Bleacher Report continues its series “The Portal” which confronts two players with the same style, but from different eras. Five episodes have already been released, including Giannis vs Wilt, Embiid vs Barkley, and Luka vs Magic last week. For the sixth, we forget the show and the points to highlight two masters of defense: Draymond Green and Dennis Rodman.
In an era where we always want more spectacle, highlights and mind-blowing movements, we almost forget that defense remains a (the?) very important sector that wins titles. This week, Bleacher Report puts this aspect of the game in the spotlight by pitting two specialists in this field against each other in the sixth episode of “The Portal”: Draymond Green and Dennis Rodman. Here we’re talking about former DPOYs with multiple NBA All-Defensive First Team selections. Two players who like to talk on and off the court. This episode refers to it several times with a little spade for Charles Barkley: “(Rodman) You open your mouth like Barkley. (Green) But I do it so much better than him. » Our two friends aren’t very good at shooting, but that’s not the point. The objective is to show who is the real wall in defense. So make way for counters and rebounds in a fierce physical battle. Let’s forget the 21 classic points of a playground and lower them to 3 to be able to go to sleep in a reasonable amount of time. In the end, for the first time, basketball is no longer a basket-ball sport, but a block-ball sport.
DRAYMOND VS. DENNIS RODMAN 1-ON-1????
Defense. Boards. Definitely not dirty fouls…
New episode of the “The Portal” starts NOW@FTX_Official pic.twitter.com/jKdDO8YKKI
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2022
We would have liked to see these two players play against each other in reality. Two tough players, who do the dirty work in the shadows, but yet so enlightened in the media whether for their outings in public or for their behavior on the field. Two members of a dynasty too. Although Rodman didn’t spend his entire career with the Bulls, he was part of the second three-peat of the Jordan era after winning back-to-back in Detroit. The Worm went 72-10 with Chicago, Day-Day went 73-9 with Golden State. Moreover, during an interview with ESPN three years ago, Rodman was asked which team was better out of those two. He did not hide and affirmed that his team was necessarily the best, while arguing. But the passage that interests us the most is when he challenges his opponent from “The Portal”. At that moment, Draymond had proclaimed himself “the best defenseman in history”. Rodzilla apostrophes it with sweet words: “Draymond, put your tongue away before you speak” for the soft version. A taste of what we could have had on the pitch.
A duel that leaves no time to breathe, while being very vocal. Not the most spectacular, but perhaps the most useful to restore the prestige of the defense which today is often overlooked in the headlines and television debates. Thank you Bleacher Report !
It’ll take them 6 days to finish this game. pic.twitter.com/lHDkcTe1UH
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) May 11, 2022
