Extended debates on the best defenders in basketball history prompted this list of all-time elite defenders. Son of basketball legend Randolph Childress and one of the best basketball players in Wake Forest history, Brandon Childress, said “in order to be a great defender, you have to be able to shut the water off” [on good offensive players]. I couldn’t agree more. In addition, elite defenders at the highest level of play normally lead in a defensive category including rebounding, shot blocking, steals, deflections etc.
TOP 5 CENTERS
Bill Russell
In an era that didn’t track shot blocking, Bill Russell dominated basketball rebounding and blocking shots. All most every highlight you will see of him shows him doing one of the other. Consider this; the Defensive Play of The Year award is the likeness of Bill Russell.
- 1x All-Defensive Team
- 4x TRB Champion
Hakeem Olajuwon
At the point retired, he led the the Houston Rockets in rebounding, steals and blocks. The Nigerian born phenom that led Phi Slama Jama at the University of Houston was as good on offense as he was on defense.
- 2x DPOY
- 9x All-Defensive Team
- 3x BLK Champion
- 2x TRB Champion
David Robinson
The Admiral grew from 5’9″ to 7’0″ while at the Naval Academy. The San Antonio Spurs drafted him first overall in 1987 and waited two years before he played a game.
- 4x DPOY
- 6x All-Defensive Team
- 3x BLK Champion
- 2x TRB Champion
Dwight Howard
Career Under Construction
Fact #1: The first DPOY (Defensive Player of The Year) was awarded in the 1982-83 NBA season.
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt influenced the changed the game of basketball, maybe more than any more than other player in the history of the game.
- 2x All-Defensive Team
- 11x TRB Champion
TOP 5 POWER FORWARDS
Kevin Garnett
KG was the first big in basketball to guard every position on the court. The best Pick & Roll defender of all time from the perceptive of the power and center.
- 12x All-Defensive Team
- 4x TRB Champion
- 1x DPOY
Tim Duncan
Quietly Tim Duncan went about business, blocking shots, rebounding and anchoring a championship dynasty. TD and the San Antonio Spurs set the standard on how to defend as a team never getting away from fundamental principles associated with the Shell Drill.
- 15x All-Defensive Team
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Career Under Construction
Bobby Jones
Called the Secretary of Defense, Bobby Jones was one of the hardest playing basketball players in NBA history. His energy level on defense was always high. From taking charges, blocking shots and getting steals, Jones length and toughness set the standard for Philadelphia basketball, ending with his number being retired and a basketball hall of fame induction.
- 11x All-Defensive Team
Fact #2: The first NBA All-Defensive Team (first and second) was named in the 1968-1969 season.
Dennis Rodman
The Worm won championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls. He led the NBA in rebounding seven consecutive years and defended the best NBA centers, forwards and guards one on one.
- 8x All-Defensive Team
- 7x TRB Champion
- 2x DPOY
TOP 5 SMALL FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard
Career Under Construction
Scottie Pippen
The swiss army knife of basketball players, Scottie Pippen played passing lanes better than any player in his era not named Michael Jordan.
- 10x All-Defensive Team
- 1x STL Champion
Metta Sandiford-Artest
Built like the machine in the 1995 movie Judge Dredd, Ron is one of the best on ball defenders in NBA basketball history. Most nights he was virtually impossible to get around off of the dribble.
- 4x All-Defensive Team
- 1x DPOY
Bruce Bowen
Fresno California’s very own, Bruce Bowen number is retired in San Antonio as a defender.
- 8x All-Defensive Team
Fact #3: Blocked shots and steals were first officially recorded in the NBA during the 1973–74 season.
Michael Cooper
Coop was an aggravating defender for the Los Angeles Lakers and defense to Show Time.
- 1x DPOY
TOP 5 SHOOTING GUARDS
Michael Jordan
Just in case you didn’t know, Michael Jordan defensive prowess is as legendary as is offense. His large hands and cat quickness allowed him to guard on and off the ball.
- 1x DPOY
- 9x All-Defensive Team
- 3x STL Champion
Sidney Moncrief
Relentless competitor who shut down offensive players in the 80’s. He won the first two DPOY awards.
- 2x DPOY
- 5x All-Defensive Team
Fact #4: Third team All-Defense was implemented in 1989.
Kobe Bryant
A knock off to Michael Jordan, Kobe was great on the ball in his time.
- 15x All-Defensive Team
Tony Allen
Crane High School in Chicago is proud of its very own Tone Capone. His number was also retired by the Memphis Grizzlies for his defensive skill.
- 6x All-Defensive Team
Alvin Robertson
Alvin Robertson had a quadruple-double in a NBA basketball game. Enough said.
- 1x DPOY
- 6x All-Defensive Team
- 3x STL Champion
TOP 5 POINT GUARDS
Gary Payton
When your nick name is the Glove you know what it is. Always talking, Payton backed it up with long arms that constantly poked at the basketball while his opponents were trying to dribble.
- 1x DPOY
- 9x All-Defensive Team
- 1x STL Champion
Jason Kidd
Another quiet competitor, J Kidd was exceptional in the passing lanes.
- 9x All-Defensive Team
John Stockton
Stockton is probably the toughest (sometimes bordering dirty) point guard to play the game of basketball in the NBA for a few reasons. One of those is the fact that he’s the all-time leader in steals.
- 5x All-Defensive Team
- 2x STL Champion
Chris Paul
Career Under Construction
Dennis Johnson
DJ was grossly underrated as a basketball player. One thing that people do know about him is that he led the defensive charge for the Seattle Supersonics and the Boston Celtics.
- 9x All-Defensive Team
Best Of The Rest...
Dikembe Mutumbo
4x DPOY, 6x All-Defensive Team, 3x BLK Champion, 2x TRB Champion
Ben Wallace
4x DPOY, 6x All-Defensive Team, 1x BLK Champion, 2x TRB Champion
Rudy Gobert
Career Under Construction
Mark Eaton
2x DPOY, 5x All-Defensive Team, 4x BLK Champion
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
11x All-Defensive Team, 4x BLK Champion, 1x TRB Champion
Marcus Camby
1x DPOY, 4x All-Defensive Team, 4x BLK Champion
Draymond Green
Career Under Construction
Elvin Hayes
2x All-Defensive Team, 2x TRB Champion
Mookie Blaylock
6x All-Defensive Team, 2x STL Champion
Jimmy Butler
Career Under Construction
Rajon Rondo
Career Under Construction
Andrei Kirilenko
3x All-Defensive Team, 1x BLK Champion
Norm Van Lier
8x All-Defensive Team
Walt Frazier
7x All-Defensive Team
Lebron James
Career Under Construction
Artis Gilmore
5x All-Defensive Team
Nate Thurmond
5x All-Defensive Team
Joe Dumars
5x All-Defensive Team
Maurice Cheeks
5x All-Defensive Team
Tayshaun Prince
4x All-Defensive Team
Doug Christie
4x All-Defensive Team
Dwayne Wade
3x All-Defensive Team
Andre Iguodala
Career Under Construction
Paul Pressey
3x All-Defensive Team
K.C. Jones
Contributors
- Greg Canzater
- Dain Ervin
- Demetrius Griffin
- Darron Brown
- Melo Williams
- Ivory Clark
- Coach Rice
- Sampson Brue
- Raed “Ran” Farid El-Hamali
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