Kevin Durant and Lebron James have been at the top of the NBA for nearly a decade. The two have very different games that have resulted in similar results, Durant sporting two rings and James rocking four.
While there are very few players currently who can contain the two offensive juggernauts, there are some NBA former players who would’ve been able to take on the challenge. Here are four 90’s defenders who would’ve contained both Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
4. Bruce Bowen
Bruce Bowen already answered half of this question in the 2007 NBA Finals. The Spurs absolutely dominated James– largely because he was a younger not fully realized Lebron James. The fact still remains that we already have a glimpse of Bowen’s defensive prowess on James and in that glimpse Bowen was fantastic– containing James to just 23 points on six turnovers per game in the 2007 Finals.
Bowen is one of the greatest perimeter defenders the league has seen. He is 6'7″ and 200 pounds and had the footwork, skills, and aggression combined with hard work to make him a feared player on defense. He was often tasked with defending players from multiple positions too, anything from 1-4, and he did it at a high level.
James is an NBA all-time great. He has a resume that has put him in the GOAT conversation. Bowen has defended players in that same conversation and has done it very well. He would’ve been able to get under James and Durant's skin. There aren’t many people in the league who pressure the ball at a real arms-length anymore. Instead, guys back of sort of ushering players instead of getting in their jersey. Bowen was in your jersey, jabbing at the ball before it was put on the ground, and mirroring it once it was picked up. He was the definition of a pest.
Imagine Patrick Beverley, but instead of racking up a bunch of fouls and getting scorched for 40 points, holding a star to reasonable numbers. That was Bruce Bowen.
3. Michael Jordan
There’s a reason why so many people consider Jordan to be the GOAT. Aside from scoring at an all-time elite level, Jordan was also an brilliant defender.
Jordan got nine All-NBA First Defensive Team selections, a record that he shares with Gary Payton. He also is one of three players to win MVP and DPOY in the same season– the other two being Hakeem Olajuwon and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
He had quick hands that he used to strip the ball and cause many fast breaks. His ability to block shots was crucial to his defensive skill set. He often locked his man without a problem. Jordan’s defense was just as lethal as his offense for any reason, but primarily because of his edge.
The same way Lebron James watches enough film to call out opponents plays, Jordan is relentless in studying his enemy. Even to this day, Jordan is studying opposing players. In an aged article for Bleacher Report, Jordan broke down how to defend James.
“So if I have to guard him,” Jordan says, “I'm gonna push him left so nine times out of 10, he's gonna shoot a jump shot. If he goes right, he's going to the hole and I can't stop him. So I ain't letting him go right.”
Jordan was a menace on both ends in the NBA. His will to win is one of the most admired in the sports world. That will is what drove his defensive tenacity and is why he would’ve been able to contain both Lebron James and Kevin Durant.
Even the shiftiest of ball handlers weren’t able to shake Jordan. Even the infamous crossover Allen Iverson hit Jordan with didn’t get rid of MJ, he was still able to recover and contest the shot– it was just a good shot. More importantly, he kept Iverson on one side of the court.
When it comes to defending Durant and James, staying in front of the ball and shrinking the court is the most crucial aspect to containing them. When they are able to play with the ball and get to the middle, not only do they have more options of how to score but they also have the entirety of the court around them to make a play for someone else.
Jordan was a master at disrupting players’ handles and pushing them to one side. He would not only be able to stay in front of Durant and James in today's NBA, but he would also disrupt their signature moves.
The best bet for both players would be to post Jordan up, a ploy that limits their all-around effect on the offensive side.
2. Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman couldn't do many things right, but for everything bad that he did on and off the court, he was an fantastic defender.
He was one of the most versatile defenders in the 90s. Rodman’s strength and tenacity allowed him to force players into their worst shooting nights. He wasn't the strongest, tallest, or even the quickest, but he was a skilled and productive defender.
And in this case, Rodman has already weighed in on one of the players mention.
“LeBron is so easy to play,” Rodman said on the YouTube channel Overtime. “He is so f——- easy to play. He don't have any moves, he ain't got no moves.”
And while Rodman’s words were considered by many in today's NBA to be an example of an “old head” hating on the new generation, he wasn’t completely wrong. When you think of signature moves, you often think of handles or a secondary counter move. James doesn’t have any of that. His move is his strength, and for the most part, it’s unstoppable.
Rodman was freakishly strong and barbarically physical. James would not have been able to play bully ball with Rodman, and he might not have even wanted to. Outside of the physicality of Rodman, he also moved his feet very well and had an extremely high defensive IQ.
He knew how to shrink the court and lay in space. He used help defense to his advantage and forced players into uncomfortable situations. In the case of James, he would’ve forced him into becoming a jump shooter.
In the case of Durant, Rodman would’ve been ultra physical with him. Durant’s offensive skill set is more complex than James’, but his physical prowess isn’t on the same level. That is where Rodman would’ve attacked. Again, Rodman was a master at getting under players’ skin. He would’ve pushed Durant off his spot prior to getting the ball and would’ve been physical with Durant whenever he didn’t have the ball– on defense and offense.
1. Scottie Pippen
Everything that was said about Michael Jordan’s defense is Scottie Pippen but in a 6’8 frame.
Pippen is arguably the greatest perimeter defender in league history. He was an athletic forward with long hands and footwork combined with nice skills that earned him eight All-Defensive NBA First Team selections.
He was the A-defender– meaning he defended the other team’s best ball handler– on the best team of the ’90s. He had a high IQ that he used in order to beat multiple players, and he was a versatile stopper who could switch to defend everything from the 1 to 4 positions.
Pippen was a defensive beast in every sense of the word, so of course, he would’ve been able to not only contain but stop Durant and James.
This can’t be stressed enough, Lebron James isn’t an overly crafty scorer. He doesn’t hit defenders with hesitations moves, up and unders, or five combination dribbles. He plays in straights line– which isn’t a bad thing. He knows where he wants to go and he put his head down and gets there. That is all physicality, and not a lot of people can stop it.
Pippen was just a big as James and was nearly as strong. James would not have been able to bully Pippen down the lane. Throwing his elbow into a layup would not have moved Pippen. Lebron would’ve been forced to add a sharper handle into his arsenal or even become a stronger shooter from the perimeter if Scottie Pippen was dropped into this era.
Kevin Durant has a much larger offensive arsenal. He can score from anywhere and at an extremely high level. This matchup would’ve been a sight to see. Pippen at 6’8 has the length to disrupt Durant’s jumpshot and the footwork to stay in front of him. He is strong enough to push Durant off of his spots prior to getting the ball and skilled enough to apply full-court pressure.
There is a reason that Pippen is regarded as the NBA's perimeter defensive GOAT.
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