Which player in NBA history would defend Durant the best?

[jongib369]

Any player you can think of, doesn't matter if it's Scottie Pippen or Bill Russell.....Who has the length, athleticism and smarts to defend him better than anyone?

http://media.culturemap.com/crop/37/0c/600x450/Kevin_Durant_dunk.jpg

[HylianNightmare]

came in here to post prime KG, pip would be fun too along with tmac if he was motivated on D

[WillC]

Kevin Garnett
Scottie Pippen
LeBron James
Dennis Rodman

Those are your best bets. I'd probably go with Garnett though - he has the right combination of size, intensity, quickness, etc.

[VIntageNOvel]

Kevin Garnett
Scottie Pippen
LeBron James
Dennis Rodman

Those are your best bets. I'd probably go with Garnett though - he has the right combination of size, intensity, quickness, etc.


:roll: :roll: :roll:

[imdaman99]

Bran + ref help to hack the living hell out of him

Check end of Game 2 2012 Finals for reference. Dat lockdown :bowdown:

[Marchesk]

I'd be really curious if Bill Russell could guard a perimeter player like Durant.

What about Dr J or Bobby Jones?

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Wilt Chamberlain when he was 260-280 punds would nlock the living crap outta Durat

[VIntageNOvel]

to answer OP question:

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/files/2012/06/Durant-Westbrook-GIF.gif

goatbrook would lock the shiit outta durant

[Odinn]

I do not want to sound like a Jordan-stan but first 3peat Jordan would slow Durant down better than anyone.

I know Durant is way more taller than MJ. But the best odd against Durant is bothering his body rythm with challenging his moves before the shots-drives and you need speed/quickness/agility to do that. And MJ has the stronger body of the two with much greater agility.

For me the height isn't the answer because Durant is exceptionally tall for what he's doing.

[kobeef24]

Kevin Garnett
Scottie Pippen
LeBron James
Dennis Rodman

Those are your best bets. I'd probably go with Garnett though - he has the right combination of size, intensity, quickness, etc.

Gotta agree with KG and Pippen. I can see Jordan, Bowen, or a prime Artest giving him trouble too.

[HoopsFanNumero1]

Shane Battier

[toxicxr6]

2017 K Leonard

[Thorpesaurous]

Most of these I'd take my chances with. Although I'd be a little less inclined with Garnett than most. I don't want him that far from the basket.

A guy who'd be interesting who's not quite at the reputation level of most of these guys would be Larry Nance.

[Uncle Drew]

Bad Boy Rodman would destroy Kevin Durant.

[oarabbus]

Prime Andrei Kirilenko or Shawn Marion would give him fits

[Trollsmasher]

Clutch Time is pretty good

[absalom]

I've said this on another thread. Rasheed Wallace, he has the quickness and length to contest Durant while at the same time verbally harassing him.

[scm5]

Prime Andrei Kirilenko or Shawn Marion would give him fits

I'm surprised this has been the only mention of Marion in this thread so far.

[jongib369]

Kevin Garnett
Scottie Pippen
LeBron James
Dennis Rodman

Those are your best bets. I'd probably go with Garnett though - he has the right combination of size, intensity, quickness, etc.


What makes Garnett the better option to put on Durant rather than someone like Russell? Not disagreeing just curious

[MavAlbert]

Kevin Garnett in his peak would make him quit.


just like he shut down Dirk in the playoffs?? oh wait...

[MavAlbert]

Prime Andrei Kirilenko or Shawn Marion would give him fits


this... matrix guards him better than anyone in the league.

[Bandito]

matrix

[WillC]

What makes Garnett the better option to put on Durant rather than someone like Russell? Not disagreeing just curious

We have zero evidence of Bill Russell defending wing players.

Garnett could guard small forward, power forwards and some centers. His versatility would be useful against Durant. Meanwhile, Garnett was a couple of inches taller than Russell.

[fpliii]

We have zero evidence of Bill Russell defending wing players.

Garnett could guard small forward, power forwards and some centers. His versatility would be useful against Durant. Meanwhile, Garnett was a couple of inches taller than Russell.
In his/Oscar's/West's books I think there are some mentions (not sure of it was for single possessions or extended portions of games), CavsFTW or PHILA could probably comment on the tape since they've seen it so often.

