Michael Jordan has often iterated he believes no one could beat him in a 1 on 1 battle. His confidence, defense, post moves, carftiness and a list more have thus naturally placed him atop in the category during conversations. But were there better players in 1 on 1 before him while he just claimed the top position in a battle not likely discussed in previous eras? Gilbert Arenas and crew have some opinions.

In the season 2 Finale of Gil’s Arena, there were eight people on the podcast, discussing a variety of subjects. The ‘best 1v1 players’ was one among them.  “Before Michael Jordan came in and created this We See You as an Individual, who was the one-on-one king then?” The question from Gilbert Arenas was certainly a curveball, but Rashad McCants had an answer. “There wasn’t one. It was just, no one claimed king. That’s why Mike was able to just step right into that mode.”

The LA Lakers star Austin Reaves’ admission that LeBron James doesn’t get involved in 1v1 contests sparked a discussion on the topic. There were other players, who they believed would be good in 1 on 1, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird for McCants were brought into the conversation, but no opinions were in unison. Arenas agreed the Celtics legend was a great player, there can be no guarantee about his 1v1 play. He even compared the situation with one of the best active players in the league.

“If we look at Jokic right now, we would think he’s a one-on-one basketball player because how he plays the game,” Arenas said on his podcast. “When he’s one-on-one doesn’t mean when you take everybody else and he don’t have the other options we don’t know what he looks like.”

But, save for other players, Michael Jordan certainly did fuel the 1 on 1 conversations, occupying the top spot with his claims of being unbeatable. Though he believed Kobe Bryant would be an exception considering, the Lakers icon idolized him and copied his moves fairly well. The ‘small guys’ like Allen Iverson, Damon Stoudamire, and Rod Strickland, he would admit, would be difficult to challenge as well. Regardless, he makes his case for 1 on 1 and a former ESPN employee narrates a reason why.

Bomani Jones on what made Michael Jordan claim the 1v1 ‘King’ status

Media veteran Bomani James said, “I feel like the difference between Mike and Kobe and LeBron. LeBron likes winning. Michael Jordan likes beating people. He (Michael Jordan) wants to beat people. He is a sociopath, He wants you to lose. I don’t think LeBron is built in that way.” The ex-ESPN employee’s assessment of LeBron James is very similar to what his teammate Reaves said.

The 44-year-old also highlighted that Kobe Bryant’s Mamba mentality is also similar to MJ’s. Where both guys not only hate losing but want to physically and mentally dominate their opponent. Meanwhile, the Lebron James feeling about 1v1 is not new. The 4x NBA Champion also spoke about this before in a 2011 interview.

On a tour to the London School of Basketball in 2011, the 20x All-Star said, “I’m a team basketball player; it’s not a 1 on 1 sport.” But he was confident enough that he would battle against anybody. But when such questions were asked to Michael Jordan and Kobe, they would end up replying instantly. Without any hesitation, both of them chose themselves and would make a point to highlight how great they were. Maybe that’s why many people feel MJ took the crown of 1v1 because he was loud and proud.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”