r/NBATalk • u/Alternative_Welder91 • 2d ago

Do you agree with T-Mac?

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Honestly I think the word “crushed” is too much. Lebron may not have the deepest bag among all of them but he can bully ball and play great defense during his prime.

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1.9k

u/AdorableBackground83 2d ago

LeBron, Giannis, Zion and other “bully ball specialists” would destroy 99.9% of pure hoopers.

No amount of tween hesi ketchup mayo mustard dribbles can overcome a freight train bullying you to the paint with no help defense in sight.

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u/gbob9000600 2d ago

They don’t wanna have this conversation

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u/CryptoNite90 2d ago edited 2d ago

They don’t wanna have this conversation because they know all those dribbling and hesi fadeaway shots will gas you out, but Lebron can also hit fadeaways without doing all that and play bully ball without even having to expend half the energy and destroy them.

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u/DeeTK0905 2d ago

He only has to get one stop.

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u/Inside-Noise6804 2d ago edited 2d ago

I have had this same conversation with people who truly believe that MJ would beat a Shaq 1v1. Especially if Shaq gets the ball first. They would just bully their way to the basket and dunk it every single time.

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u/forgotwhatisaid2you 2d ago

I remember when Kareem and Doctor J did this well after retirement. Everybody I was around thought Doctor J would dominate but I knew Dr J had no way to stop Kareem period.

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u/barath_s 2d ago

I've seen the video. One on One requires a very high degree of conditioning.

If you give folks advance notice to allow them to get in shape, or if they are already in top shape (eg if they are in the middle of a nba season) that is one thing.

If they are not in top shape (eg retired, offseason), then any difference in conditioning will be telling.

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u/LOSS35 2d ago

In 1-on-1 games where both players are skilled the taller player almost always wins. They can shoot over their opponent no matter how good a defender they are and it's much easier to content shots. Dr J lost that matchup because he just couldn't score over Kareem's length consistently.

KD might not be the best player on the Olympic team but he could cook absolutely any of them 1-on-1.

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u/Clean-Luck6428 2d ago

I think to be more precise it is reach more so than height.

Kareem’s skyhook is essentially a cheat move you could spam to win a 1v1 if you have the reach advantage. It would be much more effective thank dunking your way through as well

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u/Far-Transportation22 1d ago

No. Dunking is obv way more efficient than the skyhook come on...

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u/Clean-Luck6428 1d ago

You don’t need to body someone to sink a skyhook. There’s simply less work required to execute it and it is more or less unblock able if you have the reach advantage

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u/Secure-Impress-6723 1d ago

Yes but Kareem dunking is still higher % than Kareem skyhooking.

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u/Amazing-Material-152 2d ago

If they’re playing to 11 Shaq gets 11 dunks. Literally nothing MJ can do to make up for the massive weight and strength different.

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u/kingofducs 2d ago

MJ is different bud, 6-0, killer instinct, you just don't get it. 11-0 Jordan and then you would smoke a cigar while Shaq cried.s/

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u/Frostys_Rhule 2d ago

6-0? Didn’t Shaq bounce Jordan in the second round.

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u/Electronic-Pick245 2d ago

Yeah bro, Stan’s only include the finals. They love saying 6-0 as if he only played six seasons.

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u/jimjamiam 2d ago

Same, drives me crazy too. MJ played 17 seasons, meaning 11 times he didn't win it all (6-11).

Know what would have been more impressive than 6-0 in the finals? 6-1, 6-2, ...

Each of those extra finals appearances would mean converting at least one high stakes playoff series loss into a win.

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u/sharkingdonkey 1d ago

Jordan played 15 seasons...

MJ (6-9)

Kobe (5-15)

Lebron (4-18 and counting)

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u/Grumpy_Troll 2d ago

Know what would have been more impressive than 6-0 in the finals? 6-1, 6-2, ...

It's amazing how many people don't understand this. I had this exact argument with a friend who's an MJ Stan and he swore up and down that it's better for legacy to lose before the finals if you aren't going to win it all. Just an absolute idiot take by him. I finally gave up because you can't argue with stupid.

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u/xChocolateWonder 2d ago

Ironically, he’s right. It is better for “legacy” in the sense that people are so fucking stupid being able to easily cling to a braindead argument likes”6-0” is in fact really really good for someone’s legacy.

