Former NBA All-Star compares defending against Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, says one was more efficient
As a player with solid longevity in the NBA, Grant Hill played against all kinds of players. This included playing against prime Michael Jordan and prime Kobe Bryant. As their primary defensive matchup, Hill provided insights about defending them.
Grant Hill had an eventful NBA career after his college stint at Duke University. Most basketball fans saw him as the next superstar, but injuries derailed his stardom. Despite that fall, he was still a multi-time NBA All-Star.
Teams trusted him to be an offensive star and to guard the toughest matchups. This included playing against champion-level players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Since Hill recovered and had a lengthy career, he managed to play against both players during their primes.
As one of the players who had that unique perspective, Hill made sure to speak about it.
As a player with high basketball IQ, Hill had to learn how to play against these two superstars. They were two of the most difficult matchups in NBA history, considering these are all-time great scorers.
Hill understood both assignments, but he rarely locked them down. They were too good to stop, but Hill managed to slow them down from time to time. Their greatness was too much for any defender to lock down.
Hill dove deep into the nuances of defending these two superstars. It was not a conversation about one taking the last shot; it was an evaluation of their entire game. Jordan set the standard, while Bryant made sure to follow in his footsteps and match up well against him.
“I always felt Jordan was more efficient. Jordan got what he wanted (with his shots). Sometimes with Kobe, there was always a degree of difficulty,” Hill said in a 2014 The Dan Patrick Show interview.
“Having played against both, Jordan would get his 30-35-40 in the rhythm and flow of the triangle offense.”
“Kobe would do anything; he was not gonna always trust the offense. He would break it and go because he was capable of doing so, and he had the green light.”
Both Jordan and Bryant deserve their flowers
Even if their fans clash with each other, Jordan and Bryant are two of the game’s greatest players. With their impressive resumes, it is difficult to go against either player. They deserve the praise they have received over the years.
Hill is one of the players who fully appreciates both. He knew what it was like to play against greatness. The former Duke Blue Devil was also a great player in his own right, so he knows how to be a star.
Most NBA players who went up against both Jordan and Bryant would agree. They were undeniable, even if their matchups played their best defense possible. That was how talented both Jordan and Bryant were during their NBA careers.
They had similar play styles, but they had different circumstances. Jordan was more effective and efficient with his shot-making, while Bryant tended to force the issue. It was a fun dynamic to think about, but both players remain fantastic stars.
