Right now one would have 2 say lebron. but i'll say kobe isn't far behind him. both players are top 15 in history n my opionion. But i will say 2 things.....1. kobe was better in his prime than lebron. i need not say why, i think it's pretty obvious why. 2. when it's all said and done, kobe will be better than lebron by the time thier careers' are over. Simply because kobe has 5 rings and lebron has one...and counting but doubt he'll pass kobe. some say kobe's 3 with shaq dosen't count as part of his legacy and i disagree. kobe was the 2nd best player on that team and played a HUGE role towards those rings. the other 2 rings kobe won virtually alone. Yes the had gasol, fisher, ariza, and other role players but the key is kobe lead that team to the title( witout other superstar players). Lebron could've won in clevland and has the best team for 2 years straight but fluked in the playoffs. Even in his first year with miami he failed to win. That's at least 4 failed attempts after finally winning last year against a young and inexperienced okc team. I will admit that more than 1 good player is needed in order to win a championship, but lebron had 2 superstarts(including himself) and another allstar in the mix. That team is bound to win!! The same credit given to jordan, magic, bird, and kobe for winning a ring can't be given 2 lebron due to these players teams. The heat will likely continue to win maybe for another 2 years, then i c them falling off. But bak 2 what i was saying i believe when thier carrers are over kobe will have a better legacy( not simply because of titles but his ability 2 play through injuries others cannot his work ethic, his clutch, and just his overall greatnees) but both players will be great.
p.s. if lebron did what he's doing now except in cleveland and won titles than maybe that'll be different.