On THAT count, I will agree with you.
I think Lebron is a smarter player to build around. He's hitting the clutch shots, he's making the big plays more often than or not, he's become the most important player on a team everyone once called 'Wade's team.' He's proven that he can be the centerpiece of any team.
The man's got speed, power, length, great feet, good shooting ability, hands, stamina....as a ball player, Lebron is the total package.
If Shaq wouldn't have gone to L.A., I wonder how Kobe's career would have gone, or what kind of player he would have evolved into. As much as I think Kobe is closer to M.J. in terms of overall accomplishments and legacy, he was the second option on the Lakers when Shaq was there. Kobe was able to grow into a leader and a dominator under those specific circumstances. But if the Lakers wouldn't have won anything with Shaq?
Can't say he WOULDN'T have won, but I personally have a hard time saying he would have turned into the player he is today. The playoffs evolve a player, and without Shaq, would they have even gone and competed for titles at that point in his career?
Based on all those factors, I just see Lebron as more 'legend ready' at this stage in his career than Kobe was at a similar point.
So I'd definitely build around Lebron first, purely from a natural talent standpoint.
