Greatest of All Time: Jordan vs. Kobe vs. Lebron

On the heels of a second straight championship for Lebron James, fans and experts alike start pondering who might be the greatest player in the history of the NBA. With all due respect to the incredible talents of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson and a slew of other NBA greats, this conversation seems to revolve around three players: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. Here is a look into each player's statistics and their impact on the game.

Lebron James

What the stats say: At 28 years old, King James has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments that include four NBA MVP titles, two NBA Championships, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, nine All-Star selections, a scoring championship and Rookie of the Year honors, just to name a few. The Akron, Ohio native is currently 32nd overall in points scored with several years left before he even begins considering retirement. The former number one pick will pass 30,000 points with ease and poses a serious threat to Kareem's all-time point's record.

His impact on the game: While still struggling to recover from the public relations nightmare that followed 'The Decision', Lebron remains the most polarizing figure in the game. He has yet to capitalize on his brand the way MJ and Kobe have, but at 28 years old there is plenty of time left. Many will argue that the decision to create a 'super team' with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will have a negative impact on the way people view his legacy, but only time will tell.

Kobe Bryant

What the stats say: The Black Mamba may be down, but don't count him out. After suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon that ended his season, Kobe is expected to recover to play at least one more season for the Lakers. Anybody that doubts his return need only to look at the all-time points leaderboard to realize he is one half season away from leapfrogging Michael Jordan for third all-time. Seemingly obsessed with besting Jordan, Kobe will no doubt return to take down his closest comparison. While Bryant was slower in his development than King James, he has managed to compile five NBA Championships, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, 15 selections to the All Star Game, two scoring championships and an MVP Award in 2008.

His impact on the game: Kobe overcame a tough legal battle that turned many fans against him, returning a better, more focused basketball player. While the debacle still leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many NBA fans, Kobe's impact has been evident. From wildly successful sponsorships, shoe lines and even a brief rapping career, Kobe's brand is diverse and lucrative. His Jordanesque style of play has yielded an 81-point performance and has caused opponents to create new defensive schemes to deal with him.

Michael Jordan

What the stats say: "His Airness" still reigns supreme in the hearts and minds of most NBA fans, although his legacy is being threatened by the likes of Kobe and Lebron. The stats say it all for MJ, who owns six NBA Championship rings and has taken home six NBA Finals MVP Awards, five NBA MVP honors, 14 All-Star selections, 10 scoring championships and an NCAA Championship to boot. Let's not forget the man stepped away from basketball for a year and a half to pursue a baseball career.

His impact on the game: As if his stats didn't speak loudly enough themselves, Jordan's legacy is unmistakable. Delivering some of the most clutch performances ever witnessed, Jordan became the epitome of a superstar. His flashy style led to lucrative sponsorship deals, movie roles and one of the most successful shoe lines in the history of footwear.

The Greatest of All Time?

While Kobe and Lebron have made valiant efforts to overtake Jordan, their stats don't quite match up and the scope of their impact on the game falls far short of Air Jordan, the greatest player in the history of the NBA.