Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz is once again the best defensive center in NBA 2K21. Accessibility and Closed Caption | I grew up in the streets. Copyright © 2021 NBA Media Ventures, LLC. The man many regard as the GOAT was a whole lot more than just a scorer. Jordan is one the best defenders of all time, having led the league in steals three times, made 9 All-Defensive Teams, and won DPOY in 1987-88. He played from 1967-1980, and the NBA didn’t start recording defensive statistics until 1973. Kidd was named to 9 All-Defensive Teams during his career and averaged over two steals per game nine times. Ben Simmons. Leonard’s elite perimeter defense has helped him win two NBA championships: one as a role player on the Spurs and another as the star on the Raptors. His wide frame and build allowed him to out-muscle many of his opponents, making him an excellent rebounder and post defender. In addition to being one of the best playmakers and floor generals that the NBA has ever seen, Jason Kidd was also a great defensive guard. Stockton is the all-time steals leader in NBA history with 3,265. Nonetheless, he was still a dominant defensive player with the Knicks. Sports Illustrated ranked the best NBA players of the upcoming season. Posted by 1 minute ago. Click through this slideshow for full rankings and analysis. Maybe the … | CP3 is one of the best point guards of all time, and the guy is still getting it done at 35 years old. Dennis Johnson played 14 seasons in the NBA and held crucial roles on three different NBA championship teams. He’s about to join MJ and Hakeem as the only players in NBA history to win MVP and DPOY in the same year. Wilt the Stilt was perhaps the most dominant player ever to play the game. There's been a ton of great NBA defenders throughout history, but not everyone can win the award. 20. Believe it or not, Wiggins has been one of the NBA’s best defenders this season. Iguodala has made 2 All-Defensive Teams in his career and took home the 2015 Finals MVP largely in part to his work defensively guarding LeBron James. If you make a request through Bobby Jones is not exactly a household name when it comes to Hall of Fame basketball players, but he should be remembered due to his outstanding play on defense. Despite being a somewhat controversial player, he is recognized as one of the game’s best defenders. Giannis is the best defender on a historically good best defense in the league. Well, take a look at which defenders came out on top, and then you can decide. Yet amongst the many social media marauders, the most notable came in the form of another All-NBA defender. Artest was selected to 4 All-Defensive Teams in his career and won DPOY with the Pacers in 2003-04. 12. Draymond Green is often criticized or called overrated due to the fact that he is only a 9 ppg career scorer. Sports Quiz / Top 50 Defenders in NBA History Random Sports or NBA Quiz Can you name the Top 50 Defenders in NBA History from (Lineups.com) by Banconiscoo Plays Quiz not verified by Sporcle . Even though Russell played in an era before defensive statistics were recorded, what he was able to accomplish during his career makes him #2 on this list. It was not until 1968 that the NBA began naming players to All-Defensive teams. Kawhi Leonard is the best lockdown perimeter defender in the NBA. Unseld stood at 6’7 245lbs and an intimidating force on defense. Kawhi Anthony Leonard (, born June 29, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the Los... Giannis Antetokounmpo. Rodman carved out his role in the NBA as the ultimate team player, grabbing boards and playing tough defense night in and night out without needing the ball. He was a 9-time All-Defensive Team selection in his career and won 1979 Finals MVP with the SuperSonics. Foster Jun 18, 2020, 5:50am EDT BEST NBA PLAYERS: The Brooklyn Nets’ acquisition of James Harden earlier in the 2020-21 NBA season added another layer to the super-team era in the Association. WarnerMedia Privacy Center | J” was one of the most exciting players the game has ever seen, as his high-flying dunks amazed fans worldwide. During his career, Wallace led the league in blocks in 2001-02, was a 6-time All-Defensive Team selection, and was a 4-time DPOY. Cooper was a lengthy guard who was an elite defender and shooter, a perfect role player for Magic to work with. Hakeem was a 9-time All-Defensive player, a 2-time DPOY, and led his Houston Rockets to two NBA Championships during his career. He was a premier on-ball defender who would cause fits for whoever he played. Thanks to his high effort and great active hands, Paul has been ranked as one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA history. He also ranks 7th on the all-time steals list. Hakeem Olajuwon. Close. However, having played in the 60s and 70s, DeBusschere played in a time where defensive statistics were not recorded. Sorry in advance, Draymond. Rudy Gobert. He was a consistent defender and solid role player on any team he played for. 14. Tony Allen. Wes Unseld proved that height isn’t the only thing that determines how great a center can be. Do Not Sell My Personal Information | In his career, Cooper