Before D'Antoni was fired the defense was already top 8 in the NBA. New York had the most improved defense in the NBA
It has to be hatred or dislike, I cannot name a better perimeter defender in the league right now. To be fair also, as great as Pippen and MJ were, they were never capable of guarding a center or power-forward for a lengthy stretch of the game. Overall, Pippen or MJ, maybe better, but I will argue that they were not quite as versatile, physically powerful, or speedy, like LBJ. Moreover, it's not unbelievable to think that Lebron is better, because in some areas he's a more feared defender. From my recollection, MJ could guard the speedier wing guards, but forwards could be a little big for him. He definitely could not guard someone, like a Karl Malone, Magic Johnson, or Chris Webber. On the other hand, Lebron would actually be a tougher matchup for them. MJ was Superman in sneakers, but let's not pretend he was godly at every single facet of the game, because he wasn't. I've seen MJ and Pippen get lit up by certain players, both superstars and lesser talents, if we are going to nit-pick. From my own eye-test, I've seen Lebron give more fits to superstar and all-star caliber players than MJ, defensively. Sort of like KG, Wilt, and Olajuwon, the man is so physically gifted, most players are not capable of overpowering him, beating them with quickness and agility to a particular spot on the floor, and etc.
What the hell? I don't know why people try so hard to insult everything. Tyson Chandler is an amazing defender. He would destroy defensively in any era.
Chandler is aight but I feel wing players like Tony Allen or Sefolosha have much tougher assignments and play better 1v1 defense. Centers always have the advantage simply for being taller.
