LeBron James and the 7 Biggest Matchup Nightmares in the NBA

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The NBA is often a matchup league. Being able to match up with a team's strengths is usually the difference between winning and losing.

Some players around the NBA are just matchup nightmares for everyone in the league, though.

Some players have elite traits that make them next to impossible to deal with.

Here's a look at some of the matchup nightmares in the NBA right now.

LeBron James

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If James doesn't regulate himself to being a jump shooter—which he hasn't this season—he's the most difficult player in the league to match up against.

He's simply a beast.

LeBron has the handles of a point guard and the strength of a center. He's outstanding around the rim, but James is also a great passer and rebounder as well.

The guy can simply do it all.

Steve Nash

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Nash is a nightmare to deal with for a much different reason.

There's no doubting how talented the two-time league MVP still is, but his brain is what makes him dangerous.

Nash has the ability to out-think anyone he plays.

He's so sly and creative on the floor that he's not only still one of the best point guards in the league, but also another coach on the floor.

Kevin Durant

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Durant is the complete package as a scorer.

He's deadly in transition, talented in the post and he's long, so his smooth jumper is nearly unblockable.

The difference between Durant and most other top scorers in the NBA is that length and his jumper.

He can beat zones with it and very few defenders can match up with him one-on-one.

Durant's the complete package.

Derrick Rose

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The reigning MVP is a handle to deal with.

He's a super athlete with good size for a point guard.

The only knock on Rose has been his outside shooting, which is improving by the season.

Otherwise, he's an outstanding finisher with a high basketball IQ. What makes Rose tough to deal with, though, is that he brings it on both ends of the floor.

Rebounding and defense are just as big of a part of his game as getting to the rim. When matching up against Rose, it's going to be a long 48 minutes for the opposition.

Blake Griffin

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Griffin is a freakish athlete and is strong as a bear.

His size, strength and explosiveness are a package that really haven't been seen before.

Griffin is a tough guard because not only is he a freakish dunker, but he has some nice post moves as well.

Then there is always the chance that opposing defenders could get the Kendrick Perkins treatment as well.

The scary part? Griffin's still getting better.

Kevin Love

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Love has the rare combination for a power forward of a guy that's a handful to deal with both on the inside and on the outside.

He's a beast on the boards and always gets good position on the block.

Play him too tight and Love's an excellent passer out of the post. forget about him on the perimeter and he will knock down the three-point shot at a high rate.

Love has turned himself into a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.

Dwight Howard

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Howard is impossible to deal with because of his strength and his defense.

It's pretty much a given that Howard will be stronger then any opponent he matches up against.

Not only that, but he's a super athlete who's absolutely dominant on the defensive end of the floor and on the glass.

Opponents usually have to think twice before attacking Howard in the paint. If they do, it usually doesn't work out well for them.