10 Best Defenders in NBA History: 2023 Edition
Who are the best defenders in NBA history? We've seen some dominant players lock down their opponents and influence the way the game is played.
These players dominated on the defense end and was often the difference between their team winning and losing. Let's take a look at the 10 best defenders in NBA history.
10. Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace is one of the best defenders in NBA history despite being undersized for a center at 6-foot-9. Despite Wallace having monstrous muscle mass, he was extremely athletic, had a worth ethic to match and had one of the greatest defensive IQs ever.
Wallace is tied with Dikembe Mutombo for most Defensive Player of the Year awards with four. Although Mutombo was better offensively and at blocking shots, Wallace was a better overall defender.
Teams that were built around Wallace’s defense were more effective. Mutombo never won an NBA championship. Wallace did, in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons, and he was selected to six All-Defensive Teams.
BEN WALLACE (my favorite Piston of all time): - Undrafted - 5x All NBA - 6x All Defense - 4x All Star (only undrafted player to start) - 4x DPOTY (B2B twice) - 2x NBA rebound leader - 1x NBA block leader (shortest ever) - NBA Champion
RTs appreciated as always 🙏@FearTheFro pic.twitter.com/cJm2GHOkmt — CC Productions 🎥 #WembyWatch 👀 (@carlcollinsprod) September 22, 2022
9. Kevin Garnett
Selected on 12 NBA All-Defensive Teams, Garnett was extremely versatile. One of the best power forwards of all time, he could also defensively lock down centers and even guards on the perimeter.
Physically imposing, Garnett was lightning quick at blocking shots and switching on the pick-and-roll. Despite his 6-foot-11 frame, he was extremely agile, often staying in front of wing players and using his 7-foot-5 wingspan to disrupt shots and passing lanes.
Garnett has had some of the biggest NBA trade rumors during his career. Rumors of moves to Phoenix and Los Angeles failed to materialize. A move to Boston in 2007 did eventuate and he won an NBA championship in 2008 with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
Kevin Garnett's impact on defense. 👀🔒🍀 pic.twitter.com/rU0LtWvaBa
— NBA SKITS (@NBA_Skits) September 1, 2017
8. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is the best NBA player of all time and during his prime was one of the best wing defenders we’ve ever seen. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988 and was a 9-time All-Defensive Team selection.
Jordan had a rare combination of speed, strength and agility which he didn’t only use on offense. He used his abilities in his defensive game which is highly underrated and is not far off the level of his offensive ability.
He frustrated his opponents with his quick hands and relentless hustle to get the ball. Off the ball, Jordan used his offensive skills to be able to read defensive plays and he’d often disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers.
1988, Michael Jordan won Defensive Player of the Year AND averaged 35 ppg. No other player has ever won DPOY and averaged 30 ppg in a season. No other DPOY winner has averaged 30 in ANY season across their career. To top it off, he didn't miss a single game#NBA #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/zarnwDAeGr
— The Jordan Rules (@Rules23Jordan) January 23, 2022
7. Gary Payton
Gary Payton was one of the most determined defenders that the NBA has ever seen. He could effectively guard any player on the court with his physicality, footwork and lightning quick hands.
In 1996 he earned Defensive Player of the Year, the same year he helped guide the Seattle Supersonics to the NBA Finals. He earned nine All-Defensive First Team selections, and he was a vocal leader who could command his teammates effectively on defense.
Payton built a psychological advantage over his opponents with his notorious trash talking game. He was able to throw his defensive assignments off their game with insults, and was able to take advantage of his opponents weaknesses.
Kobe learning from Gary Payton during 2000 All-Star Weekend ⭐️
pic.twitter.com/rr44zMvRp1 — Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) February 20, 2023
6. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan is the best power forward of all time as well as being one of the best defenders ever. He has the most NBA All-Defensive Team selections with 15 in total, and he won five NBA championships in a 19-year career.
Duncan’s peak wasn’t as good as others on the list but he still managed Defensive Player of the Year award twice, and he maintained a high level of discipline and defensive performances with remarkable consistency.
A major reason for Duncan’s success was his ability to read and anticipate plays which he used to quickly close out passing lanes and blocking shots with ease. He could also guard his own man and help others defend at the same time, and he had excellent positional awareness.
Most All-Defensive teams selections
Tim Duncan 15x Kobe Bryant 12x Kevin Garnett 12x Kareem Abdul-Jabaar 11x Scottie Pippen 10x Tim and Kobe don't get enough credit for their defense. pic.twitter.com/B3lPNNEoPJ — Real Talk 🏀 (@Real7Talk) July 1, 2022
5. Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen won six NBA championships in 12 seasons with the Bulls. Often considered to be Michael Jordan's right hand man, he is one of the best defenders in NBA history. Often tasked with locking down the opponents best perimeter player, he was also known for his versatility.
