Kobe: I Would Beat LeBron “No Question”

LeBron vs Kobe.

Who would win the epic one-on-one war between two of the association’s juiciest superstars?

According to Kobe, he would. “Me. No question,” he told ESPN’s Chris Palmer when asked if he could take on James straight up. “As far as one-on-one, I’m the best to ever do it.”

“LeBron is a terrific all-around, five-on-five basketball player who’s an all-time great. But I’d get him.”

When asked who would be able to take him, Bryant offered up a young, rising stud from Oklahoma City.

“Kevin Durant is the guy that would give me the most trouble,” Bryant said. “With his length and ability to use the dribble, he’d be tough.”

If only this could be settled on All-Star Weekend.

Could there possibly be more sports entertainment value then an eight man one-on-one tournament? I’m far from the first to suggest such a premise, but this would bring Super Bowl-caliber ratings to what’s become a weekend of mud.

The dunk contest has lost it’s flavor and the three-point shootout is just okay. The NBA needs to bring that weekend some intrigue and a one-on-one tourney does just that. Winner gets $100,000 for his favorite charity.

My eight nominees would be James, Bryant, Durant, Wade, Paul, Kyrie, Carmelo, and Westbrook. Could you imagine the NBA’s greatest going at each other with no teammates, coaches, or general managers to hide behind?

The time is now, Mr. Stern.