Better defender - Karl Malone or Kobe Bryant

[migya]

Who was the better defender for peak and career - Malone or Kobe?

[Jaivl]

Peak: Malone
Career: Malone

The career one is not even remotely close IMO.

[70sFan]

Malone and I don't find it close.

[Gibson22]

Yes, Malone. Maybe kobe is slightly highrer position/size relative but as far as real value it's not close at all

[rk2023]

Bryant at the peak of his defensive powers (99-00), Malone in a career sense

[One_and_Done]

Peak: Malone
Career: Malone

The career one is not even remotely close IMO.

Pretty much this.

[Cavsfansince84]

Malone's willingness to be physical on a night to night basis was really a strong part of his defense. Plus his general mean/dirty streak was a rim deterrent even if he didn't block many shots.

[penbeast0]

Karl Malone has the advantage of being a big. Kobe is probably better for a 2 in his early seasons than Malone for a 4. As time went on, though, this disappeared.

[Im Your Father]

So like for these big vs small defensive comparisons is it a question of defensive value, or defensive value over replacement.

I can see the argument for Kobe in the latter, but obviously the former will be difficult for a guard vs an above average big.

I think Kobe at his peak was a better defensive 2 than Malone was a 4, but for many years both based on attitude and also offensive load, he was a neutral to negative defender at least during the regular season.

That being said, I think if I'm building an elite defense, Malone isn't really the archetype I'd look for at PF.

[migya]

I think Malone overall was a better defender in both but Kobe is getting underrated a bit here. He may not be as good as all those defensive team selections but he was among the best SG defenders in his prime.

This leads to the conclusion that Malone was a better player overall for career and likely prime. I rate him higher than Kobe and just outside the top ten.

[Jaivl]

This leads to the conclusion that Malone was a better player overall for career and likely prime. I rate him higher than Kobe and just outside the top ten.

Woah, woah, chill. That's not the question being asked, at all. Kobe is leaps and bounds ahead as an offensive player.

[One_and_Done]

Karl Malone was a better player.

[Primedeion]

Kobe peaked higher. Second best defensive guard in the league at his best (01). Malone was more consistent.

[therealbig3]

This leads to the conclusion that Malone was a better player overall for career and likely prime. I rate him higher than Kobe and just outside the top ten.

Woah, woah, chill. That's not the question being asked, at all. Kobe is leaps and bounds ahead as an offensive player.

Trying to equate K. Malone and Kobe Bryant as offensive players is laughable to me, but I keep seeing it happen, this isn’t the first thread that’s done that, despite the thread title.

Kinda knew this was going to be a “well if K. Malone is better defensively, then isn’t he better overall because his offense was nearly as good and he played longer!” thread, because the answer for the OP is obvious and nobody really debates that.

[migya]

This leads to the conclusion that Malone was a better player overall for career and likely prime. I rate him higher than Kobe and just outside the top ten.

Woah, woah, chill. That's not the question being asked, at all. Kobe is leaps and bounds ahead as an offensive player.

Trying to equate K. Malone and Kobe Bryant as offensive players is laughable to me, but I keep seeing it happen, this isn’t the first thread that’s done that, despite the thread title.

Kinda knew this was going to be a “well if K. Malone is better defensively, then isn’t he better overall because his offense was nearly as good and he played longer!” thread, because the answer for the OP is obvious and nobody really debates that.

Defensively it doesn't standout as obvious as Kobe got so many defensive selections.

Nothing showing that Kobe was a better offensive player. Malone's foul drawing ability stands out probably more than anything else between them.

[therealbig3]

Woah, woah, chill. That's not the question being asked, at all. Kobe is leaps and bounds ahead as an offensive player.

Trying to equate K. Malone and Kobe Bryant as offensive players is laughable to me, but I keep seeing it happen, this isn’t the first thread that’s done that, despite the thread title.

Kinda knew this was going to be a “well if K. Malone is better defensively, then isn’t he better overall because his offense was nearly as good and he played longer!” thread, because the answer for the OP is obvious and nobody really debates that.

Defensively it doesn't standout as obvious as Kobe got so many defensive selections.

Nothing showing that Kobe was a better offensive player. Malone's foul drawing ability stands out probably more than anything else between them.

Ball handling? Passing? Creating off the dribble? PnR passing? Outside shooting? Shot creation? Gravity?

[migya]

Trying to equate K. Malone and Kobe Bryant as offensive players is laughable to me, but I keep seeing it happen, this isn’t the first thread that’s done that, despite the thread title.

Kinda knew this was going to be a “well if K. Malone is better defensively, then isn’t he better overall because his offense was nearly as good and he played longer!” thread, because the answer for the OP is obvious and nobody really debates that.

Defensively it doesn't standout as obvious as Kobe got so many defensive selections.

Nothing showing that Kobe was a better offensive player. Malone's foul drawing ability stands out probably more than anything else between them.

Ball handling? Passing? Creating off the dribble? PnR passing? Outside shooting? Shot creation? Gravity?

Passing is close between the two. Pnr Malone is one of the best ever and he pulled the defense like few.