NBA double standard....yeah deal with it.

[The Big Dipper]

I am not sure if it widely agreed in this forum or not but I have heard people saying that any 2004-present player has the benefit of stricter defensive rules thus making it easier to score points.

I am sure you have heard the "yeah well people hand checked Jordan, and now if you touch Kobe that is a foul."

Well whether that is true or not shouldn't it work both ways, like a premier, all star, elite defender post 2004 shouldn't he be lauded as a far superior defender than those of the past?

I am just playing devil's advocate, and this is just for discussion no need to berate me if you feel differently.

[Marcus13]

There were many tremendous defenses in the 80s and 90s - I'm not sure if there is even a "great" defense in the game today.

[R-Star]

If anything its tougher to defend now that you can't even touch a player without drawing a foul these days. They've made it very difficult to play respectable defense anymore.

[Ron]

I don't know. Sounds like you have opened a can of worms.

I mean, I don't see a lot of great defense in the NBA anyway. Teams seem intent on getting that next great dunker. They don't seem inclined (well, maybe outside of San Antonio) to obtain good defensive players.

One only has to look at the Lakers debacle this year. Old senile Jerry Buss overruled both Mitch and Jim, who were still trying to decide whether they wanted Phil Jackson or Mike D'Antoni. Jerry decided he wanted to bring "Showtime" of the '80s back to Lakerland, and said we are going with D'Antoni. A very poor defensive team now turned into a non-existent defensive team, and what do we have now? The Lakers scored 112 points last night and lost by 13.

[Ron]

I will amend the above to include Chicago. They are a great defensive team, and their coach gets it.

[e-monk]

it is tougher to play D now BUT I'd be interested in hearing the name of a contemporary defender that would be an example of someone who can be counted amongst the all time greats

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by Ron

I don't know. Sounds like you have opened a can of worms.

I mean, I don't see a lot of great defense in the NBA anyway. Teams seem intent on getting that next great dunker. They don't seem inclined (well, maybe outside of San Antonio) to obtain good defensive players.

One only has to look at the Lakers debacle this year. Old senile Jerry Buss overruled both Mitch and Jim, who were still trying to decide whether they wanted Phil Jackson or Mike D'Antoni. Jerry decided he wanted to bring "Showtime" of the '80s back to Lakerland, and said we are going with D'Antoni. A very poor defensive team now turned into a non-existent defensive team, and what do we have now? The Lakers scored 112 points last night and lost by 13.

The Pacers are a very good defensive team.

All time great? Of course not, but they're a better defensive squad than San Antonio (of today).

[The Big Dipper]

Originally Posted by e-monk

it is tougher to play D now BUT I'd be interested in hearing the name of a contemporary defender that would be an example of someone who can be counted amongst the all time greats

That is exactly how I feel. I mean would any player today be on the same level as a Russell or Pippen?

I say no but makes me wonder

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[R-Star]

Originally Posted by e-monk

it is tougher to play D now BUT I'd be interested in hearing the name of a contemporary defender that would be an example of someone who can be counted amongst the all time greats

Luke and others were arguing Dwight as one of the greatest defenders all time last offseason (I disagreed).

But recently the only ones that come to mind are Artest, Wallace and Bowen.

James could, but we'll have to wait and see.

[e-monk]

Originally Posted by R-Star

Luke and others were arguing Dwight as one of the greatest defenders all time last offseason (I disagreed).

But recently the only ones that come to mind are Artest, Wallace and Bowen.

James could, but we'll have to wait and see.

clearly not this season's iteration of Howard, sadly

interestingly all three you do name (and I agree with them) made their bones back in the early oughts

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by e-monk

clearly not this season's iteration of Howard, sadly

interestingly all three you do name (and I agree with them) made their bones back in the early oughts

Yep. There isn't that "guy" right now like there used to be when those guys were doing it.

There's a few guys out there that could be that good on defense. But we'll see. If Lebron keeps it up at this level for a few more seasons I think he could be in the mix.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by e-monk

it is tougher to play D now BUT I'd be interested in hearing the name of a contemporary defender that would be an example of someone who can be counted amongst the all time greats

LeBron and Chandler.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by R-Star

The Pacers are a very good defensive team.

All time great? Of course not, but they're a better defensive squad than San Antonio (of today).

Agreed. They are top 3 in the league, along with Chicago and SA.

[rayz789]

This is the reason why i say jordan is the number 1 greatest player of all times is cause he play the tougher era with hand checking allow. Question would kobe still be one of the all time great if he play in jordan's era? he was there twice but it was his first 2 seasons and he didnt even close of playing like one of the all time great before no hand checking rules back in 99.

[R-Star]

Originally Posted by rayz789

This is the reason why i say jordan is the number 1 greatest player of all times is cause he play the tougher era with hand checking allow. Question would kobe still be one of the all time great if he play in jordan's era? he was there twice but it was his first 2 seasons and he didnt even close of playing like one of the all time great before no hand checking rules back in 99.

Its not like he was playing at his peak back then.

People tend to forget it went both ways. You could also have a lot more contact on your defensive player. If Jordan came in trying to bull through guys, or move their hand out of the way like you used to be able to, he'd be getting offensive fouls 2 out of 3 times down the floor.

Players tend to adjust to the rule set. I don't think you'd see huge jumps or fluctuations in either Kobe or Jordans numbers if you swapped them in eras.