Sidney Moncrief: The Greatest Perimeter Defender Ever?

[@jonnyarnett]

Who are your Top 3 greatest perimeter defenders ever??

[@reallydoe2552]

Wade

[@celtics17banners84]

@@reallydoe25521, 2 and 3?

[@AntwahnRedding-l1y]

Scottie Pip, GP, and Sydney

[@justinholland6132]

Jrue Holiday,Detroit Dennis Rodman,and Gary Payton

[@Thepainigothrough]

Anthony Bennett Kwame Brown Jonny arnett.

[@SomeSullenSoul]

Hey man, long time fan here. Sidney is my dad, I really appreciate all the love and respect you’ve shown him throughout your channels tenure. Keep up the great work 🙏🏽

[@asr1414]

Proof?

[@henocnombo5878]

​@@asr1414Jealous

[@g3t0ffmebrogaming]

​@@asr1414check his thumbnail 👀

[@asr1414]

@@henocnombo5878 How am I jelious im js trynna see if he's lying or not

[@basketballreach511]

Sindey is and forever will be a Bucks Legend

[@schnooks17]

I always see Sidney Moncrief in the mold of Dennis Johnson and Joe Dumars. All great combo guards.

[@Tomtainius]

How is this my first time hearing that the Moncrief's Bucks swept Bird's Celtics in 1983!? Genuinely never knew that

[@justinholland6132]

Same bro. I always figured they were just a tier below those super elite east teams like Detroit Philly and boston

[@jonnyarnett]

There's a lot to unpack with that series. Bucks actually had homecourt advantage, since they were the 2 seed, and the Celtics were the 3. Bird actually missed Game 2 because he had an intense case of the flu. He still played well in the other 3 games, but yeah, Milwaukee was too much in that series.

[@juliothom2408]

As a Celtics fan back then, I feared him.

[@lakernation26]

Right 😭😭

[@dark8prince201]

Because the NBA want the bigger cities to have the spotlight

[@willdodge200]

I had Bucks season tickets while Sidney was there. All I can say is, he was the most high energy hustling players, I've ever seen. It was a pleasure to watch him play.

[@ivorysteele]

Thanks for sharing

[@johnc.richardson2713]

Sidney Moncrief‘s forgotten legacy is precisely what Damian Lillard just successfully avoided. It’s all about the rings. I’m glad you’re keeping Sidney’s memory alive.

[@loganbarrett2917]

This is why I love Johnny's channel, I won't even lie I really had no idea who Sidney was and I feel like alot of people don't, I use the knowledge i learn from your channel is talks with my friends and the looks I get really shows how much of nba history is lost to time. Much love Johnny❤️ you da man!!

[@55cleon]

You're Obviously A Millineal Or Gen Z Kid. The "High Flying Hog" Was Something Else. I've Also Been To Sidney's Home As A Kid.

[@OfficialReggieJamz]

That's right ❤ he talks about the game in depth ; highlighting great players of all stature and eras!!!

[@A-A-RonDavis2470]

​@@55cleonYou don't understand that Sidney is very overlooked because of Magic, Jordan and because he never won a title. He was also on a small market. A lot of people are overlooked because of this.

[@Bigedub101]

​@55cleon yes us 40 year old don't know Sydney cause was in small market

[@AndreIguodalaFan55]

I know these guys because I play ABK24 and use the historical drafts

[@jp3813]

Guards won the DPOY (debuted in 1983) six times in the 80s & 90s overall, but only once so far in the new millennium.

[@FanaticForFanta]

True. DPOY is dominated by big men. Smart and Payton were the last guards to win it

[@AgentJ2007]

Yes, that’s proof that it was harder for guards to score back then. There were also multiple guards who could have won DPoY, dumars, Dennis Johnson, Maurice cheeks.

[@jordanjenkins1671]

How did I not even know Moncrief was the only guard to win DPOY more than once? Dude is seriously underrated in the discussion of best perimeter defenders of all time.

[@CharlesNewton-pj1gq]

I remember Super Sid when he played for the Razorbacks. He was a hard one to replace after he graduated from U of A. He showed the great ones that we all remember, how good a player he was. It was unfortunate that his career was cut short. I believe that fans would've been talking about him when they talk about Bird, Jordan and Magic. But, he'll always be a legend in Milwaukee.

[@seancamp2703]

Man I’m a die hard Celtics fans but believe me the Bucks were a good team in the 80s. I used to love Moncrief, Ricky Pierce, and Paul Pressey most definitely a underrated team of the 80s era.

[@DrJohnnyJ]

As an old fan, I can only say that the people that played against him knew how good he was. I still think that he was a better fit for the Lakers than no-D Magic Johnson as they already had a point guard.

