Despite 30.1 PPG, It Was Michael Jordan’s Other Skill That Amused ‘Dream Team’ Teammate: “People Don’t Talk About That”

Published 03/29/2024, 10:56 AM EDT

Legendary Michael Jordan is worshipped for his unmatched scoring ability with clutch performances and an endless desire to win. Jordan’s legacy as one of the all-time greats is firmly established but in terms of awards and offensive exploits. There’s one aspect of his game that often gets overlooked: that is his defense. This may be because Jordan averaged an impressive 30.1 points per game throughout his career, and that became his biggest talking point.

NBA player and current coach Christian Laettner highlighted this aspect of Jordan’s playstyle. In a recent interview, Laettner praised Jordan’s defensive skills which are often overshadowed by his offensive skills. Leitner believes Jordan’s defensive skills were also commendable. But he admits, “People Don’t Talk About That.”

Laettner’s perspective provides valuable insight into the importance of defense in basketball, an aspect of the game that is sometimes obscured in favor of sophisticated offences. As a coach himself, Laettner takes on challenges and instils defensive principles in modern players. Kobe Bryant, and other luminaries of basketball highlights, are also players who understood the importance of defensiveness and incorporated it into their games with unwavering dedication. Jordan’s defensive prowess isn’t just a byproduct of his athleticism, but the result of his excellent preparation, unparalleled work ethic, intuitive understanding of the game and ability to anticipate for opponents to go, destroy passing lanes and beat the opposition’s best scorer.

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Michael Jordan as a Defensive Player

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Statistics also attest to Jordan’s defensive brilliance. Throughout his career, he collected plenty of awards for his defensive efforts. This included a record nine NBA All-Defensive First Team selections and the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988. Jordan’s impact on the defensive end was personal. He stretched beyond respectability, as he played a role in helping lead his teams to multiple championships, often making crucial defensive stops at critical moments in the game.

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Beyond the statistics, Jordan’s defensive skills left a lasting impression on teammates, opponents and basketball fans. His tenacity, toughness and relentless pursuit of effort served as inspiration for generations of players. This is by underscoring the importance of defense as a cornerstone of success in basketball.

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In an era dominated by offence, Michael Jordan’s defensive excellence serves as a timeless reminder that the enduring value of defense in basketball, as Christian Laettner rightly notes, is the little things – defensive stops, busy play, commitment to excellence on both ends of the court. It stands as a testament to greatness, more than just a scoring statistic and leaves an indelible mark on the game he helped redefine.

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Written by:

Daksh Saini is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports, where his passion for basketball converges with insightful analysis. Daksh specializes in crafting compelling articles that delve into the legacies of NBA legends. His unique perspective, coupled with a deep understanding of the game, allows him to offer readers nuanced commentary and engaging narratives focused on the iconic figures who have shaped the history of professional basketball.

Edited by:

Caroline Joseph

Despite 30.1 PPG, It Was Michael Jordan’s Other Skill That Amused ‘Dream Team’ Teammate: “People Don’t Talk About That”

Michael Jordan as a Defensive Player

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