Who would be the best individual defender on LeBron and KD?

[Im Still Ballin]

You need length, strength, and mobility.

I'd like to nominate pre-broken foot Kevin McHale. 6'10" barefoot & 235 pounds, with a 96-inch wingspan and a gargantuan standing reach (https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2367536). Kevin was quite mobile before wrecking his foot. He was a smooth, fluid, and flexible mover with quick feet and jumping, great rotational mobility (flip hips, 180-degree recoveries), solid lateral and backward movement, and a sturdy, barrel-chested, wide-bodied frame, with a penchant for physicality.

Kevin's unique blend of size and athleticism gave him a startling degree of front-court defensive versatility. He effectively guarded FWDs as short as 6'4" to 6'5" (Dantley, Barkley) and PF & Cs as big as 7'2" to 7'4" (Kareem, Sampson*). Technically, he guarded 7-foot-7-inch Manute Bol, but that's no tough assignment. I've watched games where Kevin defended Dr. J, Barkley, and Moses at different points. Or, Bernard King and Moses.

*Ralph was listed as 7'4" but was more like 7'2".

His 1986 Playoffs were quite remarkable, on both ends. He locked down Woolridge in the first round, blocking him about a million times. Held him to 40.3% FG (-9.2) and 45.9% TS (-10.1). He then shut down Dominique better than I've ever seen anyone in the ECSF.—39.8% FG (-7.0) and 49.4% TS (-4.2). After that, it was Terry Cummings in the ECF; Kevin held him to 40.3% FG (-7.1) and 43.9% TS (-6.4).

And to finish off, he made life hell for Ralph while helping out in spurts on Hakeem. Sampson shot 43.8% FG (-5.4) and 48.7% TS (-2.9) while Olajuwon did 47.9% FG (-4.7) and 52.6% TS (-3.4).

Numbers in brackets indicate how much below their 1985-86 RS average.

From what I've seen, McHale (pre-injury) was genuinely one of the best PF/Cs at guarding out on the perimeter. I'd liken him to Joakim Noah (6'10" barefoot, 7'1.25" wingspan) with nearly a foot more of wingspan and at least half a foot of standing reach.

Here are some GIFs of McHale's defensive versatility:

Defending 76ers Charles Barkley:

https://i.ibb.co/rGVmsSbv/9yp9b4.gif
https://i.ibb.co/9kRQvkz8/5bd6a3cc56c74a5ca877331c1d75c1ab.gif
https://i.ibb.co/zTcK9mZz/cfe569463e50441fafb368eceab59cbe.gif

[Im Still Ballin]

Explosive SF Orlando Woolridge (all from one playoff game):

https://i.ibb.co/M5WZCdKt/949f2ca2337c4c13b5a735e0fb35abb0.gif
https://i.ibb.co/fdg8v6J6/e653656a0d714c819ea3ef7ddcdb064f.gif
https://i.ibb.co/RpPmCcLL/4089d0356caf4c018c7989cf80864923.gif

[Im Still Ballin]

https://i.ibb.co/V0Qq7P5q/fbce6a0580214a048748fa18ca6139cd.gif
https://i.ibb.co/sdCSR9sk/33bd9c25777d408b8426ba2a1ac1072b.gif

Bonus: defending Michael Jordan in the clutch:

https://i.ibb.co/1fmzCnr5/2be4b1c610d3465e88b4952434373c54.gif

[sdot_thadon]

McHale is a good one for sure, underrated as hell with newer fans. Im glad you highlighted the fact he could stay with guys in the perimeter at 6'10, that was definitely freakish. But for my money im going with 2nd 3peat era Scottie. He routinely guarded guys larger and stronger than him with success. Hed be stronger than Kd for sure. I've always wondered how hed matchup with Lebron. Because he guarded bigger guys but I can't think of many perimeter guy that would dwarf Scottie in muscle. Another one is Rodman Badboy era Rodman was able to be great as a perimeter defender as well but im not sure he was nearly as strong as hed be by the time he got to Chicago and could hold his ground with Shaq.

[ImKobe]

Kawhi

[SouBeachTalents]

Pippen

[Full Court]

After seeing Dillon Brooks get Lebron all flustered, Rodman would have had him crying like a baby.

