Ranking 25 Greatest 1-on-1 Players in NBA History
25. Gilbert Arenas
"Agent Zero" was a prolific scorer who had an explosive first step and an unlimited range. He was a confident, fearless scorer who was always ready to take a shot, no matter the situation.
24. Luka Dončić
The modern-day maestro of the slow-down game. Luka's methodical pace, incredible footwork, and ability to hit step-back threes and floaters make him a deadly isolation player who can manipulate a defense at will.
23. Paul Pierce
Known as "The Truth" for a reason. Pierce's old-school game, with a combination of pump fakes, jab steps, and a knack for hitting tough shots, made him a player you couldn't leave alone in a one-on-one situation.
22. Kawhi Leonard
A master of the mid-range game, Kawhi uses his powerful frame, huge hands, and a robotic precision to get to his spots and knock down jumpers. His offensive game is a display of pure efficiency.
21. Russell Westbrook
Westbrook's relentless aggression and explosive athleticism made him a force to be reckoned with. His drive to the basket was one of the most powerful moves in the game, and he was known for taking over games on his own.
20. Dominique Wilkins
"The Human Highlight Film" was a powerful and athletic wing who could score in the post or on the perimeter. His explosive dunks and powerful drives made him a tough matchup.
19. Elgin Baylor
One of the NBA's first aerial artists, Baylor was a prolific scorer who used his athleticism and hang time to score over defenders. He was a pioneer of the offensive game.
18. Dwyane Wade
A slithery scorer who was a master of the pump fake and creating contact to get to the free-throw line. His ability to get to the rim and finish with acrobatic layups made him an elite isolation player.
17. Joel Embiid
One of the most dominant post players of his era. Embiid has a massive physical advantage over most defenders, a refined skill set, and a developing perimeter game that makes him a true three-level scoring threat.
16. Tracy McGrady
A silky smooth scorer with a quick first step and the ability to score in a variety of ways. T-Mac's natural scoring talent and effortless play made him a tough cover for any defender.
15. Dirk Nowitzki
His one-legged fadeaway was a revolutionary move that was impossible to block. Dirk's combination of size, skill, and shooting touch made him an isolation threat who could get a bucket over any defender.
14. Larry Bird
The ultimate master of skill over athleticism. Bird's arsenal of pump fakes, footwork, and a picture-perfect jump shot allowed him to get a shot off against anyone. He always seemed to be one step ahead of his defender mentally.
13. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The most unstoppable offensive move in NBA history was Kareem's skyhook. It was virtually unguardable and allowed him to dominate in the post for over two decades.
12. Carmelo Anthony
"Melo" was a pure isolation scorer in his prime. He had a versatile offensive game with a quick jab step, a strong post-up game, and the ability to knock down shots from anywhere, including his signature triple-threat jab-step jumper.
11. Stephen Curry
While not a traditional isolation player, his ability to shoot from anywhere on the court makes him a one-on-one threat unlike any other. He doesn't need to dribble for long to get a shot off, and his gravity makes him a lethal offensive weapon.
10. James Harden
"The Beard" perfected a unique style of isolation play centered on the step-back jumper and a masterful ability to draw fouls. His offensive game was built around creating space and scoring in a variety of creative ways.
9. Allen Iverson
Pound for pound, Allen Iverson was one of the best. His lightning-quick crossover and fearlessness in attacking the basket against bigger opponents made him a lethal isolation scorer despite his small stature.
8. Wilt Chamberlain
With his overpowering size and strength, Wilt was a dominant force. While the competition was different, his scoring records and sheer physical dominance mean he has to be considered one of the all-time great 1-on-1 players.
7. LeBron James
An athletic marvel with the size and strength of a power forward and the ball-handling skills of a point guard. LeBron can simply bully his way to the basket or use his vision to set up teammates if a defense collapses on him. He is a matchup nightmare.
6. Kevin Durant
At 7 feet tall with the handles and shooting touch of a guard, Kevin Durant is arguably the most unguardable scorer ever. His high release point makes his jumper impossible to contest, and he can score from anywhere on the court.
5. Hakeem Olajuwon
"The Dream" was a nightmare for defenders in the post. His "Dream Shake" was one of the most aesthetically pleasing and effective moves in basketball history, a series of fakes and pivots that left even the best defenders lost and helpless.
4. Kobe Bryant
The closest thing to Michael Jordan we've ever seen. Kobe's footwork and endless array of post-up and perimeter moves were directly inspired by Jordan. He possessed an insane level of skill and was fearless in taking and making clutch shots.
3. Shaquille O'Neal
The most dominant physical force the league has ever seen. His combination of size, power, and surprising agility made him an unstoppable one-on-one threat in the post. He could simply back down and overpower anyone who tried to guard him.
2. Michael Jordan
The undisputed king of the 1-on-1 game. Jordan's combination of explosive athleticism, a deadly mid-range fadeaway, and an unyielding will to win made him virtually unstoppable in isolation. He had the complete offensive package.
1. Kyrie Irving
Perhaps the best ball-handler in NBA history, Kyrie's dribbling is a work of art. His ability to finish at the rim with either hand and his crafty shot-making make him a go-to guy in any tight situation.