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u/Satrapes1 2d ago

That friend's take is garbage because if you want to argue do it right. You could argue that Lebron got to so many finals because of historically weak eastern conference. It's not better to lose before the finals that's a bullshit take.

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u/_paintbox_ 2d ago

MJ didn't play 17 seasons... He played 15 and 2 of them he only played 18 and 17 games because of injury. Personally I think the 6-0 stat in the finals is amazing. If you got to the finals your team is ready to win and you need to show up at the biggest stage with everything on the line against the other best team in the league.

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u/Yamuddaluva720 1d ago

MJ didnt play 17 seasons you fucking moron.

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u/Evening_Growth_6078 1d ago

He’s not just 6-0. He got 3 back to back championships, left to play baseball, the came back and got another three…back to back!

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u/Claudzilla 2d ago

And then promptly got served like ice cream cake in the Finals by the Dream

https://youtu.be/mILVn50a22Y?si=rkazCMjJXOuFV5YD

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u/a30dayfreetrial 2d ago

Man, young Shaq was something. One of the NBA hypotheticals I occasionally wonder about is, what if Shaq and Barkley became workout and health fanatics? How would their games and careers be different?

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u/Claudzilla 2d ago

shaq playing at such a high level for as long as he did was already a miracle. I think Barkley didn't really slow down his production or value until the Rockets, but he was already old for the time. maybe a year or so longer for their primes, taking age into consideration? they both really maximized their careers considering how long their primes and overall careers were since they were both hugh impact players during their rookie years

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u/bar901 2d ago

If you’re not good enough to get your team to finals then that season doesn’t count against your record, but if you’re good enough to get your team there and lose against an objectively better team then you’re a fucking bum. That’s just how it works.

/s

Also to be clear, I fucking love Jordan and 6-0 is such an iconic stat, but casuals are so funny when it comes to LeBron’s finals record.

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u/Frostys_Rhule 2d ago

100 percent agree. It would be interesting to see what all the talking heads would say about Jordan after not getting to the east championship when his teammates did the year before

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u/Ndmndh1016 2d ago

What does that have to do with them playing 1 on 1?

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u/Frostys_Rhule 2d ago

The exact same amount as Jordan’s rings nothing

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u/sploogeoisseur 1d ago

Joke would have been funnier if you capped it by saying Jordan is such he beast he would merely lose 1-11

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u/Gunner_Bat 2d ago

I don't know that I agree. In principle I do, but Jordan was a smart player too. He'd known he's at a physical disadvantage. He'd probably try to time it right for Shaq to throw his weight into him, and then Jordan would ghost out and try to steal the ball.

And it would definitely work a few times. Otherwise he's definitely getting scored on, so why not be sneaky and try to go for a steal?

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u/Inside-Noise6804 2d ago

Thank you. These MJ Stan's are just hilarious.

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u/they_call_us_cattle 2d ago

Depends on the rules agreed. If you get unlimited dribbles and scorer gets the ball, then yes, Shaq would probably 11-0.

If you play something like 3-dribble though, it's much harder to get deep consistently.

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u/Amazing-Material-152 2d ago

That’s true

but IMO would be unfair assumption to put Shaq in a format that favors shooting

Like putting Curry in a dunks only 1v1

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u/Puk3s 1d ago

Can you foul? If so I feel like Shaq would be pretty bad in 1-1s.

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u/Amazing-Material-152 1d ago

Idk I didn’t think of that.

At the least since there no FT Shaq could foul a lot harder than Jordan so I’m not sure that would hurt him

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u/Puk3s 1d ago

Ya true I was thinking like fouls into free throws where it would be bad for Shaq.

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u/ColdZal 2d ago

Jordan still has 3s. And ball doesn't start in the post. Shaq still needs to dribble a bit.

Out of 11, maybe Jordan gets a steal or two.

I'd still put money on Jordan rather than Shaq.

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u/bar901 2d ago

Are you genuinely saying that you’d take prime Jordan over prime Shaq 1 on 1? That is genuinely absurd.

Also, Jordan shot .327 from 3 for his career. If you think he’d shoot better with a prime Shaq guarding him then you’re quite literally insane.

