The idea of a one-on-one NBA tournament has been floated among fans for quite a while, but if you ask Giannis Antetokounmpo, it's something of a moot point. In the eyes of the Bucks star, there’s no player in basketball who could take him in a 1-on-1 matchup.
During NBA All-Star Weekend’s media day, Antetokounmpo was asked if there’s anyone in the league who could beat him in a solo showdown. The former MVP had a confident response, putting himself a step ahead of the crowd in that regard.
“There’s no one-on-one in my world. There’s me playing against two guys, three guys, four guys. One-on-one isn’t my thing. It’s impossible,” said Antetokounmpo, via BasketballNews.com.
Those comments will certainly raise some eyebrows among his peers across the league. Giannis wasn’t lacking any confidence, laughing off the question about whether there’s a worthy competitor out there in a one-on-one environment.
Having been selected to his seventh All-Star Game, Antetokounmpo is enjoying another sensational season in 2022-23. The 28-year-old is averaging 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. He commands the attention of multiple defenders every time he enters the paint, referencing the “Giannis Wall” tactic opposing teams have deployed against him.
Due to his mix of size, speed and strength, Antetokounmpo is one of the truly impossible to guard players in the NBA, and he has yet to encounter anyone he thinks would get the better of him in a head-to-head matchup.
