Where would you rank Barbosa?

[slinslin]

Where would you rank Starbosa among PGs in

a) defense

b) quickness

c) speed

I would probably even put him at #1 or close to it on defense and speed.

I love watching him defend when he comes into the games. And once he gets a steal, man he is definately faster than Shawn Marion or Stephon Marbury.

Are there any truly great defenders among PGs? Marbury and Kidd are probably already the best that the NBA has to offer right now.

 

[schutd]

Gary Payton?

 

[fordronken]

Originally posted by schutd
Gary Payton?

He's nowhere near where he used to be. His last playoff year in Seattle he got burned by Tony Parker. Payton is still a very smart defender, but his reputation plays better defense than he does.

I think Erick Strickland is a very underrated defender at the point.

 

[slinslin]

Gary Payton at best is an above average defender right now.

3 years ago I would probably agree but his defense is nothing special anymore.

Erick Strickland is riding Milwaukee's bench behind Ford and Damon Jones I guess.

 

[fordronken]

Originally posted by slinslin
Erick Strickland is riding Milwaukee's bench behind Ford and Damon Jones I guess.

He's also a lot worse at a lot of other parts of the game.

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm not sure Barbosa is as consistent on defense as I would like, but he makes a lot of big plays and is just a kid. I can see him being a "lock down" defender as early as next year.

On the offensive side, he is erratic in the half court. I'm glad to haer that Stephon has been working with him because it takes time to learn to become an NBA point guard (none of the other rookie PG's are tearing up the league either)

I am really excited about his potential but he's not there yet. Soon.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by fordronken
.

I think Erick Strickland is a very underrated defender at the point.

He is a big, defensive PG who completely shut down Marbury last March.