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This will be fun
If Kobe and LeBron play, we all win
By Rick Reilly
ESPN.com
If you have the correct answer to the following question, you can be part of the largest pay-per-view sporting event in American history: Who would win in a one-on-one game between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James?
Kobe Bryant (in London last week): I'd win. That's what I do. One-on-one -- that's easy for me. One-on-one is how I grew up playing. It's, like, my thing. LeBron is more like a Magic Johnson. He's a great passer and plays an all-around game. At the core of me, I'm a one-on-one player. I'd do that in my sleep.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban: It depends on the rules. Is it, "no blood, no foul"?
Yes, the players would call their own fouls. There would be no referee. Who uses refs in one-on-one?
Cuban: Then I take LeBron. He's too big. Regular refs, I take Kobe.
Note: James is 2 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier than Bryant.
Cuban: Because if you let them call their own fouls, then the audience gets to make their own judgments, and that makes it more interesting.
Yes, they'd call their own fouls. So how much would you pay for Bryant versus James on your HDNet?
Cuban: A lot.
Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups: I think Kobe is probably a better one-on-one player, but just in a one-on-one game, I think Bron is probably too big and strong. So Bron would probably win.
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony: [laughs] I have no clue, man. It'd be a good game, though.
Note: James and Anthony are about the same size, and Anthony has fared well one-on-one versus Bryant.
ABA/NBA legend Rick Barry: I'd say Kobe would beat him. Kobe has more moves. And Kobe's the better shooter. LeBron might beat him in one game, if LeBron got hot with outside shooting. Would there be "three seconds"?
There would be no ref, so it would be up to the players to call three seconds. And in the entire history of one-on-one basketball, nobody has ever been weenie enough to call three seconds.
Barry: Well, then, Kobe would be in trouble. Because LeBron's a beast.
Isn't it true that you played one-on-one versus George "Iceman" Gervin at Trump's hotel in Atlantic City?
Barry: Yeah, George edged me, but I was sick. And Kareem played Dr. J and beat him. J never could shoot from the outside.
Former L.A. Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy: I'd pick Kobe because of his shooting and defending. He moves his feet better. He'd force LeBron to shoot from the outside. LeBron's a freight train in the open court, but there wouldn't be any open court.
Note: Bryant and James have played head-to-head 13 times. In those games, James has outscored Bryant eight times and beaten Kobe's team eight times.
Former NBA star Jalen Rose: Kobe Bryant is one of the all-time greats, but beating LBJ at one-on-one after a summer of knee surgery while heading into his 15th year ... I don't think so!
Note: Bryant is 32 years old. James is 25. Bryant is coming off arthroscopic surgery to his right knee in July.
Trainer Tim Grover (Attack Athletics in Chicago), who has trained Bryant, James and Michael Jordan: Hard to say. Kobe could back LeBron down, too. He's that strong. Don't put me in this spot. I'm not picking.
How about Jordan versus either man?
Grover: Oh, Michael. No question. From a physical and mental standpoint, he's the best I've ever seen. If he were playing now, with the way the refs call everything, and with all the padding these guys wear, he'd average 40 or 50 a night if he wanted.
Saint Louis University coach Rick Majerus: If there's no ref, then I pick LeBron. He's bigger, stronger and longer. Kobe would brace up and get more charges, but who calls charges in one-on-one? LeBron's length will bother Kobe, too. He'll block shots from behind. He's got that huge tight end body.
If there's a ref, I pick Kobe because he's relentless and because of his heart. Kobe wouldn't take a possession off. LeBron might. LeBron doesn't always treat the game with the seriousness and determination that Kobe does. Kobe is the ultimate in efficiency. He has the most beautiful economy of motion.
People! No refs! Sheeesh.
Steve in Los Angeles: Would there be 3-pointers?
Yes. And although both players shoot about the same from the field (Bryant shoots 45.5 percent, James 47.5 percent), Bryant is the better 3-point shooter -- 34 percent to James' 32.9 percent. Slight advantage to Kobe.
Note: In the Nike ad with the puppets, LeBron seems to get the best of Kobe.
Bill P. from Denver: Would it be make-it-take-it or alternating possessions?
Oh. My. God. Make it take it! Who plays alternating possessions in one-on-one? Where are you from, Sweden?
Bill P.: Then I pick Kobe because he'd get hot and never give the ball back. But if it's alternating possessions, then I'd pick LeBron. Kobe would get tired out having to guard the larger man every other time.
Note: In a recent Slamonline.com poll, readers picked Bryant 71 percent to 29 percent.
Former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy: I have no idea of who would win, but this is exactly what the All-Star Game needs. Forget the dunk contest, the rookie-sop re game, the skills challenge, the 3-point thing, give us Kobe and LeBron to 21 and they call their own fouls. Get sponsorship and give money to charity. You have to get this done!
Sorry, the money is much bigger with PPV. Besides, I already called the NBA, and the league wouldn't bite on it.
Kevin Grigg, Detroit Pistons media guy: Do you have to win by two?
Yes, you must win by two. Because of the higher point value for baskets, the games would be to 35. Best of five. Coin flip to determine who gets the ball first, then winner gets ball out each game thereafter.
Grigg: In that case, the game might never end.
The one-on-one show's undercard would be:
Steve Nash versus Chris Paul
Shaquille O'Neal versus Nate Robinson
Kevin Durant versus Carmelo Anthony
Jordan versus Magic
Dunleavy: Man, I'd pay to see that.
Which is what we're counting on.
Consider that both players are fans of the Boys & Girls Club of America. In fact, when LeBron announced his decision to play for the Miami Heat, he sold it as a fundraiser and made them more than $2 million. That would be couch-cushion change compared to this.
