NBA Lockout: 5 Reasons LeBron James Would Dominate Kobe Bryant in a 1-on-1 Game

As the 2011 NBA lockout rolls on, basketball fans worldwide are left without much to talk about. Instead of hanging out at the water cooler arguing about whether or not LeBron James vanishes in big games or if Kobe Bryant will ever own another championship ring, fans are left talking about union decertification and revenue sharing. Yawn!

But thanks to the LA Times's recent interview with Kevin Durant, which posed the question, "Who would win in a Kobe versus LeBron one-on-one game?", this boring lockout talk can be put to rest for a little while.  The LA Times YouTube video shows Kevin Durant, Matt Barnes and Trevor Ariza siding with the Black Mamba, while Washington Wizard's guard John Wall sides with King James.  

Durant's opinion may be a little more credible than mine, since he has actually stepped foot on a basketball court with Kobe and LeBron, but that doesn't mean it is innately right.  

I've got good news and bad news for you, Durant.  Good news, if you start playing something that resembles defense, I think you have a chance of beating Kobe in a one-on-one game.  Bad news, I'm about to show you five reasons why you're wrong when you say Kobe would beat LeBron in their epic match.

Let's set the ground rules: first to 25 wins, all baskets are worth one point, make it-take it, defender calls fouls and there is a 24-second shot clock.  

Read on, and let the bantering in the comment section begin! 

5. LeBron's Linebacker-Esque Physique

Put LeBron and Kobe side by side, and you'll see the unbelievable difference in sheer size that sets the two players apart.  

LeBron comes in at 6'8'' and a whopping 250 pounds, whereas Kobe measures 6'6'' and a slim 205 pounds.  If the fact that LeBron has two inches and 45 pounds on Kobe isn't enough for you, think about the fact that LeBron plays the game with the speed of a guard rather than a power forward.  

What LeBron lacks in a polished post game, he makes up for in size and speed.  Anyone who has ever played a one-on-one game knows that the advantage usually goes to the stronger player, and in this case that player is LeBron James.  Not only is LeBron stronger, he also plays with an athleticism that is extraordinarily rare for someone his size. 

LeBron would use his strength and athleticism to lock down Kobe on defense, dominate the boards and rule the paint in this one-on-one match up for the ages.  

4. LeBron Has No Teammates to Lean On

Even avid LeBron fans know the sad truth that in big games LeBron seems to fade into the background rather than rise to the occasion.  While LeBron has a higher points-per-game average than Kobe in career playoff games (28.0 points per game for LeBron and only 25.4 for Kobe), there is no questioning the fact that LeBron relies more on his teammates than Kobe does.

During LeBron's playoff appearances as a Cleveland Cavalier, he averaged 29.7 points per game, as compared to his average of only 23.7 points per game in his first playoff appearance with the Miami Heat. While some of you will say that is just the result of being on a team with two other All-Stars, I believe it exemplifies the fact that LeBron plays better and more effectively when he does not have other stars to lean on.

There is no arguing that Kobe is a clutch player, but he is able to and does rely on the talent of those around him, whether it was Shaquille O'Neal back in the day or current day players Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.  

Without the help of a supporting cast for either All-Star in this one-on-one matchup, LeBron will be forced to show up and dominate the court while Kobe ultimately falls short.    

3. LeBron Would Inevitably Dominate the Boards

In a one-on-one game, where every possession matters, the ability to crash the boards and grab more rebounds than your opponent can be the difference in a close game.  Grabbing rebounds means additional scoring opportunities, and extra scoring opportunities lead to a massive advantage in a one-on-one game. When it comes to rebounds, LeBron is the King.

Kobe has never averaged more than 6.9 rebounds per game in any one of his 15 NBA seasons, averaging only 4.5 rebounds per game for his career.  On the other hand, LeBron has averaged at least 6.9 rebounds per game in six of his eight seasons, averaging 7.1 rebounds per game for his career.   One could chalk that statistic up to Kobe playing shooting guard and LeBron playing small forward.  However, I chalk that statistic up to the fact that LeBron crashes the boards more regularly and harder than Kobe does.  

If the old adage "you practice how you play" is true, then these career statistics lead me to believe that LeBron will have the advantage when it comes to rebounding the ball in this matchup.  

2. LeBron Finishes at the Rim Stronger Than Kobe

LeBron and Kobe have posterized their fair share of opponents and amazed fans with highlight-reel dunks, but that isn't what finishing strong at the rim is about.  Finishing strong is about creating space and using your strength to get to the rim, which is the foundation for LeBron's game.

LeBron and Kobe have different styles of play.  Where LeBron uses his dribble drive to create opportunities close to the rim, Kobe uses his uncanny ability to fade away and hit mid-range jumps shots.  While both of those techniques are great ways to play the game of basketball, the ability to create space and drive to the rim is much more valuable in a one-on-one game.

Now this is where LeBron's size advantage comes back in to play.  LeBron has the ability to finish at the rim with two or even three defenders hanging on him, whereas Kobe resorts to the fadeaway jumper because he lacks significant strength.  Watch any game highlights of LeBron and Kobe and you will see what I'm saying.  In a one-on-one game where LeBron can have at most one man hanging on him as he drives to the rim, I don't see a feasible way for Kobe to consistently stop him.

There is nothing wrong with Kobe's fadeaway.  It is actually one of the most consistent and beautiful shots in all of basketball.  In a one-on-one game, though, the player that can get to the rim the most will always win. That man in this one-on-one game is LeBron James.  

1. LeBron Has Exponentially More to Gain by Winning

Nothing seems to motivate LeBron James, even the opportunity to win an NBA Championship.  This is different, though—this one-on-one matchup with Kobe Bryant is LeBron's opportunity to gain some much-needed respect in the NBA community. 

Kobe really has nothing to lose in this matchup.  In 15 NBA seasons, he already has five titles, 13 All-Star appearances, nine All-NBA First-Team selections, two scoring titles and an MVP trophy.  Kobe could lose this epic matchup with LeBron 25-0, and people would just write it off to the fact that he is 33 years old or say that he has nothing left to prove.

On the other hand, LeBron James has everything to prove.  Even though LeBron, through eight NBA seasons, has seven All-Star appearances, five All-NBA First-Team selections and twice as many MVP trophies as Kobe does, he still hasn't proven that he can win when it matters.  While winning this one-on-one match wouldn't magically turn him into a proven champion, it would prove to the NBA community that LeBron has what it takes to rise to the occasion.

So there you have it, Durant: You unfortunately were wrong.  LeBron will dominate the boards, lock Kobe down and score six straight baskets to break a 19-19 tie and claim the title of "One-on-One King." 

Final Prediction:  LeBron 25, Kobe 19