Who is the next "Like Mike" in the NBA?

In class we discussed how Michael Jordan is arguable the greatest figure in all of sports. However, I want to stick just to the NBA in this blog.
MJ has the 6 rings, the Hanes commercials, the shoes, and the swag. He had the swagger of a champion. All those reasons tie in to him being the best ever at his sport and everyone else is a distant second. As a Cavaliers fan I always thought LeBron James would surpass the greatest of all time. After this past summer, it is safe to say my feelings have changed. Yes, I am sour about it, so is every other Clevelander. But there is also reasoning to it. LBJ has yet to win a title. He has won the MVP award twice, but rings is where athletes are measured. Whether or not LBJ wins 1 or 6 rings with the Miami Heat, it will not do a damn thing but keep him behind Jordan. LeBron has taken a lot of scrutiny for becoming teammates with other superstars in the league. The greatest player should not need superstars around him. Yes a supporting cast is nice, and I think it is safe to say James had that this past season.
Another player on the list of becoming the next MJ should be Kevin Durant. This dude is sensational. He is barely old enough to drink and is in his third year in the league. He won the NBA scoring title last regular season and should be favored to repeat this season. He took the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs in just his second NBA season! The guy can hit a jump shot from anywhere, and what makes things even better.. He signed a contract extension this past summer to stay with the Thunder for at least four more years. Talk about a great talent and does not let his head get to big. Everyone wants to say Cleveland is a bad city for marketing, how about the state of Oklahoma!?! Obviously, this young man has a lot of work to do and plenty of rings to win, but it is safe to say he is off to a fantastic start.
The final player I want to bring up has already peaked and is on the decline in his career. When I say decline, I do not mean that he can not play, just stating that he is getting older. Kobe Bryant, just won his 5th ring with the Los Angeles Lakers. Okay say what you want about the man: was in the media for rape, ran Shaq out of town, and demanded a trade just two-three years ago. Instead, LA steals Pau from Memphis and they have not stopped winning since. Kobe is known as the best closer in the game, he can hit any shot at anytime and there is no one else in the NBA a coach would rather have in the final minutes of a game. With a championship this year he will equal MJ. Kobe also has the longevity to continue playing at least four more seasons, therefore the potential to win more rings than Jordan is fairly high. He has is own shoe, maybe it is time for him to come up with his own brand. Time for Kobe to start marketing more, but the question is why? He does not need the money, and where he is at in his career, he just wants to win that 6th ring. Also, the man loves the NBA and that is his focus, staying healthy and relaxing when off the court.
In the end, NBA fans need to embrace this magical season that is about to start in 8 days. If you are not a Lakers fan, then you hate to see them keep winning. However, with Miami's big 3, the Boston Celtics and Durant's Thunder it is well known that the title run will not be easy for any team this season. So instead of harping over what cannot be changed it Cleveland or Toronto, why not sit back, relax and be thankful that we  all could be witnessing history. (Sorry Cavs fans, I know when you read over the word witness what comes to mind.)