Top 50 Best Defenders NBA History

Wonder who the Top 50 Best Defenders NBA History are? Our team has put together a comprehensive list featuring the toughest defensive players of all time.

The saying often goes in sports that “Defense Wins Championships,” and that is no exception in the NBA. With as many dominant scorers as there are in today’s game, having a lockdown defender on your team is critical for winning games, especially in the playoffs.

Additionally, check out our Top 50 NBA Players of All Time List, as well as our Top 50 Lists for the Celtics, Lakers, and Bulls! As the season progresses, take a look at our Lineups YouTube channel, as well!

Top 50 Best Defenders NBA History

Below you will find our Top 50 Best Defenders NBA History and their respective statistics and accodolades. Bill Rusell was able to top the list and beat out Hakeem Olajuwon for Best Defender in NBA History!

2. Hakeem Olajuwon

“The Dream” being atop this list should not come as a surprise to anybody. Throughout his 18-year career, Olajuwon blocked 3,830 shots, which is good for the most of any player in NBA history. Hakeem was a 9-time All-Defensive player, a 2-time DPOY, and led his Houston Rockets to two NBA Championships during his career.

3. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt the Stilt was perhaps the most dominant player ever to play the game. Unfortunately for us basketball fans, he played in an era before defensive stats were recorded and only played five seasons when All-Defensive Teams existed. Despite this, Wilt should still be recognized as one of the game’s defensive greats due to his size and dominance over his opponents during his career.

4. Dennis Rodman

One of the most outlandish players in NBA history, “The Worm” certainly left his mark whenever he stepped on the floor. Rodman carved out his role in the NBA as the ultimate team player, grabbing boards and playing tough defense night in and night out without needing the ball. Playing this role led to much success for Rodman, who was a 7-time Rebounding Champ, 8-time All-Defensive Player, 2-time DPOY, and a 5-time NBA Champion.

5. Kevin Garnett

“The Big Ticket” was one of the fiercest competitors the league has ever seen. Coming straight to the NBA out of high school, Garnett quickly became one of the best offensive and defensive players in the league. He made 12 All-Defensive teams in his career and was the 2007-08 DPOY with the Celtics. He also ranks seventh in defensive wins shares all-time with 91.48.

6. Scottie Pippen

Although he is often remembered as Michael Jordan’s sidekick, Scottie Pippen was the better defender of the two and is perhaps the best perimeter defender ever. He is a 10-time All-Defensive Team selection and led the NBA in steals in 1994-95. His contributions on defense and to those Bulls teams as a whole cannot go unnoticed.

7. Ben Wallace

Big Ben was one of the most intimidating players in NBA history. Despite being an undersized center at 6’9, he made up for it with his effort on defense. During his career, Wallace led the league in blocks in 2001-02, was a 6-time All-Defensive Team selection, and was a 4-time DPOY.

8. Gary Payton

Nicknamed “The Glove” for his fantastic defense, Gary Payton is perhaps the best defensive guard of all time. Payton was a 9-time All-Defensive Team selection, led the league in steals in 1995-96, and was the DPOY that season. He is also ranked #4 on the all-time steals list.

9. Kawhi Leonard

Leonard has spent the majority of his career as the best defender in the NBA. Despite his two NBA Championships, arguably Leonard’s most famous moment is when he checked back in to a game against the Miami Heat, much to LeBron’s dismay. It’s a great meme today, but perfectly exemplifies how great of a defender Leonard is. Further, he is a two-time DPOY and winning that award is not a small feat, especially as a small forward. Leonard’s elite perimeter defense has helped him win two NBA championships: one as a role player on the Spurs and another as the star on the Raptors.

10. Tim Duncan

The Big Fundamental was not famous for his defense, but he was undoubtedly one of the game’s best defenders during his era. Duncan was voted to an NBA record 15 All-Defensive Teams, meaning he was not selected in only four of the seasons he played. Duncan’s consistency and skill make him one of the best players and defenders of all time, especially in the pick-and-roll, which became popularized while he was playing.

11. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard’s production slowed down towards the end of his career. However, that does not take away from anything he accomplished during his prime, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Howard is a five-time All-Defensive selection, two-time blocks leader, and three-time DPOY. He was the premier shot-blocker of his era and finally won a much-deserved NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers before playing basketball overseas over the past few years.

