The 10 Greatest Defenders in the NBA in the Past Decade
Welcome back to the "Greatest Ever" series as we continue with the ranks of the top defensive players of the last decade.
Defense is something worth discussing. It can be shown by stats, but often it's not. Some of the very best defenders don't have high stats in blocks, steals but are steal great, while others who have good stats are the opposite of the first...
In the past 10 years, the 2000's created some of the most amazing offensive talents to step on the court, who are ready to produce big times. When Jordan retired, the world of basketball is focusing more on offense but less on defense.
But in that period, and these days, finding a strong defender has a lot of meaning and can turn your team into a contender for a title. Since the big men do best on that end of the court, they are so valuable like we have seen dozens of times.
Guards/forwards can also be game changers with their defense, but again, most of them focus their energy to score.
Most of the championship teams these recent years have a good interior defender in their paint such as the 2004 Pistons featuring Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, the 2003 Spurs with Tim Duncan and David Robinson, and the 2008 Celtics with KG and Perkins.
Here are the 10 best defensive standouts of the last 10 seasons.
10. Kobe Bryant
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In terms of the game's finest man-to-man defenders in the history of the game, Kobe Bryant would rank near the top.
Although he has been a top five player this decade, there are many reasons why he's still in top form. His excellent work with the feet, high intelligence, and ability to force a player for tough shots is beyond great.
As a proof, he did an amazing job of locking up Rondo in the 2010 Finals and forced him to have his worst production when it mattered most. He's also good on the passing lanes and at help defense.
Bryant averaged 1.7 steals per game in the past 10 years but his skills on defense cannot be measured by statistics. It's far beyond that.
Anyone who has watched him knows it. He is a 10 time All Defensive Team selection including 8 time All-First team.
9. Jason Kidd
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Jason Kidd is one of the most complete players to step on the NBA hardwood.
He is a guy that changes the entire game on the defensive end. He's capable to stick with his man thanks to his footwork, he's has mastered the art of steals, and pressures the ball on the passing lanes.
But his finest asset is his high basketball IQ.
One of the most smartest players of all time, he knows how to lock onto his man and predict his move.
Kidd has led the league twice in steals. His career total is ranked No. 4 of all time.
His impact on defense has been huge on every team he played. He even managed to turn the Nets from No. 23 in defensive efficiency to No. 1!
He earned 9 time All NBA Defensive selections, including 4 time All-First Defensive teams and he's rightfully one of 15 greatest perimeter defenders of all time!
8. Dikembe Mutombo
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A defensive monster from Georgetown and former No. 4 overall draft pick in 1991, it's safe to say that he's one of the greatest defensive players to step on a court.
Although he didn't have many quality seasons in the 2000's because of his age, Dikembe Mutombo did good enough to deserve a place on this list. He was a physical presence in the paint his entire career as a pro who once intimated many players.
His skill set, athleticism, and size made him a terrific interior stopper and even in his mid 30's while battling through injuries, he managed to win the Defensive Player of the Year award for the record 4th time.
In the late stages of his career, he served from the bench and did what he knew how to do best, block shots. He was always with at least one block per game despite limiting playing time.
He was elected in the All NBA First Defensive Team in 2000-01 and was picked for the last time in the All Defensive Team in 2001-02.
Had this been, a list about careers, he would of course be at the near top of the ranks
7. Marcus Camby
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For nearly 15 years Marcus Camby made his mark by playing excellent interior defense.
He's one of the greatest post defenders in the history of the game and thanks to his high basketball IQ, combined with a nice skill set, he's truly a force inside. He's also terrific at rejecting shots, mainly from weak side.
His impact on the defensive end of the court has been incredible for each of the teams he played but especially with the Denver Nuggets as Camby was rewarded with the award for the league's best defensive player in 2006-07.
He's one of the smartest shot blockers ever, who's led the NBA four times in that category including 3 times in this decade with crazy numbers such as 3.3, 3.3, and 3.6 per game. Marcus is also impressive rebounder in his paint as well.
Overall, he's been brilliant. He's a four time All Defensive Selection, including two time All-First team.
6. Shane Battier
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For almost a full decade, Shane Battier made a reputation as one of the game's top perimeter stoppers of all time.
Yes, he's that type of a player who contributes on the court but sometimes statistics can't show his contribution. His discipline, hustle and skills made him an excellent defensive stud who does a fantastic job on the outside scorers.
He's assigned usually to guard the best scorer from the opponents team and he's known for studying the game of his opponents,which gives him certain advantages to force really tough shots.
His defense has been awarded with two All-Second Defensive selections. This isn't the last you will be seeing of Battier.
5. Ron Artest
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When you hear the name of Ron Artest,you quickly think of two things about him; crazy and defense and in this article, we're going to keep on his defense.
