LeBron James vs Kobe Bryant: A Complete Comparison

Championships

Los Angeles Lakers Media Day

5 > 3.

This one should be pretty straightforward, but it isn't. Kobe does have two more championships, but he was also playing Robin to Shaq's Batman for his first three. Not to discredit Kobe's achievements, because he was still a vital cog in each of his first three championships, but the fact that Shaq was carrying the team in an era when the center position ruled the league can't be ignored. LeBron would have probably won championships as a young player too if he was paired with an all-time legend when he was a teenager.

LeBron has won three championships, and was clearly the best player and Finals MVP in all three title runs. He has also faced tougher competition throughout his career, and might have matched Kobe's ring count by now if not for Kevin Durant overpowering the Warriors.

Kobe silenced the doubters who said he couldn't win without Shaq when he won back to back championships in 2009 and 2010 with a supporting cast led by Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom. Kobe had help from Shaq to win his early rings, but he had less help than LeBron to win his last two. LeBron in Miami had Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, in Cleveland it was Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love.

What a shame we never got to see them go head to head in The Finals.