made an All-Defensive Team 8 times, won DPOY in 1986-87, and was a part of all 5 Showtime Lakers championships. However, one of the most critical parts of that team was Michael Cooper. Privacy Act, please use the links below to visit each company’s privacy center. However, Tony Allen made a name for himself by playing elite defense night in and night out. Since coming into the league in 2011, Paul George has established himself as a star and one of the game’s premier defenders. Throughout his 18-year career, Olajuwon blocked 3,830 shots, which is good for the most of any player in NBA history. Russell only averaged 15.1 ppg for his career, but he was the best defender of his era and gave opposing teams nightmares. Best Defenders in the League. Green can guard any position on the floor and was a defensive anchor for the Warriors during their dynasty. the NBA Privacy Center, it will apply to data controlled independently by the NBA. However, the arguably most important piece of that starting lineup is often forgotten by NBA fans. He was an All-Defensive selection eight times in his career and was a key contributor in 3 of the Spurs 5 championships. He is a 6-time All-Defensive team selection and is arguably the greatest chase-down blocker the game has ever seen. He is an 8-time All-Defensive selection, led the league in blocks in 1991-92, and was named DPOY that season. In addition to holding the record, Wade also was selected to 3 All-Defensive Teams during his 16-year career. Jose Calderon Jose Calderon isn’t much on defense | Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images. Throughout his career, Andre Iguodala has been a stud on defense, whether it be in a starting role when he was with the 76ers or as a role player with the Warriors. He is a 10-time All-Defensive Team selection and led the NBA in steals in 1994-95. Anthony Davis. He has been named to 4 All-Defensive Teams in his career and led the NBA in steals during the 2018-19 season. Chandler won DPOY in 2011-12 with the Dallas Mavericks and has made an All-Defensive Team 3 times in his career. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar led the league in defensive win shares in the 1975-76 and 1976-77 seasons. He is also ranked #4 on the all-time steals list. Coming up at number 1, this was a no-brainer. He averaged three or more steals in 5 of his first seven seasons, a feat that very few players can say that they have done. They now have three of the top … OrlandoMagic.com’s Josh Cohen ranks his top 10 defenders to this point of the season (through games before Jan. 20). The man who made the finger wag famous led the NBA in blocks three times, made 6 All-Defensive Teams, and was a 4x DPOY. Everyone remembers the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s with Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy. With the exception of Hakeem Olajuwon, Mutombo may have been the best shot-blocker that the NBA has ever seen. He currently plays on the Miami Heat and is still providing solid defense and leadership in his 16th season in the league. He was selected to 2 All-Defensive Teams during his career. Kareem averaged over three blocks seven times in his career, and that includes his first four seasons in which blocks weren’t recorded. We look to answer the common question: Who is the greatest individual defender of all time? Standing at 7’4 275lbs, Mark Eaton was one of the most intimidating forces in NBA history. Sidney Moncrief was a nightmare for opposing players to match up against in the 80s. Despite his highest scoring total of 8.2 ppg in 2004-05, Bowen was able to carve out a long and successful career in the NBA thanks to his elite perimeter defense. Leonard is the best defender currently in the NBA. He averaged three blocks per game during his career and is the #15 all-time shot blocker in NBA history. In his 14 seasons in the NBA, Allen routinely guarded the opposing team’s best scorer and was a pest for opposing offenses. The Top 5 Off-Ball Defenders in the NBA The best rim protectors, lane jumpers, and defensive freelancers in the game today By D.J. Prince played 14 seasons in the NBA and was named to an All-Defensive Team 4 times. It’s hard to be successful in the NBA as a guard without much of an offensive game. Camby led the NBA in blocked shots four times, made an All-Defensive Team 4 times, and won the DPOY in 2006-07 with the Nuggets. He made 12 All-Defensive teams in his career and was the 2007-08 DPOY with the Celtics. For his first seven seasons in the league, Robinson averaged three or more blocks per game. Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, he has made a name for himself from his defense. Wilton Norman Chamberlain (; August 21, 1936 – October 12, 1999) was an American basketball player who played as a center and is considered one of the greatest players in history. He was a crafty guard known for being dominant on defense with the ability to guard many different positions. He has made an All-Defensive Team 5 times and is a 2-time DPOY. At 6’9 250lbs, LeBron has the size, speed, and strength to guard any position on the floor. 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