At $50 per head, 5 million viewers would produce $250 million. If the average cost of building a Boys & Girls Club is $10 million, the proceeds would build 25 clubs around the country.
So the answer to the question: Who would win in a one-on-one game between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James? It's neither Kobe nor LeBron … it's kids. July 4, 2011, work for you two?
Last edited by duncan228; 10-13-2010 at 05:30 PM.
This will be fun
Do you really think those two egomaniacs would ever agree to this?
my LeBron would murk that rapist,
Lebron would never embarrass Kobe like that.
but if the game were to benefit the BGCA I'm sure LeBron would be onboard in a second...remember, it's all about the children
While the Cavs lacked more talent around LeBron and better coaching to contend in the playoffs, keep in mind that he took 2 MVP's and various NBA records from Kobe.
LeBron responded convincingly with 52 points and 1 rebound away from a triple double when Kobe challenged him with 61 points against the Knicks at MSG. Kobe picked one of his best games for the challenge while LeBron had the pressure to beat him in the next game.
Which he did.
Yup..Kobe's been waiting 3 years in the Finals for Lebron but Lebron wont meet him.
Maybe Lebron should just do something for fun like a slam dunk contest..oh nevermind..he doesnt want to accept that either.
oh well.
beat me to it ...... other than that one dunk he always does, what's spectacular about his dunks?? He's a great in game dunker but I think the contest isn't his thing.
Yep the just like Shannon...Shanfool Brown... great during games but a thud during the official compe ion and that's why he'll never compete...Lebuns won't do anything to damage his rep if he fails that's why he'll never challenge Kobe 1:1 even if Kobe done already lay down the gauntlet and challenged his manhood. In fact it's almost unprecedented for the Leagues STAR (Upper Case) to openly say he'll whip another star's (lower case) ass..point blank to the world..and Kobe didn't bat an eye nor did he mince words..He said redacted "I'll straight kick that s ass why you even asking me this bull . Aye that know where to find me."
and what did you hear from Lebron....
ing crickets...
This is a sign of how made the heat players really are to their core...they pussies man...you think Kobe would have let Lebron get away with saying some like this about him...Kobe disrespected this punk so bad he even said man I'd even kick his ing ass in my sleep.some cold .
In fact let me prove how made they are..I've already proven the ness of Wade and Lebron...now let me focus on Bosh...How many s you know will let someone do this to them on the court...A Gasol no less...now I'm not as concerned with the hit than I am Bosh's reaction...
Lol prove? I'm still waiting for you to do that on anything you post. So Kool, I'm wondering the reason behind the hate for the Heat? They haven't played the Lakers once but you make seem like they already ended their run. Is it you already know the inevitable or just insecurity?Yep the just like Shannon...Shanfool Brown... great during games but a thud during the official compe ion and that's why he'll never compete...Lebuns won't do anything to damage his rep if he fails that's why he'll never challenge Kobe 1:1 even if Kobe done already lay down the gauntlet and challenged his manhood. In fact it's almost unprecedented for the Leagues STAR (Upper Case) to openly say he'll whip another star's (lower case) ass..point blank to the world..and Kobe didn't bat an eye nor did he mince words..He said redacted "I'll straight kick that s ass why you even asking me this bull . Aye that know where to find me."
and what did you hear from Lebron....
ing crickets...
This is a sign of how made the heat players really are to their core...they pussies man...you think Kobe would have let Lebron get away with saying some like this about him...Kobe disrespected this punk so bad he even said man I'd even kick his ing ass in my sleep.
In fact let me prove how made they are..I've already proven the ness of Wade and Lebron...now let me focus on Bosh...How many s you know will let someone do this to them on the court...A Gasol no less...now I'm not as concerned with the hit than I am Bosh's reaction...
Son you need to worry about getting out of your own conference before even mentioning LA...last I checked Boston was the defending EC champs and they still have MASSIVE advantages in the paint against your paper thin front line. Rondo is going to murder whatever garbage you throw out at PG too (unless of course Wade plays the 1 instead of 2).
btw, nice brick on the dunk by Bosh just now
if Kobe was in his prime, I would maybe take him slightly because Kobe is a better shooter. Right now I would take Lebron though
If James would refrain from ting himself---and/or---playing it off he'd win.
James is scared though. It's just his way, his mental make-up.
Kinda like you against the Vietcong.
tee, hee
Rondo doesn't usually shoot a high % against Miami, IIRC, I could be wrong though..
For those saying Kobe is a better shooter, it depends..he's definitely better as a mid-range shooter, but Lebron is definitely better as a long-range shooter at this point..
lmcontrollinao!
tbh the Vietcong were the ones controllin' a few decades ago. You rave about how Ron Artest didn't implode, well guess what, you did!
testify, Will Hunting, testify!
lmemulatedao!
& the rat finally shows up.
+1
Rondo doesn't usually shoot a high % against Miami, IIRC, I could be wrong though..
For those saying Kobe is a better shooter, it depends..he's definitely better as a mid-range shooter, but Lebron is definitely better as a long-range shooter at this point..
Laker fans keep saying Boston has this big advantage in the paint like either O'neals or Perkins are all the sudden an offensive beast. One thing I'm beginning to notice is Laker fans on this board make all kinds of claims like they know what they are talking about but have to see one post any kind of real numbers backing them. Then once numbers are posted they're nowhere to be found.
Maybe you should have emulated the Vietcong's war tactics
let us proceed...
Ace= Rat #1
Vulv= Rat #2
I'm a trend setter.
I set trends.
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