Based on the silly arguments I have heard about hypothetical one-on-one matchups, I would like to briefly analyze the ultimate one-on-one matchup: Lebron v. Jordan.
Lebron James
Listed height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Lebron is an all-time great player BUT not a great one-one-one player. He is great in transition, getting his teammates involved, has unreal vision, plays good defense, has great size and strength as well as explosive leaping ability. This argument is not about statistics it's about the player's profile or 'game.' While his metrics are impressive, his skill set doesn't necessarily make him a great isolation (ISO) player. His jump shot has improved over the last two years but prior to that he was an average jump shooter (his shooting percentage stayed high because his volume of shots was relatively low and he is a great finisher). My biggest issue with Lebron in this scenario is his lack of a killer instinct; Jordan would never pass up a shot in the last possession of a tight game but Lebron (for better or for worse) trusts his teammates (even his sorry supporting cast in Cleveland whom he somehow carried into the NBA Finals).
Michael Jordan
Listed height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight 216 lb (98 kg)
The case for Michael Jordan is simple. Greatest player of all-time. He can score in a myriad of ways, dribble drive, mid-range jumper, finish at the rim, plus his killer instinct and smarts are better in a one-on-one scenario. Everyone remembers how he crossed-over and hit the game winning jumper over Byron Russell in the NBA Finals (while sick with the flu). But he abused countless shooting guards in the NBA with dynamic isolation play. Especially after his third year in the NBA, when his jump shot noticeably improved and he averaged an astounding 37.1 ppg on 48% shooting. In a recent interview, Jordan astutely analyzed Lebron by saying that "when he goes right he drives to the hoop, when he goes left he shoots jump shots." Imagine what he would do if he had a week in his prime to prepare to defend Lebron. To top it off, at the age of 49, he beat the #2 pick in the 2013 draft (Charlotte Bobcat SG Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) in a game of one-on-one. Impressive.
Winner: MJ
Lebron's game isn't built for a competition like this, he is not selfish enough or as good of a one-on-one player as Jordan was in his prime. In my opinion, there are 4 players from this generation that would match up better against MJ than Lebron: Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Tracy McGrady. Why? They all have a height advantage and are equally as athletic as MJ, plus they have the offensive and defensive skill set to seriously challenge MJ (see below).
Note: A player like Kobe is big, has a great jump shot, deep range, can finish well around the rim, has great size and quickness and a fantastic post-up game plus he is a closer. In a separate argument, I would take Kobe over Lebron because he is essentially this generation's version of MJ, but his shot volume and shooting percentage are significantly lower than MJ. Carmelo Anthony endeared himself to basketball nation by leading Syracuse to a national title in his freshman season and has all the offensive tools, size and strength to pose a threat to Jordan. KD is a nightmare matchup because he can handle the ball, has limitless range and can shoot over anyone. Tracy McGrady was an incredible isolation player and at 6'8" 225, you had to respect his jumper, he could fly by you off the dribble had great finishing ability.
Lebron James
Listed height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Lebron is an all-time great player BUT not a great one-one-one player. He is great in transition, getting his teammates involved, has unreal vision, plays good defense, has great size and strength as well as explosive leaping ability. This argument is not about statistics it's about the player's profile or 'game.' While his metrics are impressive, his skill set doesn't necessarily make him a great isolation (ISO) player. His jump shot has improved over the last two years but prior to that he was an average jump shooter (his shooting percentage stayed high because his volume of shots was relatively low and he is a great finisher). My biggest issue with Lebron in this scenario is his lack of a killer instinct; Jordan would never pass up a shot in the last possession of a tight game but Lebron (for better or for worse) trusts his teammates (even his sorry supporting cast in Cleveland whom he somehow carried into the NBA Finals).
Michael Jordan
Listed height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight 216 lb (98 kg)
The case for Michael Jordan is simple. Greatest player of all-time. He can score in a myriad of ways, dribble drive, mid-range jumper, finish at the rim, plus his killer instinct and smarts are better in a one-on-one scenario. Everyone remembers how he crossed-over and hit the game winning jumper over Byron Russell in the NBA Finals (while sick with the flu). But he abused countless shooting guards in the NBA with dynamic isolation play. Especially after his third year in the NBA, when his jump shot noticeably improved and he averaged an astounding 37.1 ppg on 48% shooting. In a recent interview, Jordan astutely analyzed Lebron by saying that "when he goes right he drives to the hoop, when he goes left he shoots jump shots." Imagine what he would do if he had a week in his prime to prepare to defend Lebron. To top it off, at the age of 49, he beat the #2 pick in the 2013 draft (Charlotte Bobcat SG Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) in a game of one-on-one. Impressive.
Winner: MJ
Lebron's game isn't built for a competition like this, he is not selfish enough or as good of a one-on-one player as Jordan was in his prime. In my opinion, there are 4 players from this generation that would match up better against MJ than Lebron: Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Tracy McGrady. Why? They all have a height advantage and are equally as athletic as MJ, plus they have the offensive and defensive skill set to seriously challenge MJ (see below).
Note: A player like Kobe is big, has a great jump shot, deep range, can finish well around the rim, has great size and quickness and a fantastic post-up game plus he is a closer. In a separate argument, I would take Kobe over Lebron because he is essentially this generation's version of MJ, but his shot volume and shooting percentage are significantly lower than MJ. Carmelo Anthony endeared himself to basketball nation by leading Syracuse to a national title in his freshman season and has all the offensive tools, size and strength to pose a threat to Jordan. KD is a nightmare matchup because he can handle the ball, has limitless range and can shoot over anyone. Tracy McGrady was an incredible isolation player and at 6'8" 225, you had to respect his jumper, he could fly by you off the dribble had great finishing ability.
