Jeff Teague confronted elite competitors all through his NBA profession from 2009 to 2021. The previous All-Star encountered legendary level guards throughout his prime years with the Atlanta Hawks.
Teague guarded basketball’s largest names together with Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, and Kyrie Irving. His in depth expertise gives precious perception into which opponents offered the best challenges.
Teague lately revealed his hardest matchups on a podcast look. James Harden is likely one of the prime on Teague‘s listing for many troublesome opponents to include.
“He [Harden] was the toughest participant to ever guard within the NBA, in addition to Derrick Rose for me, since you couldn’t contact him. He can get to the foul line at will. He shoot that step again,” Teague defined.
Harden’s peak scoring seasons left lasting impressions on defenders. His means to attract fouls whereas sustaining elite taking pictures made him almost inconceivable to decelerate.
“Man, he was unbelievable when he was averaging like 35, 34 factors a sport. There’s nothing you may actually do,” Teague added.
The previous Houston Rockets star’s step-back three-pointer grew to become his signature weapon. Defenders struggled to contest his photographs with out committing fouls, creating an inconceivable dilemma.
However for Teague, Derrick Rose earned extra recognition regardless of their totally different taking part in kinds. The Chicago Bulls star’s athletic aggression created distinctive defensive challenges.
Rose’s mixture of pace, energy, and fearlessness made him unstoppable throughout his MVP season. His means to assault the rim relentlessly wore down opposing defenses.
Tom Thibodeau’s heavy minute rotations in Chicago amplified Rose’s affect. The demanding coach not often rested his star level guard, forcing opponents to defend his vitality for prolonged durations.
“I imply you know the way Thibs performed for 50 minutes and solely 48 within the sport, however, like he by no means obtained drained.
“He was at all times prepared, by no means despatched out video games, and he was at all times in assault mode,” Teague noticed.
Teague believes Rose’s profession trajectory would have reached historic heights with out accidents. The previous MVP’s potential locations him amongst level guard royalty in Teague’s estimation.
“To me, if he doesn’t get damage, he’s a prime 5 level guard of all time. What made him particular, his pace, quickness, his energy and his means to make these floaters and hard photographs, after which he was fearless,” Teague defined.
Rose’s signature floater grew to become an unstoppable weapon throughout his prime. His means to complete over taller defenders whereas sustaining unbelievable athleticism separated him from his friends.