[NumberSix]

Whether Durant can be defended is all up to the refs.

[Cold soul]

KG

[fpliii]

I'm gonna say Scottie or KG.

[gts]

A prime Ron Artest would take him out of his game

[WillC]

In his/Oscar's/West's books I think there are some mentions (not sure of it was for single possessions or extended portions of games), CavsFTW or PHILA could probably comment on the tape since they've seen it so often.

I've read autobiographies of all three players and don't recall Russell defending any wing players for a significant amount of time.

He is perhaps my all-time favourite player, but he defended the post - he wouldn't be used to someone like Durant.

[Genaro]

Please stop doubling threads.

Same answer as last week: All primes KG, AK-47 or Pippen.

[fpliii]

I've read autobiographies of all three players and don't recall Russell defending any wing players for a significant amount of time.

He is perhaps my all-time favourite player, but he defended the post - he wouldn't be used to someone like Durant.
I'm not sure about the Oscar/West quotes, maybe they praised his defense in general, but in one of Russell's books, I remember him saying that when he played Oscar, he knew what his range was, so beyond a certain distance he'd give him the shot. I can check when I get home, but it was in one if his first two books.

[JohnMax]

Durant seems to struggle against shorter guys like Francisco Garcia and Reggie Bullock

[Thorpesaurous]

Prime Andrei Kirilenko or Shawn Marion would give him fits


Those are both really good options too. I remember Marion on the Suns doing real work against Dirk, and there's some similarities between the two. It seemed to take teams longer than I imagined it would to defend Dirk with longer smaller players. It was like Rockets TMac guarding Dirk for stretches was a revelation. As efficient as Durant is in the post, it's not as if he's doing things down there that the extra size will help much with. Dirk was similar. But he had extra size to at least threaten more in the post, even if at the end of the day he was gonna throw up a turnaround, at which point the extra size wasn't going to help anyway.

[sketchy]

I think it's gotta be Pip for me. Athletic, long, already accustomed to defending the perimeter, right blend of poise and able to get in his head.

Other obviously candidates - Rodman, Artest, Marion, KG.

Some dude said 2017 Kawhi. :oldlol: That'll probably turn out to be true.

[imdaman99]

Artest on the Lakers was like 5 years past his defensive prime and still made life hell for Durant in the playoffs in 2010. But that was pre-prime Durant. I think Artest would do a good job on him, especially when he was winning DPOY :bowdown:

[atljonesbro]

*Insert player from the past and make nostalgic comments overrating the players defense*

[JebronLames]

Depends what type of game.

Regular season game - scottie pippen
Playoffs- Lebron
All star game- Kobe

[riseagainst]

Depends what type of game.

Regular season game - scottie pippen
Playoffs- Lebron
All star game- Kobe

:roll:

[TheReal Kendall]

Prime Andrei Kirilenko or Shawn Marion would give him fits

This and maybe Pip or MJ

[Straight_Ballin]

Most of these I'd take my chances with. Although I'd be a little less inclined with Garnett than most. I don't want him that far from the basket.

A guy who'd be interesting who's not quite at the reputation level of most of these guys would be Larry Nance.

Him and hotrod Williams

[Big#50]

With fair officiating
Bowen
Marion
Pippen
KG
Horry
AK
Fox
Prince
Jordan
Battier
Rodman
Leonard
Artest

When you cant be physical and play your normal defense a player can look better than he is.

[bizil]

With fair officiating
Bowen
Marion
Pippen
KG
Horry
AK
Fox
Prince
Jordan
Battier
Rodman
Leonard
Artest

When you cant be physical and play your normal defense a player can look better than he is.

That's a great list of great defenders throughout the years! I would also throw in Derrick McKey, Cliffy Robinson, and Bobby Jones.

[Solefade]

with hand checking? lebron would lock the shit out of KD

[red1]

Artest on the Lakers was like 5 years past his defensive prime and still made life hell for Durant in the playoffs in 2010. But that was pre-prime Durant. I think Artest would do a good job on him, especially when he was winning DPOY :bowdown:
he would foul out in the first quarter if he tried defending him today like he did in that series

[LAZERUSS]

Michael Cooper, Bruce Bowen, and a younger Rodman...

