I mean, really. Now I've been a basketball fan since I was 4. I knew he was the best player at the time (and now, of all time), but i'm not so sure about his defense. Can someone school me on just how great his defense really was? (No Jordan bias please). Was he a great one-on-one defender? Weakside defender? Was it overrated? Underrated? Where would he rank all time among perimeter defenders? Defenders in general? I mean, as sad as this question may seem to big Jordan fans.. I hated the dude growing up (making my damn uncles and friends cry everytime he knocked them outta the playoffs).
His defense was amazing. He was great at help side, and a very good one-on-one defender. i suggest u pick up the ultimate jordan dvd if you can force yourself as a knicks fan to watch it.
His defense was oustanding he could shut any player down. He had 100 blocks and steals in the same season.
^^Thats WAY to tough to say, but for all time best defenders among superstar guards, i'd take him over anyone.
It was really good!.. Some people say his defense was too-overrated. but i dont think thats true. He was a great defensive player and thats why he won a DPOY award. People said that he wasn't good at defense. And that it was overrated because he was mainly an offensive player. That isn't true because he was good at both.
truly a great defender,he could shut down any one phil whanted him to. people sometimes forget what a good defender he was becuase of his offensive prowess.
Many people have said that he wasn't even the best defender on his team in the the 90s, Scottie Pippen was. This is not my opinion, I barely watched him back then...... that ass.
He had superior length, strength, and quickness for a SG. Also great timing and anticipation. Basically he had all the tools needed to be an exceptional defender. He wasn't known for his defense until he'd been in the league for a few years. He quickly became known as one of the best perimeter defenders in the game. In the 90s, Pippen became the Bulls' best perimeter defender, but Jordan was always very good. As he got older, he conserved his energy a bit more on the defensive end. After the first comeback, Pippen and Harper took the toughest defensive assignments. But Jordan could still be counted on to make strong defensive plays off the ball. When he came to the Wizards, and his offensive skills were clearly waning, his defense was still notable. It also didn't hurt that he had the refs in his corner.
Jordans defense was excellent. I do feel however that Pippen was a bit better. Alot of hand checking back in those years too. Jordan was not only gifted physically, he mentally took you out of the game. When he used that stare down while you brought the ball upcourt towards him, he had you beat already.
i really dont think scottie was better. He was a lot longer, and jsut took the tougher assignment to allow MJ to tear it up on the offensive end
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">i really dont think scottie was better. He was a lot longer, and jsut took the tougher assignment to allow MJ to tear it up on the offensive end </div>I don't get it..doesn't that mean he was better? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jordan was not only gifted physically, he mentally took you out of the game. When he used that stare down while you brought the ball upcourt towards him, he had you beat already.</div> I thought he was one of the most physically gifted guards ever?
I don't know if I'd agree that Pippen was better. I think it depended on the matchup. Pippen had more length, but Jordan (younger one) had more quickness and strength, and was also a stronger player (better post defender). They were both very good though, and any difference between them is minimal. Just to talk about Jordan, he was an excellent defender, he could guard anyone from the 1-3. In addition to his man to man defense, he was also an excellent help defender, rotating, doubling down, coming from the weakside, playing the lanes without gambling like a matador, etc.
was good. but M.jordan isnt really known for his defence, known for his dunks and his ability of jumping really high(hugh hop)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't get it..doesn't that mean he was better? I thought he was one of the most physically gifted guards ever?</div> He meant that he was gifted physically and he could mentally beat you. Just by the way he stared at you. He was already in your head because you dobted you could score on him
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting authentiq:</div><div class="quote_post">Many people have said that he wasn't even the best defender on his team in the the 90s, Scottie Pippen was. This is not my opinion, I barely watched him back then...... that ass.</div> So this is why you picked Shaq to beat MJ 1 on 1. You're biased against Jordan! Jordan used to kill the Knicks. Defensively also. One play on defense Ewing was shooting fadeaway and Jordan came from the help side and swatted that out of bounds. It was one of the greatest blocks I've ever seen. The young Michael Jordan was the greatest player ever no doubt.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So this is why you picked Shaq to beat MJ 1 on 1. You're biased against Jordan!</div>Naw, no bias against Jordan....but let's be honest. A young 310 lbs. Shaq with amazing quickness and brute strength coulda beat Michael's ass.
