Kobe Bryant and LeBron James Will Ultimately Be Judged By History 科比和詹姆斯将留待历史鉴证
The never-ending debate concerning Kobe Bryant and LeBron James has entered a new phase with James' recent free agency defection from Cleveland to the sunny beaches of Miami. 对科比和詹姆斯永无休止的争论随着詹姆斯最近从自由市场上背叛骑士加盟阳光沙滩之城迈阿密后，现已进入了一个新的阶段
For the first time in his career James has a team that is able to match the Los Angeles Lakers in talent and star power, and the perception is he will assert his dominance as the game's best player. 从詹姆斯的职业生涯开始之际，他已经拥有一支有能力和洛杉矶湖人抗衡的球队，无论从潜质还是巨星的能力，大家普遍认为他将作为球场上的最佳球员来维持他的统治地位。
In some people's eyes James is already the game's best player, and this may be true, but instead of continuing to argue an infinite debate, why not let history be the final judge between the two players? 在某些人的眼中，詹姆斯已经是最好的球员，这。。。有可能是。。。对的吧。但是，一直这样无休止的争论是毫无意义的，我们为什么不留待历史来鉴证这两位巨星呢？
NBA history has a way of separating the great players from the legendary ones, and although a player's career numbers factor heavily into the equation, the ability to win championships is the distinguishing factor.
NBA历史是从传奇球星中过滤出伟大球星的一个好法子，尽管一个球员的职业生涯中所取得的数字成就惊人的对等，但是，在赢得总冠军的道路上所展现出的能力就是一个区分传奇与伟大的因素。
For instance, many people view Karl Malone as the greatest power forward in NBA history, but when Tim Duncan's name is mentioned, history will elevate him because of his four championships. 比如说，很多人认为卡尔马龙是NBA历史上最最强力的前锋，但当提到邓肯时，历史将会选择邓肯，因为他赢得了4个总冠军。
Championships are a team achievement and Duncan had great teams, but so did Malone, and the fact Utah was never able to defeat Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls doesn't diminish Duncan's titles. 总冠军是一个球队的成就，邓肯效力于一支伟大的球队，马龙也是，而事实却是犹他爵士从未能击败乔老爷子带领的芝加哥公牛。
But it does help provide a good closing point for an argument for history's greatest power forward, and when comparing great players most of the debates end the same way. 这就为历史上伟大前锋的争论提供一个重要的论据（大家都NB，但谁拿冠军多，谁就更NB，历史如是说），当对比伟大球员之间时，同样亦以这样的依据而结束争论。
If Bryant's career ended today he would be remembered as one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen, and perhaps the best player in the history of one of the league's most storied franchises. 假如科比的职业生涯现在就结束，那么他将成为NBA历史上最伟大的球员之一，或许是联盟历史上最具传奇色彩的人物之一。
That's not a claim James can make right now, and under that light, Bryant's career and five championships far out-distance James' career, but the tale is far from done. 那并不是詹姆斯现在所能达到的境界，在光芒之下，科比的职业生涯和5个总冠军比詹姆斯的职业生涯远了去了，但故事还远远没有到结束的时候。
It's presumptious to think James is not capable etching his name among the legendary greats of the NBA, because a title appears to be much closer to reality now that he has superstar help in Miami. 大胆的推测认为詹姆斯并没有能力去将自己的名字刻在NBA传奇的丰碑上，因为他加盟了有超级巨星的迈阿密让这推测越来越接近成为事实。
James certainly has the talent to continue posting incredible numbers, and it's hard to picture the Heat failing to win a few championships, unless they completely implode as a team. 詹姆斯肯定是有能力去继续创造令人难以置信的数字记录，而且你很难想象热火会赢不了总冠军，除非他们军心涣散。
Some people have said that James' legacy is tarnished by his decision to join Miami, but considering he has yet to really establish a legacy, and the ever-evolving perception around the game, is that really true? 一些人认为詹姆斯的职业生涯从他决定加盟迈阿密那一刻起已经被玷污，但考虑到他还没有真正的建立起自己的职业生涯，及对比赛不断深入的认知，这真的会成为现实吗？
If James leads Miami to multiple championships and assumes command of the Heat's team, will history view his achievement in a lesser light because of his decision to join Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami? 假如詹姆斯使热火赢得足够多的冠军，再假定他掌握着热火的领导权，那么，历史还会因为他决定联手韦德和波什加盟热火而对他所取得的成就继续蔑视吗？
It's highly doubtful, and James is left with the opportunity to craft a legacy every bit as impressive as Bryant's, if he can lead his Heat team to as many championships. 这都是极度难以预料的，詹姆斯现在给自己一个机会去雕琢自己职业生涯的每一个细节，就像科比那样的，令人印象深刻的职业生涯，但前提是他能带领他的热火赢得很多冠军。
Bryant however has an equal chance of adding to his legacy, and a sixth career championship is well within in his reaches as the Lakers return a team seeking a third consecutive title. 与此同时，科比也拥有着同等的机会来让自己的职业生涯更进一步，职业生涯的第六冠同时也能让球队梦回之前三连冠的美好回忆。
It's hard to compare Bryant and James anyway because of the differences in game, position, and size, but history always leaves a point of comparison between any players. 由于不同的比赛，不同的位置，不同的身体素质，这都使科比和詹姆斯的比较变得困难，但历史总会用最核心的一点将球员鉴别开来，那就是——总冠军。
That category is career championships, and although Bryant currently has a huge advantage over James, it's not impossible to think James could at least mount a charge before his career is done. 在获得总冠军的数量上，尽管现在科比将詹姆斯抛离5个马位，但在詹姆斯职业生涯结束之前，我们并不能认为詹姆斯不能追赶上来，除非马失前蹄。