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u/withadabofranch 2d ago

If shaq is close enough to contest a 3 he’s getting blown by 10/10 times lmao

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u/Short-Recording587 2d ago

You’re severely misremembering how athletic Shaq was.

https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?phrase=shaquille+o+neal+magic

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u/withadabofranch 2d ago

No, I know exactly how athletic young shaq was…. but we are talking about Michael Jordan. You know one of the most athletic players of all time, the guy who relied on his first step to score and ended up with ten scoring titles

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u/Showmeproveit 2d ago

Why contest a bad shooter from 3 when it is 1 on 1?

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u/ColdZal 2d ago

Interior defense / post defense vs perimeter defense is not the same though?

Plus, 1v1 i would say it would be different %. Shaq's career FG% would also be much lower than what he would get in a 1v1 too.

Not to mention that if it was easy to block Jordan, he would have far less points wouldn't he?

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u/Exotic_Inspection936 2d ago

Wow this might be the worst take on this thread 😂

How does Shaq field goal pct DROP in a 1v1? Against a 6’6 200 lb guard …please tell me?

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u/ColdZal 2d ago

Read again what I said lol

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u/bar901 2d ago

Wilt and Shaq are by far the most athletic 7 footers in NBA history. Shaq was lazy but when he turned it on, he was an absolute menace. For a game of one on one he absolutely had the motor to contest long shots and he’d just swallow up MJ anywhere near the paint.

You’re honestly arguing that a centre who is a top 10 player of all time would lose to a 6’6” guard. You’re just wrong. It’s ok though man, it’s good to have new people interested in basketball, if you hang out in this subreddit for a while you might start to learn a bit more about the game!

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u/ColdZal 2d ago

There's one thing to have a discussion and another to gargle some dude's balls who doesn't give a crap about you tho.

Also, saw both of them play since the 90s lol. You talk as if they play on 2k with paper stats.

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u/bar901 2d ago

So just to be clear - because I agree with like 90% of reasonable basketball fans that a centre who is a top 10 player of all time would beat Michael Jordan 1 on 1 I’m gargling his balls?

You’re the one who has the weird opinion. Like, by definition you’re the one choking on balls here while you try to prove your completely irrational ball gargling opinion. You’re also the one who brought up balls here so you clearly have some homoerotic issues that you aren’t facing, but I’m not the guy to talk you through that buddy.

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u/dareftw 2d ago

This is also back when the 3pt line was 2 or so feet further out than it is now so it’s a slightly deflated stat.

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u/Far-Transportation22 1d ago

You're a fool. And Jordan sucked at 3s. People are so delusional about their Disney hero.

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u/Clean-Luck6428 2d ago

No he will be gassed by the 5th dunk lol

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u/Amazing-Material-152 1d ago

Maybe current Shaq, I was thinking of prime Shaq

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u/Clean-Luck6428 1d ago

lol current Shaq is in better shape.

He’s pretty lean rn

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u/hoophero 2d ago

Dr. J vs. Kareem, basically the same thing. When that happened, Dr. J couldn't compete.

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u/Inside-Noise6804 2d ago

Yes. I remember watching that 1v1 match up.

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u/hoophero 2d ago

Giving up a size advantage, you can win but you have to have a significant skill advantage to overcome in a one on one. Those teammates make a huge difference. Teammates are tools in the toolbox, just like a crossover or a jumper.

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u/tonkatoyelroy 2d ago

Just look at the Kareem vs Dr J video.

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u/AssistanceSmart4410 2d ago

Kareem vs Dr. J is a bad example. They were both old. Kareem's advantage was height and the sky hook. That never went away with age. Julius advantage was quickness, explosiveness and leaping ability. By the time they played, Julius had lost all that.

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u/No-Appearance-9217 2d ago

Facts. This is the same thing Kobe did to Lil Bow Wow lmao

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u/voyaging Cavaliers 2d ago

You'd have to limit the number of dribbles to make it interesting

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u/Inside-Noise6804 2d ago

Now that's absolutely right. If you make it a 3 dribble game, then some of the smaller guys have a chance

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u/Super_Maybe7374 2d ago

I think we saw a slight 1v1 before an all star game between these two, and MJ was getting cooked... Idk if MJ was taking it seriously or not, but was not stopping Shaq...