[La Frescobaldi]

I've read autobiographies of all three players and don't recall Russell defending any wing players for a significant amount of time.

He is perhaps my all-time favourite player, but he defended the post - he wouldn't be used to someone like Durant.

Bill Russell switched off centers a lot. His lateral quickness was blistering. He could get to the corner so quick that forwards would literally turn away from the basket and pick up the ball in shock.

He shut down one of the NBA's all-time unstoppable forwards, Chet Walker in '68 by bringing in Wayne Embry to guard Chamberlain and he proceeded to put a bear trap on the Jet. Had no trouble with Elgin Baylor either (relatively speaking of course). Did he guard them all game? Nope. But he drew the hardest assignments for himself. A lot.

And I only saw Russell when he was a old, old man.

[Round Mound]

Stop him? :no: but Pippen and Young Rodman Would Be The Best To Defend Him

[ILLsmak]

Bad Boy Rodman would destroy Kevin Durant.

That's what I'm thinking. We haven't seen KD get roughed up. Obviously the league would protect him, but that's why you get 6 fouls. If you take 3 good ones, that can really change a game.

-Smak

[Harison]

Russell, Hakeem, Garnett, mature Wilt, anyone of them assigned full-time on Durant could make him sweat blood :lol

A lot of elite defenders mentioned in this thread would lack either size, vertical or agility to rival guys above, like Bowen, Artest, Battier, even Jordan, etc. They were awesome at D, but not perfect for specific question at hand. I dont know why Marion is even mentioned though, he is a tier or two bellow MJ and the likes at D.

[kells333]

Russell, Hakeem, Garnett, mature Wilt, anyone of them assigned full-time on Durant could make him sweat blood :lol

A lot of elite defenders mentioned in this thread would lack either size, vertical or agility to rival guys above, like Bowen, Artest, Battier, even Jordan, etc. They were awesome at D, but not perfect for specific question at hand. I dont know why Marion is even mentioned though, he is a tier or two bellow MJ and the likes at D.

I dont get why so many people think these centers and power forwards are guarding durants. He would blow by them every play no problem. Your better off with a artest marion type and try to rough him up alittle.

[Rocketswin2013]

Somebody said above: "You have 6 fouls, you give 3 good ones" :rockon:

That is peak Ron Artest in a nutshell. This is a guy who is known for breaking bones and giving concussions(both literally). He would keep Durant off the low block and force him to shoot jumpers, and he's getting decked anytime he tries that rip through. Honestly in the early 00's, I think several guys could give him fits.

Bobby Jones would make him work for everything too.

But more than anybody, prime Shawn Marion. I mean Marion to this day, way out of his athletic peak gives him fits and he has been since KD came into the league.

[Lebron23]

http://www.esquire.com/cm/esquire/images/wU/esq-scottie-pippen-0112-lg.jpg

[Harison]

I dont get why so many people think these centers and power forwards are guarding durants. He would blow by them every play no problem. Your better off with a artest marion type and try to rough him up alittle.

Not just any C/PF, but the quickest, most agile bigs ever to play basketball, who can keep up with guards, what to speak of SF like Durant. Who btw, isnt as quick as those guys.

[Dro]

I'm going with Scottie...definitely...

[SHAQisGOAT]

Similar thread was made not long ago.. I said this..

The 5 guys, all-time, that I would pick to guard KD, that would give him the most trouble imho, would be:

Bobby Jones
Scottie Pippen
Dennis Rodman (younger, peak overall defensively, at least on the perimeter)
Michael Cooper
Bruce Bowen


Peak Ron Artest, young Kevin Garnett, Rodney McCray, Gus Johnson, Dan Roundfield, peak Tayshaun Prince and Andrei Kirilenko, Shawn Marion, Michael Jordan, John Havlicek... also some great choices.

[Dro]

Sidney Moncrief anyone? Or is he too short? How about George Lynch?

[Jailblazers7]

The SF position gets a lot of hype these days but there really aren't that many great defenders compared to what it was 6-8 years ago. I mean look at the list of what it used to be:

Artest
Bowen
AK47
Marion
Gerald Wallace
Prince
Iggy

Hell, even Caron Butler used to be a pretty damn good defender and T-Mac could turn it on when he wanted to.

