Dennis Rodman was a better one-on-one defender than Pippen. Probably the best, discounting centers. Rodman is the man who proved to be able to stop the era's best SFs like Bird and Worthy and big thugs like Malone one on one. Also, I think it is worth discussing whether MJ was a better one-on-one defender than Kobe and Pippen. So, does anyone want to guess what player (besides a center) was named to the All-Defensive teams the most times in his career. The main reason MJ didn't get to display versatile matchups that Pippen did was because it is foolish to tire him out in mismatches or risk early fouls. That doesn't take away from the fact that MJ was a gifted and smart defender.
Chris-Pee, Rodman was an excellent defender, with a totally different style than Pip. Pip was all about footspeed, lateral movement, and that long wingspan to alter shots and intercept errant dribbles. His anticipation was also sharp. Straight up, hard nosed "D". You'll have to refresh my memory as to when Rodman shut Bird down, because I do not remember that. Rodman relied on a lot of physicality, taunting and mental defense, so to speak. He was a good on the ball defender, but I give that edge to Pip. Down low, I think Rodman was the master. I also give hustle points to Rodman as well. You don't often see athletes throw their bodies around like Rodman did. ------------------ RIP HOOP-T
T-POOH Rodman had very good lateral movement. Saying Pippen is better because he is faster is merely eliminating PFs from consideration. The Chuck Daly Rodman guarded SFs and PFs alike. In his 1st two years, I remember distinctly the effect he had on Bird's step-back jumper. I don't recall anyone able to stop Bird from getting that off. Rodman was able to. You take the step-back J away from Bird, and you have hurt him. Rodman was very quick and agile considering he was a PF who could guard SFs, relatively equal to Pippen's speed as a SF who could cover guards. as for the trivia: Michael was elected to the ALL-NBA defensive team more than any other non-center in history.
Scottie Pippen. ...amazin', ain't it? ------------------ "Yes, it's true. Kelvin Cato DOES have plenty of heart. I think the downside of Hakeem's six weeks absence is the upside of Kelvin Cato's emergence as a power in the NBA." jscmedia - 12/2/99 7:13pm : the off-season is truly a great time to reflect.
