NBA Power Rankings: Dwight Howard and the Best Defender from Every NBA Team

In the NBA where offense is glorified by most fans and sports analysts today, it is fair to say the league also has some top-notch defenders: 2011 Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard and Boston Celtics veteran Kevin Garnett are arguably two of the best in the league on defense.

Coaches and former players constantly reiterate the importance of defense and the famous saying that "defense wins championships."

Defense is not necessarily the type of skill set that will get a player on a top-10 plays list or a postgame highlight reel, yet time and time again, it has proven just as important and even more so than scoring the basketball.

The NBA has its plethora of solid defenders that are willing to put their efforts into denying an opposition scoring opportunities.

These are the best defensive players from each team in the NBA today.

Washington Wizards: John Wall

The Washington Wizards are a team that lacks any sort of defensive hustle, yet John Wall is a talent that plays his fair share of defense.

His long, athletic build gives defenders trouble on the perimeter. Wall also has that vertical leap that gives him an edge defensively, as he can get up and block a shot as well as any guard in the league.

Last season as a rookie, Wall averaged 1.8 steals, 4.6 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game.

Charlotte Bobcats: Boris Diaw

On a team that has no defensive presence whatsoever, by default, the best defender for the Charlotte Bobcats has to be Boris Diaw.

After trading both Stephen Jackson and Shaun Livingston to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Bobcats are without much of a defensive presence in the rotation.

Diaw grabbed five rebounds and almost one steal per game last season. He goes up against some of the more talented offensive talents on opposing teams on most nights.

Atlanta Hawks: Marvin Williams

There is no doubt that Marvin Williams is an offensive threat, but without question, this guy can strap-up defensively.

The Atlanta Hawks are a young, athletic team that can get back defensively, as Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford lead the squad on the defensive end.

Last season, Williams averaged 4.8 rebounds in just 28 minutes a contest. The numbers are not jaw-dropping by any means, as Williams is a one-on-one defender that tends to make like difficult for opponents.

He thrives off making offensive talents struggle without necessarily getting the numbers to back it up.

Miami Heat: LeBron James

There can be an argument for Joel Anthony, yet when it's all said and done, there's no way one can go against a player like LeBron James.

James is a much improved defensive player since entering the league and has proven he makes offensive talents work to get shots off. He is known for his shot-blocking ability on the break and weak-side, while he also has a knack to congest passing lanes and get out on the break.

It's not a clear-cut decision, yet James is hands-down the most feared defensive presence on this Miami Heat team.

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard

Two words: A Beast.

Whether it's offense or defense, Orlando Magic center and All-Star Dwight Howard is as good as it gets in the painted area. On the defensive end, Howard is known for his big-time swatting ability and solid one-on-one face-up defense against the league's best centers.

One cannot argue with the production "Superman" brings to the table. Last season, Howard averaged 14.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.4 steals.

Hands down, Howard is the most valuable player for this Magic team on the defensive end. Howard won the  2011 Defensive Player of the Year award last season.

Golden State Warriors: Dorell Wright

Dorell Wright easily earns the honors of being the most valuable defensive player for his Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors are the fourth-worst defensive team in the league, ranking 27th. The acquisition of head coach Marc Jackson will have this Warriors team playing a much improved brand of defense, yet for the time being, Wright has to be the best defender for this team.

Last season, Wright put up 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is as good a player as there is on the defensive end.

Bryant has made the NBA All-Defensive team the last six seasons, and all six times, he was on the first team.

Numbers are not what make the argument for this player, as Bryant is an athletic, long defender that plays solid perimeter defense and is constantly making the extra effort to get to loose balls.

The Black Mamba is one of the better defenders this league has to offer.

Los Angeles Clippers: Chris Kaman

Blake Griffin makes his case as the best defensive player on the L.A. Clippers, as it is fair to make the case for the star rookie. Yet, Chris Kaman is the player who gets the nod.

Kaman plays solid defense inside and is a top-20 rebounder in the league. Last season, he averaged seven rebounds a game to go along with 1.5 blocks.

The great Griffin will have his shot soon, but for now, Kaman is the most feared Clipper defensively.