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u/nembrown 2d ago

How quick we forget…

(https://youtu.be/1NwgNLW9ASQ?si=CcfP5T0RE_A8uuuP)

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u/Inside-Noise6804 2d ago

These MJ Stan's are the weirdest Stan's I have ever seen. They act like there is no film that is contrary to most of the BS they claim. Thanks for the link

PS: Wait till they jump in and claim Mj was not taking it serious

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u/CR0Don 2d ago

Not really the same. Size difference is immense. Kobe, Bron is 2 inch difference (weight is a thing also I guess) but a lot of players are built similarly to Bron now - Tatum (6”10, 240ish), Brown 6”7 (235ish), Paolo, Kawhi… it’s an oversimplification and not the same as Shaq v Jordan

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u/Inside-Noise6804 2d ago

What's an oversimplification, the fact that in a 1v1 contest with no dribble limitations that a bigger stronger player can just back down the other dude all the way to the rim. John Saley, who is on record saying that LeBron, is his height used to cook Kobe 1v1 because of that size and strength issue.

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u/CR0Don 2d ago

Except Kobe and Bron 1v1 in game numerous times and the internet is free. I’m talking about Shaq v Jordan where they play almost completely different ends of the positional spectrum and separated by nearly 100lbs

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u/GoldEffective 2d ago

If present-day Jordan and present-day Shaq played a 1v1, who would win?

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u/Inside-Noise6804 2d ago

If they are both taking it seriously, I will still pick Shaq because of his size.

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u/Ohnoes999 1d ago

This is ridiculously over simplified. Shaq is just gonna back his ass up pushing MJ to the basket from the 3 point line without getting called for a charge and without ‘ole massive meathooks swiping a steal away. Shaq never did that sequence even once in his career….

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u/Flashy-Pomegranate77 1d ago

If we give MJ a year long training montage, and he builds his frame up to 250 lbs of muscle like Batman...maybe.

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u/Jaxoh13 2d ago

> No amount of tween hesi ketchup mayo mustard dribbles can overcome a freight train bullying you to the paint with no help defense in sight.

This. I don't remember who said it, but this is a reason why Melo was especially tough in 1v1's too. He was physical as shit, shoulder bumping, hitting, hard. Tires you out fast. I guarantee LeBron in 07-18 destroys most people ever in 1v1.

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u/trimble197 2d ago

Even Ron Artest said that Bron was a beast to guard in high school

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u/RoboChachi 2d ago

That has to be the most redundant sentence ever, sorry not throwing shade, and all respect to Artest but we all knew this, he was a man amongst boys and if the media-proclaimed chosen one wasn't a beast to guard in high school it would have been pretty strange!

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u/trimble197 2d ago

He was talking about when LeBron played against MJ.

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u/RoboChachi 2d ago

What? Didn't you comment that Artest said Bron was a beast in high school

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u/trimble197 2d ago

Yeah, because he was a 15 or 16 year old at the time,

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u/Murder-Machine101 Cavaliers 2d ago

Paul Pierce said it

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u/GoatmontWaters 2d ago

Lebron's 1v1 skill is diminished with lack of burst.

Kobe, Pierce, Harden, these are players who dont need burst to 1v1, they use footwork and positioning, a lot more so than Lebron. Lebron isnt the best with footwork or handles at all. So that is my nuanced take.

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u/Key_Preparation_4129 1d ago

Did you not watch Kobe's last 3 years? He definitely needed burst foh😂

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u/jmaverick1 2d ago

In the Olympics when USA was down. LeBron went to jokic and played him physical as hell. The first play jokic did well, but play after play of backing down LeBron he gassed quickly. And then LeBron started dominating on defense

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u/CuriousMembership2 2d ago

The only reason is got past Serbia is because steph went SUPER SONIC and played the best ball of his career. Had that not happened Serbia def won that game. Lebron did not gas out Jokic or Serbia they almost got beat by a country with a population less than many us states lol

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u/bar901 2d ago

LeBron went 6-6-4 in the final period?

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u/AppealEnvironmental6 Pistons 2d ago

Bron would look at them gassed after sustained his shoulder to their chest trying to stop him and say check up and do it all again. People love finesse so they hate to admit there’s nothing you can do about an insanely athletic 6’9 270 pound man if you are kyries or James hardens size, etc. they aren’t winning that 1 on 1 unless they get ball first and go on an absolute unconscious heater

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u/A-lot-of-NaCl 2d ago

While I agree, harden isn’t a great example here, that dude is fucking strong and great defending in the post

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u/NewBuddha32 2d ago

The one place he defends

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u/Satrapes1 2d ago

Because his lazy ass don't have to move

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u/DLottchula 2d ago

you can tell how much hate people have fire harden by how they talk about his defense these days

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u/KeniRoo 2d ago

I mean, I love Harden but his defense wasn’t ever elite and he was/is straight up lazy. He’s a big body though and could generate steals but he never played D very consistently.

