50 Dream 1-on-1 NBA Player Matchups

If you could pick your dream one-on-one matchups throughout the course of NBA history, who would you choose? How many times would you want to see Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan play?

Would you make teammates play against each other? Would you have modern stars battle it out with the legends of the past?

Let's say that there was a machine that could bring people back to life if necessary or simply send them back to the age at which they were in their prime. Then the machine could send the two ideal one-on-one participants to a neutral court where they could battle it out for glory. 

These are the matchups that I would want to see. 

50. Dell Curry vs. Stephen Curry

Some of the greatest matchups in one-on-one always come in the backyard between father and son. Well, what happens when the father and the son both happen to have played in the NBA?

Steph Curry and his father Dell both made it to the highest professional level, but in my opinion, the son has already become better than the father ever was. 

Winner: Stephen Curry

49. Kevin Love vs. Dennis Rodman

Even though Kevin Love and Dennis Rodman are both great rebounders, this matchup wouldn't be that close. 

Rodman's main contributions to games were glass-cleaning and defensive play, while Love has a great inside-out game. The Minnesota Timberwolf can score inside and then step outside to knock down a crucial three-pointer. That offensive ability gives him a huge edge here. 

Winner: Kevin Love

48. Michael Beasley vs. Delonte West

I have no idea who would win this game. To be honest, I really don't care at all. 

All I know is that it would probably end early when one of the participants got in trouble with the law. 

Winner: Tie

47. Allen Iverson vs. Russell Westbrook

It seems like this would be a fun matchup at first. After all, Allen Iverson is one of the best scoring threats at guard that the NBA has ever seen, and the athleticism of Russell Westbrook is just ridiculous. 

But then you really look at it and realize that Iverson's speed could allow him to run circles around even Westbrook. Plus his jumper is on a whole different level. 

There would be some entertaining plays, but this would evolve into a blowout. 

Winner: Allen Iverson 

46. Manute Bol vs. Shawn Bradley

This game would set the record for the tallest combined height of two one-on-one contestants. Shawn Bradley stood 7'6" while Manute Bol was 7'7". Both are slightly shorter than Gheorge Muresan, but they are both significantly more famous.

While Bol could only block shots, Bradley at least had some sort of offensive game, even if it was never very effective. It may be necessary to cap this game at five points and declare a winner then and there. 

Winner: Shawn Bradley 

45. Serge Ibaka vs. Dikembe Mutombo

This is another game that would last forever, much like the Shawn Bradley vs. Manute Bol matchup before it. But this time, it's for an entirely different reason.

Serge Ibaka and Dikembe Mutombo are both incredible shot blockers, and I'm sure there would be more finger wags than points scored. 

Even though Mutombo is without question the better historical player, I do think that Ibaka would win this game because he actually has a fairly reliable jump shot. 

Winner: Serge Ibaka

44. Jimmer Fredette vs. Mark Price

Jimmer Fredette may not have played a game yet, but he's talked about enough that he has to be included in one of these matchups. Who better for him to play than fellow sharpshooter Mark Price? 

Price had a great shot from outside, but his range still pales in comparison to that of the former BYU standout. Jimmer can still get separation against Price, and he's going to be able to drill enough shots to take home the prize. 

Winner: Jimmer Fredette

43. Adam Morrison vs. Brian Scalabrine

These guys have to play sometime, right? 

Adam Morrison and Brian Scalabrine both flopped in the NBA and can most commonly be found on the end of their team's bench. But somehow, Scalabrine has one championship ring and Morrison has two, despite neither one really contributing to the efforts whatsoever. 

At the end of the day, it seems as though Morrison and Scalabrine are both winners. There's no reason for it to be different here. 

Winner: Tie

42. Dennis Rodman vs. Wes Unseld

Two of the greatest pound-for-pound rebounders that the NBA has ever seen, Dennis Rodman and Wes Unseld would put on more of a show on missed shots than made ones. 

But at least Unseld could kind of score the ball as opposed to the offensively inept Worm. This would be an entertaining but lengthy game. 

Winner: Wes Unseld

41. Muggsy Bogues vs. Spud Webb

You'd want to see Spud Webb and Muggsy Bogues, two of the shortest men to ever play basketball, take each other in a one-on-one matchup, right?

