NBA
Top 5 NBA Defenders of All-Time + Fan Rankings
Create your own all-time rankings of the top 5 greatest defenders in NBA history from Ben Wallace to Hakeem Olajuwon to Tim Duncan
NBA in 10 Minutes/YouTube
NBA Hall of Famer and All-Time shot blocker Ben Wallace celebrated his birthday on September 10th, 2022, so it’s a great time to look at the top 5 NBA defenders of all time with him highlighting the list.
One skill that has become more and more underrated as the NBA seasons pass by is the ability to defend at a high level. During the early 1980s and 90s, NBA players took pride in their defense because it once represented physical toughness and competitiveness. But since then, the league has quickly transitioned towards favoring high-tempo offenses, highlight plays, and three-point shooting.
Now the rules and the style of play have started to favor offensive players. With that, more guys prioritize how much they can score over how well they defend. The focus has transitioned from taking pride in locking up on defense to prioritizing three-point volume and shooting efficiency. With this new revolution predicated around high-octane offenses, the amount of players who classify themselves as “elite defenders” or “defensive specialists” has quickly dwindled to only a handful.
While defenders don’t get the credit they deserve, their impact on winning is undeniable. From big men who can switch onto guards and have the quickness to stick with them or wings that have the ability to close out on shooters just as well as they can get back in transition for chase-down blocks, teams that have high-quality defenders all over the floor are typically the ones making deep playoff runs. As the saying goes, “Defense wins Championships.”
In reminiscence of the league that was once defined by hard-nosed defense and physicality, many players during those eras ended up on this list with some 21st-century stars still entering the conversation thanks to their all-around defensive greatness. Honorable mention includes: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dikembe Mutombo, Dennis Rodman, and Tony Allen.
Here are the top 5 greatest NBA defenders of all time. Create your own rankings below!
– Only UDFA to make HOF | 2004 NBA Champ | 4x All-Star
– T-most DPOY (4) in NBA history | 2x NBA REB leader
– 5x All-Defense 1st Team | 2001-02 NBA BLK (3.5) leader
As arguably one of the most underrated big men in NBA history, Ben Wallace redefined what it meant to be an elite rim defender. Despite being only 6-foot-9, Wallace was the heart and sole of the stout Pistons as he competed with some legendary big men using next-level grit and tenacious defense.
Ben Wallace's NBA records:
– Only UDFA to make HOF
– Career REB (10,482), BLK (2,137), STL (1,369), & BPG (2.0) by UDFA
– Career DPOY (t-4), most in 5-year span
– Consecutive seasons (3) of 1,000+ REB & 200+ BLK
– REB (19) with 0 FGM in 1 Playoff GPpic.twitter.com/uQElwl6U3V— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 9, 2022
– 2x NBA Champ | 2x Finals MVP | 1993-94 NBA MVP
– 2x NBA DPOY | 9x All-Defense | Most blocks (3,830) ever
– 12x All-Star | 12x All-NBA | 3x NBA BLK & 2x REB leader
As one of the most dominant centers in NBA history, Hakeem Olajuwon had the full package. Many would say that Olajuwon’s fancy footwork and finesse in the post was his biggest draw as an all-time great, but one could argue that his ability on the defensive end was just as impressive.
Hakeem Olajuwon's NBA records:
– Career BLK (3,830)
– 2,000+ BLK & 2,000+ STL
– 200+ BLK & 200+ STL in 1 season
– Seasons of 2+ SPG/2+ BPG (4) or 100+ BLK/100+ STL (12)
– Playoff BPG (3.3)
– Consecutive Playoff GP (32) of 1+ STL
– 1st International FMVP
pic.twitter.com/0bvlhW45xX— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 29, 2022
– 5x NBA Champ | 3x Finals MVP | 2x NBA MVP | 1998 ROY
– 15x All-Star | 15x All-NBA | Most Wins (1,001) with 1 team
– Most All-Defense selections (15) in NBA history
Otherwise known as “The Big Fundamental,” it seemed like there was not a thing on the basketball court that Tim Duncan couldn’t do. From the day he was drafted, Duncan was a franchise cornerstone as the face of the San Antonio Spurs, and led them on a dynastic run spanning over two decades.
Tim Duncan's NBA records:
– All-Defense Teams (15)
– Wins (1,001) with 1 team or 1 HC
– 5+ NBA Championships/3+ Finals MVP/2+ MVP
– Rookie PF selected to All-NBA 1st Team
– Career REB (15,091) or GP (841) of 10+ PTS & 10+ REB in 3PT erapic.twitter.com/eZ5C13hs0q— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 29, 2022
– 2006 NBA Champ | 1st PG to win a DPOY (1995-96)
– Most consecutive seasons (9) on All-Defense 1st Team ever
– 9x All-Star | 9x All-NBA | 5th most steals (2,445) of all-time
Regarding elite perimeter defenders throughout NBA history, Gary Payton is the gold standard at the guard position. Instead of being content with just scoring 20+ PPG, “The Glove” took pride on the defensive end as a player that accepted the challenge of taking on the toughest defensive assignment every night.
Gary Payton's HOF resume:
– 9x All-Star
– 9x All-Defense 1st Team
– 2x All-NBA 1st Team, 5x 2nd Team, 2x 3rd
– 2006 NBA Champ
– 1996 DPOY & NBA STL (231) Leader
– 2000 NBA 3PM (177) & AST (732) leader
– 1991 All-Rookie 2nd Team
– NBA 75th Anniversary Teampic.twitter.com/bTzUpEvYiz— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 29, 2022
– 2x NBA Champ | 1st to win Finals MVP in both conferences
– 1 of 2 to win 2+ Finals MVPs & Defensive Player of the Year
– 5x All-Star | 3x All-NBA 1st Team | 3x All-Defense 1st Team
After starting his career as nothing more than a defensive stopper for the San Antonio Spurs, Kawhi Leonard has quickly risen to the ranks of becoming one of the greatest winners and best two-way players in the league but has already cemented himself as one of the most impressive defenders ever.
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