Since NBA All-Star weekend, I’ve heard numerous discuss the opportunity of a NBA one-on-one competitors. It is a rising phase of the sport and Sounds enjoyable to me.
Now, it makes an enormous distinction in 1 v. 1 competitors if there are limitless dribbles and/or no shot clock in comparison with a dribble restrict and a shot clock. Simply ask Tennessee Volunteer legend Ron Slay what can occur while you play an outdated man sharp shooter with a two dribble restrict.
Whatever the construction of 1 on one competitors, getting buckets is crucial to successful basketball video games. One of the best do it inside the context of the workforce and the sport. Some are gifted sufficient to create the context.
Have you ever ever had that feeling of “he higher not move that ball”? I’ve.
I used to be making that assertion recognized Wednesday night time whereas watching Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr. and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. put up superb scoring numbers in an epic 117-115 double extra time win by Alabama over visiting Arkansas.
Breaking Down Labaron Philon’s Recreation
Let’s begin with Philon. The 6-4, 185-pound sophomore is a bucket generator. He will get his personal at 21.3 factors per sport, inserting him at No. 13 on the Division One scoring chart previous to Wednesday night time’s sport. He additionally averages 5 assists to 2.7 turnovers per sport.
One terrific side of Philon’s sport is how he passes out of decide and roll conditions when it’s the acceptable resolution. When the correct resolution is for him to attain, it’s a comparatively simple resolution for Philon to make. The enjoyable resolution for me to look at is when there isn’t any evident resolution and he lowers his shoulders and wiggles by the protection.
A LEGACY GAME FOR LABARON PHILON JR. AND THE CRIMSON TIDE 🔥
No. 25 Alabama wins it in a 2OT thriller vs. No. 20 Arkansas 😤 pic.twitter.com/3ywI0XLdVK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 19, 2026
Philon’s NBA Comp
There’s a slipperiness to his sport that jogs my memory of one in every of my all time favourite one on one scorers Jamal Crawford. Philon is a nightmare to defend simply as Crawford was. Publish Wednesday night time, he’s averaging 21.8 factors and 50.8 % taking pictures from the sector and 39.5 % from behind the arc.
And one factor all of us want to bear in mind when speaking about elite scorers is that they take the hardest pictures on the court docket. Arguing unhealthy shot choice nearly at all times falls on deaf ears from me as a result of somebody has to take the powerful pictures and infrequently up towards the clock. So so far as I’m involved, you may add on to these already spectacular taking pictures percentages.
On the night time towards Alabama, Philon went 11-21 from the sector, 3-8 from behind the arc and 10-13 from the road for 35 factors together with seven assists to 2 turnovers.
He was spectacular to say the least and withdrawing for the 2025 NBA Draft is starting to appear like it is going to repay.
Breaking Down Darius Acuff’s Recreation
Now, in terms of his cohort Darius Acuff Jr., it would not appear like he’ll be withdrawing from the 2026 Draft for any purpose and will likely be in a Hogs uniform for just one season.
Acuff was the No. 14 scorer in Division One at 21.2 factors per sport going into Wednesday night time’s sport. After scoring 49 level the double extra time loss (16-27 from the sector, 6-10 from behind the arc and 11-12 on the line), he left the sport averaging 22.3 factors per sport. The 6-3, 190-pound freshman additionally registered 5 assists to just one turnover.
He’s now averaging 22.3 factors per sport on 50.9 % taking pictures from the sector, 44.3 % from behind the arc. His assists to turnover ratio is 3-1 (6.2 per sport to 2 per sport).
Acuff’s power with the basketball is what stands out to me. Positive he can get to the rim, however he’s additionally extraordinarily able to getting separation at a second’s discover and pop his pull up jumper.
Freshman Darius Acuff with among the finest performances we have seen all season 🤯
49 PTS | 16-27 FG | 6-10 3PT | 5 REB | 5 AST | 50 MINS pic.twitter.com/guNnS1XBPe
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) February 19, 2026
Dame Time 2.0?
To supply the supply himself, I just like the comparability Acuff has made for himself with Damian Lillard of the Portland Path Blazers. Each see the court docket whereas seeking to rating with power and vary. Acuff was extra highly-regarded and recruited out of highschool, however may he get drafted on the similar quantity or in the identical vary (No. 6) as Lillard? Some assume that might be a wise NBA entrance workplace transfer!
Backside line is, nobody needs to defend both of those gamers when they’re searching for buckets. And the nice factor for his or her groups is each can produce factors out of nothing. They create the alternatives with their power, wiggle, and elite scoring and passing mixture.
They each put forth a terrific efficiency on Wednesday, and will likely be enjoyable to look at in March.
