Better Defensively: Tim Duncan or Admiral

mdonnelly1989 · Post #1 » by **mdonnelly1989** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 10:49 pm

Who was better defensively at their peaks?

LA Bird · Post #2 » by **LA Bird** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:00 pm

Popovich: "If there's a better all-around defender than David, I haven't seen him. Some guys win defensive player of the year just for blocking shots, but David blocks shots, plays great help defense, draws charges and gets his hand in the passing lanes. He's a tremendously versatile defender, a better defender than Tim, and that's what we wanted to take advantage of."

SHAQ32 · Post #3 » by **SHAQ32** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:07 pm

And Popovich didn't even see true prime defensive David Robinson

Dr Spaceman · Post #4 » by **Dr Spaceman** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:09 pm

SHAQ32 wrote:And Popovich didn't even see true prime defensive David Robinson

He did. He was GM.

I'm glad that these discussions are happening really frequently around here. Historical defensive players can have sort of an ephemeral quality at times, as people struggle to provide evidence that isn't nailed down by statistics, since we don't have them.

My answer is Robinson, and I'm steadfast in this. I'll break it down for people if they wish.

Shot Clock · Post #5 » by **Shot Clock** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:26 pm

Robinson, even post peak Robinson was a monster defender. And he regularly took the best opposing big regardless of position.

mdonnelly1989 · Post #6 » by **mdonnelly1989** » Wed Apr 15, 2015 11:49 pm

Dr Spaceman wrote:
SHAQ32 wrote:And Popovich didn't even see true prime defensive David Robinson

He did. He was GM.

I'm glad that these discussions are happening really frequently around here. Historical defensive players can have sort of an ephemeral quality at times, as people struggle to provide evidence that isn't nailed down by statistics, since we don't have them.

My answer is Robinson, and I'm steadfast in this. I'll break it down for people if they wish.

I'm assuming what you mean by ephemeral you mean subjective? And not based on facts considering not sound tangible #'s at defense.

Post #7 » by **Texas Chuck** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 12:15 am

David Robinson is better defensively than anyone not named Bill Russell and that includes Dream, Deke, Thurmond, Wallace, KG, whomever you want to name.

Duncan is a great defender in his own right, but Robinson was better.

lorak · Post #8 » by **lorak** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 12:39 am

How many good offensive bigs did Robinson limit in the playoffs before Duncan? How Spurs defense was doing in the playoffs before Tim?

Post #9 » by **penbeast0** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 1:50 am

lorak wrote:How many good offensive bigs did Robinson limit in the playoffs before Duncan? How Spurs defense was doing in the playoffs before Tim?

I don't think you are asking the right question. It should be, "How many teams did a Robinson led team limit in the playoffs before Duncan and how important to the defense were the players around him?" (2nd question you asked is much more relevant)

The key to most of the great defensive centers is their ability to play help defense and make opponents attempts to work the ball in for high percentage shots less efficient. That's why today's 3 point dominant teams limit the impact of a great defensive center much more than any time in history; it's not mainly about man defense in the post.

Joao Saraiva · Post #10 » by **Joao Saraiva** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 1:59 am

Chuck Texas wrote:David Robinson is better defensively than anyone not named Bill Russell and that includes Dream, Deke, Thurmond, Wallace, KG, whomever you want to name.

Duncan is a great defender in his own right, but Robinson was better.

I feel Hakeem was the best defender I've ever seen.

In 1994 basically no other Rocket offered rim protection, and Hakeem by himself made them a brilliant team closing the paint. He made star after star much less efficient in the playoffs.

I don't think the gap is big, but I'd still give the edge to Hakeem. That playoff run was something special.