Coming in at 6-foot-8, Pippen could mark any guard or power forward as he was quick, athletic and had size on him. He had a great ability to block shots, deflect passes and disrupt passing lanes with his 7-foot-3 wingspan.
Pippen’s athleticism and footwork helped him on his way to being selected to 10 NBA All-Defensive Teams and his defensive contributions were integral to the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 90s.
Scottie Pippen Defense
"If I'm a young player today... I would really focus on the defensive end of the floor & focus on Scottie Pippen. This guy was a genius. His ball pressure, playing passing lanes, blocking shots, taking charges -- & he played with a passion." - Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/zSBuiiZz5p — Jaycob Ammerman (@Jammer2233) April 24, 2021
4. David Robinson
In his prime the 7-foot-1, 250-pound center David Robinson was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1992. He was selected to 8 All-Defensive Teams and he won two NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs.
Robinson was a beast, using his combination of speed, size and athleticism to lock down both the paint and perimeter. An extremely effective shot-blocker, he had impeccable timing which he used to swat away shots and intimidate opponents.
So versatile was Robinson, he became only the third player in history to record a quadruple-double in a game. In 1994 against the Pistons, Robinson finished a game with 34 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks.
Name a 7 FOOTER that could RUN, JUMP, SHOOT AND play DEFENSE like The Admiral?
HBD NBA legend David Robinson pic.twitter.com/4g1zrkFe2z — Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 6, 2022
3. Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman joined the Chicago Bulls during Jordan’s second championship run. Part of the Detroit Pistons’ “Bad Boys”, he joined the Bulls and had crucial contributions during their title run.
Unconventional at the best of times, Rodman’s personality was unpredictable but there’s no doubt that his hard work and dedication helped him to develop into one of the best defenders in NBA history.
Rodman could guard any position and he was quick, agile and had power that translated into an imposing physical game. He was one of the best rebounders and defenders, able to position, block and steal his way to two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards and seven All-Defensive First Team selections.
2x NBA All-Star, 5x NBA Champion, 7x Rebound Champ, 8x All-Defensive selection, 2x Defensive Player of the Year and 75th Anniversary Team member… Dennis Rodman! #NBA75
Watch more Rodman moments: https://t.co/0ieg10ED4K pic.twitter.com/qUY09dOP4b — NBA (@NBA) March 29, 2022
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
Hakeem Olajuwon was a part of one of the best draft classes of all time which included Michael Jordan. The Rockets picked Olajuwon with the first pick of the 1984 draft and he helped Houston to become one of the best teams in the NBA during his era.
Olajuwon won two NBA championships with the Rockets, going back-to-back in 1994 and 1995. His shot blocking ability was insane and he’s the all time leader in blocked shots. He could also steal the ball with ease thanks to his incredible footwork.
Listed at seven-foot, he had blistering speed and agility for someone with his size and strength, and he was selected to nine NBA All-Defensive teams.
The NBA announced that the Defensive Player of the Year award has been renamed The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy!
An honor of eternity. Congrats, Dream! 👏 pic.twitter.com/T4So2YHQVk — Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 13, 2022
1. Bill Russell
Bill Russell is the best NBA defender of all time. He’s also one of the best players of all time, winning 11 titles in a 13-year career. Russell revolutionized the way a center should play and he was one of the most dominating players ever.
He dominated the paint and averaged more than 22 rebounds per game. Despite his 6-foot-10 height he was exceptionally quick and was able to keep up and shut down guards from the perimeter.
Unfortunately blocked shots weren’t recorded in his era but it's estimated that Russell had around 12 blocks per game with his 7-foot-4 wingspan and insane leaping ability. Just his presence on court was enough to mentally overwhelm his opponents.
Watch NBA legends Bill Russell and Kevin Garnett talk defense, motivation, and family 💚pic.twitter.com/a7qKl7Hd37
— NBA (@NBA) August 4, 2022
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Wolfgang Sport started in 2017 as a way to connect my passion for American and British sports. Today it's evolved into a blockchain sports blog pushing the boundaries into the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.
Usual suspects I know are Dikembe Mutombo and Rodman. Just Rodman mentioned here and great to see MJ– it goes to show how truly good he was. I'm not that surprised to see him here– it's a part of his game that may be sightly under the radar. What a complete player.
Nice work with this piece.
Cheers bro.
ye bro definitely an underrated part of his game! Thanks for stopping by
With pleasure.
Cheers man