http://sportschew.com/ballers-beat-...Ballers+Who+Would+Destroy+LeBron+James+1-On-1
It is no secret that the majority of the world considers LeBron James to be the world’s best basketball player right now. But the debate for best NBA player of all time is still up in the air.
Also, the skills it takes to be a good 1-on-1 player are not directly correlated with being a great team player. Keep that in mind while you look through this list.
Here are the top players who would beat LeBron in no particular order:
1. Allen Iverson
wikipedia.org
Even though Allen Iverson is a great deal smaller than LeBron, he is much faster. Iverson in his prime would have his way dribbling and driving passed LeBron and almost any other player ever. LeBron would have to play a little back to respect his speed which would lead to open opportunities for Iverson from the perimeter. The downside would be that LeBron would dominate him in the post and paint. But Iverson’s speed would lead to many steal and turnover opportunities, so for this reason, we are giving him the edge.
2. Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady was one of the all-time great scorers of the game. Before his injuries, he was the dominant player of the league in his prime.
But what isn’t well known is his defensive capabilities. He was a superior on ball defender and his length would give LeBron a challenge.
The only thing McGrady lacked was consistency. But we think that on a good night, T-Mac would beat LeBron 1-on-1.
3.Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson made the list purely based on the fact that he is the most versatile player in NBA history. At 6’9, he was a point guard in a small forward’s body.
He is SO versatile in fact, that he won 2 NBA finals MVP awards for 2 completely different positions, one for point guard and one for center!
His ability to play all positions will lead to problems with LeBron especially on the defensive end. His skill set offensively would give him a great chance to beat LeBron and we think he’d win if they played in their primes.
4. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is definitely one of the favorites to beat LeBron 1-on-1. He possesses everything you’d need offensively and could score from almost anywhere on the court.
But what makes him stand out over all the other players mentioned is his defensive ability. He is truly one of the best defenders at his position and could cause havoc for LeBron around the perimeter and in the post.
LeBron’s size would be a slight problem for him but Kobe’s consistency and composure would ultimately give him a slight edge.
5. Shaquille O’Neal
No, not Shaq on the Miami Heat days. Not even Shaq on the Los Angeles Lakers days. We’re talking Shaq on the Orlando Magic days.
He was 50 pounds lighter, and could run the floor with the best of them. When he came out, it was something no one had ever seen before. A 7’1″ beast that dominated the paint but moved like a guard.
Shaq would have his way with LeBron, posting him up, getting to the rim at will. Defensively, LeBron doesn’t stand a chance, Shaq’s size alone would prevent LeBron from scoring most of the time.
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, with a whopping 38,387 points to his name. He is also 7’2″ tall, giving him an incredible height advantage over LeBron.
Even though he was not an elite defender, LeBron would have a tough time against his long arms.
Against defenders his same size, Kareem was virtually unguard-able as he mastered the sky hook. You put someone like LeBron on him, he would make 99% of his sky hook attempts and win easily.
7. Tim Duncan
Yes, everyone knows Tim Duncan is one of the most dependable power forwards to ever play the game. Day in and day out, he can quietly put up 20+ points, and 10+ rebounds a game without fail.
What isn’t well known is that Tim Duncan holds the record for most selections to the NBA All-Defensive team with 15. In college, he was voted defensive player of the year 3 years in a row by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
In his prime, he would easily be able to stop LeBron from entering the paint and force him to rely on his jump shot. Timmy’s bank shot was nothing to scoff at either back in his heyday.
8. Anfernee Hardaway
Even though Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway played the point guard position, he towered over his opposing point guards at 6’7″.
Penny could’ve been the best point guard to ever play the game if it wasn’t for knee injuries that he never recovered from. In his prime, people were comparing him to Magic Johnson and at one point in his career, he was the most popular player in the NBA, even over Michael Jordan.
Like Iverson, he would be giving up size to LeBron, but he makes up for it tenfold with his quickness and would run circles around LeBron offensively and defensively, taking the win.
9. Wilt Chamberlain
You might not have never seen him play, but you probably know his record that will never be broken in our time. He once scored 100 points in a game. LeBron’s highest was 61.
