The usual allegation against modern-day basketball is softer defense, but is the 80s defense already outdated in the present context? During an appearance on TNT’s Player’s Only, Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas was asked for defensive tips back from his days in the league. Using Kawhi Leonard’s one clip as an example, Thomas explained the defense mechanisms from his days in real-time. And in a recent episode of No Chill Gil, Gilbert Arenas slammed the 2x NBA champ’s defense tips.

During the TNT’s show, Zeke started off by pointing out how modern players use their left hand for mirroring a right-hand dribble and then use the same hand for a block. But an old-school player would pump fake and once the defender’s left hand is up for a block, the offensive player would use the opportunity to shoot from the gap between the defender’s two hands. Now, Gil felt this could’ve been a play in the 80s, but not anymore. “I’m trying to hold it together… This was probably the sh*t 40 years ago. This was probably the best defense of advice back in the day,” he said with a big laugh.

“… I’m dribbling with my right hand and you gonna have this (left) hand up… And what the f*ck is this (right) hand for?… just in case I cross over? Okay. What if I don’t cross over? How you supposed to deflect the ball?” the former Washington Wizards star questioned on the No Chill Gil podcast. He further mentioned that in the 80s, players went left to right, not east to west like in the 90s. Further in the video, Gil continued watching Isiah Thomas’ tips against a right-hand dribble offense.

The 2x NBA champ had mentioned how he would go for a dig with his right hand against right-hand dribble. And in case of a spin by the opponent, he spun his whole body in the opposite direction on defense. Arenas bashed both the moves, saying players no longer go from left to right around the player but towards the basket itself. As for the spin, the 3x All-Star questioned what if the opponent goes for a half spin, while the defender has already spun around in the opposite direction?

The ex-Wizards star further criticized Zeke’s method, stating when guards started coming in, the old school started suffering. Gil mentioned it got tougher because defenders were not used to players coming at them but sideways.

More from Gil on Isiah Thomas’ defense tactics

The 3x All-Star further emphasized that players now have all the moves and pointed out Thomas’ era did not have moves like a crossover. However, he admitted, “This was cool 40 years ago. Not gonna take that away from 40 years ago.”

It is worth mentioning Isiah Thoms was a defensive force. He holds the 4th spot in most steals per game (2.9) in an NBA Finals series. Apart from this, he also holds the record for most steals (66) in a single playoff run. So it’s clear that his techniques worked quite decently for him. But the game has majorly evolved, so Gilbert Arenas may as well have a point in his claims.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.