Who is the greatest defensive PF of all time?

[JSD]

Who is the greatest defensive PF of all time? I'm having an argument with a co-worker. It really came down to Garnett VS Rodman.

[JSD]

Is there any defensive metrics I can look at?

[Celtics4ever]

Rodman, hands down.   Bill Russell might be a PF in today's game at 6'9-1/2", if, you think that then him.  McHale was a great one too.

[Eja117]

Rodman, hands down.   Bill Russell might be a PF in today's game at 6'9-1/2", if, you think that then him.  McHale was a great one too.

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[KG Living Legend]

 Going with KG Living Legend. Hands Up.

[JSD]

The stats would suggest KG, but I'm wondering if there are any numbers out there that could tell me how successful  opponents were against these guys' in the post, FG% against ect.

[Celtics Insider]

Rodman, and it's not even close to being close.

[BballTim]

  You might need to agree on the definition. Rodman was a better 1v1 defender, KG was a better team defender. Also Rodman's defense slipped some because of his rebounding obsession.

[JSD]

It is easier to say one or the other, I would love to read people's reasoning for their response. Here are their numbers:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rodmade01.html

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garneke01.html

Garnett takes it in basic numbers.

[oldmanspeaks]

I will get specific here. Rodman when he was young was simply an incredible defensive player and could guard anyone from shooting guards to shorter centers. I am a guy who is a big fan of technique and Rodman would have been a great teaching video of how to guard. His ability to withstand pain, his ability to move his feet, etc are not matched by anyone including KG. However at the specific PF position, KG might have an edge because of his short blocking and team defense ability. So if you ask me who the better defensive player I would say Rodman. If you ask about guarding the big men at the power forward position, I would say KG.

[sofutomygaha]

Shouldn't Tim Duncan be part of this conversation? I've seen a disproportionate amount of KG, so I have a tough time judging subjectively. Numbers-wise, though, Duncan would seem to have an edge over both KG and Rodman

[oldmanspeaks]

Duncan was very good guarding other PFs and if that is the only criteria he would possibly outrank KG or Rodman but in terms as an overall defender, Rodman is waaaay ahead as an overall defender and KG was a better team defender. Duncan basically could block shots in help situations but in switch situations, he wasn't in Rodman or KGs class. (Obviously Duncan was a much better inside player than KG who really plays offense like a super tall 3-McHale used to say this all the time).

[Celtics17]

One on one Rodman was great. Put him on any of the conference finals teams and that team wins the title this year, not Miami (unless of course you put him on Miami). Rodman has to be one of the more undrvalued players of the last 20 years.

KG though is still my pick. One on one defense is one thing but really if you are talking about defense in general you have to look at the opposing teams offensive success against those specific players. It would probably be a better defensive rating with KG then Rodman.