Thursday, January 17th, 2013 at 4:35 pm  |  262 responses

Kobe Bryant Says He’s the Greatest One-on-One Player Ever


When it comes to going mano-a-mano on a basketball court, few in NBA history have ever done it better than Kobe Bryant. And he knows it. So much so, that Bean claims he’s the greatest of all time in that department. Per a fun, lengthy Q&A with ESPN: “Who would you most like to play one-on-one, either active or retired? ‘Jordan. No question.’ What would happen? ‘I’m not sure, but he would win some and I would win some in a seven-game series. It would probably come down to the last few shots.’ You versus LeBron? Who wins? ‘Me. No question. As far as one-on-one, I’m the best to ever do it.’ Damn. That’s pretty confident. ‘LeBron is a terrific all-around, five-on-five basketball player who’s an all-time great. But I’d get him.’ Who could get you? ‘Kevin Durant is the guy that would give me the most trouble. With his length and ability to use the dribble, he’d be tough.’ I always wanted to see you play Tracy McGrady. ‘I played T-Mac. I cooked him. Roasted him. Wasn’t even close. Ask him, he’ll tell you. When I was about 20, we were in Germany doing some promotional stuff for that other sneaker company and we played basketball every day. We were in the gym all the time. We played three games of one-on-one to 11. I won all three games. One game I won 11-2. After the third game he said he had back spasms and couldn’t play anymore.’ [...] What about Kyrie Irving? ‘[Huge smile, laugh.] Kyrie’s my boy, but he knows he doesn’t have anything for me. He doesn’t want to see me. But it would be fun. I’ve beaten a lot of guys one-on-one, like Reggie Miller and Grant Hill. I used to play Caron Butler all the time in practice when he was with the Lakers. When I was a rookie I used to get Nick Van Exel and Eddie Jones. They know. They’ll tell you. They used to come at me hard but I wasn’t having that. I love going one-on-one with someone. That’s what I do. I’ve never lost. It’s a whole different game, just to have them right in front of you and be able to do whatever you want.’”

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  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    Jordan would stop Kobe before Kobe stopped Jordan. Waiting for Kobe’s fanatics to show up…

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    Took you guys long enough to post this.

    You also missed the story where, when told that Lebron had said the Heat faced more criticism in 2010 than the Lakers have this year, he replied “What does it matter? What does he want, a cookie?”

    Classic Mamba. The same reasons that people hate him are the same reasons that people love him.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    During that interview, Palmer asks him about a 1 on 1 with Jordan and who’d win. Kobe replies that it if it was 7 games, he’d win some and lose some, but it would be down to the wire. 2006 or 2003 Kobe vs. 1992 MJ would be an amazing event to watch. Alas, we only have 2K.

  • Redd

    People don’t get that Kobe’s D just doesn’t cut it & Jordan’s is amazing.

    How can you win like that? Now if it was 5 on 5, both with prime teams..Jordan still wins lol.

  • Redd

    Yes it’s true, if Lebron & MJ didn’t exist, he’d be the best.

    Wow he’s right for once.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    I have respect for Lebron, but Kobe has infinitely more tools in his arsenal 1 on 1 to beat him offensively. And remember, we’re not talking 2012 Kobe.

  • LakeShow

    Excuse me sir, where were you in this picture?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    Definitely not in Cairo lol. This is at Museum station in Toronto.

  • LakeShow

    He’s probably right. But it’s debatable.
    I mean Shaq would beat everyone….
    But as far as 1 on 1 *skills* go, KB is number 1.

  • http://twitter.com/SLAM_Radio SLAM Radio

    This is probably true…and also sums up Kobe’s legacy within the game pretty well.

  • LakeShow

    Ah, thank you.

  • pposse

    nixnay..you are the complete definition of a stan. MJ would workout Kobe. He has him from the trash talking to the post game to the strength to the athletic ability. There is nothing that Kobe would have on him..nothing!

  • bike

    Are we to assume he’s talking when he was in his prime? If so, prime Kobe vs prime Jordan would be close but Jordan wins every time. Prime Kobe could probably take LeBron…maybe.
    Most confident one on one player ever? Kobe, hands down.

  • LakeShow

    If your an idiot that know’s nothing say: “your welcome!” in your next post.

  • pposse

    your welcome!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    In what sense?

  • LakeShow

    Really Jordan wins EVERY time?
    7 games…
    KB vs MJ
    MJ wins all 7?
    I mean I don’t have a counter, except that I just don’t find that to be logical.

  • Redd

    I know, but I don’t see Kobe getting past Lebron with Lebron’s size, Defense, and speed. He can’t guard him & shooting over him will always be a challenge.

  • Dagger

    Honestly, Jordan in his prime works over prime Kobe. I know prime Kobe can shoot from anywhere, but Jordan is so much more athletic, he’s got those huge hands, and his defense is on a completely different level.

    I also think that Lebron right now would beat prime Kobe in a one-on-one. The difference in size, quickness and athleticism is just really hard to overcome even if Kobe did have a major skill advantage (which he doesn’t).

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junior-Taylor/100003121138419 Junior Taylor

    Let me get this straight, MJ was bigger, stronger, faster, jumped higher, had a better jumpshot and higher IQ yet people still believe that Kobe is the greatest iso player of all-time? Oh…..lawd

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    in the sense that he has played his whole career as a one on one player and not a team player

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    Allen Iverson is the best one on one player in league history Kobe. You are second or third. Sorry buddy.

