Is Chris Paul's defense overrated?

[greatest-ever]

There's people who act like he's Gary Payton or Jason Kidd at defense.

[Fire Colangelo]

He's not gonna shut anybody down, but he's a great defender in his own right.

He's fundamentally sound on defense, and gets steals with minimal gamble.

[GrapeApe]

I've never really heard anyone call him a shut-down defender or some kind of defensive game changer. He's usually regarded as a good to very good defender, which he is.

[feyki]

He's on the same level as Stockton for defence . Kidd was Lebron level defensive player and Payton was Jordan level . Too much for CP3 .

[ScalsFan21]

He's a good defensive player for his position, but yeah the impact he has on that end is probably overstated. Sure as hell locked down KD in the playoffs though.

[Doranku]

He's a good defensive player for his position, but yeah the impact he has on that end is probably overstated. Sure as hell locked down KD in the playoffs though.

This. PG defense in general is overrated.

[DATBOYFLUENT]

He is not a lockdown defender like a Jason Kidd or Gary Payton but he is however a smart defender, one that is able to read the passing lanes, knows when to double and create turnovers with his hands and also flop to create turnovers.

[ClipperRevival]

For his size (probably 5'10" without shoes), he might be the best defender ever. Find me another guy right at 6'0" in shoes that was better? Of course a guy like Kidd/Payton will be more impactful given their 5" height and also length advantage. But you didn't get much better than CP3. Great on the ball, strong as hell from the hips down, quick feet, one of the best ever at generating steals and just played within himself. He does not do a lot of gambling and doesn't put his teammates in bad position.

A guy like Kobe made all defensive teams when he shouldn't have late in his career because he played a lot of free safety and gambled a lot.

[DATBOYFLUENT]

For his size (probably 5'10" without shoes), he might be the best defender ever. Find me another guy right at 6'0" in shoes that was better? Of course a guy like Kidd/Payton will be more impactful given their 5" height and also length advantage. But you didn't get much better than CP3. Great on the ball, strong as hell from the hips down, quick feet, one of the best ever at generating steals and just played within himself. He does not do a lot of gambling and doesn't put his teammates in bad position.

A guy like Kobe made all defensive teams when he shouldn't have late in his career because he played a lot of free safety and gambled a lot.

JJ Barea is up there as well dude was able to hold his own when guarding Lebron James in the 2011 NBA Finals.

[andgar923]

JJ Barea is up there as well dude was able to hold his own when guarding Lebron James in the 2011 NBA Finals.

CP3 locked up Bron a number of times as well.

[bdreason]

He's a top 3 defender at his position along with being the most efficient offensive player at his position. He's the best PG in the NBA, in a league that is absolutely stacked at the PG position.