12. Draymond Green

Draymond Green is often criticized (or even called overrated) due to the fact that he is only a nine-point-per-game career scorer. However, he has made a name for himself particularly from his defense. Green can guard any position on the floor and was a defensive anchor for the Warriors during their dynasty. He is a five-time All-Defensive Team selection, led the league in steals in 2016-17, and was also named DPOY that season. His post defense, switchability, quick hands, and physicality allow him to impose his well on that end of the floor.

13. Dikembe Mutombo

With the exception of Hakeem Olajuwon, Mutombo may have been the best shot-blocker that the NBA has ever seen. The man who made the finger wag famous led the NBA in blocks three times, made six All-Defensive Teams, and was a 4x DPOY. He sits at second in blocks all time with 3,289, roughly 600 behind Olajuwon.

14. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem is known best for being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, but he is also one of the game’s greatest defenders of all time. Kareem averaged over three blocks seven times in his career, and that includes his first four seasons in which blocks weren’t recorded. He is an 11-time All-Defensive Team selection and led the league in blocked shots four times.

15. David Robinson

“The Admiral” certainly left his mark defensively during his time in the NBA. For his first seven seasons in the league, Robinson averaged three or more blocks per game. He is an eight-time All-Defensive selection, led the league in blocks in 1991-92, and was even named DPOY that season.

16. Michael Jordan

The man many regard as the GOAT was a whole lot more than just a scorer. Jordan was one the best defenders of all time, having led the league in steals three times, making nine All-Defensive Teams, and he even won DPOY in 1987-88, a few seasons after the award’s inception. Very few shooting guards win that award. He also has the second most blocks of any guard in NBA history.

17. Kobe Bryant

Bryant was most known for hitting tough shots and game-winners during his career, but he was also one of the best defensive players of his era. Kobe was selected to 12 All-Defensive teams during his career and would routinely shut down top NBA players night in and night out, despite being heavily leaned upon on the other end of the floor.

18. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Although it is still early in his career, it is safe to say that Giannis Antetokounmpo is already one of the best defensive players ever to play the game of basketball. Standing at 6’11, 245lbs, Giannis has the size and speed to guard any position on the floor. He has been named to an All-Defensive team five times already (as of the 2022-23 season) and even won a DPOY in 2020. The sky is the limit for the Greek Freak.

19. LeBron James

At 6’9, 250lbs, LeBron has the size, speed, and strength to guard any position on the floor and he has routinely done this during his illustrious career. James is an elite defender when he wants to be, although we’ve seen him slack off on defense a bit in recent years. Nonetheless, he is a six-time All-Defensive team selection and is arguably the greatest chase-down blocker the game has ever seen.

20. Rudy Gobert

Nicknamed “The Stifle Tower,” the French-born Gobert has undoubtedly made a name for himself defensively in the NBA. In eight of his 10 NBA seasons, Gobert has averaged two or more blocks per game. Gobert is a six-time All-Defensive Team selection, three-time DPOY, and led the league in blocks in the 2016-17 season. Gobert still has time to climb this list but only if he improves a bit in defending guards on the perimeter, as he has been played off the court at times, particularly in the postseason.

21. Alonzo Mourning

Mourning is one of the best centers of all time, and his defensive accolades certainly reinforce that claim. He was named to two All-Defensive Teams, led the league in blocks twice, and was a two-time DPOY. Mourning also ranks 121h all-time in blocks in the history of the NBA, putting him ahead of guys like Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard, Ben Wallace, and Marcus Camby.

22. Bobby Jones

Bobby Jones is not exactly a household name when it comes to Hall of Fame basketball players, but he should be remembered for his outstanding play on defense. He was a consistent defender and a solid role player on any team he played for. Jones was an 11-time All-Defensive Team selection during his career and won Sixth Man of the Year in 1983, a season that his 76ers won the NBA championship.

23. Sidney Moncrief

Sidney Moncrief was a nightmare for opposing players to match up against in the 80s. He was a premier on-ball defender who would cause fits for whoever he played. Moncrief was a five-time All-Defensive Team selection and won back-to-back DPOY awards in 1983 and 1984.

24. Bruce Bowen

Bruce Bowen is the definition of a defensive specialist. Despite his highest scoring total of 8.2 ppg in 2004-05, Bowen was able to carve out a long and successful career in the NBA thanks to his elite perimeter defense. He was an All-Defensive selection eight times in his career and was a key contributor in three of the Spurs’ five championships.