  • Dagger

    I’d be shocked if Jordan didn’t win 5 of 7. 1 on 1, 5 on 5, I love both players but Jordan simply was a significantly better two-way player.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    Offensively? The skill comparison is not even close. Look at tapes of 2003 or 2006/2007 Kobe and compare them to Lebron’s limited moves, even now – Kobe has a huge advantage offensively.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    See, I’d agree with this more than people throwing Lebron’s name in there. Lebron, like Kobe alluded, is much more effective as a 5-on-5 player.

  • Conor

    “Just doesn’t cut it”? What planet do you live on? Kobe’s best defence is as good as Jordan’s ever was.

  • LakeShow

    Wow, didn’t think you’d be the first guy to forget about the other side of the ball…
    AI would get dominated by MJ, KB, KD, Bird, Gervin, LBJ, T-Mac… list goes on.
    It’s not fair to the little guys, but that’s the way it is.

  • Redd

    LOLLLL you’re the local stand up..right?

  • Junkie

    Lebron can just drive it everytime Kobe can’t stop him

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    I disagree with that notion. You don’t win 5 rings without being a team player – winning championships is a collective effort. He’s no Magic or Lebron but nonetheless.

  • Conor

    Jordan was not stronger and certainly did not have a better jumper. Kobe backs down LeBron like it’s nothing.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    ok, Kobe would get his ass kicked by Wilt everytime they play one on one in that case. Or shaq. It’s not like he’s stripping them when they are backing him down, if you want to REALLY look at it. He’ll miss a jumpshot before they miss and don’t get their own rebound.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509819249 Gaurav P.

    Good point.

  • LakeShow

    So you also think LeBron would beat prime Jordan?
    Jordan is better at 5 on 5 defense than KB, not way better at 1 on 1 defense though.
    Prime, each were some of the best at playing their man 1 on 1.
    On offense:
    In the post they are equal.
    Mid range they are equal if KB isn’t a hair better.
    3 pointers goes to KB.
    1 on 1 moves KB has more.
    Defense goes to Jordan, but it’s not as lop sided as most on here would like to think.
    It would be a war.

  • LakeShow

    This is true, hence why I already posted that…

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    Kobe’s competitive but Jordan was on a different level with it. And if he could play real defense and put his hands on Kobe like they did in the 90s, his strength would cause major problems. Guys used to say that Jordan could steer guys in the direction he wanted to. I think if they played 7, Kobe would maybe win 1 or 2. 2002-2003 Kobe who was the biggest/strongest/most athletic he’s ever been wouldn’t be able to handle Jordan in the post. I think what would really make it difficult is Jordan’s defense though.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    you can disagree if you want, lol, that doesn’t change Kobe’s style of play. That’s not to say he’s never relinquished the ball, it’s just to say, he has been a one on one player. Except from 2006-2010 when he was a one on one offensive player, and just help defender.

  • Conor

    People who say Kobe in his prime wasn’t one of the greatest lockdown defenders in history is nothing more than a Jorstan.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junior-Taylor/100003121138419 Junior Taylor

    You really don’t believe that, do you? On second thought, you probably also believed that Saddam had WMDs.

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    ….No.

  • LakeShow

    Certain aspects of KB’s defense were as good, but at their peak, Jordan was the overall better defender.

  • Conor

    You do see Kobe locking up point guards supposedly quicker than him and younger by more than a decade, don’t you? He’s 34. What was he doing when he was in his prime?

    Jordan getting D-POY over Cooper or Olajuwan in the 80s was a joke. Product of marketing.

  • Conor

    Jordan was better at blocking and superior as a help defender, obviously. In a one-on-one scenario, which is the point of this article, Kobe can shut down anyone as well as Jordan could.

  • Redd

    Know what Lakers fans needed after having nothing positive all season to counter other fans with?

    This story.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    just think about when Kobe tried to guard Iverson at the height of his defensive abilities in game 1 of the finals.

    .

    nobody could guard Iverson by themselves. Everytime a coach thought he had a guy who could, he got basted like a Thanksgiving Turkey.

    .

    Sh*t, remember his rookie year when he went for 40+ five games in a row? —- yeah, teams were trying the, “guard Iverson one on one” strategy. — Kobe is a more effective one on one player on both side of the ball, i’ll concede that. But Iverson’s ability to score and never ever be stopped by one defender, i just can’t ignore that. Nobody shut him down or really even bothered him (when he was in his prime) – the closest i remember was Lindsay Hunter always did a not awful job.

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    Yeah, let’s see how long that lasts. Let’s see him lock up Westbrook or Rose. Kyrie and Brandon Jennings are good but neither are as fast, quick and strong as Rose (at 100%) or Westbrook. Also, marketing was the reason Jordan won DPOY over Cooper and Hakeem? Really? So Nike influenced the voters? What are you saying?

  • Conor

    Season isn’t over yet.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Junior-Taylor/100003121138419 Junior Taylor

    Disagree with you on AI being at the top of the iso ladder but agree with you on AI being better than Kobe with regards to isos. one on one many times comes down to stamina and tenacity and no one was better at constantly attacking than AI.

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    Wow, people will be coming after you on this I’m sure.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    that’s fine, i’m equipped for that sorta thing. lol

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