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10 Best Defenders in NBA History: 2023 Edition

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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.

Best Defenders in NBA History:

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.

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.  

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