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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!
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"Michael Cooper’s Reveals His Top Five Defensive Assignments in the NBA" is an episode of Showtime Podcast with Michael Cooper - 5x NBA Lakers Champion. Runtime 22 min. Published April 27, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.