Defensive Skills Quotes

It is very hard to find a good defender who is strong and good with the ball. Very hard.

I love Courtney Lee. He's a very good player. I know that sounds very simple, but it's true. He does things well. He's a good defender, a great team defender, and he shoots the ball very well.

I believe I'm better than everybody when it comes to footwork, timing, reflexes, defense, you name it.

At Ajax, I got an education in how to be confident on the ball, my technique, and then, at Atletico, I learned how to defend. It was about the details, the ruthlessness; be clinical in front of your own goal, win every duel, be clever. I learned so much and, defensively, I grew there so much.

I've always looked up to John Terry; he's a massive defender and a rock. His one-v-one defending and reading of the game have really educated me. I watch a lot of clips of him.

I've looked up to Michael Jordan because not only was he an assassin on offense, he was an assassin on defense.

I have faced many, but the most annoying was James Milner. He follows you forward and follows you backwards. It's very difficult because he attacks you and defends you, and then attacks you and defends you again.

Kante is a good player. For me, it is good because he speaks French. We know he is a fantastic player; he runs a lot and works for the team.

I'm not worried about offense. I've always had that, but I can get better defensively and that in turn will make my offense better.

I pride myself on defending and rebounding.

He could rush the passer, he could bull you, he could beat you speed inside and quickness. Those are long days when you had Michael Strahan lining up right over your head for 60 minutes, because most defensive ends are good at one or the other. Michael was really good at both.

Each game helps me to continue improving, which is what I want. I want to improve in defense, on the ball, score more goals. I never want to get tired of improving.

Goalkeeping is very, very much about confidence and thinking you are the man.

What would I do if I were being guarded by Marcus Smart? There's not much you can do!

Leo Durocher was our manager and he brought Willie up to me and said, 'This is Willie Mays and he's your new roommate.' You could see right away that this young man was a natural. He had those real big hands, great power and speed and would catch everything hit in his direction. He's the best center fielder that ever lived, no question.

The Defensive Player of the Year is the guy that makes his team better. Not only gets stats - it's the guy that also has an impact on his teammates and leadership.

As a goalkeeper, Van der Sar can do everything. He is very good at coming off his line, and he is also effective as a libero - what they call in England a 'sweeper keeper.'

I remember when I went to try out for the Olympic team in 1972, Coach Iba told me he didn't care how many points I could score because if I couldn't guard anybody, I wasn't going to make the team. I knew to make the team I had to become a better defender. If you can play offense, you can defend. It just comes down to competitive will.

My main improvement on defense has just been my coaches. They've been teaching me defensive schemes, how to guard guys, and how to use my length.

That's one part of my game that never leaves - the defensive part.

I know what I bring to the table. I know my game offensively and defensively. I think I'm one of the best, if not the best, playing two-ways.

I'm a type of player that tries to do everything a lot to help our team. Setting screens to get guys open, trying to block shots.

I've definitely gotten better, to where everyone can see that I'm not a defensive liability.

I'm one of the best defenders to ever play basketball, so I'm still the first option on defense.

I'm excited about getting the opportunity to show people that I can play defense.