Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared
type: Article
description: Kobe vs LeBron is the GOAT-tier debate: Kobe Bryant's 5 rings, 81-point game and peak scoring against LeBron James's 4 MVPs, 40,361 career points and 22-season longevity. Kobe Bryant was a pure scorer with 5 NBA championships and 81-point games, while LeBron James is a more versatile all-around player with 4 championships across three teams and exceptional longevity playing at elite level into his late 30s. LeBron's career has lasted 7 seasons longer with sustained excellence.
language: en-US
date published: 2025-06-01T00:00:00.000Z
date created: 2025-06-01T00:00:00.000Z
date modified: 2026-06-22T07:57:09.686Z
content reference time: 2026-06-22T07:57:09.686Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Kobe Bryant
about: LeBron James
abstract: Kobe vs LeBron is the GOAT-tier debate: Kobe Bryant's 5 rings, 81-point game and peak scoring against LeBron James's 4 MVPs, 40,361 career points and 22-season longevity. Kobe Bryant was a pure scorer with 5 NBA championships and 81-point games, while LeBron James is a more versatile all-around player with 4 championships across three teams and exceptional longevity playing at elite level into his late 30s. LeBron's career has lasted 7 seasons longer with sustained excellence.
text: Total Career Points. NBA Championships. MVP Awards. Career Assists. All-Star Selections. Career Length. Single Game Scoring Record
conclusion text: Choose Kobe Bryant if you value elite clutch scoring, championship pedigree with one franchise, and pure offensive mastery with the 81-point game standing as basketball's most iconic single-game performance. Choose LeBron James if you prioritize all-around excellence, sustained dominance across nearly two additional decades, playmaking ability (79% more career assists), and the versatility to impact winning in multiple ways—he ranks higher in total points, MVPs (4 vs 1), and career longevity while maintaining All-Star caliber play into age 40.
additional property: Career Points
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 33,643 | LeBron James: 40,361
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: All-Star Appearances
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 18 | LeBron James: 20
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Points Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 25.0 PPG career | LeBron James: 27.2 PPG career (through 2026)
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: 2026 Season / Peak Season PPG
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 35.4 PPG (2005-06) | LeBron James: 28.3 PPG (2025-26)
  value reference: Kobe Bryant
additional property: Career Assists Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 4.7 APG career | LeBron James: 8.5 APG (2025-26)
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Rebounds Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 5.2 RPG career | LeBron James: 8.3 RPG (2025-26)
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 1 MVP | LeBron James: 4 MVPs
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: NBA Championships
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 5 Championships | LeBron James: 4 Championships
  value reference: Kobe Bryant
additional property: Finals Appearances
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 5 Finals appearances | LeBron James: 10 Finals appearances
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Finals MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 2 Finals MVPs | LeBron James: 4 Finals MVPs
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: True Shooting Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 55.4% TS% career | LeBron James: 66.7% TS% (2025-26)
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Longevity
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 20 seasons (1996-2016) | LeBron James: 23 seasons (2003-2026)
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Height / Physical Presence
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 6'6" (198cm) | LeBron James: 6'9" (206cm)
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: All-Star Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 18 All-Star selections | LeBron James: 20 All-Star selections
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Rebounds Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 5.3 RPG | LeBron James: N/A
additional property: Steals Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 1.5 SPG | LeBron James: N/A
additional property: NBA Finals Record
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: Not documented as perfect | LeBron James: N/A
additional property: Regular Season Games Played
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 1,346 games | LeBron James: N/A
additional property: NBA Career Span
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 20 seasons (1996-2016) | LeBron James: N/A
additional property: Career Points Scored
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 33,643 points | LeBron James: 40,511 points
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Peak Scoring Season Average
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 35.4 PPG (2005-06) | LeBron James: 31.4 PPG (2009-10)
  value reference: Kobe Bryant
additional property: Career Length at Elite Level
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 20 seasons (1996-2016) | LeBron James: 21 seasons (2003-2024)
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: All-NBA First Team Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 11 selections | LeBron James: 10 selections
  value reference: Kobe Bryant
additional property: NBA Finals Appearances
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 7 Finals (5 wins) | LeBron James: 10 Finals (4 wins)
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Points Total
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 33,643 | LeBron James: 40,361
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Assists
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 5,995 | LeBron James: 10,452
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: NBA Championships Won
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 5 championships | LeBron James: 4
  value reference: Kobe Bryant
additional property: Regular Season MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 1 | LeBron James: 4 MVPs
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: All-Star Game Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 18 | LeBron James: 19
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Field Goal Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 44.7% | LeBron James: 50.5%
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Seasons Played
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 20 | LeBron James: 22
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: All-NBA Team Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 15 | LeBron James: 19
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: NBA Championships
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 5 championships | LeBron James: 4
  value reference: Kobe Bryant
additional property: All-Star Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 18 All-Stars | LeBron James: 19
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Games Played
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 1,346 | LeBron James: 1,610
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Three-Point Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 33.1% | LeBron James: 34.4%
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Points Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 25.0 PPG | LeBron James: 27.2
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 1 MVP | LeBron James: 4
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Field Goal Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 44.7% | LeBron James: 50.2%
  value reference: LeBron James
additional property: Career Seasons
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 20 seasons (1996-2016) | LeBron James: N/A
additional property: Finals MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 5 Finals MVPs | LeBron James: 4
  value reference: Kobe Bryant
additional property: All-NBA First Team
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: 11 selections | LeBron James: N/A
additional property: Championships
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4
additional property: Career Rebounds
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 10,452 rebounds
additional property: Career Three-Pointers Made
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 1,295
additional property: NBA Career Length
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 21
additional property: NBA Cup/Finals MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 1 NBA Cup MVP
additional property: Rebounding League Leader Titles
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 0 titles
additional property: Primary Playing Positions
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: Guard, Forward, Center (multi-position)
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/kobe-bryant
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/kobe-bryant
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/lebron-james
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/lebron-james
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/kobe-vs-lebron
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/kobe-vs-lebron
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/kobe-vs-lebron))
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/kobe-bryant-vs-lebron-james
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/lebron-vs-jordan
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/jordan-vs-lebron))
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/lebron-james-vs-kevin-durant
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/michael-jordan-vs-kobe-bryant
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/lebron-james-vs-kareem-abdul-jabbar
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/lebron-james-vs-magic-johnson
teaches: How to choose between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
genre: Sports