[@GoobHak]

Is there a chance we could get a video about Andrei Kirilenko at some point in the future? Absolute juggernaut on the defensive side of the game!!

[@jonnyarnett]

Oh yeah, there's a chance at some point. AK47 is one of the coolest nicknames in the league, and as a lifelong Lakers fan, I always knew Kobe had his work cut out for him when he was up against Kirilenko

[@GoobHak]

@@jonnyarnett absolutely! Looking forward to the day I may see the notification, thanks for taking the time out of your day to talk real quick Jonny much appreciated.

[@Bigedub101]

​@@GoobHakHe was one of those guys that of course had coolest name and one of favorites with Marion cause they did a little bit of everything..

[@poindextertunes]

Thats the guy who said his wife allows him to sleep with one groupie per year 😂

[@Zamppa86]

I wrote and essay about Moncrief a few years back onto a gaming site. I got the motivation for it after getting his high tier card in 2K. Moncrief was a name I knew beforehand of course and because I had always appreciated his game that card was something I definitely wanted to get. The essay got many likes, even from people who don't play 2K or watch basketball. Some responded they even started to watch some old bball clips because of what I had written and because of the clips I had linked with my essay. For me Moncrief is definitely a top 3 perimeter defender of all time. He was the original one, the first one ever. He still is the only guard to win the DPOY multiple times. Gary Payton and Michael Jordan are the other two in my top 3 defenders of all time.

[@randysandberg5615]

Great college player also. He is overlooked IMO because he played in a small market, Milwaukee. Had he been in Boston, Philly or LA, he would be considered differently.

[@shermanglenn3926]

I live in Philly and it felt like the Sixers went up against the Bucks almost every year in the playoffs. Sydney Moncrief was amazing, and really that Bucks team was really special! He was Kawhi Leonard before Kawhi but that team never just had enough to get to or win the finals. But if your favorite team played them, you were very concerned..

[@michaelsloane9955]

Oddly, Moncrief's offense might be MORE underrated because a lot of the people who DO know about him think of him as a defensive specialist. His offense was never as elite as his defense, but in his prime from 1983-1986 he was a consistent 20 point per game scorer. His peak percentages are very similar to his career percentages of 50.2 percent from the field and 83.1 percent from the free throw line.

[@matthewjorgenson8129]

Great player and one of the nicest most humble person I’ve met. He’s everything an NBA player should be.

[@overlordupchuck]

I think its really important to have a respected and rational old-generation nba fan like yourself in these discussions to keep the legacy and greatness of previous generations of the nba alive, and to give unique perspective on a lot of topics previously unexplored! thank you for making this content and adding interesting discourse to the basketball dialogue!!

[@DSPHistoricalSociety]

Wow! Some love for Sidney! Those 80s Bucks teams were darn good, but had the Celtics, the 76ers, and the Bulls in the way

[@randomperson2540]

The most underrated Star ever

[@centerofstar]

I rank Sidney Moncrief as the greatest defensive SG of all time. Anyway, do Alvin Robertson next as he is seriously overlooked as the one of the 4 players who achieve quadruple double with steals.

[@justinholland6132]

Do u mean triple double? Or was this outside of the nba?

[@centerofstar]

@@justinholland6132 no, i meant quadruple double where you achieve 4 out of 5 basic stats which includes steals and blocks. Alvin achieved his in the NBA

[@justinholland6132]

@@centerofstarI know what it is just never knew he achieved it

[@55cleon]

You're An Arkansas Razorback Fan Huh 🤷🏿‍♂️. Two Of Arkansas' Best Ever, And 2 Of The Best Defensive Guards To Ever Do It.

[@centerofstar]

@@55cleon I actually don't watch NCAA, but that's a very cool fact I didn't know. Thanks

[@conservativepoliticalforum3485]

Moncrief was my favorite player growing up. Glad to see him get some love.

[@brotherblack8961]

I’m born n raised in Arkansas so sid is near n dear to my heart. He was a great player so it annoys me that Jordan haters would have the nerve to call him a “plumber” just insulting!!

[@hisownfool1]

I have a fond spot for the "Triplets." Moncrief, Delph, and Brewer.

[@ianmason2003]

I recall arguing with some jamook on Facebook once who said the 80s were just nonathletic, unskilled plumbers and specifically targeted Moncrief as an example of the joke players Jordan had to face. That’s when I realized most young people are very uninformed and just want to make their era the special one.

[@headlesssoldier]

Super Sid. My favorite player from my favorite Bucks era. Nelson wore that poor guy down to the nub. He was Nellie’s wet dream as a player. Guy never mailed it in.

