Players in NBA History who could truly guard 1-5

[KidJSoul]

Modern players I really think Giannis and Rodman the only ones with a shot. Now if you wanna say give you a few good minutes on the perimeter or the inside you get a few more players

Giannis was getting cooked by KD in 2021

 

[Trojan 24]

Giannis was getting cooked by KD in 2021

Well it doesn't mean they can guard everyone, but in general he can gaurd most 3/4s at a high level. Like Shaq would drop 50 on him but I'm not gonna say he can't guard centers because of that

 

[Flex Grossman]

No one. People use that for players like Nic Batum that can get away with playing C against a team without a center that is any kind of offensive threat.

Theres never been a player that is big and physical enough to guard Jokic in the post and also quick enough to stay in front of Deaaron Fox

 

[inndaskKy]

Giannis
Ben Simmons
LeBron
KD
Clint Capela
Rodman

 

[Cladyclad]

Bron was guarding Murray and Joker same game in year 22

 

[Houston911]

These guys who can guard 1-5 wouldnt have that same success if small ball went away

A ce

 

[SchoolboyC]

U can never lockdown any offensive juggernaut possession by possession

That’s why I’m asking @SchoolboyC could Tatum give Shaq work

If the barometer for being able to guard 5s is guarding Shaq then there not might be 10 players in the history of the game who qualify as being able to guard centers

But he’s able to switch between guarding any position, his versatility is the biggest reason Mazzulla can scheme the defense the way he does.

 

[Buckeye Fever]

It's all dependent on who is all on the court for the other team.

Ppl use that guard all 5 positions shít nowadays because we got 6'6" power forwards and 6'9" centers.

No one was saying that shít when Shaq was in the league. You had to use up 3 roster spots on centers just to foul Shaq.

Shít, today you can put Tatum at center full time and I bet the Celtics easily crack 50 wins

 

[Supa]

The correct answer is Draymond Jamal Green Sr.

Saw him be primary defender to prime CP0, Wiz era SG Brad Beal, Knicks era SF Melo, skyscraper PF AD & skilled C Joker

Worm defended guards & wings in Det...he was not asked to do that in ChiCARGO

Because Jordan and Pippen were elite defender defenders. Worm still could've guarded anyone on the court if Phil asked.

 

[Osmosis]

Bron was guarding Murray and Joker same game in year 22

GOAT shyt

 

[steph_harden]

For a couple of years I think Giannis could, not anymore though

He could never guard quick guards.

 

[Controversy]

Because Jordan and Pippen were elite defender defenders. Worm still could've guarded anyone on the court if Phil asked.

He was in his mid 30s by then, we honestly don't know

I don't think he could've chased around 97 or 98 Iverson for 4 quarters

 

[SchoolboyC]

It's all dependent on who is all on the court for the other team.

Ppl use that guard all 5 positions shít nowadays because we got 6'6" power forwards and 6'9" centers.

No one was saying that shít when Shaq was in the league. You had to use up 3 roster spots on centers just to foul Shaq.

Shít, today you can put Tatum at center full time and I bet the Celtics easily crack 50 wins

100%.

Also I think ppl need to understand there’s a difference between being able to hold your own/not being a liability and locking up/being elite at guarding a position.

Like Draymond can hold his own guarding any position but is he an elite defender at any position or against any archetype of player? No. I think some ppl take that label too literally

 

[UpAndComing]

Can he guard Shaq?

U can never lockdown any offensive juggernaut possession by possession

That’s why I’m asking @SchoolboyC could Tatum give Shaq work

Can anyone guard Shaq outside of maybe 5-10 players in History?

 

[Braman]

Anthony Mason

Ron Artest

Derrick Mckey

Jonathan Bender