It wouldn't really be that close though as Webb has a three-inch height advantage and a much better offensive game. 

Winner: Spud Webb

40. Stephen Curry vs. Monta Ellis

The current Golden State Warriors offense is absolutely ridiculous, mostly due to the contributions of the two starting guards, Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry.

Both guard are incredible offensive talents, but Ellis is bigger and simply more talented on both ends of the courts. He's win complete supremacy in the Golden State with this battle.

Winner: Monta Ellis 

39. Steve Nash vs. John Stockton

Two absolute masters of the pass, John Stockton and Steve Nash may actually be tempted to feed the ball to each other before realizing that they have to do everything by themselves in this game. 

Stockton was better at distributing the ball, but Nash's offensive game from outside the three-point line to inside the paint is just better all around. 

Winner: Steve Nash

38. Penny Hardaway vs. Dwyane Wade

It's easy to forget about the former superstar known as Penny Hardaway. Try not to. 

He's an incredible talent on both ends of the court and a very versatile player. The thing is, so is Dwyane Wade. 

Wade, a career-long member of the Miami Heat, has virtually unmatched slashing ability and would be able to score on Penny at will. 

Winner: Dwyane Wade

37. Grant Hill vs. Jason Kidd

Two of the league's greatest triple-double threats, Grant Hill and Jason Kidd would make for a very interesting contest. 

But Hill's 6'8" frame gives him a huge size advantage, and he was a much better scorer in his prime. Kidd is savvy enough on the court that he could make it close, but close doesn't cut it in one-on-one. 

Winner: Grant Hill

36. Michael Jordan vs. Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen constantly lived in the massive shadow left by Michael Jordan, both when they were on the same team and after Jordan left the Chicago Bulls. 

This is his chance to escape from that shadow. He won't. 

Winner: Michael Jordan

35. Carmelo Anthony vs. James Worthy

Carmelo Anthony and James Worthy are both stars who can't win completely by themselves. Both have incredible talent on the offensive end of the court, but Melo's skill trumps Worthy by just a bit. 

The current New York Knick can score in such a variety of ways from anywhere on the court, that the goggled Worthy would have too much trouble stopping him to keep up. The only way that Big Game James could win would be if he was somehow convinced that it was a playoff game. 

Winner: Carmelo Anthony

34. LeBron James vs. Oscar Robertson

It seems weird to have this matchup so low, but it wouldn't really be that close despite the fact that a legend is playing LeBron James. 

Oscar Robertson may have averaged a triple-double for an entire season, but he gives up three inches, 30 pounds and quite a bit of athleticism and strength to the member of the Miami Heat's Big Three. 

Robertson's skill might be able to keep it close, but I doubt it. 

Winner: LeBron James

33. Dwight Howard vs. Hakeem Olajuwon

Wouldn't you pay to watch one of the most offensively talented big men to ever grace a basketball court take on the best defensive stopper of the current generation?

That's what you'd be faced with if Dwight Howard and Hakeem Olajuwon ever lined up on the same court to play one-on-one. 

But the match probably wouldn't live up to its billing. Olajuwon's Dream Shake is too good even for Howard and the Orland Magic center is too offensively limited to take home the prize. I have no confidence in D-12's ability to create his own shot in this matchup. 

Winner: Hakeem Olajuwon

32. Muggsy Bogues vs. Gheorge Muresan

At a full 7'7", Gheorge Muresan is the tallest player to ever step foot onto a basketball court. At 5'3", Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player to do the same. Of course they have to play each other!

I don't really know how Bogues would ever be able to score on Muresan. Everything would be rejected and sent right back at him. 

Winner: Gheorge Muresan

31. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar vs. Dwight Howard

"Wouldn't you pay to watch one of the most offensively talented big men to ever grace a basketball court take on the best defensive stopper of the current generation?

That's what you'd be faced with if Dwight Howard and Hakeem Olajuwon ever lined up on the same court to play one-on-one. 

But the match probably wouldn't live up to its billing. Olajuwon's Dream Shake is too good even for Howard and the Orland Magic center is too offensively limited to take home the prize. I have no confidence in D-12's ability to create his own shot in this matchup."

