The GOAT debate in the NBA has been restricted to a handful of elites. However, another major aspect of the game is the best defensive player. And, the argument for that is wide open. While there have been some stellar performers in the past, the new age of athletes didn’t disappoint either on the defensive side of the game. Dennis Rodman is widely regarded as one of the very best defenders the game has ever seen. However, his position has been challenged several times over the years.

Recently, a 4x NBA champion gave his take on one of the finest defensive players of all time. However, his conversation was more about talking down on the Chicago Bulls legend while he praised Nikola Jokic.

John Salley gives high praise to Nikola Jokic

Salley is a 4x NBA champion and one of Detroit Pistons‘ all-time leaders in blocked shots. Other than that, the 59-year-old holds a unique record under his name. Salley is the only athlete in the history of the game to have won an NBA title in three different decades.

He recently talked about this year’s Finals MVP. Impressed by Jokic’s skills, Salley started on an unusual comparison, bringing Rodman into the mix. He said that he has never seen the “moves” of the Joker, which makes him a dangerous player.

Salley said, “He[Jokic] would have given Dennis Rodman some problems because of his moves.”

As per the ex-NBA star, Jokic’s ability to constantly keep changing and be unpredictable makes him one of the best athletes in the game. However, bringing Rodman into this conversation brings up an interesting contradiction from what he had said before about the ex-teammate of Michael Jordan. In the past, Salley has been singing praises of the Worm. In fact, he didn’t even hesitate before tearing down the tall claims of Draymond Green while praising Rodman.

Green had claimed that he was the best defensive player of all time.

Read More: 9x NBA Champion Names Warriors Star As The ?Best Defender? Despite Playing With Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Others

Salley destroyed Draymond Green’s claim

As someone who played during the golden era of basketball, Salley has seen some of the best names perform their magic on the court. In fact, in 1996, he was Rodman and Jordan’s teammates, earning him his third NBA title.

A few months ago, during his conversation with DJ VLAD, he verbally destroyed Green for his claim as the best defender to ever play. Reacting to Green’s comments, Salley said: “Yeah, he’s tripping”. He then proceeded to take Rodman’s name among the best ever in the game.

Interesting to see that now Salley thinks that the same Rodman may not stand against Jokic.

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