Why do some People call MJ the greatest defensive player ever?

[Big#50]

YES disrupt offense like a big man. Because the offense was always alert of where he was which disrupted their game plan. If he didn't come up with a steal, he'd reflect the ball, take a charge or block it. I've seen MJ stop the perimeter on one side of the court, then disrupt the offense the next play on an entirely different side inside the paint. He was just that quick at reading and reacting. And as it has been stated, the stats back this up as MJ usually ranks as high as most big men in various defensive ratings and productivity statistics. This isn't some shit that I or others made up, this shit is on tape and backed up by statistical data as well as those that are involved in the game.

****. MJ fans are worst than Kobe. Never thought of that.

[andgar923]

Just another small example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2nZ2gsnzcs&NR=1

Of course, this isn't the end all to this discussion (on either side of the argument). But this is an example of why MJ has a legit chance of being the greatest defender of all time, and why I stated that MJ's impact was also as big as a big man's.

One could assemble clips like these from almost every single game he played and the results would be nearly identical (of course with variations in effectiveness depending on which era).

[Dave3]

****. MJ fans are worst than Kobe. Never thought of that.

Was it MJ fans who gave him the DPOY award? One of the very few perimeter defenders ever to receive the award. Was it his fans that made him average 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks? You can argue all you want about his all NBA defense team selections being rewarded because of his hype, but what star hasn't had that advantage over possibly better defenders? I don't know much about MJ and won't pretend to, but even from my point of view, you don't seem like you're arguing very well.

[Pointguard]

Thee were times when teams didn't pass on the side of the court MJ was on. It takes more sophistication to judge perimeter players and their impact. People had trouble assessing KG much less a Jordan type defensively. Perimeter defenders play defense with their feet, were as most centers play it with their height. Rodman could guard centers with his feet. Pippen and KG covered more ground than most centers did and did things like prevent penetration from other players. Many centers protect the rim and can affect several other positional players shots as the rim is a great meeting place. Centers are usually at a convergence point.

[G-train]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u40J0ttZy1U#t=4m24s

LOL Jordans pals.

[G-train]

Just another small example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2nZ2gsnzcs&NR=1

Of course, this isn't the end all to this discussion (on either side of the argument). But this is an example of why MJ has a legit chance of being the greatest defender of all time, and why I stated that MJ's impact was also as big as a big man's.

One could assemble clips like these from almost every single game he played and the results would be nearly identical (of course with variations in effectiveness depending on which era).

He is not even guarding anyone. This is a combo of Bogues not shooting and and Charlotte faultering under playoff pressure.

[G-train]

Jordan was just a smart player on both ends.

He is not as good man to man as say Bruce Bowen.

But he read situations and made smart plays, and was a top 10 wing defender without a doubt.

He could also gamble due to the well drilled teams he was on and the other great defenders he played with.

[andgar923]

LOL Jordans pals.

Damn Jordan pals:

Defensive Rating

1987-88 NBA 101.5 (6)
1990-91 NBA 101.6 (7)
1991-92 NBA 101.7 (5)
1995-96 NBA 99.6 (9)

Defensive Win Shares

1986-87 NBA 5.0 (4)
1987-88 NBA 6.1 (3)
1988-89 NBA 5.2 (5)
1990-91 NBA 5.4 (5)
1991-92 NBA 5.6 (5)
1992-93 NBA 5.2 (6)
1995-96 NBA 6.2 (2)
1997-98 NBA 5.4 (6)
Career NBA 64.1 (19)
Career 64.1 (21)

Steal Pct

1986-87 NBA 3.6 (3)
1987-88 NBA 3.9 (2)
1988-89 NBA 3.6 (4)
1989-90 NBA 3.5 (4)
1990-91 NBA 3.7 (4)
1991-92 NBA 3.0 (9)
1992-93 NBA 3.7 (3)
1995-96 NBA 3.1 (5)
Career NBA 3.1 (10)
Career 3.1 (12)

Steals

1984-85 NBA 196 (4)
1986-87 NBA 236 (2)
1987-88 NBA 259 (1)
1988-89 NBA 234 (2)
1989-90 NBA 227 (1)
1990-91 NBA 223 (3)
1991-92 NBA 182 (4)
1992-93 NBA 221 (1)
1995-96 NBA 180 (3)
Career NBA 2514 (2)
Career 2514 (2)

Jordan was the first player in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season. He performed this feat in back-to-back seasons, making him the only player to achieve it multiple times. Hakeem Olajuwon and Scottie Pippen later achieved 200 steals and 100 blocks in one season.

Michael Jordan is #3 all time in rebounding by a guard (behind Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson).

Michael Jordan is #3 all time in steals per game and #2 all time in total steals.

Michael Jordan is #1 all time in blocks by a guard.

F*ckin MJ's pals.

[EricForman]

why the f*ck do you Jordan fans fall for this trap? NO ONE ever declared Jordan as the greatest defender ever, the OP made up a lie, just dismiss him, say "Jordan is one of the greatest though" and move the hell on. Argument over a non-issue?

[Psileas]

why the f*ck do you Jordan fans fall for this trap? NO ONE ever declared Jordan as the greatest defender ever, the OP made up a lie, just dismiss him, say "Jordan is one of the greatest though" and move the hell on. Argument over a non-issue?

Just in this very thread, you have at least one poster who thinks that Jordan has a great case. Quoting him:

When every aspect is considered, MJ does have a very strong case as being the best defender of all time.

[Nick Young]

3rd best defender on his own team

That's right I said it. It's hard to not win 6 titles when playing next to the best perimeter defender of all time and a top 5 post defender of all time.

[guy]

I get the feeling some people are just naming guys that are considered great perimeter defenders when they are ranking other perimeter defenders above Jordan, without any real reason at all. I mean, the idea that players like Artest, Battier,and Bowen were as good as Jordan defensively is just . Its like they can't fathom the idea that someone could be a top 5-10 player ever in both offense and defense, or that one player could be the GOAT at his position for both offense and defense. It really shouldn't be hard to fathom, when you're combining a ridiculously high basketball I.Q. with all-time great athleticism, length, and stamina. And for the people blaming it on the hype, Jordan's defense was the least hyped aspect of his game.

[Asukal]

Can we all just ignore a thread with an agenda? It would help a lot if we just stop feeding all these trolls.

[EricForman]

Just in this very thread, you have at least one poster who thinks that Jordan has a great case. Quoting him:

Yes, that's ONE Jordan homer being sucked in, the Kobe trolls do this all the time, start BS threads based on lies (like that steroid era post)

And for the record, what Jordan homers argue are closer to reality than what Kobe trolls argue. You dont think Jordan is closer to #1 perimeter defender than "not even top 10"?

Jordan's one of few guards to have won the DPOY and his steals/block numbers were insane in his younger days. I don't believe he's the GOAT perimeter defender (very few actually makes that claim) but he's definitely closer to that than what the Kobe trolls are claiming.

You wanna side with them? You really wanna sink to that level?

[andgar923]

Yes, that's ONE Jordan homer being sucked in, the Kobe trolls do this all the time, start BS threads based on lies (like that steroid era post)

And for the record, what Jordan homers argue are closer to reality than what Kobe trolls argue. You dont think Jordan is closer to #1 perimeter defender than "not even top 10"?

Jordan's one of few guards to have won the DPOY and his steals/block numbers were insane in his younger days. I don't believe he's the GOAT perimeter defender (very few actually makes that claim) but he's definitely closer to that than what the Kobe trolls are claiming.

You wanna side with them? You really wanna sink to that level?

Apparently they lack reading comprehension.