Isolation: LeBron James Vs. Kobe Bryant

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Isolation is going to be a new recurring feature on Love Boat Sports. I will break down a matchup between two players who are facing off head to head that day. Only that game will factor in the outcome of who the "winner" is between the two players. For example tonight LeBron outplayed Kobe so he will get the "win," even though Kobe is the better player. Sorry for the spoiler. Isolation will almost always feature two players who are squaring off against one other on both offense and defense, so don't expect any Dwight Howard vs. Chris Paul matchups. Don't count out a Russell Westbrook vs. Kevin Durant matchup though. Without further adieu here is the very first Isolation piece! Enjoy! 



Lebron James vs. Kobe Bryant 
January 19, 2012

The LeBron-Kobe matchup is always one of the most intriguing duels, even if LeBron had beaten Kobe in the previous four meetings. Kobe is an NBA Champion and LeBron is not, and Kobe very much wants LeBron to know this, and you can see it whenever they square off head-to-head. When it comes to intensity, hatred of opponents and pure desire/drive to win it goes 1. Kobe 2. Kevin Garnett. The new generation of stars including LeBron, D-Wade and Kevin Durant just don't have the same make up of a Bryant or KG. I am not saying at all that Durant, LeBron and D-Wade don't enjoy winning as much as Kobe or KG do, but they don't hate their opponents the way those two guys do. The pure hatred Kobe has for his opponents is the reason why I root for him, it is refreshing to see in a changing game, where all of the players seem to be "friends." Regardless of the "friends" situation both Kobe and LeBron have been playing tremendous basketball this season, but tonight only one player lived up to sky high expectations.

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

Game Recap:

First Quarter


There have been two Kobe Bryant's this year, the one who takes a ton of shots but makes a ton of them, and the Bryant who takes a ton of shots and doesn't make a ton of them. You got a great look at the Kobe who takes a ton of shots without making a lot of them in the first quarter. Bryant started off the game 0-5 before finally hitting a leaner with a minute left in the quarter. He was constantly hounded and subsequently stymied by double teams and in the rare occasion when he wasn't met with two defenders he couldn't seem to shake off Shane Battier. Regardless of the defense Kobe refused to pass. His only play of note in the quarter was a nice drive then kick-out to Ron Artest Metta World Peace who shockingly converted the open three.

LeBron on the other hand looked to get his teammates involved early. LeBron passed beautifully all night long and he finished with four assists in the first quarter. Perhaps LeBron's best play of the quarter though didn't even result in any points. It was a rarity when Kobe and LeBron were guarding one another on the night, but there was one play in the first where LeBron was backing down Kobe in the post and then hit him with a dazzling baseline spin move, but LeBron couldn't convert the reverse layup. It was a move though that let Kobe know he couldn't guard him. LeBron ended the quarter by drilling a jumper at the buzzer.

Second Quarter


The entire game and battle between the two players can really be defined by a play in the second quarter...



The two had been going at it on the previous couple of possessions and LeBron looked like he was about to go all hero mode on Kobe, just bullying his way by him, but all of the sudden LeBron delivered a gem to Battier (as shown in the video above). Kobe tried to respond with a step-back jumper on his next trip down the court, but like most of his shots on the night, it clanged off the rim.

LeBron seemed to be shaking off his "flu like symptoms." At the half Kobe had 6 points on 1-8 shooting with 2 assists while LeBron had 13 points on 4-8 shooting as well as 4 boards and 6 assists.

Third Quarter


Anybody want to guess how Kobe started off the second half? I'm sure you guessed correctly, a missed jumper. The Lakers as a whole were terrible all night long. They seemed to have absolutely no offensive gameplan not that they have had much of one all season long. It was obvious from the beginning though that Bynum and Gasol were giving the Heat problems in the post, but Kobe was going to get his shots. Also the Lakers bench is just atrocious, especially without my favorite player from back in 2001, Steve Blake, who is sidelined with a rib injury.

LeBron continued to play well in the third. He embarrassed Matt Barnes who intercepted a LeBron pass and took off down the court only to be hunted down and swatted by James.

Fourth Quarter


For all intensive purposes the game was over by the fourth quarter. Kobe had started to look like Ricky Banks, my player in NBA 2k12, who stands around the perimeter relentlessly demanding the ball and then forcing bad shot after bad shot.

With five minutes to go in the quarter LeBron declared the game over when he snatched a lazy Derek Fisher pass up and took it down the court finishing with one of his signature slams. The Heat were up 19 after that but Laker coach, Mike Brown, decided to keep the starters in, even though they have to head to Orlando tomorrow in a game that they really need to win.

After doing some more standing around the perimeter Kobe decided to take a crazy turnaround three which he obviously banked in. This seemed to somewhat rejuvenate him as he proceeded to quickly get a steal and breakaway dunk the next possession, cutting the lead to 10 with two minutes left. LeBron responded with a sweet jumper, but Kobe wasn't done padding his stats as he was able to add a nice and-1. In the end it was far too little far too late for Kobe and the Lakers.

Final Stats via ESPN

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

Tweets of the night: 

@HPbasketball "Love the audacity of the Heat's defensive set on Bryant. "No, seriously, we don't think you'll pass even if we double you.""

@MikePradaSBN "Kapono kind of had a lane to drive but Bryant turned him to stone with his angry stare"


@LakersReporter "It's been a less-aggressive than usual Kobe; not getting to usual spots. All 8 misses long 2's, 3-for-3 in paint."

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

Final Thoughts: 

• Why were the Heat wearing jerseys that look like the "fashion" jerseys nobody ever buys at Foot Locker or Champs?

• Please just shave your head LeBron. (Every time I mention LeBron on this blog I will mention his ridiculous receding hairline)

• This Lakers team reminds me so much of the ones that included Smush Parker as the starting point guard, and it really shouldn't. Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are damn good players, Kobe just has to give them the ball more. 

• In all seriousness I am happy for Eddy Curry, who made his first appearance in an NBA game since 2009. 99% of people thought he was out of the league for good.

• That TNT halftime show where Kenny pimped out his daughters music careers was the worst halftime show I have ever seen. 

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

Isolation Winner:

LeBron James

You can follow Matt on Twitter @matthouston91 and you can follow Love Boat Sports @LoveBoatSports.