His footwork, pure skills and aggressiveness made him yet again one of the top defenders around the NBA who established himself as the toughest defender in the league. His consistency was remarkable as well and he proved it by stopping many top scorers.
Artest did a fantastic job of stopping Oklahoma City's forward Kevin Durant to a really bad series in the first round of the playoffs, and then he put another great performance on Celtics' forward Paul Pierce, which was arguable one of the most important keys for the Lakers title.
Not many can be as an intimating stopper like Ron Artest. HE broke a reign of 10 straight years when he was awarded with a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2003-04 season.
His defense has been some of the best in the last decade. It's a fact and now with the Lakers he's focused on doing what he's a specialist at. He's could be on a roll to win another DPOY!
4. Bruce Bowen
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In terms of man to man defense and perimeter defense, very few could be ahead of former San Antonio Spurs' Bruce Bowen.
He was a guy that could defend multiple positions on the court because he was 6'7, 200 pounds. He had incredible work with the feet and nice skills that once made him one of the most intimating and feared defenders in the league.
His hard nose and tough playing style was the main reason why he established himself as an efficient defensive player. He finished twice in the Defensive Player Of The Year award race which was a shame.
He was a versatile stopper who defended everything from Steve Nash to Dirk Nowitzki, but he was at his finest defending high scoring players.
In the 2007 Finals, he successfully defended the much younger,stronger LeBron James to just 23 points per game and 6 turnovers.
Overall, Bowen is one of the finest man to man and perimeter defensive studs of all time who earned 8 All Defensive Teams, including 5 All First team.
In someways, he's the closest thing this league has had since Bobby Jones of the 1980's!
3. Ben Wallace
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One of the greatest defensive players of all time, Ben Wallace makes this list because he's a real beast at that end of the floor.
Although he cannot make jump shot, score with a hook shot, or score 20 points, he's still an excellent player that a lot of coaches would want to have on their teams.
Why?
Because of his work on the interior defense.
He's listed as 6'9, but he's closer to 6'7. Wallace relies on his athleticism, skills and quickness for a center with pure strength. He established himself as one of the finest defensive players to play in the league and earned 4 Defensive Player of the Year awards!
That's a record, he shares with another legend known for doing similar things like Ben himself, and that is Dikembe Mutombo.
He's terrific at denying shots at the rim, which makes you think twice before going in the paint when he's around.
He led the league a couple of times in blocks and rebounds and has been awarded with 5 All First Defensive Teams.
2. Kevin Garnett
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The Big Ticket is one of the best interior defenders in the history of the NBA. And it's that part of the game that he took to a whole new level with his team since 2008, the Boston Celtics.
His combination of athleticism, strength, and speed combined with the fantastic skills made him a strong presence in the paint on defense. A force that has frightened everyone in the league and still does it with ease.
His defensive presence was the key to the Boston Celtics 2008 Championship run where he locked one of the most skilled big men in the league, Pau Gasol. And showed his toughness while questioning his rival's toughness as well.
He intimated guys with his blocked shots when he would swat the shot and let you know that he's in the building. Like he has consistently done through the course of his career when the refs call for example a foul, someone shoots and KG takes the ball before it hits the mark.
He's simply one of the top defensive players in NBA History who marked the decade with his many things including his defense!
1. Tim Duncan
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He's known for his quiet and very efficient style that's viewed as "boring" by the young fans.
He mastered the fundamentals of the game, which made him a terrific defender who stops his opponents on the ground. He's not a high jumper but that's where that high basketball IQ, good position, and body adds in.
That's how he stops layup/dunk attempts from anyone in the game.
He raises his defense to a whole new level in the playoffs and Finals. His defense is the key to the Spurs' titles in 2003, 2005, and 2007. He had clutch performances like the eight blocks in Game 6 against the Nets in 2003.
Duncan is an underrated shot blocker.
In terms of style, he manages to beat other players at the rim thanks to his excellent sense, timing, and intelligence. He then swats the shots to his teammates.
That's why Timmy is one of the finest shot swatters of all time whose overall interior defense has been a strong reason for the Spurs' domination the past 10 years.
There are many awards that can prove this, but his biggest knock is that he still hasn't won a Defensive Player of the Year, which is a real shame.
He's arguable the best defensive player in the past 10 years and overall, one of the greatest of all time who is a legend for sure!
In the Conversation of the 10
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Dwight Howard—The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who won that award twice while leading the league dozen times in blocks and rebounds.
Does he belong to the list?
Tayshon Prince—Versatile defender who once put Kobe Bryant on his worst performances ever.
Kenyon Martin—Athletic and strong defender, overlooked for sure.
The Future...
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Dwight Howard is for sure leading these young fellas in the next decade.
Then, there's Greg Oden who when healthy showed that he can as good as Dwight, and even better in the last season.
Then you have Thabeet, a guy that has to find his confidence, and also we will see how Javal McGee will do too.
