who would win in a 1 on 1 matchup? Allen Iverson or Kobe Bryant

[Deeko]

I'm gonna go with Kobe.

 

[breakit23]

WOuld they play losers ball?

I think Iverson would probably win,a couple steal. constant scoring by each side and he can pretty much win.

 

[Croton]

KOBE

They both have awesome offensive talent.

However, Kobe has awesome defensive skills. Iverson doesn't.

Plus Iverson would whine and bitch about every single little thing, so it would make the matchup unbearable to watch.

 

[Rebecca]

Allen...just my guess...

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

kobe can post up allen all day and dunk over him. height plays a huge factor in one-on-one situations.

 

[tantos]

6' versus 6'7?? Not a fair comparison...Yes Iverson has quickness, but Kobe would back him down like Shaq.
Off the topic a bit..Does Iverson ever play any defense? I mean who the hell does he guard in games?
Let's see :

Pacers: Travis Best/Tyus Edney
Raptors: Alvin Williams/Chris Childs
Bucks: Sam Cassell/Lindsey Hunter
Lakers: Tyronn Lue/Derek Fisher

Not great offensive skills on any of these players. Basically Iverson gets to shoot and roam around and gamble on defense.
If only someone would make him to play some defense, then they could actually slow him down.

 

[miniMUNCH]

It's funny anyone here would think AI could take Kobe...unless AI was just on fire and Kobe wasn't.

Kobe would just back him down and shoot layups.

Here's a short list of a few guards (perimeter players) who could consistently beat AI in one on one:

Kobe
Gary Payton
Vince Carter
Scottie Pippen
Steve Smith
Tracy McGrady

They would all just back him down and either dunk on him or shoot a layup.

But 1-on-1 is completely different from 5 on 5 (completely different dynamics)

When judging a pure 1-on-1 match, just look at who will be able to consistently get more high- percentage shots (provided that they can make them). Now if you added a provisio like a 5 to 10 second shot clock, AI's odds would be much improved because the time limit would kinda limit the "post-up and back down" offensive strategy.

 

[monto]

<< What it really comes down to is, NBA players like Iverson and Kobe are SO good offensively, that neither one stands a chance defensively against the other one in a one-on-one situation. The offensive player would always have the advantage in a matchup like this, so the advantage would change on every possession. The only reason guys like this have bad games in the NBA is because of TEAM defense. One-on-one both of them are monsters way too difficult to contain. >>


agree whole-heartedly...Bill Walton once noted during the Bulls reign that the defenses had switched from individuals like Russel to team stalwarts like the Pistons and Bulls, whereas offenses become often individualistic isolation plays

 

[mchammer187]

AI

 

[classy]

In that scenario I would most definately say AI. Just way too much quickness for even a good defender like Kobe. Kobe has size and is better jump shooter than AI, but is not a great ball handler. I could see AI stripping Kobe quite frequently.

 

[ATLien247]

<< agree whole-heartedly...Bill Walton once noted during the Bulls reign that the defenses had switched from individuals like Russel to team stalwarts like the Pistons and Bulls, whereas offenses become often individualistic isolation plays >>



You've got to be kidding! Bill Walton actually made a decent observation?!

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Raymond Borque

 

[Kelvrick]

<< In that scenario I would most definately say AI. Just way too much quickness for even a good defender like Kobe. Kobe has size and is better jump shooter than AI, but is not a great ball handler. I could see AI stripping Kobe quite frequently. >>



What? I don't see AI with a decent stats for steals at all. He just shots the ball and runs back on D (as if he had any D). Didn't you see game 1? Kobe blocked him like 3 times in a row.