Offense wins games. Defense wins championships. The axiom, like most general rules in life, rings true. The only thing more impressive than putting the ball into the basket in spectacular fashion is stopping an elite athlete from putting the ball into the basket in spectacular fashion. Defensive players are the specialist’s specialist. They study tendencies. Traits. Behaviors. Memorize opponent’s playbooks. They overview performances to a tee to devise a strategic counter-attack. Whether they’re picking a player up at the baseline for 94 feet, or establishing physical dominance at the rim, the defensive standouts throughout NBA history are some of the most unique athletes known to man — wired differently than most.

Today we have the HONOR of speaking with a player from the grueling 80’s era who hustled his way into the Hall of Fame by being excellent at his defensive craft, and served as the paradigm of guards winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award throughout that decade, Michael Cooper!! You do not want to miss the gems Coach Coop imparts from his playing days, and the insights from his 2025 Big3 Championship winning team. This episode is a real Westside Connection - tune in!

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