Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: NBA, Michael Jordan
Matthew Holt
A former NBA star has claimed Michael Jordan was overrated in one area of the sport.
Jordan is widely considered the best player to ever grace the sport having done so for 15 seasons, with LeBron James widely considered to be his biggest rival in the much-debated NBA 'GOAT' debate.
Having won six titles and being named NBA's regular-season MVP on five occasions, it is hard to argue the case against MJ.
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But former player Rasheed Wallace believes one key facet of Jordan's game was not challenged enough during his pomp.
“All that's NBA s***: 'We like Mike, we're gonna put him up there (on an All-Defensive Team)," he told Sheed and Tyler.
"I'm talking about being out there, I've seen this motherf***** get his arse busted, where he couldn't stop a motherf*****.
"Against JR Rider, yeah probably against Clyde Drexler, s*** don't forget the early Joe Dumars.
“I'm not saying that he didn't play defence, I'm just saying that his defence wasn't as high as most other cats at that time.
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"I couldn't put him on like 10 or 11 consecutive First-Team All-Defensive joints, dawg."
It is worth noting that this isn't the first time Jordan's capabilities at the other end of the court have been criticised.
His often staggering offensive prowess was the main talking point but, in terms of his all-round game, other players have been mooted as outperforming the NBA powerhouse.
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What isn't up for debate is Jordan's impact on the sport and taking it to the next level during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The debate will no doubt continue to rage on but the 61-year-old's crown wont be tainted by Wallace's remarks.
"People always debated who's the greatest player of all time," Jordan said back in 2022 when asked to settle the GOAT debate.
"Dumb question. It should be who's the greatest team of all time.
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"You know, there are so many teams to choose from.
"The '91 Chicago Bulls. The '92 Bulls, back to back. The 93' Bulls, first three-peat.
"The '97 Bulls, even with the flu. The '98 Bulls, no push off.
"And my favourite, the '96 Chicago Bulls, 72 wins, tough to beat that.
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"You think there's someone else? Prove it."