The argument always is that Wilt was playing during a time where his competition was far less athletic and smaller than him. He was 7’1′ and the rest of his competition was LeBron’s height.
What did he do defensively to that competition? He hold the record for most rebounds in a game with a ridiculous 55 boards and although they didn’t keep track of blocks back then, in one game that they counted, he had over 20 blocks until they lost count.
10. Kevin Garnett
Garnett is 6’11”, giving him a sizable advantage over LeBron, but what really stands out about Garnett is his defensive capabilities.
Tim Duncan might have the most All-Defensive team selections in NBA history, but Kevin Garnett tied the record for most 1st team All-Defensive selections, with 9. He was also the NBA’s defensive player of the year in 2008, something that LeBron has never achieved.
He was also rebounding champion 4 years in a row during his prime. That, coupled with his arsenal of offensive skills would allow him to beat LeBron.
11. Larry Bird
Larry is widely considered the best trash talker in NBA history. But aside from that, he was famous for his work ethic and toughness. He brought 110% to each and every game.
He wouldn’t allow LeBron to overpower him and make LeBron work for every point. He was also lethal from beyond the 3-point line.
When asking NBA players during their time, most players said that Larry was harder to guard than Michael Jordan. And what’s less known is that Bird’s record against Jordan and the Bulls in their prime was a lopsided 17-11.
12. Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo in his prime was a defensive juggernaut. He’s only 6’10” in stature, but led the league twice in blocks and was defensive player of the year for both those years.
In his heyday, he received the largest contract in league history, $105 million for 7 years, being the first player ever in the NBA to receive a contract worth over $100 million.
The reason he was so good defensively? His massive wingspan. The average person’s wingspan is about equal to their height, whereas Alonzo’s wingspan was 7’6.5″. That’s a full 8 and a half inches above what an average 6’10” players’ reach is. LeBron wouldn’t stand a chance.
13. Bill Russell
Bill Russell is the winning-est champion in NBA history, with 11 rings to his name. He played only 13 seasons in the league, made the finals 12 times, and at one time won 8 championships in a row. Of course, he was playing during a time when there much fewer teams in the league and the competition wasn’t as stiff, but it is a remarkable achievement nonetheless.
He was only 6’9″ but rebounded and blocked shots like he was 7’6″. Even against opposing centers like Wilt Chamberlain, who was 7’1″, he would grab 20+ rebounds. Russell’s defensive prowess in the paint would force LeBron to rely on his just jump shot, which would ultimately lead to a win.
14. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon is 7′ tall but had the abilities of a 6′ point guard. He averaged over 25 points per game in his prime, on par with other hall of fame centers, but his defense, that is what made him shine.
He is not only the all time leader in blocks with 3,830, but he is also the only player in NBA history to record 200 blocks and 200 steals in a single season. To put that into perspective, only 12 players in NBA history have achieved 200 blocks and 100 steals in a season, he did it 11 times. He is the only center in NBA history to have 200 steals in a season.
Out of the 4 players in NBA history to ever record a quadruple double, he is the only one to ever do it twice. That’s how good he was.
15. David Robinson
We just mentioned the elusive quadruple double. David Robinson is also just one of 4 players in NBA history to ever achieve that mark. He was the last person to ever do so, back in 1994. He is also one of 5 players in NBA history to ever score above 70 points, scoring 71 against the Clippers in ’94.
He is one of only 2 players in NBA history to lead the league in scoring, rebounds and blocks during his career, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar being the other. His list of accolades go on and on, but the biggest advantage he has over LeBron is obviously size. At 7’1″, LeBron doesn’t stand a chance.
16. Michael Jordan
If you were looking for an explanation as to why Michael Jordan might be able to beat LeBron James 1-on-1, you need to rethink your love for basketball.
Maybe you were born after 1998 and have never seen the real Michael Jordan play?
If that’s the case, or if you’re suffering from amnesia, this video will remind you why Jordan is the best: Michael Jordan’s Top 50 Plays
It is no secret that the majority of the world considers LeBron James to be the world’s best basketball player right now. But the debate for best NBA player of all time is still up in the air.
