Are these really Hall of Fame stats?

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

It isn't a matter of liking him. But he was clearly one of the best players in league history. Name a better all-around defender.

Rodman

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Rodman

That was my answer as well.....unless B Russell is allowed?

This will set off an explosion but Hakeem deserves at least honorable mention.

[dalakhani]

Originally Posted by docicu3

That was my answer as well.....unless B Russell is allowed?

This will set off an explosion but Hakeem deserves at least honorable mention.

I think Kobe in his younger days deserves a mention. He will never get the credit he deserves as a defender but when he was in his younger days, he was about as tough and as versatile of a lockdown defender as there was in the league. He was capable of locking down guys from Allen Iverson to Tracy Mcgrady.

Shaun Marion in his prime was extremely versatile although one certainly wouldn't mention him in the same breath as Pippen.

Michael Cooper was pretty darn versatile. Think about some of the assignments he had.

Bruce Bowen and Ron Artest. Neither of those guys played the passing lanes like Pippen though although I think Artest was better in the post against the more physcial swing men. Still, neither would be in Pippen's class all the way around considering Pippen had more responsibility at the other end.

What made Pippen unique was that he locked down, could play the lanes and then at the other end he ran the offense half the time and for all intents was the second option in a pretty potent arsenal. I guess when you factor all that stuff in you could certainly make a compelling case for Pippen. Although, if just looking at the defensive side purely, Rodman to me was more versatile. He could cover a guy like Shaq and then turn around and cover a guy like Dominique Wilkins. Pippen couldn't do that.

[gales0678]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

I think Kobe in his younger days deserves a mention. He will never get the credit he deserves as a defender but when he was in his younger days, he was about as tough and as versatile of a lockdown defender as there was in the league. He was capable of locking down guys from Allen Iverson to Tracy Mcgrady.

Shaun Marion in his prime was extremely versatile although one certainly wouldn't mention him in the same breath as Pippen.

Michael Cooper was pretty darn versatile. Think about some of the assignments he had.

Bruce Bowen and Ron Artest. Neither of those guys played the passing lanes like Pippen though although I think Artest was better in the post against the more physcial swing men. Still, neither would be in Pippen's class all the way around considering Pippen had more responsibility at the other end.

What made Pippen unique was that he locked down, could play the lanes and then at the other end he ran the offense half the time and for all intents was the second option in a pretty potent arsenal. I guess when you factor all that stuff in you could certainly make a compelling case for Pippen. Although, if just looking at the defensive side purely, Rodman to me was more versatile. He could cover a guy like Shaq and then turn around and cover a guy like Dominique Wilkins. Pippen couldn't do that.

no one could cover shaq in his prime, unless you are counting fouling him and then bricking up 2 air balls on the ft's

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Rodman

I would still take Pippen. Could guard 1's, 2's, 3's and smaller 4's. Interior defending is easier than perimeter defending. Though it is really splitting hairs.

Interesting no one said the obvious name. MJ.

[Antitrust32]

I think Rodman has been the best rebounder in the past 20 years (was gonna say my lifetime, but that includes the 80's and I dont remember basketball from the 80's). He really cared about getting boards.

I also think Shaq was overrated. A guy like that should have averaged 20 boards a night. He should have been like Wilt.

Howard has the chance of being the best rebounder, but he doesnt have the killer instinct that Rodman had.. sometimes he does, sometimes he doesnt.

[Cannon Shell]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hallof...=100812-pippen