The 10 Best Defenders in the NBA

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CLEVELAND - FEBRUARY 22: Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Detroit Pistons gets a shot off between Ben Wallace #4 and LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 22, 2009 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland won the game 99-78. N

In the NBA, determining the league's top defenders is often an incredibly difficult task. This is because superior defensive skills are still not completely understood by NBA executives much less fans.

Are blocks and steals what makes a player a good defender? Is it the ability to draw a charge? Or, is it merely putting pressure on the opposing player? Also, how much should defensive rebounds factor into the equation.

As of this time, it's hard to say what exactly is required of a great defensive basketball player. That said, I will now select the players whom I feel exhibit the best defensive characteristics in each of the relevant categories.

Best Perimeter Defender: Ron Artest

NEW YORK - JANUARY 26: Al Harrington #7 of the New York Knicks looks for options under pressure from Ron Artest #96 of the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden January 26, 2009 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

Without a doubt, there is no better perimeter defender in the NBA than Ron Artest. He's quick, strong, and extremely aggressive, and he has an extended history of containing the greatest offensive players in the game.

In fact, the great Michael Jordan has even gone on record raving about Ron's defensive ability, saying that he wishes he had the opportunity to face him because of his competitiveness. To me, there is no higher level of praise.

Best Interior Defender: Tim Duncan

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 10: Vince Carter #15 of the New Jersey Nets talks to Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs during their game on February 10, 2009 at The Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledg

In the history of the NBA, there have been very few players who have dominated the paint like Tim Duncan. On the defensive end, Tim is close to perfect, and his perfect fundamentals and technique allow him to make a defensive impact even when he does not make the block.

Best Stealer: Chris Paul

SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 31: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets during play against the San Antonio Spurs on January 31, 2009 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using

As the statistics will show you, no one in the NBA steals the ball more than Chris Paul. His compact size and quickness allow him to get to the ball unlike any other, and his competitiveness allows him to maximize these attributes when going for the steal.

Simply stated, Chris Paul steals the ball more than anyone else in the game, and he does it big moments.

Best Shot- Blocker: Dwight Howard

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 8: Glen David #11 of the Boston Celtics battles Dwight Howard #12 of Orlando Magic for a rebound at the TD Banknorth Garden on March 8, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The magic won 86-79. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and a

This season, Dwight has stepped up his game on the defensive end of the court. He currently leads the league in blocked shots per game, and he has become an absolutely dominant force inside the paint.

Most Versatile Defender: Jared Jeffries

CHICAGO - DECEMBER 09: Jared Jeffries #20 of the New York Knicks defends against Drew Gooden #90 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 9, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading

How many other players in the NBA do you know who could defend a star point guard or a star center in the same game? Jared Jeffries is a one-of-a-kind defender, who can truly do it all.

At 6'10", Jared Jeffries has been an incredibly tough matchup for some of the game's top point guards in the NBA this year. In addition, Jeffries size and quickness has generally allowed him to guard the best player on any opposing team, making him a valuable weapon for the Knicks.

However, because his offense has yet to catch up to his defense, few NBA fans know about Jeffries.

Best Defensive Rebounder: David Lee

NEW YORK - MARCH 04: David Lee #42 of the New York Knicks shoots over Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden March 4, 2009 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this

Mr. Double-double is the best defensive rebounder in the game today. In fact, in many games throughout the year, David Lee has eclipsed the 10-rebound mark before halftime!

Simply stated, David Lee is the best, only Dwight Howard comes close.

Best at Drawing The Charge: Anderson Varejao

MILWAUKEE - FEBRUARY 20: Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 20, 2009 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cavaliers defeated the Bucks 111-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

This was a tough one, but in the end, I had to give it to Anderson. As of this time, the Cavaliers are among the best teams in the league, and Anderson Varejao has been invaluable to them.

He may not put up big numbers, but Varejao draws the charge as well as anyone in the game, and as a result, the Cavs defense is among the league's best. Nate Robinson and Danny Granger deserve credit for their efforts in this category as well.

Best Off-Ball Defender: Lebron James

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 6: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the fourth quarter during a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden on March 6, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 105-94. NOTE TO USER: User expres

I may receive some criticism for this one, but I believe Lebron is currently the best off-ball defender in the game.

While his effort may not always be 100% when on his man, he has developed a habit of accumulating blocks and steals by jumping the passing lanes and crashing the boards just as the offensive player is going in for a layup.

While he may be known primarily for his offense, Lebron's off-the-ball defense has caused some experts to talk about him as the Defensive Player of the Year in 2009.

Best Clutch Defender: Dwayne Wade

MIAMI - DECEMBER 12: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat reacts after being called for a foul late in the game against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Arena on December 12, 2008 in Miami, Florida. The Hawks defeated the Heat 87-73. NOTE TO USER: User

Like most other star offensive players, Dwayne Wade does not give max-effort on defense throughout the course of a basketball game. However, in the final two minutes with the game on the line, there are few better defenders than Dwayne Wade.

Time and time again, Wade manages to make the key steal or stop in the final minute of a ball game.

Best Defensive Leader: Kevin Garnett

BOSTON - FEBRUARY 08: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a shot against the San Antonio Spurs on February 8, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Spurs defeated the Celtics 105-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

There may be no better defensive leader in the history of basketball than Kevin Garnett. Prior to coming to Boston, the Celtics were among the worst defensive teams in the league.

However, once KG arrived, the team immediately became the best defensive team in the league, and a championship was won. While KG's personal defensive is great in itself, it is his leadership and communication skills that improves his team's defense.

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