[@celtics17banners84]

Glad this guy finally got his own video. Hoping for a Dennis Johnson video down the road

[@suiken3149]

Dennis Johnson Jojo White Paul Westpal Tony Parker Ben Wallace Chauncey Billups Dwight Howard Dikembe Mutombo Those guys didn't made the NBA 75 list but someone like Carmelo and Dame did.

[@MrDmbarbosa]

​@@suiken3149 And World B. Free, and Bernard King, and David Thompson.

[@suiken3149]

@@MrDmbarbosa Those are great players but unfortunately they don't have enough accolades for their cases. Skywalker, maybe.

[@carlosmiyagishima513]

Jimmy Butler gives me an idea of what his game was, both the main facilitators, both hounding defensive players, and put up very similar numbers, and have similar builds and overall same competitive edge.

[@alexanarchh]

Facts

[@gg3dude854]

Sidney Moncrief was awesome! The Bucks had a SQUAD back in the early 80s!

[@majorhemroid]

Thank you for the video. It's small, but I've been dying to see some Sidney exposure.

[@killyshoot9161]

This video hit different… my pops spoke highly of Moncrief. I still remember watching VHS tapes of the Bucks and Celtics and my pops would say “that’s a bad man!” Much respect

[@schrapnellcotton3413]

Moncrief was the best. So tough.

[@the_Sage71]

I was a fan of Sidney Moncrief as a player and that Bucks team from the early 80s. When they got Bob Lanier to go with. Marques Johnson, Junior Bridgemen, Quinn Bucker, Brian Winters. Helluva team.

[@alohawg]

Sidney was special throughout his college and NBA career. His only downfall was the nagging knee problems.

[@GoodOmali]

Bout time a Moncrief video came out. With all this kawhi noise, people forget this man was a back to back dpoy. Him and marques Johnson don't get talked about enough

[@laz0rama]

great call on this one jonny! i remember sydney, he was a beast for while there. definitely way underrated, or at least under-remembered. 🙂 my top perimeter defenders off the top of my head (not necessarily in order): mj, pippin, walt frazier, sydney moncrief, joe dumars, kawhi. kobe is in the mix too, but i never thought he was quite as consistently great a defender as many others thought. edited to add the glove.

[@showtimenick824]

Sidney Moncrief never flew under my radar. I don't care what anyone says, I'd much rather have him on my team than James Harden.

[@SelfResearchedNBAFacts]

How Moncrief didnt make top 75 is pretty criminal. I would have him on there before Damian Lillard. Neither player ever made an NBA Finals. Hes on the level of Reggie Miller, Robert Parish or James Worthy. Just played in a stacked 80s Eastern Conference

[@danimalman3]

I always loved using him in 2k when i had the chance. Very reliable.

[@alfredoladino9838]

Jonny listened to my pleas! Thank you for bringing light to one of my all-time favorite guards ever.

[@Dantana773]

YES Sir Sid was one of my favorites from the 80s Era The defensive player of the year award is based on him. Those bucks teams were nice him and Terry cummings made a nice Duo. Thanks for keeping his name alive and informing the youth about him and game..

[@teamcaveman]

And Jack Sikma

[@Dantana773]

@@teamcaveman Yeah Jack Sigma was solid player his jump shot was NICE!!!!

[@christophermosca5717]

Nice video. I just bought a card auto by him to commemorate his career

[@TheAtomicHog]

One of my favorite players of all time! Going back to his 2-time All-American days as an Arkansas Razorback!

[@classthoreau3541]

This is great to see. I learned about Moncrief years ago when I was playing 2k and some guy on the Bucks was tearing me apart. Stealing the ball, breakaway dunks, layups all day, good midrange jumper. Turned out to be Moncrief and he’s been one of my favorite “forgotten” players since. There’s enough overlap between his & Kawhi’s skill sets that I always hoped someone would drop Moncrief’s name while analyzing Leonard. Perhaps even more so now with a degenerative issue around the knee robbing us of what could have been their primes.

[@ant4613]

One of the most underrated players of all time, happy to see a video on him.

[@T.H.E.O.R.Y.]

Thank you for this. I'm glad yet frustrated he's never gotten his due here on KZbin. To me, at least as far as guards go, he's had the biggest historicla snubs in terms of the top 50 and 75 lists. Without doubt, there are hella guards he would have cooked *and* clamped on that list. How he has made neither list but similar or lesser guards have is beyond me.

[@brandonw6139]

As a mid 20s. NBA fan I always liked guys like Sid. Definitely underrated and under acknowledged

[@saltzmaj1]

Thank you for this. He may be the most overlooked player in NBA history.