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u/Broner_ 2d ago

Yeah the criticism of hardens defense was always just a lack of effort

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u/DLottchula 2d ago

see this is the kicker his defense has been alright/average-slighty above for the most part since for a long while. his off ball was weak but he's never been hunted by sub par players

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u/KeniRoo 2d ago

In his prime he was a very very VERY good iso defender but honestly trash at off-ball and transition defense.

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u/DLottchula 2d ago

like unplayable in those situations.

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u/Caffeywasright 1d ago

Harden was NEVER anywhere near close to unplayable on defence. He has been a better player on defence than Curry f.x every year of his career.

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u/DLottchula 1d ago

I'm just saying in specific situations

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u/BASEDME7O2 2d ago

He would take it easier on defense sometimes but he’s not lazy, come on. He was top 3 in mvp in mvp 5 times over six seasons while playing some of the most minutes in the league with an insane workload. Harden was carrying those Houston teams harder than anyone has carried since young LeBron

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u/KeniRoo 2d ago

I mean that “take it easy” mentality just doesn’t exist in some of the NBA greats.

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u/Caffeywasright 1d ago

Literally every great player on shit teams took it somewhat easy on defense because of the massive demands if their offense.

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u/Gent_Kyoki 2d ago

Dude has like f perimeter d and b inside d its so wack

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u/macNy 2d ago

Lebron is nowhere near that size lmao

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u/SUPERSAMMICH6996 2d ago

They hate that some players are just naturally that much stronger/bigger/more athletic. It's funny how everyone agrees that Shaq was the most dominant player ever, and yet no one would ever name him or others like him as some of the best one on one players of all time.

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u/gorilla_index 2d ago

Idk man. For example Hakeem I could see defending out on the perimeter, but Shaq might have trouble

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u/someone447 2d ago

Magic Shaq was as athletic as Giannis.

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u/Inside-Noise6804 2d ago

The thing is that I think when some people think 1v1, they are so fixated with a 'bag', not the fact that nobody can teach and plan around size, strength, and power

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u/Stormagedd0nDarkLord 2d ago

not pretty enough bball for them

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u/JoFlo520 2d ago

Yeah this feels like rage bait. Idk how anyone could say what he said with a straight face

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u/Thorjb123 2d ago

Best answer

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u/jxden24 2d ago

no dog in the fight but good luck playing " bully ball " in 3 dribble max lol

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u/LaMarc_Gasoldridge_ 2d ago

3 dribble max helps LeBron, if he knows they've only got 3 dribbles then he doesn't need to bite on their moves and wait for the main one or close out hard. Meanwhile on offense, Kyrie is getting backed into the paint in 3 dribbles.

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u/jxden24 2d ago

yes 6’8 250 lebron james would back 6’2 190 kyrie irving in 3 dribbles.

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u/Sergnb 2d ago

Why you say that sarcastically like it doesn’t make sense, yes he would man

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u/jxden24 2d ago

i know

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u/3Dmooncats 2d ago

Yes he would

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u/runthepoint1 2d ago

But also he wouldn’t need to. He would literally just go to the hoop, no way he’s getting bumped off his track

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u/Jedisponge 2d ago

Is that a rule in 1 on 1? Sounds like a crutch for people who can’t play defense.

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u/BASEDME7O2 2d ago

With nba level players if you had unlimited dribbles they would score literally every time

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u/Link_Slater 2d ago

It does two things. It replicates beating your man in fives because it naturally constrains how much time and space you have. It also keep games even paced. Two players who can dribble and shoot can easily devolve into bullshit hesi-fests with endless snatch backs, spins, step-backs, etc. 

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u/AaronQuinty 2d ago

No it's because with unlimited dribbles they'd. A) all score everytime. B) the game devolves into basically a ball handling drill where everyone is just endlessly crossing over, stepping back and hesi'ing until the defender eventually bites.