That's what I said about the matchup between Olajuwon and Howard, and this is no different. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky hook would still work against Howard.  

Winner: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

30. Ron Artest vs. Bill Laimbeer

What's the over under on minutes played before a fight breaks out between Ron Artest and Bill Laimbeer? Two minutes? Maybe five?

This clash of abrasive personalities would be a hard-fought matchup, one that the more offensively and defensively skilled Artest would come out of on top. 

Winner: Ron Artest

29. Charles Barkley vs. Ben Wallace

A talented and personable big man against a four-time Defensive Player of the Year? Sign me up please. 

In the end though, Ben Wallace's lack of offensive ability coupled with The Round Mound of Rebound's knack for boards will prove to be too much of an advantage for Charles Barkley. 

Winner: Charles Barkley

28. Ray Allen vs. Reggie Miller

With Ray Allen and Reggie Miller handling the ball, I'm pretty sure we could just ban play from occurring anywhere inside the three-point arc. After all, the two men are No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the all-time three-pointers made rankings. 

Miller though is a bit better on the defensive end of the court, and I still think he's a more pure shooter. 

Winner: Reggie Miller

27. Kevin Johnson vs. Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose is to the NBA now what Kevin Johnson once was. Right now, the Chicago Bulls point guard is the most athletic and explosive guard in the league, just as KJ once was for the Phoenix Suns. 

This would be an incredibly entertaining game filled with highlights, but the reigning MVP would take home the trophy at the end. His offensive game is more well rounded, and his athleticism is unmatched, even by Johnson. 

Winner: Derrick Rose

26. Elgin Baylor vs. Clyde Drexler

Both of these men, Elgin Baylor and Clyde Drexler, have become legends of the game thanks to their ridiculous ability to put the ball in the basket. Both Drexler and Baylor are also renowned for their ability to hang so long in the air that it seemed as though they were gliding. 

Drexler in fact earned the nickname Clyde the Glide thanks to his ability to soar above defenders. With more athleticism and a two-inch head start whenever they jump, I'd expect Drexler to win a close match here. 

Winner: Clyde Drexler

25. Tim Duncan vs. David Robinson

With the exception of practices, Tim Duncan and David Robinson have never played against each other. It's time for that to change. 

While Robinson is a great player in his own right, Duncan is head and shoulders above him in terms of everything but actual physical height. The master of fundamentals trumps the Admiral here. 

Winner: Tim Duncan

24. Derrick Rose vs. John Wall

This matchup would feature Derrick Rose, the most athletic point guard in the NBA, and John Wall, the fastest point guard in the NBA. 

Both men would simply run around each other a lot and display fantastic jumping abilities on the way to the rim. This would just be a really fun game to watch, but the all-around game of Rose would trump Wall's speed. 

That may change in a few years. 

Winner: Derrick Rose

23. Pau Gasol vs. Kevin McHale

The league's best current offensive threat from the power forward position against the man with the most low-post moves in NBA history would be able to stage quite a battle. 

But at the end of the day, the Celtics great named Kevin McHale would be able to spin and fake his way past the defensively challenged Pau Gasol. This game would be over pretty quickly after it started. 

Winner: Kevin McHale

22. Bob Cousy vs. Rajon Rondo

This one-on-one match would pit the original great Boston Celtics point guard, Bob Cousy, against the team's point guard of the future, Rajon Rondo. 

Both men brought flash and pizzaz with them whenever they played, but at least Cousy had a jump shot in his arsenal. That's what would make all the difference in the end. 

Winner: Bob Cousy

21. Chris Paul vs. Deron Williams

Two of the premier point guards in the game today, Deron Williams and Chris Paul would be able to stage an absolutely epic battle. 

I think that Williams has the advantage over CP3 because of his size and ability to create shots for himself. Paul is a better overall point guard because of his ability to manage the game, but that ability is rendered useless in this type of competition. 

Winner: Deron Williams

20. Blake Griffin vs. Shawn Kemp

I'd pay a whole lot of money to see the amount of thunderous dunks thrown down in this game. Blake Griffin is the best dunker in the NBA right now, just like Shawn Kemp was back in his prime with the Seattle SuperSonics. 

But Griffin is the better offensive talent and has the jump shot necessary to take down the Reign Man. 