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Kobe Bryant
type: Person
alternate name: KB
language: en-US
description: Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard who won 5 championships and 1 MVP across 20 seasons (1996-2016).
image: ImageObject
  caption: Kobe Bryant
subject of: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared
image: ImageObject
  caption: Kobe Bryant

LeBron James
type: Person
alternate name: LJ
alternate name: Lebron James
language: en-US
description: Four-time NBA champion and all-time leading scorer with 20 consecutive All-Star selections and sustained excellence across three franchises.
image: ImageObject
  caption: LeBron James
subject of: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared
image: ImageObject
  caption: LeBron James

Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared. Contains 89 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Career Points
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scoring
variable measured: All-Star Appearances
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Honors
variable measured: Career Points Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scoring
variable measured: 2026 Season / Peak Season PPG
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scoring
variable measured: Career Assists Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Playmaking
variable measured: Career Rebounds Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Rebounding
variable measured: MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: NBA Championships
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Team Success
variable measured: Finals Appearances
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Team Success
variable measured: Finals MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: True Shooting Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Efficiency
variable measured: Career Longevity
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Durability
variable measured: Height / Physical Presence
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Physical Attributes
variable measured: All-Star Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: Rebounds Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Rebounding
variable measured: Steals Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Defensive Excellence
variable measured: NBA Finals Record
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Championship Success
variable measured: Regular Season Games Played
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Longevity
variable measured: NBA Career Span
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Longevity
variable measured: Career Points Scored
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scoring
variable measured: Peak Scoring Season Average
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scoring
variable measured: Career Length at Elite Level
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Longevity
variable measured: All-NBA First Team Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Honors
variable measured: NBA Finals Appearances
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Achievements
variable measured: Career Points Total
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scoring
variable measured: Career Assists
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Playmaking
variable measured: NBA Championships Won
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Championships
variable measured: Regular Season MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: All-Star Game Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Accolades
variable measured: Career Field Goal Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Efficiency
variable measured: Seasons Played
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Longevity
variable measured: All-NBA Team Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: NBA Championships
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Championships
variable measured: All-Star Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: Career Games Played
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Longevity
variable measured: Career Three-Point Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Shooting Efficiency
variable measured: Career Points Per Game
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scoring
variable measured: MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: Field Goal Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Shooting
variable measured: Career Seasons
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Longevity
variable measured: Finals MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Championships
variable measured: All-NBA First Team
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: Championships
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Trophies
variable measured: Career Rebounds
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Rebounding
variable measured: Career Three-Pointers Made
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Shooting
variable measured: NBA Career Length
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Longevity
variable measured: NBA Cup/Finals MVP Awards
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Championship Performance
variable measured: Rebounding League Leader Titles
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Statistical Leadership
variable measured: Primary Playing Positions
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Playing Style
variable measured: Era of Dominance
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Historical Context
variable measured: Championships Won
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Championships
variable measured: Regular Season Win Share
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Overall Value
variable measured: All-NBA Selections
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: Three-Pointers Made
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Shooting
variable measured: Three-Point Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Shooting
variable measured: Career Shooting Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Efficiency
variable measured: Career Points Per Game Average
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scoring
variable measured: Peak Season Scoring Average
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Scoring
variable measured: Defensive Player of the Year
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Individual Honors
variable measured: Career Length
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Longevity
variable measured: Total Career Points
variable measured: Finals Record
variable measured: Most Valuable Player Awards
variable measured: Finals Win-Loss Record
variable measured: Career Scoring Average
variable measured: Career Assists Average
variable measured: Career Rebounds Average
variable measured: 3-Point Percentage
variable measured: Height
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/kobe-vs-lebron

Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared.
has defined term: Scoring
has defined term: Honors
has defined term: Playmaking
has defined term: Rebounding
has defined term: Individual Honors
has defined term: Team Success
has defined term: Efficiency
has defined term: Durability
has defined term: Physical Attributes
has defined term: Defensive Excellence
has defined term: Championship Success
has defined term: Longevity
has defined term: Achievements
has defined term: Championships
has defined term: Individual Accolades
has defined term: Shooting Efficiency
has defined term: Shooting
has defined term: Trophies
has defined term: Championship Performance
has defined term: Statistical Leadership
has defined term: Playing Style
has defined term: Historical Context
has defined term: Overall Value
has defined term: Clutch Performance
has defined term: Playoff Performance
has defined term: Defense
has defined term: Achievement
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Consistency
has defined term: All-Around Play

Scoring
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scoring
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Honors
type: DefinedTerm
term code: honors
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Playmaking
type: DefinedTerm
term code: playmaking
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Rebounding
type: DefinedTerm
term code: rebounding
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Individual Honors
type: DefinedTerm
term code: individual-honors
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Team Success
type: DefinedTerm
term code: team-success
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: efficiency
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Durability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: durability
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Physical Attributes
type: DefinedTerm
term code: physical-attributes
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Defensive Excellence
type: DefinedTerm
term code: defensive-excellence
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Championship Success
type: DefinedTerm
term code: championship-success
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Longevity
type: DefinedTerm
term code: longevity
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Achievements
type: DefinedTerm
term code: achievements
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Championships
type: DefinedTerm
term code: championships
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Individual Accolades
type: DefinedTerm
term code: individual-accolades
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Shooting Efficiency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: shooting-efficiency
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Shooting
type: DefinedTerm
term code: shooting
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Trophies
type: DefinedTerm
term code: trophies
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Championship Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: championship-performance
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Statistical Leadership
type: DefinedTerm
term code: statistical-leadership
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Playing Style
type: DefinedTerm
term code: playing-style
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Historical Context
type: DefinedTerm
term code: historical-context
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Overall Value
type: DefinedTerm
term code: overall-value
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Clutch Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: clutch-performance
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Playoff Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: playoff-performance
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Defense
type: DefinedTerm
term code: defense
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Achievement
type: DefinedTerm
term code: achievement
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Consistency
type: DefinedTerm
term code: consistency
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