[@theofficialoutlawpage2047]

this guy scared me when he got on the court, because I knew he was about to kill my hawks

[@michaelthreepeat]

Finally...you and the "forgotten players" channel are doing justice to those legends. Keep on please...I see too many young casuals saying that today Magic would be worse than Ben Simmons

[@brianclark641]

You have to Atleast be in your 50s to remember these great Bucks team…freakin loves Moncrief, Cumming, Johnson, Pressey

[@cadecrusader]

Thank you Jonny for this video!

[@thepeoplesmix9779]

Thank you for educating me and putting me on.

[@alex4833]

Good video, Jonny! I learned about Sidney Moncrief from your channel before. It has been great to learn even more about him through this video. He was incredible. It saddens me that he isn't discussed much often today (esp. given how he was in all-defense team 5x and a 2x DPOY). It also saddens me how his career wasn't as long as other legends. Nonetheless, he is great and I want to read up more about him and other players from the past. Have a great day. Keep up the nice work 😀

[@aaronhutchinson885]

Hoopers know. Much respect. He was a terror..those bucks teams don't get spoken about enough. Folks talk more about the early 00 kings than these bucks!!!

[@enarcs]

You do such a great job explaining the state of the league at any point in time.

[@roundtable3501]

Moncrief is definitely the best pure guard defender ever at his peak. Very strong on and off ball defender, who could lock down great individual players and play great team defense.

[@honorfirst7506]

Sidney “I never defend him alone.”

[@schrapnellcotton3413]

80-86 Bucks underrated teams

[@kevintalley1158]

Sidney Moncrief is to them is what jimmy butler basically is to us today u don’t know the impact of him unless u were there in real time. Especially when u said he swept Larry bird that immediately made me think of butler gentleman sweeping Giannis plus leading to 3 conference appearances in 4 years. Plus the not eye popping stats yet he can still elevate his game to compete with any superstar on any given night

[@Bigedub101]

Great comparison

[@bri888]

Glad you posted this about Sidney Moncrief. I didnt know he was this good. Definitely one of the most down to earth players I've met.

[@conanmccurry3392]

El SId! He was ridiculously good. So underrated.

[@KoolaDre]

I respect your point of view!!! You are not biased keep giving us this great content

[@piediepew299]

its hard to do cross generational comparisons due to changes in rules and spacing, but i would say sidney moncrief was easily a top 5 perimeter defender of the 80s, together with joe dumars, mj, dennis johnson and even michael cooper.

[@davidschmidt1793]

Well, he didn't slow down Jordan alone. The Bucks constantly doubled and even tripled Jordan in that series. Paul Pressey and Cummings also provided defensive help and the Bucks were known to get away with zones from time to time. Still, fantastic player. The Bulls x Bucks matchup in the mid-late 80s was great to watch.

[@TheOGHoopByTheBook]

Very underrated player on a very underrated stretch of teams. Definitely very little coverage of them and they were a true contender for half a decade.

[@robertmoore4424]

He was amazing I'ma get his green Bucks jersey

[@joelyons4688]

Most underrateddefender ever

[@brhyno926]

This is the single best page for NBA history. I know a lot but I still learn a lot here 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@NickPR87]

Sid "The Squid", baby! He was Jrue Holiday before Jrue. It's a damn shame injuries cut his career short, cause if not he would be constantly brought up as an all-time great guard.

[@idoru999]

I saw few His games - he was like young Kawhi, while making 20+ ppg and win games. Sadly he hadn't have chance to play in the 90-ties when NBA popularity skyrocketed. Today we have no similar players, Leonad & George are to big and to offensive focused (and to load-managed). For me he should be a model basketball player. Excellent in defense, very good all around. Today we have to many offence focused one way players, who are excelent athletes and scorers/shooters, but at least mediocre on everything else. It could sound crazy - but Wemby has potential to be someone like Sidney - but 7-4 ;-) He is today good in everything - and maybe will be great. Offcourse - he won't guard all positions like Rodman - but in overall who knows ;-) I wish him luck and health! Thanks for reminding us Sidney's carieer! o

[@Derrck101ful]

I love videos like this Jonny. Thank you for putting the time to educate others on some of the best forgotten players in NBA History. I would say another video like this should be made on Nate Thurmond and George Gervin! Keep up the great work. 👏🏾

[@davec3651]

Very underrated

[@DWH9393]

Longevity was only against him because he played in a much more physical era. great player of the past !

[@luxurytag]

Awesome video! I love when I'm able to learn even more about NBA history.