Phoenix Suns: Jared Dudley

Jared Dudley is not only the best defensive player on the Phoenix Suns, but is one of just two players on the team that plays the slightest bit of defense.

Yes, one of just two players.

Dudley and Grant Hill play sound defense, Dudley especially. He is not the most athletic forward, but Dudley knows a thing or two about playing tough perimeter defense and holding good scorers to poor shooting efforts.

Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans

A young talent in the league, Tyreke Evans is a point guard that boasts both an ability to score the basketball and play defense.

Evans gives the Kings an athletic guard that can force an opposing point guard to give the ball up early and go through other options. Evans is a key asset to rebuilding team in the Sacramento Kings. Last season, Evans averaged 4.8 rebounds and 1.49 steals per game.

What separates Evans from most at his position is his ability to score points by making plays on the defensive end.

Boston Celtics: Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett might be old, but man can the guy play defense.

Many forget just four seasons ago, Garnett was the 2008 NBA Defensive Player of the Year in his first season with the Celtics. He has also made the All-NBA defensive first team for the ninth time in his career.

Without Perkins, Garnett had to hold it down for the Celtics defensively and was able to produce in his minutes on the floor.

Last season, Garnett improved his numbers from two seasons ago, averaging 8.9 rebounds a game and 0.8 blocks.

Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala may well be the best small forward in the league when it comes to rebounding the basketball, grabbing seven boards a game.

Iguodala also averaged one steal per game.

His athletic, physical play on the defensive end is one of the more significant reasons this Philadelphia 76ers team was able to pick up their play and make the postseason.

Iguodala's strength and spacing defensively is unlike most at his position, as he is the most important player for this team defensively.

Toronto Raptors: Reggie Evans

Reggie Who? What?

It's crazy to think that a guy who averages 11.5 rebounds a game in just 26.6 minutes per game is not recognized for his play in the slightest. Evans plays tough defense for his Toronto Raptors and cleans the glass well on both ends.

Evans is a role player and isn't a player that gets much recognition, but boy can this guy play.

The 31-year-old averages over 20 rebounds a game per 40 minutes. Talk about production.

New York Knicks: Chauncey Billups

Chauncey B-B-B-B-Billups.

Known for his clutch three-point ball and his ability to finish at the rim, Billups is not exactly recognized for his defense.

In the 2011 NBA playoffs, the New York Knicks point guard held Rondo to 10 points and nine assists on 5-of-14 shooting. After Billups went down to injury on the last play of Game 1 of the series, Rondo averages 22 points and 13 assists a game.

These numbers alone speak volumes of the effort and physicality Billups brings on the defensive end, despite being one of the older players this league features at the point guard position.

New Jersey Nets: Kris Humphries

He's a young talent, he dates Kim Kardashian, and yes, he plays defense.

Aside from the press he has picked up for dating a Kardashian, Humphries can play some defense.

Last season, he averaged 10.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

For the first time in his career, he was given over 25 minutes a game and showed that he could produce. The New Jersey Nets have given Humphries the chance to shine, and that he has.

Dallas Mavericks: Shawn Marion

Tyson Chandler is a good defensive player, and his defense was a big reason why these Dallas Mavericks are NBA champions. Yet, when it's all said and done, Marion gets the nod in this argument.

His defense throughout the 2011 NBA playoffs was equally as important or even more so than that of Tyson Chandler. Marion went up against the likes of LeBron James of the Miami Heat and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.

A large part of the credit for James's struggles in the postseason belongs to Marion, who proved age hasn't taken away from his ability to make offensive talents struggle to get going.

Houston Rockets: Luis Scola

The Houston Rockets couldn't be more pleased with the way Luis Scola plays defense when he steps out on the court.

Scola boasts size and exceptional footwork on the block when defending one-on-one. The four year pro averaged solid numbers with the team last season, 8.2 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game.

The Rockets have enjoyed the luxury of having a guy like Luis Scola help put a body on big men in the post, as the four year pro continues to improve defensively. (Plus his name is Luis...)

