NBA fans continually fantasize about how one-on-one duels featuring the favorite players would fare. In the late 2000s, when Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were considered the best players in the NBA, fans debated who would win in an epic one-on-one duel. They wanted to see what would happen if an unstoppable force met an immovable object.
LeBron vs. Kobe
Spectators approached the concerned parties for their prediction. Without even hearing the entire question, Bryant expressed confidence in beating James. The Los Angeles Laker shooting guard, who modeled his game after Michael Jordan, reiterated that one-on-one is his greatest strength.
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“I will,” Kobe said. “That’s what I do. One-on-one that’s easy for me. Playing one-on-one, that’s how I grew up. It’s my thing.”
Reporters let James know about Bryant’s prediction. Though confident in his capabilities, LeBrom reiterated that basketball is a team sport and pleaded with reporters to ask him about other topics.
“I’m a team basketball player, man,” James said. “It’s not a one-on-one sport. But I’m not going to not take myself against anybody. I always feel no matter who I’m going against I will come out victorious. We won’t see it. Nobody will ever see it. Stop asking me that question.”
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Built different
James looked pissed, probably because he was. He has always been compared to Magic Johnson and not Jordan. LeBron entered the mainstream consciousness because of his uncanny passing and playmaking abilities. Not a single scout regarded him as an unstoppable one-on-one player.
Bron’s former and current teammates are aware of his views on one-on-one duels. Lakers guard Austin Reaves said James avoids it because it doesn’t really contribute to his skills as a team-first player.
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“I’ll play anybody one-on-one, I’m not saying I’m gonna win, but I’ll play anybody,” Reaves said on the “BustaJack Golf” YouTube channel. “He (LeBron) don’t play one-on-one, he said one-on-ones are not real basketball, which I kinda agree with.”
Speaking with JJ Redick on the “Mind the Game” podcast, James reiterated his dislike for such duels, especially when they happen during games. It also bothers him how fans and aspiring basketball professionals discuss one-on-ones all the time as if that’s what the sport is all about.
“Everyone now has a narrative of this thing called ‘I have a bag’ or ‘he doesn’t have a bag.’ It bothers the f—k out of me,” LeBron said. “Everyone thinks just because you get a favorable matchup means one-on-one time. ‘Let’s play ones,’ that’s all you hear the kids talk about now.”
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“What the f—k is this? This is not Jordan vs. Bird Nintendo. It’s five on five,” added James.
Indeed, Kobe and LeBron are vastly different basketball players. Instead of pitting them against one another, perhaps it’s better to examine their contrasting philosophies on the game and its pros and cons.
One-on-ones boost fundamentals such as shooting, finishing under pressure, and footwork. Conversely, tuning one’s style to a team-oriented play teaches one to read defenses and read-and-react accordingly. All these skills are necessary and must be mastered by anyone looking to play at a high level.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.