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Are athletes considered role models
Are athletes considered role models
Are athletes considered role models
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Throughout history, there have been certain controversial topics that have left humans divided. An example of a controversial topic in the world that affects all of us, can be found in the Canadian election ,when Canadians left divided on whom they believe is fit to be the leader of their country. Basketball’s biggest league, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has it’s own election like topic that divides the fans of the NBA with the question: Who is the most impactful NBA player of this era? LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers are the front runners for the answer to the question and while there is a solid body of evidence for both sides, the evidence leans towards LeBron. Therefore, on …show more content…
Kobe Bryant has had quite a substantial effect on the NBA throughout his illustrious career .He came into the league as a renowned high school player and thanks to him being drafted by a big franchise in a big city (Los Angeles Lakers) and having a superstar often compared to superman to mentor him (Shaquille O’Neal) Kobe would eventually evolve into a superstar forever remembered in NBA history due to his prolific scoring, competitive spirit and ability to perform under pressure. There is no denying Kobe’s status as a legend however, simply put, LeBron has achieved as much Kobe did when he was Lebron’s current age (Lebron is six years younger) and he excelled where Kobe failed to succeed. LeBron didn’t have a mentor to back him up, he didn’t have a big market to support him financially, but that didn’t stop him from bringing his mediocre teams and himself to greatness. Kobe may be a fierce competitor however, he achieved this feat at the expense of his teammates respect for him while LeBron on the other hand, is competitive while still being a great teammate. To conclude, due to the fact LeBron paralleled Kobe’s strength and exceeded where Kobe was weak , he is a more impactful player of this era than Kobe Bryant …show more content…
Kobe spent years trying to mimic everything about Michael Jordan including his footwork, shooting form etc. and it definitely payed off . Kobe has the 3rd most points scored of all time and he is the all time Lakers points leader. However, Kobe’s success is his but his influence is not, it belongs to Michael Jordan as it was Kobe who mimicked Jordan. The points scored by Kobe have an often unseen angle, Kobe also has the missed the most shots ever (Nba.com)). LeBron, on the other hand, is currently the youngest player to reach 20,000 points even though Kobe has played 6 more seasons than LeBron has out-rebounded, out-assisted, out-stole and out-blocked Kobe Bryant (nba.com). While doing so LeBron changed what constitutes all 5 positions, for example before LeBron, the point guard was the smallest player on the court who can dribble, but after LeBron’s arrival where he has dominated every position with his 6’8 280 pound frame and his incredible basketball IQ, the point guard has become the composer of the symphony that is an offensive possession in a game of basketball"LeBron James." Stats, Video, Bio,
Michael played in a completely different era than LeBron James. It was an era of short shorts, not the baggy ones seen on today’s players. Because of the differences in competition and style of play, it is not possible to tell who the better player is. Both players should be recognized as some of the greatest to ever play the game of basketball for their individual, unique abilities. It’s not about comparing apples and oranges.
This argument is made on the fact that LeBron James has recently become the youngest player to score 20,000 points. Although I agree and congratulate LeBron on his great achievement, it does not make him better than Jordan. Despite LeBron reaching 20,000 points at a younger age, Michael Jordan was able to do it in fewer games. This phenomenon is possible because Michael Jordan went to college for three years whereas LeBron decided to go straight to the NBA out of high school. According to a blog done by the Chicago Bulls “It took Michael Jordan 106 less games to score 20,000 points than LeBron James” (Bulls Blog). No credit should be taken away from LeBron James because what he did to become the youngest player to score 20,000 points is phenomenal but it cannot be used as an argument to say that he is a better player than Michael Jordan because Michael Jordan scored 20,000 points faster than
During the time of Michael Jordan and the now present Lebron James American culture has changed a lot. Both of these two superstars show how American society love and appreciate their superstars. The society loves them both, they are both amazingly talented and have supporting fans that will always be by their side no matter what happens, through the peaks and valleys. These two allstars are beyond incredible and show their talent in a variety of ways. Both are very truly “Blessed” with their talents and capabilities. Both MJ and LBJ are two of the best to ever to play the game of basketball. Jordan and James are both good at what they do, Jordan and James’ passion to get to the rim and make plays really put a spark in both of their game. These traits that both of the stars have really make their fans and supporters love them even more! Both of these stars show how American Society love their stars and role models.
Dreams come and go every night, but some dreams tend to stay for a lifetime. I have always dreamt to become a professional athlete in some way or another. Growing up I have always looked up to many different athletes. Whether it was Ladanian Tomlinson on the football field or Kobe Bryant on the basketball court I have always had some athlete that I wanted to be like someday.