Also, the skills it takes to be a good 1-on-1 player are not directly correlated with being a great team player. Keep that in mind while you look through this list.
Here are the top players who would beat LeBron in no particular order:
1. Allen Iverson
wikipedia.org
Even though Allen Iverson is a great deal smaller than LeBron, he is much faster. Iverson in his prime would have his way dribbling and driving passed LeBron and almost any other player ever. LeBron would have to play a little back to respect his speed which would lead to open opportunities for Iverson from the perimeter. The downside would be that LeBron would dominate him in the post and paint. But Iverson’s speed would lead to many steal and turnover opportunities, so for this reason, we are giving him the edge.
2. Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady was one of the all-time great scorers of the game. Before his injuries, he was the dominant player of the league in his prime.
But what isn’t well known is his defensive capabilities. He was a superior on ball defender and his length would give LeBron a challenge.
The only thing McGrady lacked was consistency. But we think that on a good night, T-Mac would beat LeBron 1-on-1.
3.Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson made the list purely based on the fact that he is the most versatile player in NBA history. At 6’9, he was a point guard in a small forward’s body.
He is SO versatile in fact, that he won 2 NBA finals MVP awards for 2 completely different positions, one for point guard and one for center!
His ability to play all positions will lead to problems with LeBron especially on the defensive end. His skill set offensively would give him a great chance to beat LeBron and we think he’d win if they played in their primes.
4. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is definitely one of the favorites to beat LeBron 1-on-1. He possesses everything you’d need offensively and could score from almost anywhere on the court.
But what makes him stand out over all the other players mentioned is his defensive ability. He is truly one of the best defenders at his position and could cause havoc for LeBron around the perimeter and in the post.
LeBron’s size would be a slight problem for him but Kobe’s consistency and composure would ultimately give him a slight edge.
5. Shaquille O’Neal
No, not Shaq on the Miami Heat days. Not even Shaq on the Los Angeles Lakers days. We’re talking Shaq on the Orlando Magic days.
He was 50 pounds lighter, and could run the floor with the best of them. When he came out, it was something no one had ever seen before. A 7’1″ beast that dominated the paint but moved like a guard.
Shaq would have his way with LeBron, posting him up, getting to the rim at will. Defensively, LeBron doesn’t stand a chance, Shaq’s size alone would prevent LeBron from scoring most of the time.
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, with a whopping 38,387 points to his name. He is also 7’2″ tall, giving him an incredible height advantage over LeBron.
Even though he was not an elite defender, LeBron would have a tough time against his long arms.
Against defenders his same size, Kareem was virtually unguard-able as he mastered the sky hook. You put someone like LeBron on him, he would make 99% of his sky hook attempts and win easily.
7. Tim Duncan
Yes, everyone knows Tim Duncan is one of the most dependable power forwards to ever play the game. Day in and day out, he can quietly put up 20+ points, and 10+ rebounds a game without fail.
What isn’t well known is that Tim Duncan holds the record for most selections to the NBA All-Defensive team with 15. In college, he was voted defensive player of the year 3 years in a row by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
In his prime, he would easily be able to stop LeBron from entering the paint and force him to rely on his jump shot. Timmy’s bank shot was nothing to scoff at either back in his heyday.
8. Anfernee Hardaway
Even though Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway played the point guard position, he towered over his opposing point guards at 6’7″.
Penny could’ve been the best point guard to ever play the game if it wasn’t for knee injuries that he never recovered from. In his prime, people were comparing him to Magic Johnson and at one point in his career, he was the most popular player in the NBA, even over Michael Jordan.
Like Iverson, he would be giving up size to LeBron, but he makes up for it tenfold with his quickness and would run circles around LeBron offensively and defensively, taking the win.
9. Wilt Chamberlain
You might not have never seen him play, but you probably know his record that will never be broken in our time. He once scored 100 points in a game. LeBron’s highest was 61.
