The Dream Duo

Rumors have spread this week of the possibility of LeBron James playing in a Laker uniform with Kobe Bryant this season. The buzz comes from Sam Smith of Bulls.com, who although has been a trade-rumor-spreader for years, may have something here. Now I don't know if LeBron would jet out of Cleveland in this fashion, but the belief is that LeBron wants to be in Los Angeles, so the Cavs can either get nothing for him next summer, or get some young talent for him this season. According to Smith, the Lakers would be giving up young talented center, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and Ron Artest. A few first round picks may be added to the equation, and the outcome would be a nucleus of Lebron, Kobe, and Pao Gasol in La La Land. The 2 greatest players in the world (not to mention everyone's favorite puppets), playing on the same court night after night. What a dream for any basketball fan.

The egos are the question for me in this scenario. Kobe wants to win, and I believe he would absolutely give up some shots to bring King James on board - he's done it the past few seasons for much lesser talent in order to get the job done. LeBron is where the uncertainty of this possibility lies. He's been the most exciting player to watch since before he even graduated high school, but he still doesn't have that ring that he desires. Now he does appreciate the art of passing more than Jordan or Kobe ever have, but is he that unselfish to where he would be willing to win his titles along side a fellow superstart like Kobe Bryant? The way things have gone for the Cavs so far this season with the Shaquille O'Neal experiment, I'd say the possiblity is stronger than I would have thought in the offseason. The one downside to this trade is not having the Kobe vs. LeBron matchups. Not seeing Kobe picking LeBron up on defense when he brings the ball down court. There's something to be said for the excitement that comes with seeing these two guys go at it on the court.

LeBron is not a superstar like we've seen in the past. He doesn't bicker over who makes the last shot to win the game, or who scores the most points, who gets the glory, or any petty stuff that has plagued some of the game's best players in the past. It's always been about the team for LeBron, and about his team winning. Everything he's ever done has included his teammates (check out this youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk09AbO3akM), or his friends, as in his documentary More Than a Game. His passes are as brilliant as his dunks, and he gets just as excited about them. Kobe and LeBron could work, and if it has the chance to work, you can get your plane tickets to LAX for the Finals for the next decade or so.