[MediaArtist]

Karl Malone was 6'9 265 pounds himself, he would have no problem hand checking Lebron. He was one of the most physical defenders of his time. If Lebron couldn't physically man handle Kevin Garnett whenever LBJ had to face the Celtics, I highly doubt he could man handle a much stronger, and physical guy like Malone who actually played in the "hard as f***" era.

I don't know how Lebron would have played during the hand checking era of hard nosed 1 on 1 defense, but I do know that Lebron acts like a $10 blow up doll caught in a hurricane when guys like JR Smith (all 210 pounds of him) barely nudge him going for a loose ball.