[@a.s.clifton544]

A consummate pro. But before that, he was a member of the Triplets. Seeing him from the student section at Barnhill was a blast. Add Ron Brewer, Sr. and Marvin Delph to the mix (with a team full of other players who filled specific roles) and you had a Barn-Burner every home game.

[@bladerunner7324]

Love your videos, keep it going, man. Cheers from Brazil

[@fatboy5926]

I won’t say ever - but he does have a case. A freaking beast defensively. Not only that but I feel there’s been a few defenders over the years who have benefitted from playing for great defensive teams or playing with a great defensive big man and their reputation is kinda bigger defensively than what they were actually capable of - that ain’t Sidney. Absolutely terrific defender not reliant on the players around him to be a great defender either. Fuck maybe he is the best perimeter defender 😂😂

[@soulofamerica]

I saw Moncrief from his college days at Arkansas through his pre-injury seasons. He was as great a Defender as MJ & Payton. His only problem was lack of Longevity.

[@CrazyxEnigma]

It's a crime it took so long for Moncrief to be enshrined in the HoF. Interesting trivia Moncrief is the player Jerry West wanted to take in the 79 draft instead of Magic unconvinced a 6'9 PG would actually pan out, Jerry Buss overrode him or Buss and Bill Sharman did(He was GM before Jerry West in the 70s and early 80s) and the rest is history, one of the rare times The Logo was wrong. Those 80s Bucks teams in general are underrated and forgotten about but in the 80s they were right there with the Celtics and 76ers as title contenders they just never managed to get over the hump.

[@lamontejamison302]

Nice video, extremely informative, very well edited, a gem of a time capsule piece...

[@HarmanHundal01]

In 1983, the Celtics were in turmoil. Coach Bill Fitch was disliked by players and was replaced next season.

[@travisbentler2058]

I’ve been waiting for this vid for like 2 years

[@andrewmays8990]

that Bucks Team that swept Boston in 83 that was the first time in franchise history the Celtics been swept. For perspective the Celtics been around since 49🥶

[@Jonathan-A.C.]

God damn. Even going off of the legendary teams they have through most of the 50’s to 70’s, that’s still insane

[@Crono454]

That reminds me of Jimmy Butler, a hard nosed All NBA defender who could score and facilitate as his team needs

[@aidangibbons4131]

Moncrief is the best defensive guard of all time.

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

I am a big Moncrief fan (like how 2k had him as one of the older teams as early as 2k12 or 2k13) but it does have to be noted that was a rookie MJ. Granted even that MJ averaged 28-7-6 but still, he was a rookie

[@jaydonwil1604]

Can you make a Rasheed Wallace and Joe Dumars video?

[@billybobby5247]

Sadly a player like SM wouldnt be acknowledged if he existed today. The nba media has shifted from acknowledging greatness, to big market bias. If this guy was a Celtic or Laker hed be a known legend even today. He would have probably garnered even more fluff awards on top of the ones he'd already won (think Marcus smart dpoy robbery or joel embiid for mvp). 😂😂😂

[@Logistics__]

Only looking at the highlights... This guy definitely had the "English". Too Smooth.. I can see the influence he had on Rose and Westbrook.

[@Realest1ne]

I’d say Jrue Holiday is a good modern comparison

[@justinholland6132]

Or even dejountay Murray

[@dvldog_]

I knew Sidney was good, but I had no idea he was THAT good! Great vid as usual!

[@RyanAC754]

Sidney is one of my all time favourite players because he’s lesser known and a beast but at the same time I do wish he had the attention and recognition he deserves. 😢

[@hovafella]

Hi Johnny! Your biggest fan from Nigeria

[@SelfResearchedNBAFacts]

Moncrief did for Paul Pressey what MJ did for Pippen. Moncrief, MJ, Jerry West, Gary Payton, Alvin Robertson, Kobe and John Stockton gotta be the best defensive guards ever

[@GMoneyXL1969]

This is why we don't listen to JJ Reddick's quote of Jordan being defended by "plumbers and firemen." If Reddick was stuck by Moncrief, Roberson or Cooper night in and night out his game would have surely suffered by the hands of these defensive wizards.

[@BigWillieDillie]

Again play 2K Eras kids. Starting at the earliest point you can.....You will learn ALOT.

[@217ShowOffBoii]

Let's get a video of your top 10 greatest perimeter defenders of all time.

[@juanfranciscosantana4793]

Awesome bro , 😎👊👏👏 , please can You do a Michael Ray Richardson video ??

[@randysandberg5615]

Do you have a video of Moncrief punching Laimbeer? I would love to see it. It happened shortly after the All Star game where they both were teammates.