All-Around Play
type: DefinedTerm
term code: all-around-play
in defined term set: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-06-22T07:57:09.686Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: kobe-vs-lebron
main entity: Who is the better scorer, Kobe or LeBron?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Kobe is the purer scorer with 81-point games and elite mid-range mastery. LeBron has scored more total points (40,361 vs 33,643) with better field goal efficiency (50.5% vs 44.7%), but his scoring often comes within a team playmaking context. Kobe's iso-heavy style made him a more feared individual scorer, while LeBron's scoring emerges from total game versatility.
    language: en-US
main entity: Who had a better career overall?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: This depends on criteria: Kobe won more championships (5 vs 4) and had higher peak dominance. LeBron has been more consistently elite longer (22 vs 20 seasons), won 4 MVPs to Kobe's 1, passed all-time scoring record, and maintained All-Star caliber into age 40. Most modern analysts favor LeBron for all-around excellence, while traditionalists cite Kobe's clutch dominance and single-franchise loyalty.
    language: en-US
main entity: Why did Kobe never win more than 1 MVP despite being so dominant?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Kobe peaked during eras with other dominant MVP-caliber players (Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, LeBron's Heat era). The 2007-08 MVP was Kobe's only win. While his scoring was elite, his assist numbers (5,995 career) and perceived team-first mentality lagged behind contemporaries. Voting often rewards well-rounded play and narrative; LeBron's 4 MVPs reflect recognition of his all-around excellence across scoring, playmaking, and defense.
    language: en-US
main entity: Who was a better defender?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: LeBron is widely considered the superior defender, earning 6 All-Defensive selections and proven ability to guard positions 1-5. His size (6'9"), athleticism, and length made him nearly impossible to match. Kobe was an excellent 2-guard defender with 9 All-Defensive selections but was smaller and more limited positionally. LeBron's defensive impact compounded over his 22-year career.
    language: en-US
main entity: Did LeBron play his best basketball in Miami, Cleveland, or LA?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: LeBron's absolute peak likely occurred with the Miami Heat (2010-2014), where he won 2 championships, 2 MVPs, and played all-around elite basketball. His Cleveland return (2014-2018) produced more volume but slightly lower efficiency. His LA years (2018-present) featured sustained excellence but as secondary scoring option to younger core, allowing extended career longevity at age 40.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
type: HowTo
description: Kobe vs LeBron is the GOAT-tier debate: Kobe Bryant's 5 rings, 81-point game and peak scoring against LeBron James's 4 MVPs, 40,361 career points and 22-season longevity. Kobe Bryant was a pure scorer with 5 NBA championships and 81-point games, while LeBron James is a more versatile all-around player with 4 championships across three teams and exceptional longevity playing at elite level into his late 30s. LeBron's career has lasted 7 seasons longer with sustained excellence.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Total Career Points
step: Consider: NBA Championships
step: Consider: MVP Awards
step: Consider: Career Assists
step: Consider: All-Star Selections
step: Consider: Career Length
step: Consider: Single Game Scoring Record
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Kobe Bryant if you value elite clutch scoring, championship pedigree with one franchise, and pure offensive mastery with the 81-point game standing as basketball's most iconic single-game performance. Choose LeBron James if you prioritize all-around excellence, sustained dominance across nearly two additional decades, playmaking ability (79% more career assists), and the versatility to impact winning in multiple ways—he ranks higher in total points, MVPs (4 vs 1), and career longevity while maintaining All-Star caliber play into age 40.

Consider: Total Career Points
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Total Career Points: Kobe Bryant has 33,643 points, while LeBron James has 40,361 points.

Consider: NBA Championships
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: NBA Championships: Kobe Bryant has 5 titles, while LeBron James has 4 titles.

Consider: MVP Awards
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: MVP Awards: Kobe Bryant has 1 MVP (2007-08), while LeBron James has 4 MVPs (2008-09, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2019-20).

Consider: Career Assists
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Career Assists: Kobe Bryant has 5,995 assists, while LeBron James has 10,719 assists.

Consider: All-Star Selections
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: All-Star Selections: Kobe Bryant has 18 selections, while LeBron James has 19 selections.

Consider: Career Length
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Career Length: Kobe Bryant has 20 seasons (1996-2016), while LeBron James has 22 seasons (2003-2025).

Consider: Single Game Scoring Record
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Single Game Scoring Record: Kobe Bryant has 81 points (Jan 22, 2006), while LeBron James has 69 points (Mar 20, 2014).

Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared
type: SportsEvent
description: Kobe vs LeBron is the GOAT-tier debate: Kobe Bryant's 5 rings, 81-point game and peak scoring against LeBron James's 4 MVPs, 40,361 career points and 22-season longevity. Kobe Bryant was a pure scorer with 5 NBA championships and 81-point games, while LeBron James is a more versatile all-around player with 4 championships across three teams and exceptional longevity playing at elite level into his late 30s. LeBron's career has lasted 7 seasons longer with sustained excellence.
language: en-US
start date: 2026-06-22T07:57:09.686Z
competitor: Kobe Bryant
  type: Person
  description: Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard who won 5 championships and 1 MVP across 20 seasons (1996-2016).
competitor: LeBron James
  type: Person
  description: Four-time NBA champion and all-time leading scorer with 20 consecutive All-Star selections and sustained excellence across three franchises.
organizer: A Versus B
is accessible for free: true

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared
review body: Kobe vs LeBron is the GOAT-tier debate: Kobe Bryant's 5 rings, 81-point game and peak scoring against LeBron James's 4 MVPs, 40,361 career points and 22-season longevity. Kobe Bryant was a pure scorer with 5 NBA championships and 81-point games, while LeBron James is a more versatile all-around player with 4 championships across three teams and exceptional longevity playing at elite level into his late 30s. LeBron's career has lasted 7 seasons longer with sustained excellence.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Kobe vs LeBron: Bryant vs James Compared

Era of Dominance
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 2003-2026 (modern 3-point era)

Championships Won
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4

Regular Season Win Share
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 272.5

All-NBA Selections
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 13

Three-Pointers Made
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 1,364

Three-Point Percentage
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 34.4%

Career Shooting Percentage
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 50.5%

Career Points Per Game Average
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 27.2

Peak Season Scoring Average
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 31.4 (2005-06)

Defensive Player of the Year
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 1 DPOY award

Career Length
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 20

Total Career Points
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 40,474 points

Finals Record
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4-6

Most Valuable Player Awards
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4 MVP awards

Finals Win-Loss Record
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4-6

Career Scoring Average
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 27.2

Career Assists Average
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 7.1

Career Rebounds Average
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 7.5

3-Point Percentage
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 34.5%

True Shooting Percentage
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 58.7%

Height
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 6'9"

Finals Record (W-L)
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4-6

Points Per Game Average
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 27.2

NBA Finals MVP Awards
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4 Finals MVPs

All-Defensive First Team Selections
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 6

Finals Appearances
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 10

NBA Seasons Played
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 21 seasons

All-Time Leading Scorer
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 40,361 points

Peak Scoring Average
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 31.4 (2005-06)

Finals Appearance Record
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4-6

Career Total Points
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 40,474

Championship Win Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 40% (4 of 10 Finals)

NBA MVP Awards
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 4

Seasons as All-Star
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 19 (of 21)

Seasons at Elite Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 20+

Finals Win Percentage
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 40%

All-Time Points Scored
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 40,361

Playoff Scoring Average
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 28.7

Playoff PPG
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 28.7

Career Rebounds + Assists
type: PropertyValue
value: Kobe Bryant: N/A | LeBron James: 17.9 (10.5 RPG + 7.4 APG)

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css selector: #verdict
css selector: #key-differences
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Kobe Bryant — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

LeBron James — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Kobe Bryant vs LeBron James
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/kobe-vs-lebron
object: Kobe Bryant
object: LeBron James

Total Career Points
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scoring

Finals Record
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Clutch Performance

Most Valuable Player Awards
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Individual Honors

Finals Win-Loss Record
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Championship Performance

Career Scoring Average
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scoring

Career Assists Average
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Playmaking

Career Rebounds Average
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Rebounding

3-Point Percentage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Shooting Efficiency

True Shooting Percentage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Efficiency

Height
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Physical Attributes

Finals Record (W-L)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Championship Success

Points Per Game Average
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scoring

NBA Finals MVP Awards
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Playoff Performance

All-Defensive First Team Selections
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Defense

Finals Appearances
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Championships

NBA Seasons Played
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Longevity

All-Time Leading Scorer
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Achievement

Peak Scoring Average
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Finals Appearance Record
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Championships

Career Total Points
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scoring

Championship Win Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Achievements

NBA MVP Awards
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Individual Honors

Seasons as All-Star
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Consistency

Seasons at Elite Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Longevity

Finals Win Percentage
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Championships

All-Time Points Scored
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scoring

Playoff Scoring Average
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Clutch Performance

Playoff PPG
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scoring

Career Rebounds + Assists
type: PropertyValue
value reference: All-Around Play