http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/defense-predictions/index.html LOL, LeBron fans boast his defense, but he couldn't top Ariza in any of the list. Not receiving a single vote as the best perimeter defender or on-ball defender, Guess the GM didn't see the highlight enough.
Before entering the thread, I knew that it would either be about Lebron bashing or Kobe **** riding just because of who posted.
Man, who cares what GMs think, they're just business schmucks. The coaches and players are the ones that have the opinions that matter.
I'm torn on Dwight Howard. On one hand, Dwight is an average one-on-one defender with questionable IQ and fundamentals. On the other hand, he probably makes the most impact on the court of any player in the league now that Duncan and Garnett are broken down old horses. His position, size and athleticism just make disrupting the other team so easy for him. I think it speaks more to the lack of Centers in the NBA than it does about D. Howard's skills when he is known as the best defensive player in the game.
why? he's one of the best rebounders ever and he averages about 3 blocks per game in a fairly slow-paced era and his size and athleticism would be elite in any era. he would be right up there no matter when he played. as for the survey, the gm's could not love kobe any more than they do. now he's the 3rd best defender in the league?
Dwight Howard is, IMO, pretty similar to Alonzo Mourning. I actually think Zo was a little better offensively, though. So if you put Howard in the mid 90's, he'd be a good but not great center. Hakeem, Shaq, Ewing, Robinson, Deke, Mourning, and Smits are all better than any competition he faces in the league today without Yao healthy.
Fixed it for you. Kobe's defense is good, but not great. He can't guard the quickest players, but that's not really his fault, he's not a point guard. The main problem I have with his defense is that he has this reputation for being so great and he makes all these all-defensive teams while somebody else on his team always guards the other team's best perimeter player.
Nah, Kobe isn't an overrated defender. He's great. A huge part of defense is mental and hard work.. we all know Kobe is extremely mentally tough and focused and a hard worker. No matter how much we hate him. Spoiler <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jHGleTaT2x4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jHGleTaT2x4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> Spoiler <object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QBu28UwDzps?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QBu28UwDzps?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> Spoiler <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OwaksAVf4lc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OwaksAVf4lc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
