There's nothing to argue about MJ's skill, yes. However, he played in a completely different era where defense can win games. Today's NBA have evolve so much that a good defense is underappreciated not because today's player does not play defense, but because majority of the players today has unlimited range.
Many fans thought LeBron and other superstars today won't survive the 80's and 90's.
You can say that today era is different and that players have longer range but you cannot discredit the effectiveness of having a good defense. As a proof, just look at the final 4 of last season. Warriors, Celtics, Mavs and Heat are all defensive teams. They are on the top in defensive ratings. Compare that to teams that go all offensive. Basketball has changed a lot, but defense still win games, then and now.
Of course the problem is that, if you are willing to get westbrook, then you should be hoping to get something else. The biggest trouble with the Irving deal is that if you give Westbrook, and even if you give some picks which Lakers barely have any, you are sending him to Durant, which we all know they both dislike each other and that would be a problem.
Maybe that is why Nets are trying to move Durant first before they take care of Irving. But if they move Durant and then get Westbrook, then they are left with Simmons and Westbrook which we know both of them don't shoot well. It will be a disaster. That is why I do not see Westbrook-Irving trade scenario to happen.