The Best Defenders in the NBA Conference Finals
The four remaining teams in the NBA conference finals are loaded offensively, but none would've gotten this far without a defensive backbone. Brush aside the flash and the glitter of scoring, and the players who do the dirty work appear.
More so than ever, iconic postseason moments are of defensive nature, as a timely steal or an explosive block can swing the momentum of any game.
Thanks to his stupendous defense on LeBron James, the Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala snatched the NBA Finals MVP trophy last season. It set a precedent that there are factors more important than scoring within the razor-thin margins of the playoffs.
Elite defensive cogs remain in the championship hunt, but there are also some unusual suspects who have raised their level of intensity to match the occasion, and they too deserve credit.
Players who anchor more solid defenses get a bump in the rankings. Individuals who have surpassed expectations and made an immediate, tangible impact on their teams' advancement also receive an upper hand.
Honorable Mentions
1 of 7
Kevin Durant, F, Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant is one of the best scorers in the NBA, but he's grown as a defender over the years. He has guarded most positions during the postseason and even gave Stephen Curry a different look in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 108-102 Game 1 win of the Western Conference Finals. He has the length and the speed to bother all kinds of players.
Andre Roberson, G/F, Oklahoma City Thunder
Andre Roberson's lack of a jumper handicaps the Thunder offense, yet he has still logged 23.7 minutes per game during the playoffs thanks to his work on the other end. He can stay in front of guards but has sufficient size at 6'7" to bother forwards. He shared the duty of checking Kawhi Leonard with Durant in the second round, neutralizing the star forward admirably.
Andre Iguodala, G/F, Golden State Warriors
Andre Iguodala rarely gets much credit because he doesn't fill the stat sheet, but he is an invaluable asset. He can be thrown onto any perimeter player and suffocate the threat like a fire blanket. That craft has earned him accolades in the past, and his skills remain intact even in his 30s.
Bismack Biyombo, C, Toronto Raptors
Bismack Biyombo stepped in the shoes of an injured Jonas Valanciunas admirably, making his presence felt on both sides of the court against the Miami Heat. What he lacks in size, the 6'9" center makes up with blistering speed and athleticism, which allows him to excel as both a stationary rim protector and a help defender. Opponents have shot 45.7 percent at the rim against him, the ninth-best figure in the playoffs (minimum six attempts per game), according to NBA.com.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers: J.R. Smith
2 of 7
A year ago, J.R. Smith's presence on this list would have looked preposterous. With the likes of Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova on the roster, it's still a bold placement.
Smith is rarely regarded as a defensive stud, but he has recently been a two-way ace for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the increased effort warrants recognition. Internally, he is already getting the rightful praise.
"Knowing J.R. from when he first got in the league, he’s matured over the years. The biggest thing for J.R., he’s become our best defensive player this year," Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue said, according to Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Cleveland hasn't relied nearly as much on Shumpert or Dellavedova in the playoffs so far, as Smith has earned a lion's share of the minutes on the wing (35 per game). He has always been an explosive scorer, but the increased effort on the defensive end ensures extended playing time.
Smith did a terrific job neutralizing the Atlanta Hawks' Kyle Korver, chasing the sharpshooter around every screen and forcing him off the three-point line. The Cavaliers have given up 3.2 fewer points per 100 possessions with Smith on the court in the playoffs, according to NBA.com.
Smith's newfound defensive chops should go a long way in helping Cleveland limit the Toronto Raptors' backcourt duo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.
5. Toronto Raptors: Norman Powell
3 of 7
Norman Powell has developed into a serviceable three-and-D wing, and he has been instrumental in the Raptors' run so far.
It may seem like a stretch putting Powell ahead of DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph, Kyle Lowry and Biyombo on the basis of playing time, but he has been the most effective perimeter stopper in his limited stints.
Powell took a backseat during the second-round series against the Miami Heat, but he was a crucial cog against the Indiana Pacers. Toronto head coach Dwane Casey was forced to downsize in order to match up with the Pacers, and Powell fit right in.
He regularly drew the assignment against Paul George, forcing the superstar into tough shots and alleviating the responsibility from an ailing Carroll. His most memorable play may be a game-tying dunk in Game 5, yet his defense was far more impressive.
