Let's talk about some of the greatest NBA defensive players of all time, broken down by era. When you think about the 1960s and 1970s, names like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain come to mind. Russell, with his 11 championships with the Boston Celtics, dominated the paint with 21,620 career rebounds. That's an average of 22.5 rebounds per game, which is insane by today’s standards, where even the top rebounders average around 14 per game.
I remember reading an interview where Russell himself said defense is just as much about anticipation and positioning as it is about physical capability. Imagine playing against Chamberlain, who once scored 100 points in a game. With his size and strength, he turned defense into an art form. Chamberlain wasn't just blocking shots for stats; he fundamentally altered how teams approached scoring in the paint.
Fast forward to the 1980s and 1990s, and you can't ignore Hakeem Olajuwon. I bet you've seen Hakeem's “Dream Shake.” Olajuwon wasn't just about scoring; he had a knack for blocking shots and stealing the ball. With over 3,800 career blocks, he led the league multiple seasons. There's a reason players like Shaquille O'Neal and David Robinson speak so highly of him. In fact, Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest player of all time, once called Olajuwon the best defensive player he'd ever faced.
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson’s rivalries were thrilling, but they knew—they absolutely knew—that Olajuwon was a nightmare on defense. Speaking of Jordan, his defensive acumen needs a spotlight. Michael Jordan isn't just about six rings and scoring titles; he made life miserable for opposing guards. With 2,514 career steals, he led the NBA in steals three times. Becaus of his 48-minute hustle game, Jordan could switch on any player and lock them down, creating turnovers that led to fast-break points.
You gotta tip your hat to Gary Payton in the 1990s, too. The “Glove” embodied the gritty, no-nonsense defense. Payton could just as effectively guard a center for a possession as he could put pressure on an elite point guard. During the 1995-1996 season, his Seattle SuperSonics reached the NBA Finals, partly because of his defense. Payton remains the only point guard to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, doing so in 1996. That's a testament to his versatility.
Fast forward to the modern era. Guys like Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green have completely altered the defensive landscape. Kawhi, with his massive hands and quick feet, won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice by age 25. During the San Antonio Spurs' 2014 championship run, Leonard's defense on LeBron James was critical. He also secured his legacy by leading the Toronto Raptors to an NBA title in 2019, taking on defensive assignments across the board.
Draymond Green’s energy and basketball IQ have been pivotal for the Golden State Warriors’ success over the past decade. The term “positionless basketball” partly arises because of Draymond. He can guard positions 1 through 5, facilitating a switch-heavy defense that baffles even the best offenses. With 800+ career steals and 600+ blocks, Green’s defensive versatility and leadership earned him the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year award, proving his immense value on the court.
Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz deserves an entire chapter for this era. This 7-foot-1 French center bagged the Defensive Player of the Year award three times in the span of four years (2018, 2019, and 2021). Gobert epitomizes rim protection. Teams often think twice about driving to the hoop with Gobert lurking. He leads the NBA in blocks per game and has consistently placed in the top five for defensive win shares, proving his elite status.
You also can’t ignore what Anthony Davis has brought to the game in terms of defense. His length, instincts, and timing make him an incredible shot-blocker. With the Lakers, AD’s defense played a critical role in their 2020 NBA Championship win. Often guarding the opponent's best player, Davis excels at both help-side defense and one-on-one situations. For instance, during the 2020 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Davis’s defensive versatility allowed him to switch effectively, containing Miami's dynamic offense.
Looking forward, players like Bam Adebayo and Ben Simmons show that the future of NBA defense looks incredibly bright. Adebayo's defensive agility for the Miami Heat has been compared to guards, despite being a center. Meanwhile, Simmons with the Philadelphia 76ers has demonstrated elite perimeter defense, often guarding the opposing team's top scorer. Simmons averaged over 2 steals per game in the 2020-2021 season, showing his ability to disrupt passing lanes and create transition opportunities.
In today's NBA, where offensive skills are more glamorous, these defensive stalwarts remind us that championships are still built on defense. For more insights on basketball and other sports, check out the arena plus. Defense may not always fill the highlight reels, but it's the backbone of every great team. It’s a testament to these players' abilities that they not only stopped some of the greatest scorers but also defined the eras they played in.