Who is the toughest player to defend in the NBA? This is a topic that has sparked endless debate among countless fans. Names like Jordan, Kobe, James, and Durant are often mentioned, as they have become nightmares for defenders with their powerful scoring abilities and dominance. However, recent remarks by retired star Paul Pierce have revealed his answer to this question.
Throughout his career, Pierce faced many top players, from Jordan to Kobe, to James and Durant. Naturally, he has unique insights into defending these top stars. In an interview program, Pierce was asked who was the toughest player he had ever encountered to defend. His answer surprised many, as it was neither Kobe nor James, nor even Jordan, but "Carmelo" Anthony.
Pierce stated, "If I were to choose the toughest player to defend, it would be Anthony. He is very special, a combination of height, strength, and athletic talent, and he also possesses world-class shooting skills and a natural ability to attack the basket. This is why he stands out; he excels in every aspect at an elite level."
Furthermore, Pierce discussed the differences in defending Anthony compared to players like Kobe and James.
"Kobe is one of the best scorers in NBA history, but he caused me less trouble in the low post than Carmelo did. LeBron is also an excellent low-post player, but if you force him to shoot at certain times, you might be able to limit him. However, this approach doesn't work against Anthony. If you give him space to shoot, he will keep hitting shots. Anthony has almost no weaknesses on the court; there's nowhere he can't score from," Pierce said.
In his NBA career, Anthony averaged 22.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, with a shooting percentage of 44.7%, and won the scoring title in the 2012-13 season. Despite never winning a championship, Anthony is still regarded as one of the best scorers of this era. It's worth noting that Anthony once scored 50 points in a game solely through jump shots.
In fact, although Anthony's career may not shine as brightly as Kobe and James', his offensive capabilities are unparalleled. He has no blind spots on the court, excelling in three-pointers, mid-range shots, and back-to-the-basket moves, earning him the nickname "Offensive Kaleidoscope" from fans. Besides his diverse scoring methods, Anthony in his prime also possessed formidable strength and outstanding athleticism, which allowed him to always gain the upper hand in inside battles. This is also the reason why Pierce believes Anthony is even tougher to defend than Kobe.