The National Basketball Association, otherwise known as the NBA, is an association that has allowed us to watch some of the greatest athletes ever play basketball. When we think of NBA basketball or the era of basketball, we think of dunks, three-pointers and alley-oops, but there was a unique element of basketball that players specialized in and brought to the NBA; specialties that players use today. John Stockton of the Utah Jazz has made the passing element truly known as a point guard's asset. Julius Erving of the Philadelphia 76ers brought his electric and spectacular dunking ability to the NBA, which influenced many future high-level players, such as Dominique Wilkins and Shawn Kemp, and made the NBA a more exciting league to watch and participate in. Charles Barkley, aka the Mound of Rebound, made rebounding an underrated trait, his forte, and paved the way for future glass-eating big men like Dennis Rodman and today's superstar forward, Kevin Love. Dikimbe Mutumbo made his name known for his extraordinary and intimidating ability to block shots and, in addition, celebrated by wagging the finger that has become his signature. Then there was Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwan whose offensive post moves were virtually unstoppable. All of these players who became legends had a specialty that made them great and they all had a place that gave them their reputation before the NBA, college. NCAA basketball is where most players began to specialize in their signature skills and build a reputation that would lead to them being drafted into the big leagues. Among all these players there was one from the University of North Carolina who could do a little of everything, Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Over the course of his college career, Michael Jordan has become… a piece of paper… all-around player, but unlike Jordan he is like a tank that moves like a freight train. Kobe and Jordan are undoubtedly the dominant players in the NBA, but with LeBron's great frame and speed combined with his basketball skills and IQ, LeBron James makes a strong case that he is arguably the most dominant player to ever play the game in the NBA. If he continues to play at this rate until he's 34 or 35, LeBron will truly be seen as the greatest of all time. Works Cited Astramskas, David. Infographic Comparison: Jordan, Kobe and LeBron at Age 28. March 23, 2013. Jones, Hadarii. Has Phil Jackson settled the Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan debate? May 20, 2013.Scola, Marco. Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and the most annoying debate. February 18, 2013.Vale, Bryan. LeBron James: Why he can't be compared to Michael Jordan. October 23 2013.