Better defenders? Max/Starks.....Bowen/Christie?

Definitely Maxwell and Starks, they used to control and in some cases shut down Jordan. Maxwell is the toughest defender Jordan has ever faced, and remember, while Jordan had some big games against New York usually it was Pippen that lit New York up because he had to to free up Jordan. Christie and Bowen are very good defenders, but Maxwell were good, physical, fast and athletic defenders.

 

Well, from watching games I'd have to say Maxwell/Starks, but with the rules changes I don't think it's really fair to compare. These days very little contact is allowed by the defender. Given the same opportunity to play physically, I think Bowen and Christie could do just as well, or maybe even better.

 

I would definitely give Starks and Mad Max props on their defense, but with the changes in the rules that prevented hand-checking, their defensive intensity was esmasculated. I don't think the concept of a "stopper" on a team with the new rules against contact is a relevant one. Bowen could at least shoot the three ball (despite being a miserable career shooter) and I think that most general managers would prefer a player with decent D and better offensive skills than a player with lock-down D and a totally non-existent offensive game.

 

Naw Max was a streaky player but when he was on, everything went in. Not to mention Max was clutch as they come, jacking up fadeaway broken play 3 pointers at the corner of the baseline with 2 defenders in his face. He was a true Jordan stopper, giving Jordan fits, and made him come off as a crybaby. Max would talk trash all day to him, and would get in Jordan's head. If he ever laid off the drugs and kept a good head on his shoulders, he'd of been a hell of a player.

 

I would also like to take the time to say that one of my boxers is named Maxine. She's a girl as you would imagine. On her tags she's known as Maxine "Mad Max"