Eric Gordon vs Russell Westbrook DEFENSIVELY - Message Board Basketball Forum

Clippersfan86 · 03-04-2011, 12:55 AM

Ok so pretty good argument going on in my thread on Prosportsdaily. I think Eric Gordon is the better on the ball defender and the more fundamentally sound defender. If I need a stop with the game on the line.. definitely Eric Gordon over Westbrook. He can also guard 3 positions. I think Russell Westbrook has him beat when it comes to off the ball defense. Meaning steals in the passing lanes, switches, fighting through screens... as well as more shot blocking ability than Eric. On team USA teammates and coach K often called Eric Gordon their best shooter (Stephen Curry even said it

) and their best perimeter defender. Eric Gordon has shutdown some really nice scorers this season too like Monta Ellis, Kevin Martin and Manu come to mind.

Opinions? I can only find footage of Westbrook stealing or blocking shots... none of him locking someone up like Eric Gordon.

Here are videos of Eric Gordon's man to man D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG-9sDHfqgw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vho7HNgqRsQ

Who's the better defender in your personal opinion? What's more valuable? Man to man defense? Steals and blocks? Off the ball defense (playing passing lanes)?

Scientist · 03-04-2011, 12:59 AM

Al Thornton · 03-04-2011, 01:02 AM

BankShot · 03-04-2011, 01:04 AM

OP: why all the threads lately comparing the Thunder and Clippers??

Are you trying to prove a point in terms of their talent and future?? If so, its probably a losing battle considering the historical ineptitude of Clipps' management, and the thus-far stingy yet thoughtful production of the FO in OKC

Kid Fiasco · 03-04-2011, 01:06 AM

Russell Westbrook's defense>>>Eric Gordon's defense.

Clippersfan86 · 03-04-2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BankShot

OP: why all the threads lately comparing the Thunder and Clippers??

Are you trying to prove a point in terms of their talent and future?? If so, its probably a losing battle considering the historical ineptitude of Clipps' management, and the thus-far stingy yet thoughtful production of the FO in OKC

Actually... the debate got sparked up in the thread I made earlier. The one about the future of these 2 teams (but on PSD). Someone was bothered that I said Eric Gordon is a better defender than Westbrook. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse about these teams because I have no issue with OKC or motive to do so. I just didn't want a thread about future of team turning into EJ vs RW defensive ability so figured I'd make it's own thread.

pahisc · 03-04-2011, 01:49 AM

Gordon has to guard 2's, Westbrook has to guard mostly 1's. Westbrook wins easily because they are essentially the same size and Westbrook is quicker.

brwnman · 03-04-2011, 01:54 AM

The first video you posted. That was some bad D on the first play. He reached and got burnt. He's lucky that offense was scrambling and he ended up getting back in the play. Second video, there's not much I could say, it was a steal, not much to go on. I'll focus in on his defense the next time I watch a clippers game...

Force · 03-04-2011, 03:06 PM

Gordon's man to man defense is better than Westbrook. Not much of a debate imo.

8BeastlyXOIAD · 03-04-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Force

Gordon's man to man defense is better than Westbrook. Not much of a debate imo.

tHIS PRETTY Much

He also did a nice job on Kobe and Manu this season

Clippersfan86 · 03-04-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8BeastlyXOIAD

tHIS PRETTY Much

He also did a nice job on Kobe and Manu this season

Also shut down Kevin Martin and Monta Ellis bigtime in a couple games. In fact he shut Monta down twice this season if I recall AND dropped like 30 on him. He guards Kobe as well as anyone I've seen right there with Tony Allen. Kobe still gets his points of course... but Eric is on him like glue every position and strips him an average of 3 times this season.