A winning team needs to be made up of points scorers, playmakers, and defensive players
While the points scorers and the playmakers get all the fame and glory – it is often the hard work and dedication of the defensive players that win the silverware. These defensive players are often unsung heroes in the NBA.
With the playoffs about to start -check out Fanduel’s live NBA odds – the defensive players have never been more important. But they do not get a lot of praise.
We want to change that today. Here are the 10 best defensive players in the history of the NBA.
#10 – Kawhi Leonard
We are kicking off this list with its only current player. Kawhi Leonard is already a 2-time NBA champion and a 2-time Defensive Player of the Year. And we expect to see even more from him in the years to come.
There is no doubt in our minds that he is one of the best defensive players in the NBA right now.
#9 – Kevin Garnett
It is rare that a player makes it into the NBA without going to college, let alone make as big an impact as Garnett did.
He was named Defensive Player of the Year once and was called up to the All-Defensive team 12 times.
#8 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
It feels a little bit like sacrilege to put Kareem Abdul-Jabbar this low on the list – but there are so many other great defensive players that we need to talk about today.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for 3rd most shots blocked, and leads the NBA in points scored (38,387), games played (1,560), minutes played (57,446), field goals made (15,837), field goal attempts (28,307),), defensive rebounds (9,394), career wins (1,074),
#7 – Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo is in our humble opinion, the best defensive player in the NBA never to win an NBA championship title.
However, he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year 4 times. He also holds the record for the second-most shots blocked in a career.
#6 – David Robinson
If you were born when the Admiral graced the courts of the NBA then you will have fond memories of watching this 2-time NBA champion play. He was a giant on the court (literally and figuratively).
Robinson joined the NBA after serving in the U.S Navy, his discipline was obvious on and off the court. He managed to rack up 2954 blocks across his 12-year career.
#5 – Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen will be remembered for his partnership with Michael Jordan. But there are many people who will argue that Pippen was the better defensive player out of the two of them. Pippen does have better stats, but there is no doubting that Jordan made a bigger impact on the NBA.
#4 – Bill Russell
If they had kept the same kind of defensive records as they do now when Russell played then he could have made it into the number 2 spot on this list.
However, there is no doubting that Russell was the greatest defensive player of his era – and he has 11 NBA championship titles to prove it.
#3 – Dennis Rodman
Rodman might be one of the best team players that the NBA has ever seen. He put in rock-solid defensive performances game after game for years. This is perhaps not what Rodman, “the worm” and the bad boy of the NBA will be remembered for. But his 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards should be remembered, as much as his role as the unofficial US Ambassador to North Korea.
#2 – Michael Jordan
If we were making a list of the greatest NBA players of all time then we might put Jordan at the top of that list. However, because of the kind of role Jordan played in his team, we think Olajuwon just has the edge on him when it comes to defense.
Jordan was a 6-time NBA champion, a 5-time NBA MPV, and he was awarded Defensive Player of the Year once. He holds the record for highest average points per game total with 30.1 average points per game.
#1 – Hakeem Olajuwon
And then there was one… Hakeem Olajuwon undoubtedly deserves the spot at the top of this list.
He was a 9-time All-Defensive player, Defensive Player of the Year, and a 2-time NBA champion.
During his time in the NBA Olajuwon scored 26,946 (average 21.8 points per game) and blocked 3830 shots.
While there have been many spectacular defensive players throughout the history of the NBA – Hakeem Olajuwon stands proudly above the rest. He was truly one of a kind and who knows if we will ever see another player with as much talent as he had.
Are there any players you like above? Do you have any peripheral items about them? If you don’t have any, custom pins are a good choice， because customized badges can be engraved with your favorite star’s name or cartoon portrait.
You can pin customized badges on clothing, such as collars, pockets, chests, etc. This can show your support for the star and let others know that you are a fan of the star. You can also put customized badges on items you use, such as backpacks, mobile phone cases, water bottles, etc. This way you can show your support for the stars wherever you go.