Winner: Blake Griffin

19. Larry Bird vs. Paul Pierce

Although neither Larry Bird nor Paul Pierce really looked the part, both players became integral parts of the history of one of the two most storied franchises in NBA history. 

It's only appropriate that they play here since they each lined up at small forward during the majority of the games they played. 

Pierce is a great scorer with fantastic competitive drive, but there's just no way he can take down Larry Legend. 

Winner: Larry Bird

18. Vince Carter vs. Julius Erving

Can you imagine the number of spectacular high-flying plays that this game would produce? Julius Erving and Vince Carter have both provided fans with some of the most incredible highlights in the history of basketball. 

I have to go with Dr. J here for two reasons. The first is that he's a legend, and the second is that I have to question the amount of effort that Vinsanity would put forth. 

Winner: Julius Erving

17. LeBron James vs. Dwyane Wade

What would happen if the two current friends and teammates decided to pick up the ball and go at each other one-on-one? 

Well, the two players that make up two-thirds of the Big Three in South Beach aren't quite as evenly matched as you may think they would be. Dwyane Wade has the slashing ability and athleticism to hang with LeBron James, but James' physical strength would be the deciding factor. 

It would be a close, hard-fought, physical battle, but LeBron would emerge victorious. 

Winner: LeBron James

16. Pete Maravich vs. Steve Nash

Two of the most creative players in NBA history, Steve Nash and Pete Maravich are both deadly shooters from anywhere on the court. 

Maravich though is a better scorer, although Nash has earned a fairly comparable place in history thanks to his incredible game-management skills. The Pistol is going to fire more accurately and more often here. 

Winner: Pete Maravich

15. Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson

During the mid-1980s, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson developed one of basketball's best individual rivalries. Not only were they two of the games best players, but they played for two teams that couldn't stand each other: the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Although they're friends off the court, this would be an intense, must-see matchup on it. But in the end, the bigger Bird would have the upper hand.

Johnson was a magician with the ball when he was distributing it to his teammates, but his game is far less suited for one-on-one play. 

Winner: Larry Bird

14. Julius Erving vs. Dominique Wilkins

As hard as it is to remember because of the greatness he exuded, Julius Erving was actually fairly limited on the defensive end of the court, rendering him just a bit overrated in the grand scheme of things.

On the other hand, Dominique Wilkins could do a lot more than just dunk, making him underrated. 

In a one-on-one matchup of high fliers, Wilkins would be able to come out on top as the more well-rounded player. That's not to say that he is greater historically, just in this type of competition. 

Winner: Dominique Wilkins

13. Pete Maravich vs. Gary Payton

This game would turn into a classic battle of great offense against great defense. Playing the part of the unstoppable force would be Pete Maravich while Gary Payton would take on the role of the immovable object. 

Here though, the immovable object has a better offensive game than the unstoppable force does a defensive game. 

Winner: Gary Payton

12. Larry Bird vs. Michael Jordan

This matchup of all-time greats would be worth seeing, but only because of the competitors and not the competition itself.

Michael Jordan and Larry Bird may both be top-five players of all time, but the former would absolutely trounce the latter. 

Jordan was simply a more skilled player with as much competitive fire as anyone who has ever played the game. While clutch play and hustle were Bird's trademarks, Jordan's game was so complete that you can't really narrow down his strengths at all. 

Winner: Michael Jordan

11. Chris Paul vs. Isiah Thomas

If there's any player in NBA history that can be listed as the perfect historical counterpart for Chris Paul, it would have to be Isiah Thomas. 

Both point guard are gifted in all facets of the offensive game and match up incredibly well. I'd call this one a dead heat in terms of skill-sets, but in a one-game matchup, I'd have to lean towards Zeke's side.

The meanness with which he plays gives him a slight competitive edge here. 

Winner: Isiah thomas

10. Kobe Bryant vs. Shaquille O'Neal

The proud participants of one of the biggest feuds in NBA history, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant have to play each other here, even if the matchup would feature two players at completely different positions. 

I have to think that Kobe has the advantage here because he's a great scorer inside and out. I'm not sure that Shaq could dribble the ball past Kobe well enough to use his monumental size advantage.

Can you even imagine how much trash talk there would be leading up to this game? 

