Debating with friends, we wanted to know who would win in a one on one match-up.

Input?

Both in their prime? Jordan, because he has a post up game, which Lebron doesn't.

LeBron would push him off of the block. He is a lot stronger than Jordan. Not saying he's a better player by any means, but I'd take LeBron in a one on one match up.

LeBron has the strength and size on Jordan, but MJ was a much better shooter in his prime than LeBrick. I'd have to take Jordan, since he would just hit turnaround fadeaway jumpers on LeBron. Plus, MJ makes up for his size disadvantage with his tenacious D.

It takes a good team defense to guard LeBron. No one can stop him one on one. He would get to the bucket at will no matter how good the defender is. I'd take that over jump shots any day (again, just for one on one).

And there was someone out there who could stop Jordan 1 on 1?

Jordan. All day.

Lol...Anybody not picking Jordan has to be under the age of 32 or so. I hate Kobe Bryant but he also would beat lebron, one on one basketball comes down to back to the basket post up ability.

I had this thought about former knick and pacer pg mark Jackson many years ago. I think people would be surprised how many current/former NBA players he could beat one in one that were close to his size, because he could back you down and put up his hook shot.

Sure. I think someone would have a better chance of stopping Jordan 1 on 1 than Lebron. LeBron would take higher percentage shots as well.

[This message has been edited by ItalAggie (edited 11/16/2011 1:22p).]

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Lol...Anybody not picking Jordan has to be under the age of 32 or so.

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Yes because none of us under 32 have ever seen Michael Jordan play. He played for the Wizards right?

I mean, I'm 21 and remember watching Jordan win a championship...

LeBron. He's such a physical freak. His ***** must be 5 feet long.

" I mean, I'm 21 and remember watching Jordan win a championship..."


You would have been 6 or 7 years old at that age you couldn't possibly appreciate and understand what you were seeing, if you were older I don't think you and your friends would have even had the discussion.

It's a subjective question. Of course you can have a discussion about it. As far as post up ability goes, it's only useful when your defender is your size or smaller. I don't think that would be a factor. Jordan's best weapon against LeBron in a 1 on 1 match up would be a pull up.

And also, being in the post in a triple threat position and being in the post in 1 on 1 are entirely different things.

LeBron would probably lead for 3/4ths of the game, then lose in spectacular fashion to Jordan.

Lebron would be so technically overmatched by Jordan and his competitive drive and clutchness isn't even comparable. Jordan was a better player than lebron in every phase. Jordan was good enough on defense and athletic and long enough to force lebron into low percentage shots that he typically gets lulled into against top flight defenders, but there are no answers for Jordan.

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Lol...Anybody not picking Jordan has to be under the age of 32 or so

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I'm 26 and find this question stupid and highly offensive. I had to argue with morons (before Kobe's Lakers were swept by the Mavs) that Kobe still isn't in Jordan's class, I'm not sure which argument is dumber.

And keep in mind who gives a **** who would win a 1 on 1 matchup?

LeBron James has Mike Sherman syndrome. MJ would stomp that ass in the 4th quarter when the game is on the line

FWIW, I'm 24 and will take MJ hands down over LBJ

We all took MJ, but it's just a question to think about.

There's no doubt that LeBron is just a more athletic player (bigger) than MJ, but MJ is still the greater player of all time.

Two completely different styles of basketball are played when you compare early 90s to 2008-2011.

My last post was in response to this

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Lol...Anybody not picking Jordan has to be under the age of 32 or so

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not only would MJ win, but lebron would be in tears by the end of it

Jordan

28 y.o. and Jordan, no question.

Jordan. People earlier in the thread vastly underselling Jordan's all around game. Call me when Lebron wins defensive player of the year. Then let me know when he wins a championship. Then let me know when he carried the team on his back during their clutch run. The entire Utah Jazz and the flu can't stop Jordan. Lebron doesn't have a chance.

In a one-on-one game, it'll be tough to decide. One-on-ones almost always settle into bully ball games. Back your guy down and score in close. Jordan's post game was probably the best ever from the guard position. He was also a prett big/strong guard. LeBron's post game is pretty below average, but dude is 6'8" and 250.

My instinct would be Jordan because I've watched recent clips of him playing one-on-one in the past couple of years. His jumper hasn't left him. At all.

27 year old here - Jordan hands down.

Just to add to the discussion - I agree with poster above - I think some folks make too much of the size advantage in this hypothetical - Jordan went at 6'6" and 216 lbs. - he wasn't exactly Tony Parker out there...

Not to mention that Jordan did actually have post moves, as is mentioned above as well...

Jordan. Better jumper, better back to the basket game, smarter, clutch.

25 years old here, and MJ was my favorite player and really the person who got me interested in pro sports. That said, he would dominate LBJ. Much better on the ball defender.

even if lebron was the better player, jordan would punk his ass so bad lebron might start crying. they wouldn't even be able to finish the game. jordan would eat his kids.

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The entire Utah Jazz and the flu can't stop Jordan.

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/thread

Wait. People actually think LeBron could stop Jordan?

Jordan has proved he has game in the 4th quarter in games that determine championships...LeBron...Not So Much

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It's the only argument I need Shawn!

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Jordan! He was a far better defender than Lebron.