Wade + Kobes Defense = MJ's Defense

detroitdogg · Post #1 » by **detroitdogg** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:48 pm

If you combined both Wade and Kobes defense then you would have the defense of Jordan. Kobe is a great 1 on 1 defender (although he gets burned a lot) but Kobe does not create turnovers, play the passing lane, blocks shots, or plays help D at all. Wade is a great help defender, creates a lot of turnovers, plays the passing lane, and may be the best shotblocking guard in NBA history. Wades 1 on 1 D is suspect though.

Remember how MJ used to strip people on the way up, Wade does that a lot also. Remember how MJ used to be able to stay in front of anybody, Kobe has that same ability. So together, they would be MJ on the defensive end.

C'mon Cavs · Post #2 » by **C'mon Cavs** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:03 pm

Or basically LeBron's defense. LeBron does everything you just mentioned...he is a great one on one defender, he can create turnovers and he blocks a lot of shots.

A speedy point guard with a good handle can give LeBron trouble, but LeBron can also body up with the power forwards of the league.

I'm not saying LeBron is the defender that Jordan was, but I am saying that he can do all the things you mentioned. LeBron is the most underrated defender in the NBA, and Kobe just might be the most overrated defender.

Typhoon20 · Post #3 » by **Typhoon20** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:07 pm

They would still come up short.

Benedict_Boozer · Post #4 » by **Benedict_Boozer** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:08 pm

C'mon Cavs wrote:Or basically LeBron's defense. LeBron does everything you just mentioned...he is a great one on one defender, he can create turnovers and he blocks a lot of shots.

A speedy point guard with a good handle can give LeBron trouble, but LeBron can also body up with the power forwards of the league.

I'm not saying LeBron is the defender that Jordan was, but I am saying that he can do all the things you mentioned. LeBron is the most underrated defender in the NBA, and Kobe just might be the most overrated defender.

Actually I don't think Lebron has alot of problems with quick PG's, not because he can stay with them, but because he just backs off them and can get high enough to contest shots even from that position. If they get by him (see Rondo) he is great at timing blocks from behind.

Lebron may not be the greatest defender but he is one of the most versatile for sure.

C'mon Cavs · Post #5 » by **C'mon Cavs** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:14 pm

Yeah good point Boozer...he did do a lot of that last season with Parker and Rondo (as you mentioned). I'd say his main defensive weakness is his ability to get through screens. In part, it's because he's too big to be chasing guards through screens, but he needs to learn to be quicker.

I just think LeBron is a terribly underrated defender. I think he is a great defender, and I think he has tremendous defensive versatility. He made a huge jump last season, and he definitely deserved a spot on the all defensive team.

Post #6 » by **Rerisen** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:36 pm

Nah, they are still missing the blocks for one.

CB4MiamiHeat · Post #7 » by **CB4MiamiHeat** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:45 pm

I wouldnt say Kobe can stay in front of everyone..neither would i say that with MJ..
but yea youre right..thats why i laugh at the MJ comparisons with Kobe or Wade..Wade plays like young MJ and Kobe plays like older MJ, but neither is close.........the guy was so much better......he had Wades help defense, shot blocking ability, and driving abilities..but he also had Kobes man defense, fadeaway, and 3pt shot ...

Original Baller · Post #8 » by **Original Baller** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:06 pm

detroitdogg wrote:If you combined both Wade and Kobes defense then you would have the defense of Jordan. Kobe is a great 1 on 1 defender (although he gets burned a lot) but Kobe does not create turnovers, play the passing lane, blocks shots, or plays help D at all. Wade is a great help defender, creates a lot of turnovers, plays the passing lane, and may be the best shotblocking guard in NBA history. Wades 1 on 1 D is suspect though.

Remember how MJ used to strip people on the way up, Wade does that a lot also. Remember how MJ used to be able to stay in front of anybody, Kobe has that same ability. So together, they would be MJ on the defensive end.

so does that mean that

Wade +Kobe + MJ = Pippen's defense?

GonzoLays · Post #9 » by **GonzoLays** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:08 pm

Weirdest. Observation. Ever.

Phil Jackson · Post #10 » by **Phil Jackson** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:27 pm

More like MJ's defense + Wade's defense = 1/2 Kobe Bryant's defense.

Icefire10304 · Post #11 » by **Icefire10304** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:39 pm

Enough with the MJ comparisons already. Let these current players create their own legacies. I hate when people try and use MJ as a measuring stick for every other player. This is a new era of basketball and MJ is a thing of the past. Let's just enjoy the players we have now and leave it at that

Post #12 » by **semi-sentient** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:46 pm

Phil Jackson wrote:More like MJ's defense + Wade's defense = 1/2 Kobe Bryant's defense.

BR0D1E86 · Post #13 » by **BR0D1E86** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:12 pm

Kobe is a lesser man defender than Jordan so I fail to see your point.

Post #14 » by **dflash3** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:15 pm

^Its called sarcasm.

jmbflame21 · Post #15 » by **jmbflame21** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:16 pm

i smell a kobe homer^^^^^^^Phil

Texas Longhorns · Post #16 » by **Texas Longhorns** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:25 pm

Hell no, Jordan's defense was on another level. Nothing compared to it, it was one of a kind when went 1 on 1.

shawngoat23 · Post #17 » by **shawngoat23** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:31 pm

Wow, Phil Jackson is back.

Texas Longhorns · Post #18 » by **Texas Longhorns** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 10:36 pm

shawngoat23 wrote:Wow, Phil Jackson is back.

Jordan23Forever · Post #19 » by **Jordan23Forever** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:44 pm

I actually made this point a year or so ago. It's not just defense, either. If you combine the best aspects of Kobe/Lebron/Wade (as they were 18 months ago), you would *basically* get Jordan:

- Kobe's one-on-one defensive ability, midrange game, footwork, shooting touch, killer mentality
- Wade's tenacity with penetration, his playmaking, his help defense and defensive playmaking, and his energy
- Lebron's finishing ability, rebounding, and athleticism (minus the bulk)

Jordan would still have things over a combination of these players -- for example, he had a better post game than any of them, was a better decision maker/had a higher bball IQ, and he exerted more energy more consistently than any of them (speaking of MJ from age 26-29).

But yeah, Wade has tremendous defensive insincts and always seems to come up with the big block or steal or forced TO, much like Jordan (Jordan had even better instincts, though; only perimeter guy I've ever seen who's close is Pippen). Lebron has some of that as well. Kobe's individual defense, when he really tries, is about 90% as effective as Jordan's (MJ's edge comes fom slightly better lateral movement, strength, anticipation, and quicker hands that allowed him to pressure the ball). Their combined defense, assuming it was consistently played at a high level, would be a reasonable approximation of Jordan's defense from '88-'93.

lukeridenour · Post #20 » by **lukeridenour** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:33 am

Phil Jackson wrote:More like MJ's defense + Wade's defense = 1/2 Kobe Bryant's defense.

can this guy be banned already? ive never seen him contribute any substance to a thread.