Shoals Unlimited: It’s OK To Hype A Potential Kobe-LeBron Matchup

Over the years, I’ve been as staunch a Kobe apologist you’ll find this side of Orange County. But I do feel like, despite this, I can make one thoroughly objective statement about the guy: If you think he can’t play basketball, you’re an idiot. Maybe you don’t like his persona, the particular swagger in his game, or the micro-level decision-making that can border on preening. Don’t for a second, though, let that stand in the way of you acknowledging how good the guy is at the game, if not appreciating it. ↵
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↵Along those same lines, I know we’re all sick to death of hearing about Kobe/Bron. Who is the league’s best? Whose team really rules? Who is the definitive player of this era (answer: check their respective time lines and think again)? And then there are the commercials, that lingering sense that the league badly wants it that way, and just generally, a feeling of overkill surrounding one and both of these oh-so excellent practitioners of this game.↵
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↵All of this is totally understandable. Any sane person is wary of advertising, hype, over-exposure, and all the other things that have gone into inflating this potential matchup to the point that it might pop at any moment. But -- show of hands here -- is there anyone who doesn’t want to see the Lakers and Cavs in the Finals? Maybe it would different if Kevin Garnett or Yao Ming were around to make these playoffs more competitive. However, outside of Bulls-Celtics, the last two Mavs-Nuggets games, and I guess some of the Magic-Celtics series, this postseason has been rather barren. ↵
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↵Thus, while it may pain us all to admit it, the showdown of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant wouldn’t just be ratings bonanza and epochal event. For die-hard fans, it’s the last best hope for these playoffs to produce something truly memorable. ↵
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OK, let’s not forfeit our souls that easily. Plenty of people out there believe in the Nuggets, enjoy the hell out of the Nuggets, and feel like they could challenge the Lakers and, by extension, get all up in Cleveland’s grill. And between the Chauncey Billups renaissance, Carmelo Anthony’s arrival as a mature star and that lovable Birdman, Chris Andersen, there’s no shortage of characters, stories or drama in those powder-blue unis. But here’s what we all have to admit: That Kobe/Bron stuff has gotten to us. We may be sick of it, but it’s shaped our brains. I can sit here and talk like Nuggets-Cavs would get me hot. ↵
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↵Seriously, though, we’re talking about being denied Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James. Not to get all inspirational, but these two are bigger than basketball. Maybe not in the way Allen Iverson was, and certainly on the scale that Jordan was/is. And in Kobe’s case, a lot of that stems from a particular infamous episode. The point, though, is that few athletes are as popular worldwide, or as breathtaking on a regular basis, as Bryant and James. This has all the makings of one of those classic boxing matches that even I know by heart. All eyes on them, for an entire series. It’s worth pointing out here that some forms of hype are less forced than others. ↵
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↵I know that basketball isn’t theater. That it’s a team sport. And that those of us who do things like writing basketball blogs are supposed to be above things like hype. But even if you’re immune to mass culture, or favor J.R. Smith when it comes to pure fandom, you can’t deny the buildup. It may sound like a total sell-out to say “I’m not fooled, but so many others are, I can’t help but be swept up by it.” For better or worse, though, that’s how anticipation builds and things like playoff series become true cultural moments. You can scoff, or sigh, as a basketball snob. But no one really wants to miss out on a “I was there when ... ” opportunity. ↵
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↵So turn down the commercials, stop reading the columns, and tell all your friends that Denver’s going all the way. As long as you can admit, in your heart of hearts, that LeBron vs. Kobe would be a pretty amazing series to be forced to sit through.
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