NBA / Mar 23, 2010 / 12:00 pm

10 Best 1-on-1 Scorers in the NBA

By

Jamal Crawford, Dime #31

In the first half of last night’s Hawks/Bucks game, Jamal Crawford got a steal and took off the other way with only Luke Ridnour standing between him and the basket. Considering what JC did once upon a time to Kirk Hinrich — who’s actually a good defender — I was kind of afraid for Ridnour’s general health. But Crawford let him off easy with a simple wraparound behind-the-back and finger roll.

As is typical with a player who is suddenly getting a lot of overdue attention — in Crawford’s case, because he’s now on a playoff team after a career spent on Lottery squads — fans and media are prone to go overboard with praise. For Crawford, who should be running away with the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, it appears the trendy thing is to crown him one of the best, if not the best, one-on-one scorers in the League.

As the NBA increasingly caters to guards and wings who can create off the dribble, the elements that make up a productive one-on-one scorer become even more coveted. Crawford has just about all of them: His handle is perhaps the best in the game, he’s got a quick release on his jump shot, he’s got range out to the concession stands, and there’s a certain level of craftiness to his game. He doesn’t have the muscle or mindset to get to the free-throw line as much as guys like Kobe, D-Wade or LeBron, but Crawford is in their class as a guy who can take over a fourth quarter/overtime on short notice and win a game by himself on nothing more than clear-outs and high screens.

Where does Crawford rank among the NBA’s elite 1-on-1 scorers? The top of the heap will inevitably be flooded with perimeter players, because they can create offense from anywhere on the floor, whereas big men often need to catch the ball close to the basket. That said, here’s my list:

1. Kobe Bryant
2. LeBron James
3. Dirk Nowitzki
4. Carmelo Anthony
5. Kevin Durant
6. Dwyane Wade
7. Brandon Roy
8. Paul Pierce
9. Jamal Crawford
10. Joe Johnson

Honorable mention: Monta Ellis, Manu Ginobili, Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin, Vince Carter

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  • zawon

    did anyone see manu fake out the whole thunder team last night? how many times have you seen manu go past an entire team while attacking the rim and finish with an and-one? why can’t any dime writer acknowledge any spurs greatness beside tim duncan’s? questions.

    p.s.-lebron just blindly attacks and hopes to get bailed out by the refs. def. doesn’t deserve to be that high on the list.

  • pdxballer

    I gotta say, and I know I’m not in the popular opinion on this, but I think Brandon Roy has top 5 one on one scoring, but because he’s in Nate Mcmillan’s system (which isn’t designed for quite the outlandish numbers of some other teams) he gets a little overlooked. At the same time, however, many people don’t see all his moves just because not that many people outside of Portland (and dedicated fans) see all Blazers games and I understand it makes it harder to (in my opinion) properly rate him. Brandon Roy can post up and from there perform up and understand, fade-aways and drop steps and out of the triple threat, he can shoot or take his man off the dribble and has a nasty crossover. So therefore I think he also one of the most versatile one on one games. Now, without further adieu, this is MY top 10 one on one scorers list:

    1. Kobe Bryant
    2. Lebron James
    3. Carmelo Anthony
    4. Brandon Roy
    5. Dwyane Wade
    6. Kevin Durant
    7. Dirk Nowitski
    8. Jamal Crawford
    9. Monta Ellis
    10. Manu Ginobilli

    Finally, I understand that based on what everyone based their lists on their own experiences and opinions and these are just mine, so if you disagree, explain why rationally.

    1.

  • ash

    dirk is top 5 for sure. he has the most unstoppable shot in the nba..he gets that shot off even when people know exactly what he is gonna do. dribble to the free throw line, fadeawya off one leg, money….

    for the people suggesting flip murray, rafer alston…cmon…these guys are not go to crunch time scorers in the nba…they cant shoot for shit

  • LakeShow84

    Oh fasho its a gametime situation!!

    1. Lebron
    2. Melo
    3. Kobe
    4. Dwade
    5. Durant
    6. Manu
    7. JoeJohn
    8. BRoy
    9. Pierce
    10. DerOn

    Had to bump Vince.. cant believe i forgot Dwade.. Big whoops lol

  • http://stonerodco.com Dennis stone

    since Koby said the other day that Brandon roy was the only other player in the league with no hole in his game besides himself ,and ron artest says he is the hardest player to gaurd i pick Roy as no lower than second on a list such as this one.

  • control

    Damn, gametime situation? Only to get a score? Not make a play/pass/etc? AB, you gotta mention those qualifiers straight up, not 50 comments in :P

    That changes things…I think Duncan needs to be slipped on to the list in that case. Even with him starting to show his age, he has the best fundamentals in the league, you know he’s going to do the absolute right play at all times (even break hearts with his first 3 of the season).

    Bosh slips right off the list, for some reason he just does a fadeaway when the Raps NEED a bucket. Guy has to grow a set and rip the rim off…

    I’d take Joe Johnson off the list too (not that far off), from what I’ve seen, he shrinks in 1on1 situations.

