Kevin Durant: Kobe Bryant would beat LeBron James in one-on-one

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It would be the Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier of basketball.

Imagine Kobe Bryant and LeBron James stepping onto a basketball court to play a game of one-on-one, pure intensity vs. pure strength.

The question is, who would win?

Basketball fans envision the epic battle and indefatigably debate its enigmatic outcome. NBA players, whom regularly play with both men, are no different.

In one of a series of interviews at the Drew League vs. Goodman League rematch last month at Long Beach State, Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant said Bryant would win.

‘He’s probably the best one-on-one player in the game,’ Durant said.

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall disagreed.

‘Depends on how LeBron plays,’ Wall said. ‘If he plays like he can with his size and his strength, like can’t nobody stop him when he goes to the basket, then I pick him.’

Perhaps New Orleans Hornets guard Trevor Ariza said it best.

‘I don’t know,’ he said, ‘but I know I would pay to watch that.’

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-- Melissa Rohlin