benji wrote:Kidd was the best defensive player on a series of league leading defenses and far better than a Kobe or Raja Bell.
Speaking of Kobe, it's so much bullshit how many all defensive teams he's made throughout his career. He just hasn't been active enough on defensive end for so long. Kirk Hinrich has been the superior defensive force than Kobe and it's just that simple. And I also can't credit Kobe since he rarely had to guard the other team's best offensive perimeter players unlike Lebron or Wade. But I think he could have turned out to be a great defensive player if he ever wanted to, as shown in earlier days of his career.
Lebron on the other hand, I have to admit placing him over Pippen or Jordan is an overstatement. Lebron hasn't been a great on-ball defensive player and that I think is why people forget to see him as a force defensively. But it's noteworthy he takes on the tougher challenges than others all the time, to guard the other team's best players, being able to guard multiple positions, affecting shots with chasing and blocking ability, and with his size and quickness to respond to the help defense.
Ok, back to the topic. Kidd's stregnth I think is similar to Lebron's. A point guard that can guard 2, also the size, and overall smart decision maker on defensive end.
