Does anyone remember when someone (The Cat, I think) started a big, long thread about who would win in a one on one tournament between the best NBA players? We all voted and the results were tabulated, with Kevin Garnett being the eventual winner. Well, during tonight's game, it was mentioned that when Rudy T coached the Olympic team, he made all the players play one on one until there was only one winner left standing. As it turned out, Vince Carter ended up winning. Apparantly, even the best defensive players on the team (Mourning, Payton, Garnett) couldn't stop him. Just thought it was interesting to find out who the best one on one player in the NBA really was. Granted, Iverson wasn't on the team, so I guess the point is arguable, but still.... ------------------ My dream job is to be a Houston Rockets towel boy.
There was something you did not mention. The one on one played during the Olympics was full-court (at least that is what they said during the telecast last night). They also mentioned that Carter was the last man standing, implying there was more to the game than the typical on-on-one you'd normally think about. ------------------
Shaq was not on the team either. Kobe. Webber. The deal with one-on-one is you have to score everytime. Make it, take it. It is less about defense as it is scoring everytime. Somewhat like pool. If you miss, you may never get the ball back.
It's all about offense. I ask you this, who could stop Olajuwon? The Fadeaway is unblockable. He would make that all night long. He may have been the greatest one on one player of all time. Only Jabbar could match him. These are the only two players that I believe could not be stopped by anyone but themselves. They would have the best defenders in history at their Mercy. In today's game, you've got to ask yourself who has one move that cannot be stopped. I would suggest that Shaq might be the closest with his baby hooks in the lane. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
I think the only way anything happens is if they have a voluntary "3 on 3" match. Two teams. Each year some guys can put together a team. Let it snowball after that and suddenly you have something great that we don't have to pay for. One on One would be awesome if you tied it into a big event like ALL star weekend...but the only way to do this is to start out casually with guys like Oakley or something. Some low level guys that get it started...and then suddenly everyone wants in. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
Phi: Although Hakeem and Kareem (and Shaq to a lesser extent) have unstoppable moves, they don't necessarily have the ball handling skills (especially not shaq) to get themselves into the position to take these shots against a smaller player. A great one-on-one player has to be able to handle the ball and shoot inside and out. ------------------
I understand your point, but I would argue that Dream can hit that shot from 15 feet out. And that's about where he would be starting from anyway. I don't know about Jabbar, but from the little I've seen Jabbar could back an oponent down relatively easily. Just like Barkley. Dream probably isn't as good at backing someone down. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
Where does this misconception come from that Shaq has such poor dribbling skills? He's not that bad of a ballhandler, I'm not saying that he should play ppoint, but his ball handling skills are certainly sufficient to back it down into the post. ------------------
You want poor open court dribbling skills, look at Hakeem. The only dribbling he has down is when he goes to make his moves. Leave him in the open court and it's scary. ------------------ "I personally don't think Jordan would have enjoyed playing with himself." -- JeffB lets us all know that Popeye and Clutch aren't the only ones with inside sources... (also an example of a BBS "sound-bite")
Say what ya want, but I dont think there is anybody in the league with the one on one skills of Iverson. He consistently makes players in this league look SILLY! for what its worth..... ------------------
I think you have to compare it by positions...divide it up. Make PG,SG,and SF go against each other in one category, and PF and C in another. It's not a fair matchup for say, Tim Duncan vs Allen Iverson. I would say KG for the big men, and probably Iverson for the guards. ------------------ "Steve is good. Steve is real good." -- Cleveland's rookie point guard Andre Miller on Rocket rookie point Steve Francis
Does anyone remember the old NBA halftime feature where they would have a one-on-one tournament? I remember Tomjanovich and Newlin being the Rocket representatives in different years. It certainly would be an interesting feature for them to do now. Back in the old days there wasn't any fancy dribbling or dunks during these contests. Of course now, they'd have to put it on pay per view because the players and agents would wnat their share. I think they could add spice to the All-Star weekend by having a one-on-one tournament. Take a player from each team and 3 CBA players to get to 32. Have 5 rounds to 11 baskets. Show highlights from the 1st 3 rounds and show the semi-finals and finals live. (idea copyrighted 01/17/2001) ------------------
Dividing the players by position would be fair. I don't know if Iverson would necessarily win, because he's not a great defender. I guess it all depends on who got the ball first. ------------------
Here are my picks: PG-Payton, noone can match his combination of size, defense, and offense Runner's up-Francis, Marbury, Kidd(in order) SG-Kobe, better defender, shooter than vince, better shooter, defender than iverson Runner's up-Carter, Iverson, Jones SF-Garnett, i dont see the need for an explanation Runner's up-Hill, Abdur-Rahim, Odom PF-Duncan, too good, so young. great combination of post moves, good ball handling, good shot Runner's up-Webber, Mcdyess, Nowitzki(beats out wallace, malone in one-on-one because he is a better dribbler and shooter C-Shaq, i dont know how he would get it up the court, but he would find a way Runner's up-Robinson, Ratliff, Olajuwon. ------------------ President of the Charles Barkley fan club...Oh he retired? When?
I don't think kidd would do very well one on one because he's not that great a scorer. Nick Van Exel would probably be pretty good one on one (at least offensively) as would Sam cassell. ------------------
You don't start out the post when you play one on one, you take it out above the three point line and have to dribble your way inside. Therefore, having good dribbling skills is a necessity. To be a great one on one player, you have to be able to finish really strong point blank and not have the best 15 foot fadaway shot like dream. Dream, shaq and those big men doesn't have the dribbling to get inside position everytime. You need to penetrate and get to the basket on your own to get HIGH percentage shots. As far as I'm concerned, dream doesn't have these skills even at his prime. Iverson I think would be your ideal one on one player because he can blow by anybody and can finish with the best of them. ------------------
lemme change that...no way iverson can hang with bigger guys like garnett..just back em down all day [This message has been edited by ChenZhen (edited January 19, 2001).]
