Okay the two I think are interesting are Kobe or LeBron and Bird or Magic.
Kobe or LeBron - people love to measure these arguments in championships so before we go any further we all know Kobe won 3 and LeBron none. But that is a by product of the talent surrounding them. Without a doubt Kobe has had more talent surrounding him so of course he won more.
But LeBron is now only 23. He is a physical freak of nature and a talented and gifted player. Kobe is skilled beyond belief and though not physically imposing is an athlete of the highest kind.
But who is better? Passing-LeBron. Shooting-Kobe. Rebounding-LeBron. Defense-Kobe. Character issues-LeBron. Experience-Kobe. Making others better-LeBron. Ball handling-Kobe.
That's pretty even in the obvious areas to look. So how do we determine who's better? I think you have to go to the intangibles. Things like leadership, chemistry, clutchness, image, hustle, will to win, killer instinct, etc.
And as much as LeBron rates highly in those things, until he can show he has something more I have to believe that Kobe has demonstrated more of those qualities. Kobe is clutch beyond clutch. He knows how to bury and opponent better than anyone(Game 4 this years Finals aside), there is no other player in the game today I want the ball in their hands late in a game than Kobe. And when the team's other superstar guard or SF has the ball late there may not be anyone I want guarding that player more than Kobe.
Kobe is a Laker and I hate him. But he is the best in the game today. Now when it is all said and done with both guys careers over who will be better? That's an argument for another decade.
Bird or Magic
Let's face it, if you lived through that era you've had this argument with a Laker fan before. I always said Bird. Always argued Bird.
Today, in retrospect, I not so sure.
Larry was three years older than Magic and I believe he matured both mentally and physically and skill-wise before Magic did. I think they hit their peaks at different times Bird 81-86, Magic 85-91. We can break down all the skillset stuff here but that's not necessary I think they were pretty close in that regard.
So again it's the intangibles. Larry was a leader without par. Magic probably made others around him better better than anyone else ever. Larry was clutch personified. Magic his twin in that regard. They were both winners and both had that killer instinct. So who's better?
I always argued Larry. Today looking back I'm not so sure. But considering that Magic may have had the better career(records, championships), maybe Magic. Maybe.
I'm just not so sure it was Larry anymore. But god it's a close call.