LeBron James is undoubtedly experiencing the worst season of his career. After the ESPN-televised “The Decision,” James received backlash from the media, his home state of Ohio and NBA greats such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley.
Barkley chastised James again last week after James claimed that race played a role in how the media covered his signing with the Miami Heat. More recently, James has been challenged on the court by Kobe Bryant.
During a Nike event in London, Bryant told reporters that he would easily beat James in a game of one-on-one.
“I would [beat James],” Bryant said. “That’s what I do. One-on-one, that’s easy. Playing one-on-one, that’s how I grew up. That’s like my thing. LeBron is more like a Magic Johnson. He’s a great passer, and plays an all-around game. At the core of me, I’m a one-on-one player. I can do that in my sleep.”
Although Bryant is quicker than James and has a deadlier jump shot, James could dictate the one-on-one matchup by using his size and height to wear him down.
It’s highly unlikely that Bryant and James would ever play a nationally televised game of one-on-one, but it does add more fuel to the Christmas Day game between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA season tips off in less than 30 days. –a.r.
