McGrady and Iverson can be every bit as good as Kobe on defense. Kobe has been living off of reputation for a while now. Kobe is good in the clutch, but more dangerous than a wide-open Reggie Miller? Pierce is as clutch as anybody, and T-Mac proved himself in the playoffs, as well. Iverson's already led a team to the Finals on his back, and always has his team in the playoffs. He also doesn't have talent like Lamar Odom and Caron Butler around him.
The Debate is Over...
- Thread starter El Duque
- Start date
Laughable if you would expect equal results with anyone but Tmac. Equal results being 3 consecutive titles and 4 Finals. AI you could argue for but even then I'd still say he wouldn't do because you couldn't switch him onto bigger perimeter players and he's not as efficient a scorer.
Tmac, sure. AI? Since when is 6'0" the same as 6'7" Bryant or 6'8" Tmac? And both Tmac and Kobe have longer wingspans to boot.
And doesn't "they can be every bit as good" imply they haven't been every bit as good defensively?
He's right up there with Reggie. Reggie is arguably the only player in the league you'd take over Kobe in a high pressure situation (last second shot, FTs, etc.).
I highly disagree, but even if this were true, the point was never who was more clutch, but which player was better if they replaced Bryant. Neither Pierce or Reggie are nearly as good as Bryant as a scorer or defender, and they certainly can't create for their teammates as well.
Er, what? Since when?
"Talent" like Butler and Odom are worthless if they play the same position and don't play defense. AI at least has his defensive fits in Iggy and Dalembert, and a better coach to boot (which isn't saying much, O'Brien isn't very good).
Tmac, sure. AI? Since when is 6'0" the same as 6'7" Bryant or 6'8" Tmac? And both Tmac and Kobe have longer wingspans to boot.
And doesn't "they can be every bit as good" imply they haven't been every bit as good defensively?
He's right up there with Reggie. Reggie is arguably the only player in the league you'd take over Kobe in a high pressure situation (last second shot, FTs, etc.).
I highly disagree, but even if this were true, the point was never who was more clutch, but which player was better if they replaced Bryant. Neither Pierce or Reggie are nearly as good as Bryant as a scorer or defender, and they certainly can't create for their teammates as well.
Er, what? Since when?
"Talent" like Butler and Odom are worthless if they play the same position and don't play defense. AI at least has his defensive fits in Iggy and Dalembert, and a better coach to boot (which isn't saying much, O'Brien isn't very good).