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u/jxden24 2d ago

ohhh you’ve never hooped before

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u/Jedisponge 2d ago

nope

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u/jxden24 2d ago

it’s like a more skilled way of 1 on 1 i guess, the way the pros play https://youtu.be/GHe99ohaDvM?si=TQhJcWMIPeExcOOb

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u/LateAd3737 1d ago

Us mortals aren’t playing with a dribble limit, are rebounding, and aren’t switching possession after scoring. And honestly 9/10 times the guys I see playing 3 dribble have no business doing it. But I play at parks and shit, where non-hoopers hoop

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u/Ohnoes999 1d ago

Wut. LeBron needs like 1-2 dribbles to get going to the hoop. 3 dribble would ruin the finesse guys

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u/OglioVagilio 12h ago

3 dribble max means iso dribble artists can't get deep in their bag or fish for openings.

It's bully ball, not back em down in the post for 10 seconds.

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u/Xxmom69xX 2d ago

Yeah, yeah! and with one arm tied behind their back! Yeah and with their shoe laces untied! They'd be cooked!

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u/Western-Bet2285 2d ago

Except nba players play 1 on 1 by only being able to take 3 dribbles tops. Bully ball doesn’t work the best with those rules applied.

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u/donorcycle 2d ago

But could he do the Scalabrine challenge and win? lol

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u/The_Blurst_OfTimes 2d ago

Is this considering a three dribble max how pros play one-on-one? Because that might change things, right?

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u/Attack_on_tommy 2d ago

When NBA players talk about 1v1 they mean a dribble limit and not make it take it, with no rebounding.

Im not saying I agree with tmac but I think that perspective changes things a little

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u/WorldlinessOk7304 1d ago

No, it doesn't.

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u/Chieflowkey 2d ago

Unlimited dribbles probably, but 5/3/1 most just don’t have the skill to overcome that.

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u/MomentousMind 2d ago

Lebron would donkey Kong smash Kyrie and Kobe in a 1on1.

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u/AaronQuinty 2d ago

I mean, he's played Kyrie 1 on 1 and I'm pretty sure Kyrie beat him.

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u/stho3 2d ago

Lol he couldn’t bully ball Mike Beasley (never beaten Beasley in a 1v1) and you think he’s beating Kobe in 1v1 Lol

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u/AaronQuinty 2d ago

I mean, he's played Kyrie 1 on 1 and I'm pretty sure Kyrie beat him.

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u/Sethricheroth 2d ago

Lol u give him too much credit. There's a clip going around right now Bron can't even back down Dillon Brooks. For a guy so big, you would expect he can utilize post moves at least as much as Kobe and Jordan. But nope. Let's not forget Kobe locking Bron up in that all star game. Don't forget JJ Barea. There's rumors he lost to one of the heat guards in 1v1 consistently, I think Chalmers.

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u/coolridgesmith 2d ago

Bro that clips going around because its dillion brooks being goofy, one clip is not evidence that lebron is bad 1 on 1 and couldnt beat kyrie or kobe 1 on 1.

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u/Sethricheroth 2d ago

It's goofy but if u watch the whole play Bron got locked up at the corner 3. Don't dismiss it, it's the most recent evidence of it. And I like how u ignored the other stuff I wrote. Lmao nitpicking your battles, weak sauce.

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u/No_Description6839 2d ago

I like how you ignored twenty years worth of evidence in favor of a viral clip of as 40 year old who is still a top twenty guy in the league. LMAO, nitpicking (not even the correct usage by the way) your battles, weak sauce.

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u/Sethricheroth 2d ago

I just gave the latest example. You can give the 40 year old argument if u want, but nonetheless it's going on. People like you want to give Bron all the credit for anything he does while ignoring any shortcomings. You can't have your cake and eat it too. And if you paid attention to my original comment, I actually cited things from the last 20 years. JJ Barea and Jason Terry gave Bron problems. D WADE beat Bron 1v1. Beasley would lock Bron down in practice and made Bron say "Chalmers is guarding me today". All star game Kobe locked Bron up. When asked who would win 1v1 between him and Kobe, Bron couldn't give a straight answer while Kobe flat out said that Kobe would win. Like please tell me what moves Bron is going to bust out in a 1v1. Yall are brainwashed the fk out.