Memphis Grizzlies: Shane Battier

Grizzlies forward Shane Battier is a player known for his ability to guard the bigger offensive threats of the opposition.

Battier is not the numbers type of guy, averaging 4.0 rebounds to go along with 0.5 blocks and 0.5 steals this past postseason for the Grizzlies. Battier is what one would consider a sound defensive player that spends his energy on making scorers work to get up shots.

Tony Allen and Marc Gasol both make cases as positive defensive minds, yet Battier makes the most impact defensively for the team.

New Orleans Hornets: Emeka Okafor

Emeka Okafor is a powerful center at 6'10'', 255 pounds, that gives some of the best centers in the league problems one-on-one.

Okafor and Paul are arguably the two best defenders on the New Orleans Hornets, with Okafor ultimately being the most valuable.

His strength and length make him a consistent shot-blocker, while also making the opposition adjust their shots when taking it down the lane.

There's also his jaw-dropping numbers.

Okafor has averaged over 9.1 rebounds a game all of his seven seasons in the league. As a rookie, he averaged 10.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.

Rebounds are not always an indicator of defense (...Carlos Boozer), yet Okafor grabs important boards and meanwhile is able to play strong defense in the block.

San Antonio Spurs: Manu Ginobili

He's as good a hustler as there is in the NBA, as Manu Ginobili is arguably the best defensive player head coach Greg Popovic and the San Antonio Spurs have.

Tim Duncan also deserves his fair share of praise as well, as he has proven time and time again that he can get it done on both ends of the floor. As he is what we like to call "an aging veteran," a guy entering "the winter" of his career (ESPN's Skip Bayless), Ginobili is the more valuable player to the Spurs right now defensively.

"Argentina's Finest" (copyright Luis Batlle), averaged 1.5 steals per game last season for the team.

Chicago Bulls: Luol Deng

When one thinks of the Chicago Bulls, usually point guard and last year's league MVP Derrick Rose is argued as the best player on both ends of the floor. Yet his efforts on defense are not as complete as those of a player like Luol Deng.

Night in and night out, Deng takes on a team's best offensive talent and succeeds. In the 2011, NBA playoffs, Deng was faced with the assignment of guarding Miami Heat star forward LeBron James in the Eastern Conference finals and did a sounds job overall.

In the Eastern Conference finals matchup against the Heat, Deng held James to 44.7 percent shooting from the field, the lowest percentage James shot in any series this past postseason. It included 5-of-15, 11-of-26 and 8-of-19 shooting performances from James.

Rose, on the other hand, is a great talent and has plenty of seasons to further develop his game defensively under head coach Tom Thibodeau, yet his game on that end of the floor is still incomplete. He's a playmaker that still lacks the ability to play lockdown perimeter defense against the better guards in the league.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Anderson Varejao

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao is arguably one of the more underrated defensive players this league has to offer.

Varejao is an in-your-face, quick defender that gives opposition a nightmare when taking the ball into the painted area. With both a long, athletic build as well as his resilient effort defensively are a big reason why Varejao is so successful defensively.

Last season, Varejao averaged 9.7 rebounds, 1.23 blocks, 0.87 steals per game in 32 minutes a contest. He is also a player known for his ability to draw the charge as well as any in the league, adding further to his defensive repertoire.

He is also arguably the only defender on a rebuilding Cavaliers team that struggled mightily last season. The Cavs were the 23rd ranked defense in the league last season.

Detroit Pistons: Tayshaun Prince

Tayshaun Prince is the leader of one of the more inconsisent defenses in the NBA.

The Detroit Pistons had the 16th best defense in the league last season, as they are not necessarily a team that flat out doesn't play defense like the Cavliers, Suns and others. Prince is one of the big reasons why they are still an average defense, as he has the ability to make defenders work for their looks and force poor shooting efforts.

Other notable talents for the Pistons on defense are veteran center Ben Wallace and Greg Monroe. Monroe led the team in rebounds per game with 7.5 while Wallace led the team in blocks with one a game.

Prince is a playmaker is known for his shot-blocking skill and long, athletic defensive presence. Although not the strongest of defenders, Prince can make an opposing scorer work as well as any player on this Pistons' ballclub.