    I’d add Tyreke, rook has some crazy fucking moves in game situations.

  • LakeShow84

    Honestly i need to watch of more Tyreke Evans..

    I would like to tweak my list a little too..

    1. Lebron
    1a/2. Melo
    3. Kobe*
    4. Dwade
    5. Durant
    5a/6. BRoy
    7. Manu
    8. DWill
    9. Joe Johnson
    10. Pierce*

    * Should be higher but banged up.. or just playing for the GRIM green.. lol jk beantown, had to..

    @ Ian

    I had to give Brandon Roy the SLIGHTEST bit at the moment lol but Ginobli is starting to look vintage again and dude was a top 10-15 player in the league not too long ago.. it would certainly make the playoffs interesting..

  • F.L.A.S.H.

    yea 8,9,10 all over roy, roy is a good solid all round player that is terribly overrated

  • Derrick

    hey dime you always doin the best this the best that. so i was wondering if u can make a list of the best ballhandlers in the league.

  • Ian

    lakeshow
    make the playoffs interesting?? jefferson will fuck it up alone.

    with the new rules duncan is in the list.

  • Dre

    Lebron is the best but JC is so serious. I would move Dirk below PP and move JC just ahead of B. Roy.

  • http://www.blueballs.net Chicagorilla

    So if we take away the refs, and we put all the NBA players into a pick up game in a random gym. You’re telling me Lebron would be picked up in the top 10? without the help of David Stern or a whistle? f^^^^k no! Everyone in the right mind will pick Shaq or Tim Duncan first and second. Then Melo, Wade, Kobe, and the rest of them. No one is picking Paul Pierce in the first 25 spots. Hell if you want PP, just take Tyreke Evans since they are the same player.

    Oh and yes i’m a Chicagoan, so why is Derrick Rose not mentioned at all? you’re telling me, after watching the playoffs, you would want Derrick starring you down instead of PP or Joe johnson? I’ll take that bet every single time.

  • killa cam

    @Chicagorilla

    you sir are a moron. In your scenario of course Bron gets picked in the top 3 (probably 1st 9 times out of 10). No one is picking Shaq or Duncan first. If as a captain you REALLY wanted to go big Dwight is top dog. Stop living in the past.

  • http://bbs.hoopchina.com yagami90

    are you kidding me?
    The best 1-on-1 Scorers must be an insider Scorers like Tim Duncan or Yao Ming.

  • http://www.blueballs.net Chicagorilla

    @63

    I’m a moron, but you’re telling me in a pick up game with no refs, you would pick Dwight before Shaq/Duncan? Its not even worth debating you on this topic, in this battle of wits, you are clearly unarmed.

  • http://dimemag.com CP3fan

    1. Kobe
    2. Melo
    3. Wade
    4. Bron
    5. Durant
    6. Jamal Crawford (I’m mean get real 1on1 who can really stop him)
    7. Broy (is not overrated if anything thing is underrated he will be the second if not the best SG in the league when Kobe retires)
    8. Chris Paul (some of the sickest handles in the league and can finish with contact around the rim)
    9. Dirk (Jumpshot is nearly impossible for anybody to stop)
    10. Manu (one of the best playmakers in the league right now)

  • Patrick

    10 Best 1-on-1 Scorers in the NBA? With this question, I’m thinking of 10 players who isolate frequently, are very versatile on offense, and can explode for at least 45 points on any given night. I’ve provided descriptions for my top 5.

    1a. Kobe – Most polished offensive game in the L, scored 81
    1b. Melo – Possibly more versatile than Kobe, can post-up with a great array of moves, has a great jumper(mid-range and long-range) that in my opinion is the best looking shot in the L, has a lot of moves off the dribble that, along with one of the quickest first steps in the L, allows him to get to the basket anytime he wants, very strong inside with put-backs, lay-ups, and dunks, gets to the free-throw line most often in L
    2. LeBron – Sheer athleticism, size, strength, speed, and quickness allows him to get easy baskets on the break and in the half-court, although jumper is inconsistent, has very deep range
    3. Durant – Improving rapidly, has total package of skills in a power foward(at least height-wise) frame. Great jumper with some of the greatest range in the L, has mid-range game and short floaters and bank-shots down pat, quick off dribble with great moves. Will probably overtake LeBron as a scorer but not an overall player
    4. D-Wade – Shreds defenses very often by slicing through the lane with unbelievable dribble-drive moves, gets to the line often, goot mid-range jumber and improving long range 3-point shot, great floaters, bankers, and all the trick shots around basket, extremely quick, fast, and explosive
    5. Dirk – Tremendous jumper that’s impossible to defend given his height and where he releases the ball, good post-up game that supplements his great mid-range and long-range game effectively, lacks explosiveness and moves off dribble that the above mentioned players possess
    6. Brandon Roy
    7. Monta Ellis
    8. Joe Johnson
    9. Al Harrington
    10. Paul Pierce

    Honorable Mention : Chris Bosh, Manu, Jamal Crawford, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans

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