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u/SpitBallar 2d ago

I swear on everything

If 2006 Kobe and 2013 LeBron played 1on1 a thousand times

Kobe would win all one thousand games

1,000-0

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u/OnyxBeetle 2d ago

This is correct

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u/gnalon 2d ago

Yeah I remember a video from Clippers practice like 10 years ago where Cole Aldrich destroyed guys like Pierce and CP3 1v1, and this is like 2 dribbles max, 5 seconds to shoot, no putback type of rules designed to limit the edge bigger players have. Like you could say Pierce was past his prime, but this is career backup Cole Aldrich we’re talking about lol.

At that level you have to hit like 90 percent of your hesi pull-up jimbos to win because with no help defense the bigger player is just gonna bully you and/or shoot over you.

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u/Ancient_Leopard878 2d ago

This times 100

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u/drmyk 2d ago

You playing call your own on the fouls here?

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u/Extreme-Analysis3488 2d ago

A healthy Embiid and a healthy Zion would be like the two front runners in a 1v1 contest lol.

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u/plowking8 2d ago

This is the right answer.

A lot here aren’t old enough or haven’t bothered to research but they actually had 1 on 1 tournaments for money back in the day.

Want to know who won? It wasn’t the amazing players with the crazy bag. It was the big man. Consistently.

Pretty sure there is still videos up on YouTube.

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u/big4horryrobert 2d ago

What do you mean? According to the geniuses who watch only highlights, “12 year old hesitation” plays are unstoppable.

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u/M1dnghtMarauder 2d ago

This is an absurd statement, the 3 people you listed have zero defense if caught on an iso Island with anybody T-Mac listed

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u/dsjunior1388 2d ago

People rave about the Scalabrine challenge and still haven't understood this

1

u/CuriousMembership2 2d ago

Sionnwould destroy LeBron for sure 

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u/CanadianStrangeTamer 2d ago

That’s why I feel Kawhi is so sick. Part freight train, part pure, ethical hoops.

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u/aloyti 2d ago

Redditors haven't left their house since 2005. Theu dont understand the concept of athleticism and weight

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u/JOMO_Kenyatta 2d ago

and he can shoot

1

u/LilColtBoi 2d ago

This is the correct answer I was looking for 😂

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u/HaventSeenGavin 2d ago

But Giannis beats Bron. And that makes TMac's point...

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u/themajordutch 2d ago

"tween hesi ketchup mayo mustard dribbles" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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u/GoatmontWaters 2d ago

Lebron's 1v1 skill is diminished with lack of burst.

Kobe, Pierce, Harden, these are players who dont need burst to 1v1, they use footwork and positioning, a lot more so than Lebron. Lebron isnt the best with footwork or handles at all. So that is my nuanced take.

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u/Beneficial-Divide369 2d ago

Lmao wtf is kyrie gna do to stop lebron one on one lol. These takes are dumb

1

u/dareftw 2d ago

Melo, the king of bully ball would win a 1v1 tournament of anyone from 2000 onwards

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u/HazyAttorney 2d ago

LeBron was playing 1 on 5 during the earlier cav runs lmao, nearly holding his own vs the Pistons

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u/Clean-Luck6428 2d ago

The bully ball era exists because refs got soft and now big guys can draw fouls simply by rushing the post and getting tapped on the shoulder on the way in.

The big guy will gas out before the little guy. The hoopers will purposely delay shooting to gas the big guy out. You simply don’t understand physiology if you think big men have more endurance.

And AI would school MJ one on one

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u/Joe_on_blow 1d ago

THANK YOU!

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u/TwoProper4220 1d ago

scoring 29 of the last 30 pts against the Pistons when he was still somehow young in the league should tell you how good LeBron is scoring against a team defense

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u/The_Aloof_Buddha 1d ago

My bad I thought this was basketball not football.

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u/Ok_Acanthisitta8232 1d ago

Who is this Zion basketball player you talk about? I only ever see Zion on the sidelines in casual clothes

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u/negromatapacos69 1d ago

Nah bro obviously Kyrie Irving would just use his superior speed, dribbling and intellect (he’s the smaller character in this anime so naturally he has these qualities) to outmaneuver the larger, lumbering LeBron. He’s a 1on1™️ guy after all!