[joeysms55]

No one because you breath close to him he gets a foul... Like seriously

[DuMa]

TMac easily.

[AnaheimLakers24]

/tayshaun prince

[SHAQisGOAT]

Sidney Moncrief anyone? Or is he too short? How about George Lynch?

Imho Moncrief's the greatest guard/perimeter defender ever but too short in this case, really.. I mean he was a great athlete and a great defensive player but like 6'4'' and wasn't too big at just swipping at the ball, keeping the hands active, call it gamble even, sorta like someone like Cooper or Jordan (which could be great against Durant).. He was more about ball denial, position denial, trying to contest every shot, hogging players, forcing them out of balance, keeping them out of the paint.. Say if I was picking someone to guard Jordan, it'd be definitely him or Payton (actually the guys that guarded him better.. Joey D and Rodman too..). Not that he wouldn't do a great job but there are other players I'd pick before, to guard KD.

Lynch could do a good job but not as good as players mentioned here before, the best ones.

[SHAQisGOAT]

/tayshaun prince

Bobby Jones was actually sort of like a mixture between Prince and Kirilenko, before them, but better overall defensively, at his best..

[Dro]

How about a prime Ben Wallace? or a prime Josh Smith?

[Fudge]

Nobody would or can stop KD single handedly.

So to sum it up, nobody.

[ImKobe]

championship or bust

[SilkkTheShocker]

LeBron made him cry.

[La Frescobaldi]

Bobby Jones was actually sort of like a mixture between Prince and Kirilenko, before them, but better overall defensively, at his best..
Bobby Jones better than Andrei Kirilenko? Not sure

[Rocketswin2013]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqP1VsD0tC4/UYqURNpetZI/AAAAAAAABOI/jhIItENdaSw/s1600/tony-allen4.jpg

[fpliii]

I've read autobiographies of all three players and don't recall Russell defending any wing players for a significant amount of time.

He is perhaps my all-time favourite player, but he defended the post - he wouldn't be used to someone like Durant.
Just an update, I asked ThaRegul8r for some quotes on the matter from his extensive database, and he was able to provide the following:

[quote]"With Russell," said Hayes "you never know what to expect. He has such great lateral movement. He's always got an angle on you. He told me that he can take just two steps and block a shot from any position on the court. I remember the first time I was matched up against him. I was out in the corner and he was under the basket. I figured it was safe to shoot. But as I went up, there he was, tipping the shot.
(Pat Putnam,

[20Four]

Prime Prince and Prime Michael Cooper :cheers:

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Tony Allen

[dc_chilling]

It depends on the era.

If you could handcheck, I would go with Lebron or Rodman.

Overall, I would probably take a young Dennis Rodman though. Rodman from those bad boys teams was just brutal on defense. He was like Tony Allen if TA was much taller, stronger, and more athletic. Rodman was no joke.

[Leftimage]

Any player you can think of, doesn't matter if it's Scottie Pippen or Bill Russell.....Who has the length, athleticism and smarts to defend him better than anyone?


currently: Lebron James, Tony Allen

Lebron did good on KD last time around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPBeQybtvbA

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Garnett

[Mure]

Pippen or Detroit Rodman, pick one.

[VengefulAngel]

Not Matt Barnes...

[JohnFreeman]

Tony Allen

[SHAQisGOAT]

Imho Moncrief's the greatest guard/perimeter defender ever but too short in this case, really.. I mean he was a great athlete and a great defensive player but like 6'4'' and wasn't too big at just swipping at the ball, keeping the hands active, call it gamble even, sorta like someone like Cooper or Jordan (which could be great against Durant).. He was more about ball denial, position denial, trying to contest every shot, hogging players, forcing them out of balance, keeping them out of the paint.. Say if I was picking someone to guard Jordan, it'd be definitely him or Payton (actually the guys that guarded him better.. Joey D and Rodman too..). Not that he wouldn't do a great job but there are other players I'd pick before, to guard KD.



And now looking back at what Tony Allen was doing :D Moncrief could play even better defense and was stronger.

[kkb_12]

Bowen, Artest, Pippen

[PickernRoller]

Anyone prior to 2005....