The argument always is that Wilt was playing during a time where his competition was far less athletic and smaller than him. He was 7’1′ and the rest of his competition was LeBron’s height.
What did he do defensively to that competition? He hold the record for most rebounds in a game with a ridiculous 55 boards and although they didn’t keep track of blocks back then, in one game that they counted, he had over 20 blocks until they lost count.
10. Kevin Garnett
Garnett is 6’11”, giving him a sizable advantage over LeBron, but what really stands out about Garnett is his defensive capabilities.
Tim Duncan might have the most All-Defensive team selections in NBA history, but Kevin Garnett tied the record for most 1st team All-Defensive selections, with 9. He was also the NBA’s defensive player of the year in 2008, something that LeBron has never achieved.
He was also rebounding champion 4 years in a row during his prime. That, coupled with his arsenal of offensive skills would allow him to beat LeBron.
11. Larry Bird
Larry is widely considered the best trash talker in NBA history. But aside from that, he was famous for his work ethic and toughness. He brought 110% to each and every game.
He wouldn’t allow LeBron to overpower him and make LeBron work for every point. He was also lethal from beyond the 3-point line.
When asking NBA players during their time, most players said that Larry was harder to guard than Michael Jordan. And what’s less known is that Bird’s record against Jordan and the Bulls in their prime was a lopsided 17-11.
12. Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo in his prime was a defensive juggernaut. He’s only 6’10” in stature, but led the league twice in blocks and was defensive player of the year for both those years.
In his heyday, he received the largest contract in league history, $105 million for 7 years, being the first player ever in the NBA to receive a contract worth over $100 million.
The reason he was so good defensively? His massive wingspan. The average person’s wingspan is about equal to their height, whereas Alonzo’s wingspan was 7’6.5″. That’s a full 8 and a half inches above what an average 6’10” players’ reach is. LeBron wouldn’t stand a chance.
13. Bill Russell
Bill Russell is the winning-est champion in NBA history, with 11 rings to his name. He played only 13 seasons in the league, made the finals 12 times, and at one time won 8 championships in a row. Of course, he was playing during a time when there much fewer teams in the league and the competition wasn’t as stiff, but it is a remarkable achievement nonetheless.
He was only 6’9″ but rebounded and blocked shots like he was 7’6″. Even against opposing centers like Wilt Chamberlain, who was 7’1″, he would grab 20+ rebounds. Russell’s defensive prowess in the paint would force LeBron to rely on his just jump shot, which would ultimately lead to a win.
14. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon is 7′ tall but had the abilities of a 6′ point guard. He averaged over 25 points per game in his prime, on par with other hall of fame centers, but his defense, that is what made him shine.
He is not only the all time leader in blocks with 3,830, but he is also the only player in NBA history to record 200 blocks and 200 steals in a single season. To put that into perspective, only 12 players in NBA history have achieved 200 blocks and 100 steals in a season, he did it 11 times. He is the only center in NBA history to have 200 steals in a season.
Out of the 4 players in NBA history to ever record a quadruple double, he is the only one to ever do it twice. That’s how good he was.
15. David Robinson
We just mentioned the elusive quadruple double. David Robinson is also just one of 4 players in NBA history to ever achieve that mark. He was the last person to ever do so, back in 1994. He is also one of 5 players in NBA history to ever score above 70 points, scoring 71 against the Clippers in ’94.
He is one of only 2 players in NBA history to lead the league in scoring, rebounds and blocks during his career, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar being the other. His list of accolades go on and on, but the biggest advantage he has over LeBron is obviously size. At 7’1″, LeBron doesn’t stand a chance.
16. Michael Jordan
If you were looking for an explanation as to why Michael Jordan might be able to beat LeBron James 1-on-1, you need to rethink your love for basketball.
Maybe you were born after 1998 and have never seen the real Michael Jordan play?
If that’s the case, or if you’re suffering from amnesia, this video will remind you why Jordan is the best: Michael Jordan’s Top 50 Plays
In what fucking universe does that happen? The guy's offense flowed with a team because of passing and ball movement, but he could barely fucking shoot and how does he keep up with Lebron on the perimeter? 
