Winning Cures Everything



(left) LeBron James (right) Kobe Bryant

He is labeled the best in the game due to his motivation to be the greatest in NBA history. His work ethic is unquestionably unmatched. He is a future Hall of Famer with a career average over 25 points per game and winning is always on his mind. He entered the league at 18-years-old, played in multiple All-Star games, and his skills are well respected. He was beloved by everyone at the beginning of his career, then he hit his prime and a critical decision caused scrutiny.

Yes it is him, Kobe Bryant. Wait, no, it is LeBron James.


Bryant and James are the dominant faces of the NBA and they have traveled down similar paths in the eyes of the media. Both fell from the upper echelon of celebrated athletes to the very bottom of scrutiny in a matter of years.

Bryant, 32, came into the NBA out of high school as the No. 13 pick in the 1996 NBA draft and was deemed as the heir to Michael Jordan. Bryant’s career got off to a shaky start as teammates questioned his character as a selfish player during his rookie season. Bryant moved past the criticism in his second year and became the first non-starter to be voted as a starter in the 1998 NBA All-Star game.

Two seasons later the Los Angeles Lakers put together a three-year run of NBA championships and Bryant gained major endorsements, but in the summer of 2003 Bryant received heat when he was arrested.

Bryant, then 25-years-old, was charged with a sexual assault of rape against a 19-year-old woman in Eagle, Co. This allegation cost Bryant the majority of his endorsements and a negative perception in the eyes of fans.

James, 25, and a two-time NBA MVP, saw his status drop this summer when he held a primetime special on ESPN about his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers in order to join fellow NBA stars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat.

Though his circumstance is not as life threating as Bryant’s, James segment of “The Decision” was highly criticized by many people. In some views it displays self-centeredness and a lack of loyalty to the city of Cleveland.

The former No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft can possibly restore his image if he can illustrate what Bryant has done for the past two seasons and that is win a couple of championships.

Bryant has just about cleaned up his image by becoming victorious with the Lakers and many question if James can do the same.

Fans will see what happens in June since everyone believes that winning cures everything.

Kobe Bryant celebrating his 5th NBA Championship (2010)