Former NFL Star Ochocinco Beat LeBron James And Other NBA Stars In 1 On 1 Without A Dribble Limit

Chad Johnson, better known as Ochocinco, claims to have beaten LeBron James and other NBA legends in 1-on-1 games.

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Credit: Fadeaway World

Former NFL star Chad Johnson, better known as Ochocinco, appeared on ‘The Roommates Podcast’ with Knicks stars Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson, revealing that he not only beat LeBron James in a 1-on-1 but also other NBA legends such as Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony. 

“I play pickup with everybody. I beat him. LeBron has lost, they’ll say I’m joking around but I’m not. Anytime you step on the court, you have to take it seriously… When you do anything competitive, it’s bragging rights. It’s the right to talk trash… Carmelo’s lost, D-Wade, Westbrook was easy work.”

Ochocinco then explained the specific rules under which he does 1v1’s, saying he doesn’t play with a dribble limit.

“Y’all play dribble limit? I don’t do that, never heard of that.”

(Starts at 7:32)

Claiming to have a win over LeBron James in 1-on-1 basketball is extremely impressive. We will never know if Ochocinco is telling the truth unless JJ Redick decides to ask LeBron about this during their next episode of the ‘Mind The Game’ podcast. 

Ochocinco has always been respected in NBA circles, with many previously attesting to his playing availability. Even on the podcast, Ochocinco made it clear that he chose to play in the NFL over pursuing an NBA career, flexing his athletic versatility. Knowing how talented he was as an NFL player, it’s entirely possible he could have been in the NBA if he chose to dedicate his life to basketball instead of football.


LeBron James Went Off On People Talking About 1-On-1 Basketball In The NBA

LeBron James has often had to see criticism about his game, with many saying he likely wouldn’t be successful playing ones because his skill set enhances team basketball. It’s ludicrous to say the man who has the most points in NBA history couldn’t cook 99% of NBA players in history, but James has weathered these comments for years. 

James attacked the notion of hyping up 1-on-1 battles in the NBA in the first episode of the ‘Mind The Game’ podcast.

“Everyone is a narrative of this thing called, I have a bag, or he doesn’t have a bag. It bothers the f**k out of me.” Everyone thinks just because you get a favorable matchup that means one-on-one time. That’s all you hear the kids talk about now, you wanna play ones? Like what the f**k is this, this is not Jordan vs Bird Nintendo. Like this is five on five.”

It’s clear LeBron isn’t a fan of overvaluing one-on-one games, but he’s known to always be willing to compete like this in practice with teammates. Michael Beasley has gone on record to say he and LeBron used to play ones a lot, but never in front of people.

If you’re working on your game to be impactful at the NBA level, focusing on one-on-one ability might hurt your career over time. James has developed a full arsenal of tools to impact the game, which also includes going 1-on-1 when required.

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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