To people who say "He's a good defender when he wants to be..."

[russwest0]

I've heard Harden, Melo, and LeBron stans say things like this all offseason, and I still don't know what they think they are saying.

You could say the same shit about like 90% of the NBA because with a few exceptions, basically all of these guys are world class athletes and are basically built perfectly for the game of basketball.... Defense is all about effort, you don't get brownie points for not putting forth effort when people think you are capable.... that doesn't mean shit.

Had Gary Payton switched onto Jordan for just a few plays back in the 96 finals, no one would care. Instead he TOOK THE CHALLENGE ON of guarding Jordan ALL GAME and making it as hard as possible on him. Why is it now that players get praised after just one to two plays of showing effort on defense after playing lazy defense for three quarters?

[JohnFreeman]

Durant isn't a good defender when he wants to be

[russwest0]

Durant isn't a good defender when he wants to be

He has had his moments like every other player (switching onto Kobe in 2012 playoffs and locking him up, locking Harden up for a whole half and holding Houston to just a 19 pt half), but the difference is unlike other fans, I understand that it doesn't mean shit unless it's a consistent showing.

[JohnFreeman]

He has had his moments like every other player (switching onto Kobe in 2012 playoffs and locking him up, locking Harden up for a whole half and holding Houston to just a 19 pt half), but the difference is unlike other fans, I understand that it doesn't mean shit unless it's a consistent showing.

I actually agree with you which is scary.

[Paul George 24]

He has had his moments like every other player (switching onto Kobe in 2012 playoffs and locking him up, locking Harden up for a whole half and holding Houston to just a 19 pt half), but the difference is unlike other fans, I understand that it doesn't mean shit unless it's a consistent showing.

he is weak and slow feet

[riseagainst]

I actually agree with you which is scary.

what's really scary is that this is one of the few non-troll-esque posts you've posted.

[LoneyROY7]

Russell Westbrook is a good defender when he wants to be.

[russwest0]

Russell Westbrook is a good defender when he wants to be.

In the playoffs last year, he "wanted to be" a good defender all the time. Maybe it's because he was well rested, I don't know. It was boss as shit though.

[navy]

Russell Westbrook is a good defender when he wants to be.

This. Russel Westbrook gets burned and lost on screens all the time.

[russwest0]

This. Russel Westbrook gets burned and lost on screens all the time.

Yeah, and? He was a great defender last season overall, ESPECIALLY relative to the other stars in this sport.

I didn't come in here claiming shit about Westbrook, who was a badass on defense in the playoffs and in his exit interview said he's going to carry that into next season.

It was more or less about fans of guys like Harden, Melo, LeBron, and I haven't seen this much from Durant stans, but I'll throw them in there as well, who try to overhype their guy just because "He's a good defender when he wants to be."

[riseagainst]

OP is a good poster, when he wants to be.

:P

[nightprowler10]

OP is a good poster, when he wants to be.

:P

So meta.

[Trollsmasher]

Durant isn't a good defender when he wants to be

[russwest0]

At least Durant came out guarding LeBron in the Finals, while LeBron came out letting his teammates do the dirty work while he hid on Perkins.

Durant held LeBron to 9-27 shooting but couldn't keep guarding him because the BS foul trouble was fukking over OKC too much.

[riseagainst]

At least Durant came out guarding LeBron in the Finals, while LeBron came out letting his teammates do the dirty work while he hid on Perkins.

Durant held LeBron to 9-27 shooting but couldn't keep guarding him because the BS foul trouble was fukking over OKC too much.

wasn't there a game where Lebron started as center and all his stans were making such a fuss about it calling him GOAT. Ignoring that he was matched up with Perkins.