LeBron James is statistically the greatest scorer in NBA history. He can get buckets against any defender, against any defense, and has done so with insane consistency across three decades. Still, there are some who question how he would translate in a pure one-on-one setting of basketball.
Former NBA superstar Tracy McGrady recently brought up that point. While he credited LeBron for being the best player in the league for so many years, he expressed doubt about how the NBA’s all-time leading scorer would stack up in a one-on-one matchup against other NBA players.
“I think LeBron has been amazing for 22 freaking years. And he’s been the best basketball player for, you know, God knows how long. But if you put him in one-on-one? I think he’ll get crushed. Yeah, I think he’ll get crushed — amongst guys that are actually in the NBA. And I’m sure LeBron would tell you that. Because his game is naturally built for five-on-five. He’s not a one-on-one basketball player. Kobe is a one-on-one basketball player. Kyrie is a one-on-one basketball player. James Harden — these guys are one-on-one basketball players. And LeBron can’t do anything with that.”
It’s one way to look at it, and McGrady leans that way. Players like James Harden and Kyrie Irving are wired for that style in a way LeBron isn’t always asked to be, but without actual one-on-one games, it remains an open question.
We do get isolation possessions or post-ups, moments where it’s just one player trying to create on his own with no picks, no actions, just talent versus talent. And in those moments, LeBron is still right there.
