"If You Put Him 1-on-1? I Think He'll Get Crushed", Tracy McGrady Thinks LeBron James Stinks Out Loud at 1-on-1 Basketball (Bonus: 64-NBA Player, 1-on-1 Tournament Bracket)

If during all-star weekend, the NBA took its 64 best-ish players and put them in a 1-on-1 basketball tournament, do you think they'd take it seriously? Ok sorry, that's an insane question. Of course they wouldn't. They barely take the regular season seriously. But maybe... just MAYBE, the chance to be crowned The Greatest 1-on-1 Basketball Player in The World Despite What Noah Lyles Says would invoke some semblance of personal pride in the NBA's finest. I know that's just wishful thinking. But with how pathetic NBA All-Star Weekend has been lately, what they hell do they got to lose? Especially coming off the heels of the NHL pulling off the hands-down best mid-season all-star break in the history of professional sports with the 4 Nations Face-Off, maybe that will be enough of a kick in the pants to get at least a 50% effort out of NBA players.  

It certainly won't be. But I still think a 1-on-1 tournament would be fun to see. It would be a unique way for individual players to show of their skills on a different type of stage. I think that'd be fun as hell. If somehow the NBA managed to put that tournament together. And Adam Silver drugged each and every player with giving-a-shit serum to assure they'd give full effort. If I had to bet my life savings on one player. I'm putting it on LeBron. Hell, I've seen him win a game 1-on-5 before.

I know players like Tracy McGrady say all the time that LeBron's game wouldn't necessarily translate to 1-on-1. But I just don't get it. Why wouldn't it translate? Because he's also a good passer? He's 6-foot-9, 250-pounds, moves like point guard, and can guard any position. There's no real weakness in his defense that can be exploited. He's a better shooter now than he's ever been. He can get an open look against whoever, whenever he wants. He'd have a pretty big size advantage, and be able to back down half the players in the field. Even at 40 years old, I just don't know what it is about LeBron's that people think wouldn't be good for 1-on-1. Is it just his ball-handling skills? I understand that to a degree. But he can still use his enormous fucking body to shield the ball from his opponent. He's also slower now than he used to be, but he's still quick enough to stay between a player and the basket, and long enough that he can give space and still contest any shot. Maybe I'm just a fucking idiot, but to me, LeBron seems like he's almost the perfect 1-on-1 player.

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I don't think he would be a runaway favorite or anything. I don't think any NBA player would be a runaway favorite. In a tournament that big, everybody would be at plus odds to win. I just think in a guns-to-players-heads, everybody is giving it their all situation, I'd have to ride with LeBron. If I had to bet someone else, then I'd probably go Kevin Durant. Because he's so tall and can shoot the lights out. I couldn't bring myself to bet on someone smaller like Kyrie. I don't think they could ever hang defensively with someone like LeBron, or Giannis if they committed to backing him down. Steph wouldn't have a prayer on defense. Same with Luka Doncic. Jokic seems too slow. Maybe super athletic young guys like Anthony Edwards, or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be good bets. Tatum could be a boring, but sneaky good choice. Wembanyama is an interesting choice. I could see him being both amazing and terrible. But when the chips are down, there's no chance I'm trusting my money on any of those guys over someone with as much skill, size, and experience as LeBron. We all watched the Olympics last year. I know this might speak more to him being a great team player. But with the best players in the world all on one team, LeBron James was still so clearly the guy. He was mentally & physically stronger than everyone else. Everyone looked to him, and LeBron (along with mayyyybe a couple three pointers from Steph) willed that team to victory. No chance I'm betting against that guy. 

And because I wrote this whole ass blog about a hypothetical 64-man 1-on-1 tournament. I suppose I should take the time to put together a hypothetical bracket. Based loosely off NBA2K ratings, leading scorers, name recognition for casual fans, and what I think would be the most fun outcomes. 

I think that'd be swell. Give it a shot NBA. The great thing about hitting rock bottom with your all-star game is that now you can try literally anything. You can't possibly make people dislike All-Star Weekend more than they already do.