25. Alvin Robertson

Robertson was a defensive stalwart with the Spurs and Bucks in the 1980s and 90s. He made six All-Defensive Teams, led the NBA in steals three times, and was the 1985-86 DPOY. He averaged three or more steals in five of his first seven seasons, which is an exceptional feat for any player, regardless of the era.

26. Mark Eaton

Standing at 7’4, 275lbs, Mark Eaton was one of the most intimidating forces in NBA history. During his 11-year career with the Utah Jazz, Eaton made five All-Defensive Teams, led the league in blocks four times, and was a two-time DPOY. His best season came in 1984-85, where he started all 82 games and averaged an absurd 5.6 blocks per game.

27. Dennis Johnson

Dennis Johnson played 14 seasons in the NBA and held crucial roles on three different NBA championship teams. He was a crafty guard known for being dominant on defense with the ability to guard many different positions. DJ was a nine-time All-Defensive Team selection in his career and won the 1979 Finals MVP with the SuperSonics.

28. Michael Cooper

Everyone remembers the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s with Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy. However, one of the most vital pieces of that team was Michael Cooper. Cooper was a lengthy guard who was an elite defender and shooter: a perfect role player for Magic to work with. In his career, Cooper made an All-Defensive Team eight times, won DPOY in 1986-87, and was a part of all five Lakers championships.

29. Ron Artest

Artest, who also went by Metta World Peace during his playing years, was one of the wildest personalities the game has ever seen. Despite being a somewhat controversial player, he is recognized as being one of the game’s best defenders. Artest was selected to four All-Defensive Teams in his career and won DPOY with the Pacers in 2003-04.

30. Tony Allen

It’s hard to be successful in the NBA as a guard without much of an offensive game. However, Tony Allen made a name for himself by playing elite defense night in and night out. In his 14 seasons in the NBA, Allen routinely guarded the opposing team’s best scorer and was a pest for opposing offenses. Even Kobe Bryant himself has stated that Tony Allen was the best defender that he ever had to face. Allen was selected to six All-Defensive Teams during his career.

31. Andrei Kirilenko

AK47 was amongst the first forwards to truly be a 1-5 defender in the NBA. Kirilenko did not spend as much time in the NBA as some other highly-ranked forwards on this list but he still made three All-Defensive teams, led the league in blocks in 2005, and averaged 3.2 “stocks” (steals and blocks) per game. Few players have the combination of size (6-foot-9), length (7-foot-4 wingspan), athleticism, strength, and quickness that Kirilenko had.

32. Anthony Davis

If Anthony Davis had been able to remain healthy over the past handful of seasons, he likely would be much higher on this list and could even hold a coveted Defensive Player of the Year award. However, the injury bug has not been nice to Davis, making it difficult for him to rack up individual accolades. Still, AD is one of the best interior defenders and rim protectors in the league and has the ability to contest guards on the perimeter due to his quick feet and IQ.

33. Chris Paul

CP3 is one of the best point guards of all time, and the guy is still getting it done in his upper-30. Paul has led the NBA in steals six times and he currently ranks third in steals all time, but could overtake second place by the time his career is over. Further, CP3 has been named to nine All-Defensive Teams, which is a feat that few players can say they have done.

34. Walt Frazier

Frazier was one of the greatest defenders of his time, although statistics might not show that. He played from 1967-1980, and the NBA didn’t start recording defensive statistics until 1973. Despite this, Frazier is remembered as having some of the quickest hands in NBA history, allowing him to snatch up plenty of steals. He made seven All-Defensive Teams in his career.

35. Dave DeBusschere

Dave DeBusschere was known as one of the best defensive players of his era. However, having played in the 60s and 70s, DeBusschere played in a time where defensive statistics were not recorded. It was not until 1968 that the NBA began naming players to All-Defensive teams. DeBusschere made an All-Defensive Team each year of his career after that (1969-74.)

36. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq is recognized as one of the most dominant players in NBA history. Standing at 7’1, 325lbs, O’Neal was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball. Shaq’s size allowed him to out-muscle anyone who tried to post him up, and he was a great shot-blocker, as well. He was a three-time All-Defensive Team selection and ranks ninth in all-time blocks.

37. Patrick Ewing

Ewing is one of the best big men of all time, although his name is often left out of debates since he never won a championship. Nonetheless, he was still a dominant defensive player with the Knicks. Ewing averaged three or more blocks for five straight seasons, including four blocks per game in 1989-90. He was selected to an All-Defensive Team three times in his career.

