Lebron James is absolutely one of the best defensive guys in the league. What are you basing your opinion on?
I hate answering questions like this, but really? What are you basing it on?
He may have turned over a new leaf this year.
Exerpt from John Hollinger’s analysis:
Scouting report: James’ combination of size and speed has never been seen before. He’s a runaway train in transition who blows past defenders and soars for dunks, shaking off any contact as though he were Earl Campbell breaking an arm tackle. He’s nearly as effective on drives in the half court, where at 6-9, 260 pounds he can overpower even centers and power forwards at the basket and finish with either hand.
James is also an unusually skilled ball handler for his size, attacking defenses off the dribble on pick-and-rolls – especially when going right – and consistently finding the open man when defenses overplay him. His only weakness is a tendency to stall with the ball and retreat to half court when he’s crowded on pick-and-roll plays, but he’s such a capable scorer that I’m not sure the Cavs mind the ball sticking a bit. They would, however, like to see him develop more of a post game to take advantage of his nightly size advantage at small forward.
James’s defense has improved tremendously the past two seasons. While he still rarely defends an opponent’s top scorer – he’s got plenty on his plate already, thanks – he’s much more active on the weak side and has successfully defended top scorers late in games.
At this point the only concern is that the Cavs will burn him out. He’s played over 40 minutes a game for four straight seasons, and in four of the past five summers he’s competed for the U.S. in international tournaments. Though he’s shrugged it off thus far, he’s also a huge guy who is putting a lot of pounding on his knees at a young age, and that could have an impact later in his 20s.
So it sounds like he’s improving.
He’s 5th in the league in steals. He’s 28th in blocks (pretty impressive for a non-center). Most importantly, he guards the other team’s best player. He shut down Paul Pierce last week, and he gives Kobe fits whenever they play. I don’t know how many times he’s blown up fast breaks the other way this year by coming out of nowhere to block a layup attempt. I think he could have been an NBA All Defensive 2nd teamer last season, but he’ll definitely be on the 1st team this season, and possibly DPOY.
Richard Hamilton for the Pistons gets some defensive credit as well, but he’s a good defender because of overall team defense and playing within the scheme.
I won’t discredit Lebron because it sounds like he’s made another step up in his play this year (as if it were frickin’ possible). I need to see more games. It’s very possible (and probable) that I am under-educated.