THE ONE - By SV

I hate saying these kind of things because it usually comes back to make you look stupid, but this series is already over. The Lakers are going to win. Honestly, it wouldn't even surprise me if they sweep. But this isn't really so much about the Lakers as it is about Kobe. And LeBron. Its about that throne that has been empty since Jordan left, and that Shaq and Duncan have been trying to sit in ever since.

Being from Cleveland I've gotten the chance to watch LeBron since his junior year in high school. The thing about him is that he hasn't really changed much. He is almost the same player now as then. He is a genetic outlier even among all the genetic outliers in the NBA. He is, I think, the best pg in the game. Sure he's developed a more appropriate mindset at the end of games and his jumpshot has improved tremendously, but more or less he is still just a brute that can get to the cup at will. He's an ogre. A really fast ogre. You never really see him cross someone up because he's too busy running past them. Or jumping over them. Or plowing through them. Do you ever remember him using a jumpstop? He doesn't need to because he is better than everybody. Or so I thought.

My appreciation for Kobe's game has grown during the season and especially during these playoffs. The main reason is that Kobe has fixed the one flaw in his game. He has developed the ability to make his teammates better, and he has developed it so that that ability is better than anybody elses. It has me questioning LeBron's title as "The Chosen One." I still believe LeBron is faster, stronger, quicker and better than Kobe was at the same age. And I think if everything plays out LeBron's athletic ability can carry him somewhere that even Kobe can't go. But that's still a big "if." I've realized Kobe is "The Chosen One - Right Now." I like a comment I read in some article where a scout stated, and I'm paraphrasing, that "comparing Kobe to Lebron is like comparing a Maserati to a pinto." While saying LeBron is a pinto might be over-emphasizing the point, I think it rings true. There is NOTHING Kobe can't do right now as a basketball player. His game is so refined its kind of scary. He cruises through games. He has that thing going where it looks like he isn't even trying when everyone knows that he is...like Griffey's swing in the 90's, Montana in the 2 minute drill or Tiger's drive on a par 5. Kobe actually reminds people of Jordan. Let me write this again...KOBE REMINDS PEOPLE OF JORDAN.

That is fucking insane to say and really believe because when MJ left we all said to ourselves that there will never be another. I'm not saying he's better than MJ, or that if he wins this title he is even in MJ's class. BUT HIS GAME REMINDS PEOPLE OF MJ. Grant Hill didn't really. Penny started out with a flash but nope. D-Wade doesn't. Kobe does. While LeBron has no low post game (which I think cost the Cavs the series..oh yea his teammates really sucked in game 7 too) or mid-range game to speak of, Kobe has everything. And everything is at or near the best in the NBA. And everything is working like a Swiss watch right now. He is the Chosen One. Right now.

I'll use another analogy to compare these two players. Watching Kobe is like watching one of those movies on the Independent Film Channel where you sometimes don't really realize what's going on, but you know it is something in-depth and analytical otherwise it wouldn't be on the Independent Film Channel...it would be on TBS or something. Well that would make LeBron one of those movies on TBS or something. One of those movies that when it comes on you can't stop watching because you know how great it is. With LeBron you just realize because his physical gifts make everything obvious. LeBron is that obviously great movie right now. You know that when his nose is at rim level that it is something amazing. Or when he dunks on the defensive player of the year that it is special.

Well I'm telling you now. WATCH Kobe. Understand him. Because he is that film on the IFC that you might not understand. Really study him during these finals. It will be worth it. Because he is the most intriguing player since MJ, and who knows when we'll get to see a player remind us of Jordan again. There are a million story lines in these finals, but for me Kobe is The One.

by Suman Vellanki