[1987_Lakers]

LeBron already said Artest was his toughest matchup. So I'd go with him


Artest is a better man defender and has the physical traits that guys like Pippen didn't have. Pippen excelled more as a team/help defender even though he could lock you up. LeBron cooked Kawhi in the 2014 Finals. KD also cooked Kawhi and the Spurs everytime he played them in the playoffs. Never went up against prime Artest.

McHale was an amazing defender, but I don't think he would have the same success as a perimeter defender today considering players can hit 3's now. Players couldn't shoot like they do today, which means McHale would guys some space in his day, making it easier on him.

[ShawkFactory]

Durant always seemed to struggle more with smaller but strong guys who could get into his chest and take him off of his spots.

[1987_Lakers]

Durant always seemed to struggle more with smaller but strong guys who could get into his chest and take him off of his spots.

True, KD said Tony Allen defended him the best. KD is like 7 inches taller.

[LAL]

LeBron already said Artest was his toughest matchup. So I'd go with him


Artest is a better man defender and has the physical traits that guys like Pippen didn't have. Pippen excelled more as a team/help defender even though he could lock you up. LeBron cooked Kawhi in the 2014 Finals. KD also cooked Kawhi and the Spurs everytime he played them in the playoffs. Never went up against prime Artest.

McHale was an amazing defender, but I don't think he would have the same success as a perimeter defender today considering players can hit 3's now. Players couldn't shoot like they do today, which means McHale would guys some space in his day, making it easier on him.

Maybe with Indiana a bit but he was a black hole on offense with the lakers
and kept defending lebron close up and constantly letting him blow by him
like an idiot. With the Lakers at least.



We know lebron is going to choose one Kobe's ex teammates
like when he told craig saiger during half time kobe had lots
of help like the bitch lebum is during lakers cavs 2010 at staples.

here's the truth

Iggy, Kawhi, Diaw, T Allen. AND KOBE

Lebron thinks we're stupid.

[1987_Lakers]

Maybe with Indiana a bit but he was a black hole on offense with the lakers
and kept defending lebron close up and constantly letting him blow by him
like an idiot. With the Lakers at least.



We know lebron is going to choose one Kobe's ex teammates
like when he told craig saiger during half time kobe had lots
of help like the bitch lebum is during lakers cavs 2010 at staples.

here's the truth

Iggy, Kawhi, Diaw, T Allen. AND KOBE

Lebron thinks we're stupid.

I wouldn't consider Lakers Artest his prime, he was a downgrade from Ariza. Lost some of his quickness. I too remember him getting blown by a lot while with the Lakers

[Meticode]

Hard to say. In an interview LeBron gave a nod to Ron Arrest, but we know earlier in his career Kawhi causes him big issues.

Durant came out and said Tony Allen and P.J. Tucker.

If I had to split the two I like Artest, P.J. Tucker or Kawhi in their primesn for both players.

[Meticode]

I wouldn't consider Lakers Artest his prime, he was a downgrade from Ariza. Lost some of his quickness. I too remember him getting blown by a lot while with the Lakers

Prime Artest was definitely peaked prime in the middle of his Pacers years to the end of his Kings years. After Sacramento he was going downhill. Still a great defender, but not where he was beforehand.

[beasted]

Pre-Pachulia Kawhi is the clear answer.

[Im Still Ballin]

5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA SF/SG Marques Johnson talking about being guarded by rookie Kevin McHale (1980-81):


“You like to test a guy like him out,” said Bucks All-Star forward Marques Johnson, who played man-to-man against the rookie. “You want to see what he can and can’t do. You have a check list. Definitely. You’re working it through your mind.”

Where is Kevin McHale vulnerable? Where is he strong? What can you do against Kevin McHale? What can’t you do? What does he like to do? What doesn’t he like to do? Johnson said he worked the whole list, question by question.

“One thing you learn early against him,” Johnson said, "is that you’re going to have to take him outside. He must have exceptionally long arms. It doesn’t look as if he jumps that high, but he’s always got those arms in front of you, making you alter your shot. It’s almost impossible to get through him on the inside.

[warriorfan]

Leonard for Lebron and Tony Allen maybe for KD

Like said earlier, KD struggled with strong guards.