It’s been said that to be the best, you have to beat the best. 

During an interview about the new NBA 2K14 video game, Michael Jordan said he could have defeated Lebron James in a game of one-on-one when he was in his prime.  Michael Jordan is 100 percent right. 

There are some incredible all-time one-on-one NBA players: Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and even James, but there is no one like Jordan. 

One thing all NBA fans often obsess about- who the best NBA player of all time? More importantly, if you’re a true NBA junkie, then you’ve at least thought about the one-on-one matchups with some of the all-time greats, including a 1971 Julius Ervin versus a 1993 Jordan or even a Bryant versus a James.  And hey, why not, it’s one of the reasons why the NBA is so much fun.  

Let’s take a 1993 Jordan and match him up with a 2013 James in a one-on-one game.  The first player who reaches 11 points wins.  There’s no shot clock and scoring is based on one’s and two’s. 

All the team statistics, the championships, the MVP awards and the impressive resumes are irrelevant.

Some NBA fans will often state that one-on-on matchups don’t matter and that it’s all about statistics or championships.  Think of it this way: if one-on-one matchups didn’t matter, than coaches wouldn’t spend hours designing plays for their best player, to have the ball with ten seconds remaining and the game on the line. 

There is a very good chance that when James retires, he’ll be one of the best statistical performers of all time, as well as one of the top five best players in NBA history.  But as far as one-on-one goes, his skills don’t touch Jordan’s. 

Jordan is a better shooter, from deep or midrange.  When Jordon isolates a defender and has open floor space, he has an uncanny ability to control the basketball better than anyone, and when guarded has the best footwork of any perimeter player ever. 

James does have the clear edge in physical features, including his height and weight.  James is 6-foot-8, 240 pounds. Jordan is 6-foot-6, 195 pounds.  Consider last season when, according to ESPN’s Grantland, no player scored more points closer to the basket than James and no player converted a higher percentage of shots near the basket.  That’s why it’s important when Jordan is defending James that he gives him a light cushion, luring him into a jump shot and preventing James from using his size in the post. 

NBA personnel often think of Jordan’s unique ability to score, but he was also a phenomenal defensive player.  In the ‘80s and ‘90s defense was a major emphasis in the NBA.  Jordan often utilized the “hands to the face” approach, while playing lock-down defense, similar to Seattle Supersonics legend Gary Payton.  For his career, Jordan made All-Defensive team nine times.  James will likely try to post up or drive to the hoop against Jordan, but Jordan will force James to dribble baseline, cutting him off, and forcing James into a bad shot. 

Perhaps Jordan would beat James in one-on-one simply because of his jump shot. He has a better overall offensive rating and field goal percentage.  No one even comes close to his natural ability of scoring and that’s one of the reasons why from 1986-1993 he averaged more than 30 points per game, according to ESPN.  We’re talking about a player who went on an eleven game stretch averaging 10 triple-doubles. 

 Jordan’s footwork is simply amazing. His quickness is unprecedented and he has the strength to drive to the hoop and finish over James. Jordan is constantly attacking the basket, dribbling through defenders, and still scoring in the paint.  This allows Jordan then to spread the floor and hit 15-foot jump shots.

While James has a wider wingspan and a two-inch height advantage, there’s no one in the NBA that has come close to Jordan’s fade away jump shots. If James played tight defense on Jordan, that mistake could be the difference maker in the one-on-one contest.

There’s not an athlete in any other sport more competitive than Jordan. His hunger to win is unmatched. 

In an interview with ESPN, Jordan said he constantly studies James. 

“When Lebron goes right, he usually drives; when he goes left, he usually shoots a jumper,” said Jordan.”So If I have to guard him, I’m (going to) push him left, so nine times out of ten, he’s going to shoot a jump shot.” 

What’s overshadowed in Jordan’s athleticism is his mental approach to the game.  More than anything, Jordan was always a student of the game first.  He studied the game and his opponents frequently, dissecting their strengths and weaknesses. 

In a game of one-on-one, James wouldn’t even come close to beating Jordan.  Sorry James, but not even the King can beat Air Jordan.    

Final score: Jordan 11, James 9.