Indiana Pacers: Paul George

Indiana Pacers small forward Paul George is as underrated a defensive player in the entire NBA.

George is not the type of player that would make an ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 appearance, yet his defense is quietly as good as any young player in the league. His rookie season with the Pacers, George averaged five rebounds, two blocks and 1.4 steals per game in the 2011 NBA playoffs.

George had the assignment of guarding Derrick Rose most of the 26.6 minutes per game he was in and proved he is a player that will continue to turn heads with his defensive play.

Despite Rose averaging 27.6 points per game, most of his points were earned at the free-throw line. George was able to hold Rose's field goal percentage to under 48 percent in every game in the series, including 22.2 percent and 27.3 percent performances in two games at Indiana.

Holding Rose to those type of numbers in the 2011 NBA playoffs has to be quite the feat for this promising 21-year-old.

Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Bogut

Andrew Bogut was a big reason this Milwaukee Bucks team was able to be among the best teams in the league defensively.

Last season, the beast from Australia averaged 11.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 35.3 minutes per game. Bogut ended the season grabbing at least 12 rebounds in 23 of the 65 games he played in last season, speaking further to his tremendous ability to clean the glass and force tough shots inside. 

His 2.6 blocks also lead the Bucks last season, as well as the entire NBA. Bogut was the leader in blocks per game, finishing ahead of JaVale McGee, Serge Ibaka and Dwight Howard, respectively.

Denver Nuggets: Wilson Chandler

Newly acquired talent Wilson Chandler proved himself to be a tough defensive player throughout the course of last season with both the Nuggets and Knicks.

Midway through the 2010-2011 season, Chandler was dealt to the Denver Nuggets by the New York Knicks in the famous blockbuster trade that would bring All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony to Madison Square Garden.

Chandler is as athletic as any player in the league on defense, boasting both size and strength at 6'8'', 225 pounds. He played a big role in the Nuggets making a playoff run post-Anthony, as his defense was arguably his most important asset.

Last season, Chandler averaged 5.9 rebounds with the Knicks and 5.0 with the Nuggets.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love continues to turn heads around the NBA with his jaw-dropping defense on a nightly basis for the team.

Talk about numbers.

Love was able to put together a career-best season last year, averaging 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds per game. He was also able to put together 53 games in a row with a double-double, as it was the most double-doubles recorded by a player since the merger in 1976.

His 15.2 rebounds led the league.

Love is a talent that has emerged quickly as one of the best all-around big men the NBA boasts.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Thabo Sefolosha

Serge Ibaka is arguably as good a defender in his own right, yet Sefolosha has to get the nod here as the best defender for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Sefolosha averaged 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game for the Thunder last season. Not necessarily the most overwhelming of numbers, yet Sefolosha is a talent that gets it done beyond the stats sheet. He was responsible for playing tough defense against the better scorers on opposing teams and continues to prove himself as a hard-nosed defender.

Sefolosha won't light up a stat sheet like an Ibaka will, but he is a player that won't take a play off which makes him a more valuable asset to the Thunder defensively.

Portland Trailblazers: Gerald Wallace

The Portland Trailblazers traded for Gerald Wallace just before last season's trade deadline, as the team has seen great improvements defensively since.

Wallace played an integral role in helping the Blazers to be the seventh-best defense in the NBA. He averaged 7.6 rebounds and two steals per game since joining the Blazers for the second half of the season.

In the 2011-2012 season, Wallace's play on the defensive end may be the difference maker in making the Trailblazers a top contender in the Western Conference.

Utah Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko

Utah Jazz veteran forward Andrei Kirilenko is known as a player that has made his paychecks off his sound defensive play.

Kirilenko is not the flashiest of defensive players, yet gets the job done with his length and athleticism. His perimeter defense is as good as any other player in the league, as he is quick enough to play away from the basket and skilled enough stay with quicker players penetrating the paint.

In the 2010-2011 season with the team, Kirilenko averaged 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. His ability to get in passing lanes, block shots with his length and help clear the glass makes him a unique defensive talent that has helped the Jazz play consistent defense over the years.