Raptors Republic put together a montage of Powell's defense against the Pacers in Game 2, and it's an eye-opening watch. His wide stance, suffocating physicality and speed allowed him to snuff out isolation plays and bulldoze through screens at will.
Powell could very well be thrown into action against the Cavs, who also favor some small-ball lineups.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
4 of 7
Let's be clear—LeBron James, a five-time All-NBA Defensive First Team nominee, can still be the best defensive player on the planet, as long as he tries.
He has coasted at times over the last couple of seasons, and the Cavs' explosive offense has alleviated pressure from the entire group. Still, James is an elite stopper, and he has raised his effort level since the stretch run.
James has been the vocal general and all-around ace on the defensive end, and it's reflected in the stats. The Cavs surrender an abysmal 122.1 points per 100 possessions with LeBron on the bench during the playoffs, by far the highest figure on the team. That number drops by a ridiculous 19.5 points with him on the court, according to NBA.com.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra dubbed James "1-through-5" back in 2012, alluding to the former MVP's ability to guard every position. With some shaky defenders around him, LeBron has to be alert on every possession, and he has been so far.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams
5 of 7
The Oklahoma City Thunder's pivotal 98-97 Game 2 victory against the San Antonio Spurs will likely be remembered for a chaotic, controversial inbounding sequence down the stretch. It's unfortunate, because all the drama overshadowed one of the best individual defensive plays of the postseason.
With 10 seconds remaining, and the Thunder holding a one-point edge, Steven Adams halted a three-on-one fast break, snuffed a Manu Ginobili drive and closed out on Patty Mills in the corner almost faster than the kick-out pass reached its target.
All that within seconds, with no hesitation or panic.
That play essentially clinched the game, evened the series and put Oklahoma City on a path to the Western Conference Finals.
Naturally, Stevens' impact can't be narrowed down to one amazing sequence. He can buckle down and be physical against opposing bigs, all while hustling like a mad man.
Bleacher Report's Kelly Scaletta put Adams' impact in perspective: "According to NBAWowy.com, the Thunder give up 31.7 percent of their shots within three feet, and a field-goal percentage of 58.4 percent on those shots with Adams playing. When he sits, those numbers climb to 33.4 percent and 61.1 percent, respectively."
Stevens possesses sufficient foot speed to occasionally switch onto guards, and he makes up ground quickly even when slashers are exploding to the rim.
2. Golden State Warriors: Andrew Bogut
6 of 7
Andrew Bogut has long been a feared rim protector, and he might be having the best postseason of his career, despite playing a career-low 17.7 minutes per game.
The Warriors are giving up just 88.2 points per 100 possessions with Bogut on the court—by far the stingiest figure on the team, according to NBA.com. Draymond Green's ability to defend centers often pushes Bogut to the sidelines in favor of small-ball lineups, but the two are a formidable duo up front.
“It’s the best defensive frontcourt in the NBA, and I’ve seen it for a long time,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said, according to Olgun Uluc of Fox Sports.
Bogut has never been the fastest on the move, but his incredible basketball IQ, positioning and timing make him a fear-inducing behemoth in the paint.
1. Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green
7 of 7
Green is a perennial candidate for Defensive Player of the Year honors (he has finished second in two straight seasons), and his intensity has risen to even greater heights during the playoffs.
Bleacher Report's Scaletta raised some crucial statistics that signify just how hard a worker Green is:
"His 16.4 Contested Shots per Game is the highest of any player this postseason. Not only does he defend a lot of shots, he's effective doing so. During the regular season, opponents were held 6.1 percent below their season averages. During the postseason, within 10 feet of the rim, opponents are shooting 24.3 percent below their norm when he's the closest defender.
"
Stephen Curry stole the show with a dazzling, record-breaking overtime performance in Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers, but his running mate cleared the stage for him by dashing around the court like a bulldog on the loose.
Green put up a spectacular stat line of 21 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks, five assists and four steals, and made some game-changing defensive plays. He took over the rim-protection duties in the third quarter, swatting Damian Lillard and Mason Plumlee on back-to-back possessions, tilting the momentum in the Warriors' favor.
Green's unique ability to defend the basket, switch onto guards and halt centers in the post is an incredible luxury, and he should be touted as the best overall defender in the remaining field.