38. Manute Bol

Standing at 7-foot-7, Bol is tied as the tallest player in the history of the NBA. Bol used his unique size and length to become an elite shot blocker during an era where players spent most of their time trying to score in the paint and mid-range. He averaged three blocks per game during his career and is 15th all time in blocked shots in NBA history.

39. Elvin Hayes

“The Big E” is perhaps one of the most underrated stars in NBA history. In addition to winning the NBA Championship in 1978 with Washington and being 11th on the all time scoring list, Hayes was also a dominant defensive player. His defensive style was described as “aggressive,” as Hayes was a hound on the boards and an excellent post and perimeter defender. He was selected to two All-Defensive Teams during his career.

40. Jrue Holiday

Widely regarded as one of best (if not the best) perimeter defenders that is currently playing in the NBA, Holiday antagonizes opposing offensive players due to his lightning quick feet and anticipatory skills. Holiday’s ability to get through ball screens, anticipate dribble moves, and close out on elite shooters has earned him five NBA All-Defensive Team selections during his impressive career.

41. Dave Cowens

While Cowens does not have the basic statistics to back up his defensive dominance, he actually ranks 35th all time in defensive win shares in NBA history. Additionally, Cowens has the tenth-highest DWS in a single season, ranking behind only Bill Russell (#1-6 and #9) and Wilt Chamberlain (#7-8.) For the first three seasons of Cowens’ career, steals were not counted, while blocks were not counted for his first seven years.

42. Shawn Marion

Nicknamed “The Matrix,” Shawn Marion was an elite defender and an important piece to the Phoenix Suns’ uber-talented, high-octane teams from the mid-2000s. Marion’s best season came in 2005-06 when he averaged just shy of four “stocks” per game. Surprisingly, Marion was never named to an All-Defensive Team; however, his impact on that end of the floor speaks for itself in both basic statistics and the eye test.

43. Kevin McHale

One of the defensive anchors for the Boston Celtics‘ dynasty, Kevin McHale was a three-time NBA Champion and a six-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. McHale’s length and surprising strength (given his lanky frame) made him nearly impossibly to score on in the post, which was vital for any interior player in that era.

44. Rajon Rondo

High defensive IQ, tenacity, and quick hands are all ways you can describe Rajon Rondo, one of the best defensive point guards on this list. Rondo was best known for his electric, flashy passing and playmaking, but was just as important on the other end of the floor to all of the teams he played for. Further, he was the NBA’s steals leader in 2010 and made four NBA All-Defensive Teams in his career.

45. Paul George

Since coming into the league in 2011, Paul George has established himself as a star and one of the game’s premier defenders. George has the size and athleticism to guard most positions, making him a versatile defender. He has been named to four All-Defensive Teams in his career and led the NBA in steals during the 2018-19 season due to his exceptionally quick hands.

46. Jaren Jackson Jr.

While “Triple J” has barely played more than a handful of seasons in the NBA, it is clear that he is destined to be one of the greatest defenders this game has ever seen. Jackson is amongst the youngest DPOY winners in the history of the NBA and has already made two NBA All-Defensive Teams due to his impressive athleticism and timing around the rim.

47. Joe Dumars

Dumars was a key contributor to the Bad Boys Pistons teams that won consecutive NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990. The Pistons were known for their swarming defense, and Dumars was the team’s best on-ball defender. He was selected to five All-Defensive Teams in his career and was the 1989 Finals MVP for the first of Detroit’s back-to-back titles.

48. Julius Erving

“Dr. J” was one of the most exciting players the game has ever seen, as his high-flying dunks amazed fans worldwide. However, he was also a solid defensive player. Although he only made one All-Defensive Team in 1976, Erving excelled in on-ball defense and is credited as one of the first players to perfect the chase-down block.

49. John Stockton

When it comes to getting steals, John Stockton was in a league of his own. Stockton is the all-time steals leader in NBA history with 3,265. The next closest on that list is Jason Kidd, who is over 700 steals behind him. Stockton was a true pickpocket, leading the NBA in steals twice and averaging over 2.4 steals per game eight times in his career. He was also a five-time All-Defensive Team selection.

50. Dwyane Wade

Nicknamed “Flash” for his incredible speed and athleticism, Dwyane Wade is considered one of the greatest defensive guards in the history of the game. Wade holds the record for the most blocked shots by a guard in NBA history, a distinction he earned in 2019 by passing Michael Jordan. In addition to holding the record, Wade also was selected to three All-Defensive Teams during his 16-year career.