Michael Cooper was the primary defensive stupor for the Showtime Lakers during the 1980s. He was a unique player because he was 6’7” but only weighed around 170 lbs. A wing player with such a thin frame might have faced challenges, but Coop turned it to his advantage by being an irritatingly effective defender.
He was the primary matchup for plenty of star wings, including Larry Bird, a player Coop had immense respect for . Since he was such a prominent defender back then, it is interesting to know more about his opinion on modern-day hoops and how he thinks he would fare.
“I think I would fare well in today’s NBA. It’s not as physical as when I played, which would suit me well,” Cooper said in an interview with HoopsHype. “I think I’d be able to handle most scorers. I think the only player I’d have trouble with is Kevin Durant. You can try to get a hand in his face, but that doesn’t faze him.”
Durant deserves praise for his offensive game
Kevin Durant was the first player that Coop talked about, and he knew defending him would be a struggle. Standing at around 6’10” or more, Durant has a smooth game based on breaking the defender down and pulling up for a jump shot almost no one can reach. KD’s combination of skill and length has made him such a tough cover for any defender.
Since Coop was one of the most fearsome defenders of his time, his point about the Phoenix forward giving him problems is unreal praise for The Slim Reaper. Durant has always been a respected scorer, but seeing him getting praised by NBA legends puts it into perspective.
He deserves to be called one of the NBA’s all-time greats because he has consistently been a top-tier scorer since 2007. KD might not be flashy, but his game has always worked out for him, making him an MVP, a two-time Finals MVP, and a certified winner.
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Coop would fit in well in the modern NBA
Cooper would have fit right in with the modern NBA style as a lengthy and athletic defender. He was also willing to shoot threes later in his career, so refining that jump shot would have been his priority. Coop would have loved to play in this era because he could showcase his 3-and-D ability.
With his physical traits of being a lengthy defender, he could be a stopper for point guards to small forwards due to his fearlessness . He could even match up with some of the power forwards, but his weight could have become an issue.
It would have been fun to see Coop playing in the modern NBA because he got maximized during his time with the Showtime Lakers, but he could have been a modern-day two-way star with his ability to defend, score, and be a playmaker.
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