The Top 10 Defenders in NBA History (In terms of impact)

[1987_Lakers]

1. Bill Russell
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. David Robinson
4. Dikembe Mutombo
5. Tim Duncan
6. Kevin Garnett
7. Ben Wallace
8. Draymond Green
9. Dwight Howard
10. Nate Thurmond

HM: Wilt, Gobert, Pippen, Ewing (overshadowed by Hakeem & Robinson)

[SouBeachTalents]

My slight nitpicks

I would've probably added Wilt to the list, but I understand all these guys have legitimate claims to make it

I would've probably put Duncan & KG ahead of Dikembe, but if you have data to support otherwise I'd love to see it

Rodman would have at least been an HM

[Xiao Yao You]

Leaving off a 4 time dpoty

[L.Kizzle]

1. Bill Russell
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
3. David Robinson
4. Dikembe Mutombo
5. Tim Duncan
6. Kevin Garnett
7. Ben Wallace
8. Draymond Green
9. Dwight Howard
10. Nate Thurmond

HM: Wilt, Gobert, Pippen, Ewing (overshadowed by Hakeem & Robinson)

Impact as far as what? KG is here but not Wilt, explain.

[1987_Lakers]

My slight nitpicks

I would've probably added Wilt to the list, but I understand all these guys have legitimate claims to make it

I would've probably put Duncan & KG ahead of Dikembe, but if you have data to support otherwise I'd love to see it

Rodman would have at least been an HM

I have a hard time ranking Wilt defensively. I tried to take defensive longevity into consideration in these rankings and Wilt in particular didn't peak until the 2nd half of his career on that end, even then there are some things I question about that time frame.

- Lakers didn't see much improvement on the defensive end when they added him in 1969.
- Lakers had a top 4 defense in 1970 with Wilt only playing 12 games that season
- Lakers had an average defense in 1971 with Wilt playing 82 games

Just some inconsistencies that make me question if he deserves top 10.

Someone like Dwight Howard at his defensive peak was leading a below average cast defensively to a top 1-3 on defense for 3 straight years.

[L.Kizzle]

I have a hard time ranking Wilt defensively. I tried to take defensive longevity into consideration in these rankings and Wilt in particular didn't peak until the 2nd half of his career on that end, even then there are some things I question about that time frame. Lakers didn't see much improvement on the defensive end when they added him in 1969.

- Lakers had a top 4 defense in 1970 with Wilt only playing 12 games that season
- Lakers had an average defense in 1971 with Wilt playing 82 games

Just some inconsistencies that make me question if he deserves top 10.

Someone like Dwight Howard at his defensive peak was leading a below average cast defensively to a top 1-3 on defense for 3 straight years.

Every player is the 60s and 70s states Wilt was the strongest and blocked like 10+ shots a game on top of 30 rebounds.
What other information do you need, a stat from basketball reference?

[highwhey]

Not surprised that its pretty much a big-only exclusive list. defensive wings are overrated unless you're capable of guarding 5 out which most wings/guards cannot. rodman and lebron come to mind as far as being able to guard pretty much anyone. also another reason why some chips are more valuable than others...you think luka makes the finals without lively? hell nah. shai without chet? FVCK no, wouldn't make it past nuggets without caruso even. the list goes on. but then there's lebronzo, didn't need no defensive anchor, he was an independent man

[1987_Lakers]

Every player is the 60s and 70s states Wilt was the strongest and blocked like 10+ shots a game on top of 30 rebounds.
What other information do you need, a stat from basketball reference?

Where the team ranks on the defensive end is usually a good indicator of how impactful they are. Wilt doesn't cut it for me, but I don't have an issue with anyone having him top 10.

I know that is not the perfect system. Mutombo played on some bad defensive teams, until you dig deeper on how impactful he was.

'91 Nuggets: #27 ranked defense (Dead last)
'92 Nuggets: #13. With rookie Mutombo.

'96 Nuggets: #17 defense
'97 Nuggets: #24 defense (No Mutombo). Nuggets replaced him with a good defensive player, Ervin Johnson, who was #3 in blocks that season. Still a noticeable drop off.

'96 Hawks: #16 defense
'97 Hawks: #3 defense (With Mutombo)

[ArbitraryWater]

Every player is the 60s and 70s states Wilt was the strongest and blocked like 10+ shots a game on top of 30 rebounds.
What other information do you need, a stat from basketball reference?

Definitely. Players exaggerate hard from their era.


Here is Shumpert talking about a random Kobe game:





This is that game:




11/29, lost by 7, game was never even ****ing close in the 4th quarter. Even in said 4th quarter Kobe was a measy 5/12.

[Xiao Yao You]

Where the team ranks on the defensive end is usually a good indicator of how impactful they are. Wilt doesn't cut it for me, but I don't have an issue with anyone having him top 10.

I know that is not the perfect system. Mutombo played on some bad defensive teams, until you dig deeper on how impactful he was.

'91 Nuggets: #27 ranked defense (Dead last)
'92 Nuggets: #13. With rookie Mutombo.

'96 Nuggets: #17 defense
'97 Nuggets: #24 defense (No Mutombo). Nuggets replaced him with a good defensive player, Ervin Johnson, who was #3 in blocks that season. Still a noticeable drop off.

'96 Hawks: #16 defense
'97 Hawks: #3 defense (With Mutombo)

Blocks and steals dont mean someone is a good defender

[warriorfan]

Blocks and steals dont mean someone is a good defender

Getting hunted and cooked off the floor when playoffs come around does?

[1987_Lakers]

Blocks and steals dont mean someone is a good defender

For steals? I agree. I think blocks are a better indicator even though there are inconsistencies.

Johnson led the Nuggets in defensive rating in '97 which means he was most likely their most impactful defender.

[Xiao Yao You]

Getting hunted and cooked off the floor when playoffs come around does?

Cant skip me!

[Xiao Yao You]

For steals? I agree. I think blocks are a better indicator even though there are inconsistencies.

Johnson led the Nuggets in defensive rating in '97 which means he was most likely their most impactful defender.

Im reminded often that drtg means nothing. Supposedly gobert is the reason wolves lost despite leading in ofrtg and drtg. Whiteside blocked shots. A bum. Kessler blocks shots. Jazz worst d in league past 2 years

[L.Kizzle]

Definitely. Players exaggerate hard from their era.


Here is Shumpert talking about a random Kobe game:





This is that game:




11/29, lost by 7, game was never even ****ing close in the 4th quarter. Even in said 4th quarter Kobe was a measy 5/12.

We can go back and watch this game, not Wilt. And it's freaking Iman Shumpert. These Wilt stories are from Hall of Famers.