Winner: Kobe Bryant

9. Tim Duncan vs. Kevin Garnett

In a battle for the right to claim the title of best power forward of the modern era, Tim Duncan would have to face a very tough opponent in Kevin Garnett. 

Duncan has the technique while Garnett has the unmatched intensity and defensive prowess. But at the end of the day, the steady yet unspectacular play of the longtime Spur beats out KG. Don't expect it to be easy though. 

Winner: Tim Duncan

8. Moses Malone vs. Hakeem Olajuwon

The two big men who both once played for the Houston Rockets would combine to form an absolute must-watch matchup. 

After all, Moses Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon combined for four MVPs, 15 All-Star teams, three championships, 20 All-NBA teams and 11 All-Defensive teams. 

At the end of this epic matchup, Olajuwon's offensive moves and defensive ability would help him beat out the incredible rebounder from a slightly earlier time. 

Winner: Hakeem Olajuwon

7. Shaquille O'Neal vs. Bill Russell

Bill Russell and Shaquille O'Neal are two of the greatest player to ever line up in the paint on a regular basis. While Russell's greatness came from his defensive dominance and his hoarding of NBA Championship rings, O'Neal's came from his flat-out dominance of the opposition in his prime. 

I don't think that Russell faced anyone quite like Shaq physically back in his prime. For that reason, The Big Aristotle gets my vote. 

Winner: Shaquille O'Neal

6. Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James

This matchup is between two of the greatest players in the game today. While Kobe Bryant has been the most dominant player in basketball over the course of the last 10 years, LeBron James currently holds the crown as the best player at this very moment. 

Bryant is ultra-competitive and wouldn't back down even a tiny bit, but the unmatched physical skills of James would prove to be too much in the end. 

Winner: LeBron James

5. Kevin Durant vs. George Gervin

I'm pretty much salivating at the thought of watching this game between the Durantula and the Iceman. 

George Gervin and Kevin Durant are two of the best scorers to ever pick up a basketball and the prospect of them balling against each other is simply incredible to think about. 

The master of the finger roll may be an incredible player, but I don't think that he can match the extraordinary length of our two-time reigning scoring champion. 

Winner: Kevin Durant

4. Wilt Chamberlain vs. Shaquille O'Neal

Two of the most dominant centers to ever play in the NBA just happen to be named Shaquille O'Neal and Wilt Chamberlain. Here, they're matched up against each other. 

Chamberlain is one of the greatest offensive talents ever, even dropping an NBA-record 100 points in a single game. But in his career, he never matchup up against anyone as big and strong as Shaquille O'Neal, not even when he lined up against his rival, Bill Russell. 

Shaq was simply incredible during his prime and has the muscle mass and drive to take down even Chamberlain in a one-on-one contest. 

Winner: Shaquille O'Neal

3. Kobe Bryant vs. Michael Jordan

If any player has ever truly challenged Michael Jordan for the title of greatest ever, it would be Kobe Bryant. The diehard Kobe fans may even believe that their favorite player has surpassed the legendary Chicago Bull for that role. 

But make no mistake about it, Jordan is still the greatest of all time. In a matchup of these two talents on offense, it's hard for me to bet against the ultra-clutch, ultra-skilled player wearing No. 23. 

Winner: Michael Jordan

2. Wilt Chamberlain vs. Bill Russell

The greatest defensive center of all time against the greatest offensive big man to ever play? Yes please. 

The Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain rivalry was epic back in the day and produced quite a few memorable games. But you have to remember that a good day for Russell was scoring 15 points and holding Chamberlain to about 30. That simply won't cut it in a one-on-one matchup. 

Winner: Wilt Chamberlain

1. LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan

You may be surprised to see the LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan matchup higher than the Kobe Bryant vs. Jordan one, but this would truly be a game for the ages. Remember that you already read about how James could take down Bryant. 

Jordan is the greatest player of all time, but he cannot match the physical tools that James has at his disposal. That said, it is impossible for me to bet against Jordan. Period. No matter what. 

James may be able to take a few games from MJ if they played over and over, but in a winner takes all match, I'll take Jordan every time. 

Winner: Michael Jordan

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Adam Fromal is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer. Follow him on   Twitter.

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