kobe's still on top.

Charley Rosen of foxsports.com said it best:

Because of his gigantic talents, his overwhelming power, his freight-train speed, his resounding dunks and his chase-down blocks of breakaways, most NBA watchers believe LeBron James to be the best player in the league.

While conceding LBJ's gargantuan upside, I humbly beg to disagree. By my lights, the honor belongs to Kobe Bryant.

Here's why:

- Kobe's low-post game is much more effective than LeBron's. This is somewhat puzzling given LBJ's size, strength and ability to finish.

- Kobe's left hand is better around the hoop, and his off-handed shots also have better range.

- Kobe has a better handle, both in and out of traffic.

- There's no comparison between Kobe's reliable jumper and LeBron's erratic one.

- Kobe is a more reliable shooter at the free-throw line — 84.0 percent lifetime to LBJ's 73.8.

- No right-minded observer would disagree Kobe is the best clutch shooter extant.

- Although he often is hypnotized by the ball, Kobe is still a superior defender.

- In the attack zone and on the outskirts, Kobe enjoys a considerable advantage in sheer creativity.

- Given that LBJ measures 6-8, 250, while Kobe is a mere 6-7, 210, their offensive rebounding stats are significant. James averages 1.3 while Bryant's average is 1.2. All things considered, then, it's clear Kobe also out-performs LeBron in this category.

- Whereas LBJ's pre-game antics are often childish — all of the dancing, fake photo-snapping, showering court-siders with rosin dust — Kobe has a much more serious and focused approach.

- Unlike LeBron, Kobe doesn't use the imperial third person when talking about himself.