Michael Cooper BREAKS DOWN Defending George ‘Iceman’ Gervin

In the world of basketball, defense is just as important as offense. And when it comes to locking down the opposing team's top scorers, few players in NBA history can match the skills of 5x champion as a key member of the Showtime Lakers and 1987 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Michael Cooper.

In this video, Coop takes us on a deep dive into his top five defensive assignments. From guarding the likes of Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas, to shutting down George Gervin and Alex English, Cooper proved time and time again that he was one of the best defenders to ever step onto the court.

But what made Cooper so special? It wasn't just his quick hands or his ability to read the offense. It was his commitment to studying his opponents and understanding their tendencies. Cooper knew that defense was about more than just stopping a player from scoring - it was about disrupting their rhythm, throwing them off their game, and forcing them to make mistakes.

Throughout this video, he breaks down each of defensive assignment and provides insights into his techniques, strategies, and mindset. We'll see how he used his length and agility to frustrate top scorers in the 1980’s NBA.

So if you're ready to go inside the mind of an NBA defensive legend, join in and explore Michael Cooper's top five defensive assignments in NBA history. You won't be disappointed!


George Gervin - 03:12

George Gervin, also known as "The Iceman," is a retired pro basketball player who played in the NBA and ABA from 1972 to 1986. He was born on April 27, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan. Gervin played college basketball at Eastern Michigan University and then transferred to a small school, Long Beach State, before being drafted in the third round of the 1974 ABA draft by the Virginia Squires. He later signed with the San Antonio Spurs in 1974 and spent most of his career with the team. During his time with the Spurs, Gervin became one of the league's most dominant scorers, leading the league in scoring four times and being named to the NBA All-Star team nine times. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996. After retiring from basketball, Gervin worked as a coach and mentor for young ball players.