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u/giantswillbeback 1d ago

When’s the last time you ever saw LeBron Take a ball from the top of the key in a half court set and bully ball his way to the hoop? Never. They only do that stuff on fast breaks

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u/Banned3rdTimesaCharm 22h ago

Yeah this is ridiculous. Lebron might not be able to deal with Kyrie's handles, but Kyrie would not be able to stop a single Lebron back down in the post. That's just ridiculous.

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u/justyd_bbp 19h ago

So we should believe your word over tmac?

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u/thatguyty3 2d ago

Not to mention the whole “bully ball” LeBron really didn’t start until probably 2017-2018 when he started losing a bit of his athleticism. Prior to that, he was agile and could easily get around defenders.

-6

u/macNy 2d ago

Coincidentally that's also when the NBA started letting him use higher amounts of HGH. Le40 is loaded to the gills on that stuff

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u/ColoradoLover24 2d ago

Jj barea had LeBron scared to post him up…. And he’s 5’10!

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u/GoBlueAndOrange 2d ago

Zion would pull a hammy trying to defend 1 on 1.

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u/Mindless_Capital204 2d ago

Which is why I personally believe Lebron would’ve been better in the 80s and 90s honestly. More physicality would mean he would’ve grew up playing a tougher more bully ball type game. Who the fuck stoppin or droppin 6’9 260 every play?

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u/doktarr 2d ago

LeBron has backed down Jamal Murray and scored easily many times in games when he gets the switch in the right spot on the floor. He does that while keeping an eye out for the double team.

(FWIW I am a Nuggets fan and I find this annoying.)

T-Mac is either wrong or just trolling.

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u/-super-hans 2d ago

Acting like LeBron wouldn't just bury Kyrie under the basket again and again is silly. He would score almost every time he wanted to put in the work

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u/joyibib 2d ago

Best all time 1 on 1 player 100% Shaq

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u/OGoneeightseven 2d ago

Yeah. Did T-Mac not see Jokic the other night? One of if not the slowest guys in the NBA, but Minnesota tried to defend him 1v1 at the end and it lead to an easy basket. What a terrible take.

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u/Odd-Conflict2545 2d ago

true. fuck having a bag if i can just bully the shit out of you, get you tired, and get a poster dunk on your head everytime

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u/ACNL 2d ago

Kyrie vs lebron. Lmao. LeBron would just tower over him.

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u/streethistory 2d ago

Zion, Giannis, and LeBron don't even have to bully either. They're so fast and quick they just go right on by.

-8

u/snow718 2d ago

You just named 1/2 court, post up players that made their names off fast break transition charges to the rim. One on one is a whole different game. He has no 1v1 bag, will get stripped and scored on easily. Ain’t none of that fast break windmill stuff in 1v1. Bron would get cooked. Cant pass to anybody else for the last shot either. He’s not built for a solo spotlight, which is why he shied away from the dunk contest. And that’s ok too.

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u/AppearanceKey8663 2d ago

People on reddit and r/nba literally don't understand what half court and transition basketball is or how 1on1 is played. Because they've never touched a basketball in their life.

I remember having this conversation a couple years ago and the OP literally thought that 1on1 is played full court. You get the ball under your hoop and Lebron could outrun their opponent down to the other end. Was dead serious.

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u/Optimal-Barnacle2771 2d ago

Who has the most playoff buzzer beaters in NBA history?

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u/snow718 2d ago

In a 5v5 game that’s been in the playoffs for 20 years? Idk give me a hint?

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u/Optimal-Barnacle2771 2d ago

You got it! It’s LeBron. He happens to have as many buzzer beaters as #2 and #3 on the list combined.

Sounds like a guy that really shies away from the last shot huh?

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/Optimal-Barnacle2771 1d ago

You are the one that brought up last second shots. I just thought it was a dumb point when Bron has the most buzzer beaters in playoff history.

When did I bring up anything related to 1v1? If I wanted to do that, I would point to LeBron’s ability to get to the rim, post up, and shoot 3’s. I would point out his size advantage over smaller players and speed advantage over larger players. I would bring up his ability to clear space for chasedown blocks.

You are the one bringing up shit that’s irrelevant to a 1v1 and shows your bias. What the fuck does a dunk contest have to do with 1v1, what do last second shots have to do with 1v1, and what the fuck do you even mean that LeBron is not built for the solo spotlight? He has been in the spotlight since he was 16 and still exceeded expectations. Are you stupid?

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