People (mainly NBA analysts) think that Prince is such a great defender because he bothers players with his wingspan and quickness on his feet. His wingspan also allows him to block from difficult angles. Many people think this because of the defensive job he did on Kobe in the 2004 NBA Finals. Most of that credit should go to the Wallace boys inside, because every time Kobe wanted to turn to the basket, he'd be reluctant to go inside to face them. I believe people gave him too much credit for that, and after watching this year's playoffs I have to disagree about Prince's 'great' defense.Tayshaun Prince is about as good as Jared Jeffries on defense. He's versatile, has long arms, and both players are a bit thin which sometimes comes to their disadvantage when they're guarding players underneath the basket. LeBron killed Prince in the Eastern conference semifinals, averaging closer to a triple-double than in the round before. Wade also kills Prince in the Eastern conference finals. I know some specific superstar players cant be shut down, but Prince didnt even make these guys work on offense. A big reason why Cavs took the Pistons to 7 games is because of the Prince-LeBron matchup.What do you guys think?
Is he an overrated defender? To an extent. I mean when guys like Greg Anthony and Tim Legler, and guys like them, get all on Tayshaun's jockstrap about how great of a defender he is, yes that is overrating him a bit.But no question in my mind he is a damn good defender that is very versatile on the defensive end. He is about 6'8''-6'9'', but his unbelivable length makes him seem 6'11'' sometimes. That's why he is such a good shot blocker. Plus he hustles his ass off every play of the game and runs the floor. He can stick with you and disrupt your shot as well as send the shot right back to you.Is he on the same level of defense as Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest? No, but he's a top 5-7 perimiter defender in the NBA. Let's not try and knock on every Piston now just because they couldn't cut it this year. Damn, they get half the respect they deserve, really. I mean twice in a row they have been in the Finals, once they have won, and they have been in the Eastern Conference Finals the last 3 years, winning 2 of those 3. Give them some respect and let's not start knocking on them.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jun 10 2006, 09:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Is he an overrated defender? To an extent. I mean when guys like Greg Anthony and Tim Legler, and guys like them, get all on Tayshaun's jockstrap about how great of a defender he is, yes that is overrating him a bit.But no question in my mind he is a damn good defender that is very versatile on the defensive end. He is about 6'8''-6'9'', but his unbelivable length makes him seem 6'11'' sometimes. That's why he is such a good shot blocker. Plus he hustles his ass off every play of the game and runs the floor. He can stick with you and disrupt your shot as well as send the shot right back to you.Is he on the same level of defense as Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest? No, but he's a top 5-7 perimiter defender in the NBA. Let's not try and knock on every Piston now just because they couldn't cut it this year. Damn, they get half the respect they deserve, really. I mean twice in a row they have been in the Finals, once they have won, and they have been in the Eastern Conference Finals the last 3 years, winning 2 of those 3. Give them some respect and let's not start knocking on them.</div>I thin he really is a great defender. I mean he did struggle against LeBron but I mean its LeBron. Hes sch a great scorer and is hard to be stopped by anyone. If anything Prince might be a bit overated but nothing more than that. Im not saying hell become an all nba first defensive team type of player though. I can see him maybe makign the second team in the future though.
Yep, let's call someone overrated because he can't guard Lebron James. I mean, Lebron is really easy to guard and so is wade I do find him overrated because some people call him a top 3 defender in the league but not because he can't guard a lebron or wade.
I think he is, a little.Yes, he has a long arm span, but he also has arguably the best shotblocking big men in the league. He is allowed to try to smother his man bc he is not afraid to get beat, as he has the best second line of defense in basketball. I remember Paul Pierce saying he would be first team all-defense if he had Ben and Rasheed Wallace to back him up.
Here's what you guys are forgetting:Normally, when Tayshaun gets beaten one-on-one, he has players behind him to stop the progress of the opponent, hence making Tayshaun look better. That's why Tayshaun, Bruce Bowen are so good and are able to grab and hold so much, because even if they fouled out, even if they get beaten, they have teammates who'll step in.During these playoffs, the Pistons played horrible help defense. How many times did you see DWade waltz in for a layup after beating one defender? We also ahve to remember that if DWade wasn't hitting a 5 footer, he was hitting fade-away threes at the buzzer.The stats are somewhat misleading, because Wade didn't shoot alot, and hit some real "one in a million" shots. (He still had an unreal series however)So, to an extent, I think Tayshaun gets a little too much credit for his defense because his team does alot of the work for him. However, you can't blame him for getting lit up by LeBron and Dwayne
Tayshaun is not overrated on defense. Some of you will call me bias, but I see him play every game, most of your opinions are based on a handful of playoff games. He is one of the better defenders in the league because of his length and size. He is quick with both his hands and feet, which allow him to get in front of other players. He might not be considered a shut down defender, but no one I have seen has called him that. He just plays good hard defense every night. By the way, he barely defended Wade for the series against the Heat, Richard Hamilton had that burden. To say Tayshaun is overrated I think is wrong. I think the media tells it like it is in this case and have it right when they say he is a top ten defender in the league.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pistonfan11 @ Jun 15 2006, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Tayshaun is not overrated on defense. Some of you will call me bias, but I see him play every game, most of your opinions are based on a handful of playoff games. He is one of the better defenders in the league because of his length and size. He is quick with both his hands and feet, which allow him to get in front of other players. He might not be considered a shut down defender, but no one I have seen has called him that. He just plays good hard defense every night. By the way, he barely defended Wade for the series against the Heat, Richard Hamilton had that burden. To say Tayshaun is overrated I think is wrong. I think the media tells it like it is in this case and have it right when they say he is a top ten defender in the league.</div>I agree he is deff a top 10 defender in the league.
He might be a little overrated to some of the analysists who love everyone and anyone (aka Bill Walton), but Tayshaun is still an amazing defender. His wingspan is most of the reason why he is a great defender, but his quickness getting from offense to defense is a huge reason why he is the defender that he is.Don't forget, he stepped his game up offensively this post season. Thus, he's not everywhere on the court at once. That's one excuse why he was subpar with his defensive standards.Nonetheless, he is a key reason that the Pistons are contenders every year. Along with every other starter, but with out him, you can kiss our title hopes goodbye.
I agree with SunnyD. The analysts do overhype him somewhat and it's not his fault. He is still a great young defender. Just look at the guy he has the body, although he may want to gain some weight, but his arms are crazy. And on top of the physical attributes. You got the way he plays the game. His mentality is right where it needs to be for a younger player as he is. He seems to be a humble guy, which isn't a bad thing but steps on the court day in and day out and gives it all he's got. His mental mindset and physical attributes are there and that's why he is a great defender.
Well anytime you have a great defensive anchor like Ben Wallace and a Great Backup defensive anchor like Mcdeyss and sheed, you're gonna have a little bit of overatting. None the less I think Tay is a great defender and is able to lockdown the Sg and SF on a nighly basis. Ask any pro player or go out and play yourself and see how hard it is to be defended by someone with arms like that. I mean he's no Bruce Bowen on the feet but he's definetly 2nd team d. As for the 2004 finals the white girl locked Kobe down.
Prince is a top 5 perimeter defender in the league in my opinion and alot of people would agree with me. But some people worship him for it and i think that is unfair because he has alot of great help defense. Of course people arent going to drive as much when u have big ben and rasheed down low.Prince is a top 5 perimeter defender in the league in my opinion and alot of people would agree with me. But some people worship him for it and i think that is unfair because he has alot of great help defense. Of course people arent going to drive as much when u have big ben and rasheed down low.
