Power Rank the best defenders for Zion of all time...

mdonnelly1989 · Post #1 » by **mdonnelly1989** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 5:26 am

Was speaking with someone about who the best defender for Zion would be...

Its almost certainly probably Dennis Rodman when you factor his position, strength, tenacity and defensive capabilites...

But what about guys like

2013 Lebron?

Peak Defensive KG?

Peak Defensive Ron Artest?

What about a guy like Wilt? or Bill Russell?

These are some really fun match ups to think about...

You have to be able to find someone who is a BULL for strength while also VERY quick on their feet. There aren't too many players with the blend of strength and agility to match Zion from getting to the basket with ease...

(Kind of funny how you could go literally anywhere between a SF to a C)

SHAQ32 · Post #2 » by **SHAQ32** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 5:45 am

It's gonna be tough regardless, but I think someone like Gerald Wallace would be a decent matchup for Zion. There are better defenders, for sure, but Crash has the grit, motor, and athleticism.

AussieBuck · Post #3 » by **AussieBuck** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 8:04 am

I mean Giannis is currently in the league, plays his position and has successfully defended him over the small amount of possessions they've gone against each other?

70sFan · Post #4 » by **70sFan** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 10:16 am

You need someone very strong and quick, preferably with length advantage. Given Giannis relative success against him, I'd take Nate Thurmond, who was longer and stronger than Giannnis, while being very quick himself.

McBubbles · Post #5 » by **McBubbles** » Sat Dec 10, 2022 4:55 pm

Why is 2013 LeBron on this list? Miami Bron struggled against a post-prime David West lol.

90sAllDecade · Post #6 » by **90sAllDecade** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 12:57 am

Olajuwon guarded Shaq, Robinson, Kemp, Karl Malone, etc. as well as you can guard unstoppable greats at times and often dominated or outplayed them in playoff series, making them work on the defensive end. I think he's the pick personally.

SHAQ32 · Post #7 » by **SHAQ32** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 1:06 am

90sAllDecade wrote:Olajuwon guarded Shaq, Robinson, Kemp, Karl Malone, etc. as well as you can guard unstoppable greats at times and often dominated or outplayed them in playoff series, making them work on the defensive end. I think he's the pick personally.

Except for 96. Kemp went off on the Rockets.

MyUniBroDavis · Post #8 » by **MyUniBroDavis** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 1:13 am

70sFan wrote:You need someone very strong and quick, preferably with length advantage. Given Giannis relative success against him, I'd take Nate Thurmond, who was longer and stronger than Giannnis, while being very quick himself.

I didn’t watch last year, but Zion did pretty well against the bucks outside of his rookie year right?

mdonnelly1989 · Post #9 » by **mdonnelly1989** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 3:48 am

SHAQ32 wrote:It's gonna be tough regardless, but I think someone like Gerald Wallace would be a decent matchup for Zion. There are better defenders, for sure, but Crash has the grit, motor, and athleticism.

I don't know how I forgot about Giannis wow.

AussieBuck · Post #10 » by **AussieBuck** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 4:03 am

MyUniBroDavis wrote:
70sFan wrote:You need someone very strong and quick, preferably with length advantage. Given Giannis relative success against him, I'd take Nate Thurmond, who was longer and stronger than Giannnis, while being very quick himself.

I didn’t watch last year, but Zion did pretty well against the bucks outside of his rookie year right?

Struggles with Giannis, cooks Lopez with footspeed.

70sFan · Post #11 » by **70sFan** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 7:12 am

MyUniBroDavis wrote:
70sFan wrote:You need someone very strong and quick, preferably with length advantage. Given Giannis relative success against him, I'd take Nate Thurmond, who was longer and stronger than Giannnis, while being very quick himself.

I didn’t watch last year, but Zion did pretty well against the bucks outside of his rookie year right?

Not against Giannis individually, at least based on what I have seen.