Kobe Bryant And LeBron James Opponent Says James Has Higher Basketball IQ
Recently, I spoke with NBA journalist Michael Tillery and former Sixer’s forward Randy Holcomb. During our discussions, which has a higher basketball IQ between NBA greats Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
“It’s interesting because I think they are two different robots. Two different models that are just as effective, I would watch Kobe [Bryant] when he would come to Philadephia, and there was a writer named E. James Beale. He said to me. I wonder if Kobe sees the floor as a grid. So, after the game, we went into the locker room and asked him the very question, and he confirmed it,” said Tillery.
“So, Kobe has this mind that was seeing the floor, separately than even basketball. So, a lot of people walk with a basketball they use the basketball court. They shoot at the rim, they look at the lines, but they are not looking at in boxes like Kobe did. To be where he could be in certain places on the floor to score. He did this thing where it was this elbow jumper maybe eight to ten feet from the basket. He would incessantly before he moved out, other spots. So, that’s where that grid started from for him.”
While Holcomb believed that their basketball IQs were the same.
“Okay, I’m going to give you two answers; it is a tough question to answer that question. I think the IQs for the game are actually the same. I had a chance to talk to Kobe, and there is a misconception about Kobe that you saw. God rest his soul. When he stepped off the court, the person was like this genius and very soft and very humbled individual. When he spoke about the game of basketball,” said Holcomb on Clubhouse.
“So, his IQ when you listen to him, he knew everything that was going on the floor. After I talked to him I was like, f*** this dude likes the subtleties. Understanding the footwork that he was doing and why he did certain things. He had a reason why he was doing when he stepped off the floor or his workout and what he was looking for. The problem with Kobe was the application was not always there on the floor. The same way it is LeBron on the floor. Like, Kobe was inherently selfish and that was detrimental to that team.”
On Monday afternoon, the same question was presented to former NBA veteran Jared Jeffries in Courtside With Dukes on Clubhouse.
” I think I have to say LeBron. What LeBron does and the way he breaks the game down. I think Kobe maximized his talent more than anyone I have ever seen in basketball. Kobe was able to do this through injuries changing his game up, his work ethic and drive were masterful, but LeBron’s basketball IQ, even though they got swept with the first team, took to the finals in 2007,” said Jeffries.
“I don’t care what anybody says about the era in the east. I do not know anybody else who took a team to the finals without another Hall of Famer. That is amazing! Then the one year [2015], Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving were out in the finals to six games against Golden State. So, you gotta look at how he has broken the game down and how he calculates and gets through even the way he has. It is impressive.”
Jeffries played 10 seasons in the NBA for four different teams, the Washington Wizards, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
