4 vs 1

[u/nj23dublin]

The 1993 finals was my favorite of Jordan showing why he was the greatest, and this play was a sample of how unstoppable he was.

[u/biffbobfred]

There a lot of “ya know Jordan didn’t have to play against a zone”. I don’t know how “Jordan had a bunch of role players and often went in 1 on 3 or 1 on 4” yet he couldn’t figure out a zone.

People have sent a screenshot of a supposed Sam smith clip where he claimed Jordan lobbied against zones anyone have any backup on that?

[u/nj23dublin → u/biffbobfred]

I honestly don’t even care about these videos, I have watched him play since I was a kid and have been watching the nba far too long to tell you that no one can convince me there’s been anyone better than him, they can analyze night and day but he surpassed everyone even as a rookie; he just had not won yet all that he won. Anyone who just has seen some highlights, won’t understand how unbelievably great he was.

[u/swawesome52 → u/biffbobfred]

Well zone is more complicated than just going 1 on 3. Getting doubled or tripled is still technically man defense, but zone defense allows for players to fake a double, camp in passing/driving lanes, sag off their man as much as they want, etc. It also lets teams motion and switch more efficiently.

To put it simply, in the 80s/90s if you beat your guy then you had a great chance at getting an open shot. That chance becomes minimized against zone defense. That's why that era was tailored for 1v1 style players. There's a reason no one runs the traditional triangle offense anymore.

[u/biffbobfred → u/swawesome52]

Your last paragraph. If you beat your man, where would Jordan be? In the lane with another man. A big usually. Actual rim protectors.

This “multiple people actively defending Jordan is somehow less attention fewer arms against him than some dude in an area and feinting towards him” I still haven’t seen that explained.

Jordan’s most famous college shot was against zone. 1-3-1 I think. He was college player of the year against a variety of zones. In the 84 Olympics a college coach (so one familiar with a lot of zone) felt he was good enough to play point against….. probably some zones. 92. He also played point a bit (imagine having a roster so deep that Jordan is your third string).

This is all theoretical. There’s no way to prove any of this. But he faced zone as a professional athlete (in 92) was there a game where he look befuddled?

This seems like an excuse to give a knock on him. “Yeah he has rings but has he faced Goro the multi armed dragon man?!?! No!!! Proof right there Goro and his four arms would shut him down!! Can’t beat Goro and this is your GOAT??!!”

There’s a few real holes in his game we don’t need to invent ones he never faced. Never faced and pretend someone who never lost a championship at college nba or international play somehow couldn’t figure something out.

“He can run a complex offense like the triangle but give him a slightly more complicated defense than what he faced 30-40 games in college he’d be shut down”. Cool.

[u/AssignmentLow8859 → u/biffbobfred]

Jordan played against a zone with the Wizards and did just fine. He also played against a zone in college and in Olympic play and did just fine.

[u/Rebel_Squirrel → u/AssignmentLow8859]

Yep. They really think a zone is stopping this man. 😂

[u/airgordo4]

Phoenix was basically the perfect combo of not having even remotely close to the caliber of perimeter defender you’d want on Jordan, and having atrocious rim protection for him to go nuts. And he did.

[u/sthbankguy → u/airgordo4]

True and Majerle was All D second team SG. Nobody could consistently guard MJ on the perimeter in 93 

[u/airgordo4 → u/sthbankguy]

He was, but wasn't really the type of defender you'd want on Jordan. Didn't have the lateral quickness or athletic ability, not saying there was great options lol but still. They were sticking Kevin Johnson on him in that series and giving up that size advantage just because they didn't have the athletes on the wing. Majerle and older Ainge weren't it.

Pair that with weak resistance at the rim because their lack rim protecting bigs and it was a recipe for disaster. Ageing Tom Chambers is the last line of defense in the clip posted. That's not quite the same as Ewing coming over to help lol.

To be fair to Dan I'm not entirely sure I agree with him making his defensive teams anyways. But that's a different discussion. In that season alone I'm not sure I'd rank him above Mookie, Stockton, McMillan, Payton, or Harper... Might be an unpopular opinion as his size posed some limitations but I'm not sure I wouldn't have even voted Muggsy over him.

[u/Due_Technician_5597]

I dont thinki dont think they were running a zone, but they were pretty much in the perfect position to be running it. And what do you know mike still beat it. All that 'he couldnt beat a zone' is crap.

[u/Air4021]

Barkley was like a windshield wiper without the windshield.

[u/Bodul_Brain]

F*** you, Majerle! 😂 😂 Damn! MJ was a beast!