Most players that enter the NBA draft early are 19 or 20 years-old. They are going to end up playing against 25-year-olds that are stronger, faster, and that have had more experience than they have. Along with more experience, they will not be as physically fit because one or two years of college will not do it, and high school will not do it. For example, Lebron James. He is considered one of the best to have played the game, and he went straight out of high school. Imagine if he had gone to college, he would be so much better. So if they leave after the freshman or sophomore year, they will be about five or six years behind and that will make it harder to get a spot on the bench. If they do not make it to the bench, then they will be in the D league for 2 or 3 years to help develop their skills. “The D-League uses a tiered compensation system that's based on experience. Players with ample NBA
The word basketball and Kevin Durant go together naturally. Nicknamed The Second Coming, The Durantula, KD, and K-Dog , Durant is an American basketball player who has risen to become one of the top players in the NBA in a very short time period (Doedon). As you will see, hard work and persistence demonstrated by this scoring superstar are powerful forces, even in the face of obstacles.
Primary Audience Outcome: I the want the audience to understand why there should be no controversy on who is the best basketball player ever.
Michael Jordan vs Lebron James Michael Jordan, in his prime, was thought of as one of the greatest basketball champions of all time. A shooting guard, standing at six-six, Jordan was able to out play anyone in his position. He started his career at the University of North Carolina, where he helped his team win a national championship. He then was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984-85 season. While playing for the Bulls, Jordan received many awards such as, MVP, five championships, Olympic gold medals, slam dunk contests, and many more defensive and offensive awards.
The NBA is well known for the number of amazing professional athletes it has had over the years. Some of the most gifted and talented individuals come through the NBA and one of the better-known superstars is none other than Kobe Bryant. For years people have wondered what makes Bryant so successful. The main contributors that lead to Kobe Bryant’s success is his hard work and dedication, his mindset, his natural ability’s and talent, and the people that have helped him throughout his life. Kobe Bryant was very successful in the NBA because of the amount of hard work he has put in, the people in his life, his relentless determination and his god given natural abilities.
LeBron and Kevin are similar in many ways. One of the biggest comparisons is that they play small forward. A small forward or three as some people call it, is like an inbetween player for size. The small forward is normally a lot taller than the point guard and shooting guard but, mostly smaller than a power forward or center. LeBron and Kevin have both lead the league in scoring at one time in their career. Kevin and LeBron averaged around twenty-eight to thirty points a game when they won these awards.They are also
First, we will celebrate LeBron James’s accomplishments in the NBA. There are over 400 players in the NBA. These players are on the battlefield, fighting day after day because they all know only one can become the Most Valuable Player. LeBron James rose above all, claiming the MVP award, not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 times. Not only is LeBron James an MVP, but he is also a 13-time All-Star player. LeBron James garnered enough votes from the fans, the players, and the media to become an All-Star like a presidential candidate getting enough votes from the voters to become the President.
Due to the mark Michael Jordan has left on the world as the “G.O.A.T.”, it will be very difficult for any player to surpass his legacy. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James all have similarities of Michael Jordan but, out of all three players James is the closest. LeBron has the most similarities and the potential to surpass Michael Jordan’s legacy with his personality, stats and he popularity on and off the court. Even though James has the potential to surpass his legacy, there is still a very long journey ahead of James if he ever wants to be considered the “G.O.A.T.”.
Although this negative attention occurred during his NBA career, Bryant did, in fact, have many NBA achievements before this mishap. Firstly, at just 17 years old (“Kobe Bryant” 1), Kobe managed to become the second youngest player to enter the professional league in NBA history, being the 13th overall pick in the 1996 draft (“Bryant, Kobe” 1). In mid-1996, Kobe was traded to his now current team, the NBA Lakers, where he would proceed to gain both his glory and his infamy (“Kobe Bryant” 1). Additionally, Bryant joined the all-star team in just his second season in the league, therefore becoming the single youngest player to be part of the all-star team of all time (“Bryant, Kobe” 1) at just 19 years old (Kobe at 30--Oh, how the years go by 2). Surprisingly, these achievements would not be the only ones he would acquire. By 2003, Bryant had already captured 3 NBA titles for himself (“Bryant, Kobe” 1), winning three titles in a row from 2000 to 2002(K...
Some of the two most comparable players are Karl Malone and Tim Duncan. The biggest difference between them is Tim Duncan has won five championships and Malone has not won any. Their stats lineup almost identical. The reason Malone could not get a championship was because of Michael Jordan and his team. The fault lies on the General Managers of the Utah Jazz for not making a good enough team to beat Michael Jordan’s superteam. I’m am not taking away from the fact that Jordan is one of the best players. He has 6 championships but he also has the individual accolades that make him
In 2008, Michael Jordan made his 200th wish to Make-A-Wish foundation. The CEO of the Make-A-Wish foundation even stated that, “Michael Jordan is one of the all-time greatest athletes, but he is an even better person,” said David Williams, “He has changed the lives of hundreds of wish kids and their families for the better, and for that, we are forever grateful” (Christensen). If the CEO of Make-A-Wish can say that Michael Jordan is a better person than a basketball player, and then he must be quite the person considering how dominate of a player Jordan was.