dominant player in the name of Shaquille O'Neal to help his team get over the proverbial hump. With Shaq by his side, Kobe experience success immediately in his young career winning three straight NBA Championships. Shaq left for another team and the Lakers rebuild around this time a solo Kobe Bryant. At the time, Kobe's Lakers were struggling just to get into the playoffs. But, Kobe still had incredible accomplishments. Most Notably the 81 point game he had against the Raptors, 1NBA All star MVP, and first team selections.  The new LA Lakers with the acquisition of Odom and Gasol lighten the load for Kobe, The talented trio led the Lakers to two additional championships. Kobe won 1 MVP, 2 playoffs MVP, he is now 4th in scoring all time,2 time Olympic Gold Medallist, future Hall of Famer, and is now considered the greatest Laker whom ever played surpassing the Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. Kobe's desire to win and his talents made Kobe an admirable player and much respected.

While Gasol, Odom, and Kobe was dominating the West, in the East a powerhouse talent was rising to publicity. Lebron James came in the league with much hype. His legendary high school career caught the eyes of NBA scouts across the league. The talent and court awareness of Lebron patterned the abilities of Magic Johnson but it was his ability to score at will made him a dominant player. For a young talent, Lebron willingness to play within a system of shared responsibility and share basketball made him a special player. Lebron started his career in Cleveland. He led the Cavs to 60 plus seasons 3 years out of his six, NBA Finals against the Spurs in 2005 and 2 number 1 seasons. Lebron for his efforts won the MVP 3 times with the Cavs. After the sixth season of Lebron's reign in Cleveland and eliminated from the Western Conference finals twice, Lebron sacrificed his career and his talents to join Wade and Bosh in Miami. The criticism of the "Decision" was fast and harsh. Old NBA players as well as active NBA players had an opinion, but Lebron was unwavered. The new Miami Heats promised unlimited championships and they quickly came out of the gate. It was clear that the Heats were the favourite and Lebron's All Star NBA MVP showed the league that despite playing with two other superstars, Lebron was still the focal point of Miami's success. Lebron did not fully understood his role on the Heats and it was obvious when the Mavericks defeated the Heats for the Championship in 2011. It was a learning and humbling experience. The nightmare of the 2011 finals thought Lebron how much he meant to the Heats offensively and defensively. Lebron would took his revenge on the critics by defeating the OKC Thunders to win is first Championship. Lebron became the youngest player to reach 10,000 and 20,000 points, 4 times MVP, 2 time NBA all star MVPs, 2 time Olympic Medallist, Countless triple doubles, many first team selections, and future Hall Of Famer. Lebron James endorsements and great personae made him the first real role model for kids. His on court leadership and community leadership separates him from all the superstar that came before him.

So comparing their careers, their similarities, and their uniqueness, we ask: Who between the three are the greatest of all times? Please do not hold back. the only thing we don't allow on this board is bullying. Thanks.