The 1996 NBA All-Defensive team was an absolute nightmare for scorers. Imagine having to go through Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and David Robinson.
This had NBA fans debating on which player could score against that unit. The most repeated reply was “No one.”
No one https://t.co/15gV3JPLZx
— Jake (@JShootersBounce) May 24, 2023
Some believed that the 2015-2018 Golden State Warriors stood a chance.
2015 – 2018 Warriors https://t.co/HisIQo1nDa
— De_Mystery || The Magical Herta✨ (@694Demigodz) May 24, 2023
For some, it was the Celtics duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
These Young Men https://t.co/ghtnEWpWTV pic.twitter.com/ayK7Nj5Mrr
— Mr. Wilson 🏀NBAC (@Smoty2Shifty) May 24, 2023
The Lakers’ famed duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were mentioned as well.
https://twitter.com/c5fiive/status/1661253698662834177
One fan bought yesteryear stars. “Oscar, Jerry, Elgin, Kareem, Wilt. They’ll win by 50 points.
Oscar, Jerry, Elgin, Kareem, Wilt. They'll win by 50 points. https://t.co/YW6kmELoeB
— JGD (@justgotdone6) May 24, 2023
Clearly, there was a lot of distinction as the All-Defensive second team that year included Mookie Blaylock (Atlanta Hawks), Horace Grant (Orlando Magic), Derrick McKey (Indiana Pacers), Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets), and Bobby Phills (Cleveland Cavaliers).
While the second unit might face some stiff competition, the first team will surely go down in history as one of the more potent defensive outfits in NBA history.
Michael Jordan And Gary Payton Made The All-Defensive Teams Nine Times
Such was the greatness of these two players, that Jordan and Payton made the All-Defensive teams in the league a whopping nine times. The other players on this list include Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant.
It should be worth noting that MJ and Payton had a go during the 1996 NBA Finals, which saw the former emerge victorious over ‘The Glove.’ Netflix and ESPN’s ‘The Last Dance’ captured that rivalry fully.
Soon after, Payton was reportedly miffed when MJ laughed about his comments on being able to guard the Bulls star. Per Bleacher Report, “Oh you know I was hot. I was thinking about calling him at the time. … But you know what, that’s what I expect out of Mike because I would’ve said the same thing. I would’ve said the same thing. You know me, B. I’m not gonna admit to nothing, man. I’m not gonna admit to somebody that D’d me up or did nothing.”
They may have that skirmish, but their legendary feats on the court defensively put them on the same side when the league announced the All-Defensive teams.
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