Name ten players(any era) whom you think can hold his own in defending M.J 1 on 1?

Question

Please convince me why

Alright maybe not ten because it would seem impossible

Answer 1

I just had a conversation about this. The best perimeter defenders (in my opinion) of all time are...

1. MJ
2. Micheal Cooper, LAL
3. Bobby Jones, 76ers
4. Alvin Robertson, Bucks & Spurs
5. Maurice Cheeks, 76ers
6. Joe Dumars, Pistons
7. Dennis Johnson, Celtics
8. Hal Greer, 76ers
9. Scottie Pippen, Bulls
10. Jerry Sloan, Bulls

All of these guys would give or gave MJ trouble, but one more thing that made MJ so special is that he was able to adapt his game to yours making him unguardable.

Answer 2

Ten? That may be a bit of a stretch. I'll give you 6, in no specific order. I'm sure there are more, but I'm not going to throw in guys based on reputation or something like that. But these are guys I know for certain could give MJ at least a little trouble at times.

1. Gary Payton - Did a great job on MJ in the 1996 Finals. Although it wasn't the young, insanely athletic Jordan Payton faced, he was still good for 30 points a game on 50% shooting that year. Against Payton though, Jordan averaged only 27.3 points per game on 41% shooting for the series.

2. Tayshaun Prince - At 6'9", with the wingspan of a player 7'2" and the quickness of a player 5 inches shorter, he has all the tolls to give MJ a tough time. A player that is often compared to MJ, Kobe Bryant met Prince in the 2004 Finals and it wasn't pretty. Prince held Kobe to 22.7 points per game on a downright atrocious 35% shooting for the series.

3. Andre Igoudala - Another player who has given Kobe the blues. Although it was a preseason game Kobe did play 40 minutes and Andre Igoudala frustrated him into shooting 7-27 shooting from the feild. Bryant in the past 3 years has only had one strong night against Igoudala, going 19-29 for 48 points. The other 4 games? 25.2ppg on a miserable 38% shooting.

4. Scottie Pippen - Well why not? in the late 80's and through most of the 90's Pippen was probably the second best perimeter defender next to Jordan himself and probably a bit more versitle when you consider all the positions he could guard. He has all the tools Tayshaun Prince has as a defender, size and great wing span, but with quicker hands and foot speed.

5. Ron Artest - Remember when Tracy McGrady was a back to back scoring champion with the Orlando Magic in 2003 and 2004? Against the rest of the NBA he averaged 28 to 33 points a game on 45% shooting. He didn't score quite as easily against Artest. McGrady managed to post one great night out of 4 against Artest, going 14-27 for 43 points. The other 3 he averaged 26.3 points, but only shot 34% from the floor. Artest has the quickness not to get burned consistantly by MJ, but it's his quick hands and strength that would take away easy post up oppurtunites.

6. Andre Kirelinko - Another 6'9", long, athletic defender. Kirilenko probably has the best timing and quickest hands in the NBA. This guy is a Ben Wallace type of defender, only a bit more perimeter oriented. Against a young Jordan you'd get mixed results because no one regardless of length and size, was quick enough to stop Jordan from getting to the rim most of the game. But if Kirilenko were around in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals defending a 35 and 36 year old Jordan, the Jazz could've easily gotten at least one ring.

Answer 3

Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen, Dominque Wilkens, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Tracy Mcgrady. Thats about it. Others are too small or too slow/ tall. Hallelujah Hollaback.

Answer 4

Joe Dumars...because MJ said so himself
Dennis Johnson, could guard anybody.
Michael Cooper..very quick on his feet and could stay with Jordan for the most part.
There aren't ten players who could hold there own against MJ.

Answer 5

MAGIC JOHNSON- because he is pretty much equal to MJ when u really think about it
SCOTTIE PIPPEN- he played with MJ his whole career and he knows what MJ can do and MJ's weaknesses
-----Thats pretty much it... the rest of the players probably wont have a chance against him.

Answer 6

Gerald Wilkens look at the stats MJ posted against others then looks at his against Gerald.

Answer 7

maybe allen iverson if he was taller cuz he got the quicks and he gets heka steals but since hes short MJ could dunk right over him

Answer 8

1. scottie pippen
2. joe dumars
3. dennis johnson
4. jerry sloan
5. ron artest
6. gerald wilkins
7. bruce bowen
8. micheal cooper

Answer 9

Nobody could stop Jordan, His offense was better than any players defense, he would get his no matter what!

Answer 10

since its defending,
1.Bruce Bowen