via Reuters
Golf – The 2020 Ryder Cup – Whistling Straits, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, U.S. – September 25, 2021 Michael Jordan watches the action by the 11th green during the Four-balls REUTERS/Mike Segar
via Reuters
Golf – The 2020 Ryder Cup – Whistling Straits, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, U.S. – September 25, 2021 Michael Jordan watches the action by the 11th green during the Four-balls REUTERS/Mike Segar
Legendary Michael Jordan is worshipped for his unmatched scoring ability with clutch performances and an endless desire to win. Jordan’s legacy as one of the all-time greats is firmly established but in terms of awards and offensive exploits. There’s one aspect of his game that often gets overlooked: that is his defense. This may be because Jordan averaged an impressive 30.1 points per game throughout his career, and that became his biggest talking point.
NBA player and current coach Christian Laettner highlighted this aspect of Jordan’s playstyle. In a recent interview, Laettner praised Jordan’s defensive skills which are often overshadowed by his offensive skills. Leitner believes Jordan’s defensive skills were also commendable. But he admits, “People Don’t Talk About That.”
Laettner’s perspective provides valuable insight into the importance of defense in basketball, an aspect of the game that is sometimes obscured in favor of sophisticated offences. As a coach himself, Laettner takes on challenges and instils defensive principles in modern players. Kobe Bryant, and other luminaries of basketball highlights, are also players who understood the importance of defensiveness and incorporated it into their games with unwavering dedication. Jordan’s defensive prowess isn’t just a byproduct of his athleticism, but the result of his excellent preparation, unparalleled work ethic, intuitive understanding of the game and ability to anticipate for opponents to go, destroy passing lanes and beat the opposition’s best scorer.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Michael Jordan as a Defensive Player
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Statistics also attest to Jordan’s defensive brilliance. Throughout his career, he collected plenty of awards for his defensive efforts. This included a record nine NBA All-Defensive First Team selections and the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988. Jordan’s impact on the defensive end was personal. He stretched beyond respectability, as he played a role in helping lead his teams to multiple championships, often making crucial defensive stops at critical moments in the game.
Read More: Shaquille O’Neal’s $1000000 Challenge Backfires as Fans Hilariously Demand Payment for 7ft 11 Star
Beyond the statistics, Jordan’s defensive skills left a lasting impression on teammates, opponents and basketball fans. His tenacity, toughness and relentless pursuit of effort served as inspiration for generations of players. This is by underscoring the importance of defense as a cornerstone of success in basketball.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In an era dominated by offence, Michael Jordan’s defensive excellence serves as a timeless reminder that the enduring value of defense in basketball, as Christian Laettner rightly notes, is the little things – defensive stops, busy play, commitment to excellence on both ends of the court. It stands as a testament to greatness, more than just a scoring statistic and leaves an indelible mark on the game he helped redefine.
