Did LeBron Intentionally Try to Top Kobe's MSG Performance?

As you likely know, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant both put on shows at Madison Square Garden this week. 61 Points on a 76% true shooting clip (better than his efficiency during the 81 Point game) or a 50 point triple double. Debate all you want about who had a better performance. I personally think comparing the two performances is pointless. The real question I want to answer is did LeBron intentionally try to top Kobe Bryant's performance at the Garden.

I mean, LeBron is supposed to be the apple of the Big Apple's eye (2010, baby!), not Kobe Bryant. So it would make sense for LeBron to go out and try to top Kobe's performance, right? Here's what LeBron had to say about the matter:

"We go out and try to win ball games. Myself and Kobe go out and win ball games and sometimes we make games like that," James said before the game.

"It just so happens where we get high numbers or we make an unbelievable play. It just happens that way. But we're out there first of all trying to win the basketball game. I never go into a game saying I'm going to try to put up a decent amount of numbers or anything like that. I've never been that type of player."

Hmmm. Sounds fishy to me. Basketbawful is not buying it either. Here's his response:

"I'm sorry, but I will never believe that this game 'just happened' by coincidence right after Kobe got his 61. And honestly, I have no problem with that. I enjoy these little games within the game. They've been a part of the NBA since forever, and they make the experience a lot more fun."

"...So don't hold back, LeBron! Admit that you think of Madison Square Garden as your home away from home and that Kobe's not welcome there. Start a duel, stoke a rivalry. The fans want that. They need it."

I couldn't agree more. But with LeBron and Kobe both being corporate champs (Thanks, Nike), I don't see either of them coming out and saying that they like to go out and one up one another. But as Basketbawful so accurately put it, that thinking is just completely backwards. I mean, fans want to hear players be honest and candid. Why do you think Gilbert Arenas was so popular from 2005-2007? It's because he was realer than real with fans and the media. The NBA world would be a much better place if LeBron and Kobe took their Nike imposed filters out of their mouths and started being honest with fans.

Want more LeBron v. Kobe? Keep track of the ongoing FanHouse debate here.