NBA Power Rankings: Boston Celtics and the Most Effective Defenses in the League
Defense wins championships.
It may just be the truest statement in all of sports. Yes, the team with more points wins the game, but it’s the defense that will stop the other team from scoring when the game counts most. That’s why there’s a chant in crunch time!
As we head towards the stretch run of the regular season and look ahead into the postseason, it’s time to take a look at the best defensive teams from top to bottom.
Some teams are blessed with far more pieces on defense than others. From the talent in Chicago to the longevity in San Antonio to the continuity in Boston, these are the top defensive teams in the NBA.
30. Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Timberwolves give up the most points in the league at 107.4. This team really just doesn’t focus on defense as they look to give their fans some exciting highlights since they can’t provide wins.
Kevin Love is a double-double machine, but he needs to work on his defensive game.
Wes Johnson, in time, should emerge as a quality perimeter defender.
This team has potential and I like it.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
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The worst team in the league and the numbers show it. They give up 106 points per game. As they rebuild, they just don’t have the tools necessary to defend the rest of the teams in the league. Anderson Varejao went down to injury early in the season, leaving the team without its best defender.
J.J. Hickson is supposed to be a force but he’s not ready.
If only LeBron was still around…
28. Golden State Warriors
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Do the Warriors play defense? Nope. They give up almost 106 points per game and never show any signs of wanting to play defense. Andris Biedrins is the only player who would play defense for this team, since he can’t do anything worth a damn on offense—but his heart is no longer in Golden State.
They brought in David Lee, who tries to play defense but really isn’t good either.
The best option for defense is the quick-handed Stephen Curry as he averages 1.7 steals per game, but this team would still prefer to run-and-gun before anything else.
27. Toronto Raptors
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Amir Johnson is the one bright spot for the Raptors' defense, averaging just over a block and just under one steal per game. That doesn't say much for them, though, as they regularly allow the opposition to light them up on the board—Toronto averages 104.8-points allowed per game.
If you're playing the Raptors, you can look forward to 48 percent from the field and over 37 percent from deep—this means the Toronto defense gives up a lot of easy buckets in the paint and subsequently leaves players open for high-percentage three-balls when the defense collapses to compensate.
In all fairness, the Raptors are a very young team and they have great pieces to build their franchise around. With that said, the management's focus needs to be on acquiring some big-bodied players to challenge and rebound down low—they are sorely lacking an interior presence, with no regular starter averaging more than seven boards per game since Reggie Evans went down with a foot injury in late November.
26. Houston Rockets
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Within a calendar year, the Rockets lost three solid defenders in Shane Battier, Trevor Ariza and Jared Jeffries. All that seems to be left is Luis Scola but he’s the type of player a team can build around.
Scola is one of the most underrated players—let alone defenders—in the entire league. Nobody talks about him but he always gets the job done. He gets stops, though his defensive numbers don’t necessarily show that.
Despite Scola's efforts, the Rockets give up over 104 points per game and are clearly rebuilding.
25. Los Angeles Clippers
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The Clippers will begin to come on sooner than people think. The emergence of Blake Griffin has done wonders for this team. Chris Kaman being healthy is also big. Their presence on the team is helping DeAndre Jordan emerge. Jordan is an athletic monster and he is just now gaining confidence. These three big men rotating could spell doom for most teams in the game.
Blake Griffin is electrifying on the offensive side of the ball, leaping through arenas to make dynamic alley-oop finishes. He is going on pure talent and athletic ability. In the offseason, rest assured that he will practice how to become electrifying on the defensive side of the court because with his hops, he should be averaging at least one block per game.
24. Phoenix Suns
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The Suns finally have some good pieces to play defense after acquiring Marcin Gortat. Gortat is an underrated big man with brute strength and great size.
Grant Hill has done a very good job on the defensive end, despite dealing with poor knees and declining athleticism.
I’d even argue that Steve Nash is an underrated defender. When push comes to shove, Steve Nash will get down and dirty in crunch time. Still, the Suns’ main objective is still to score more points than the opposition, as they give up 105 points per game.
23. Washington Wizards
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The Wizards have one of my favorite young duos in the game. John Wall and JaVale McGee are going to make a great one-two punch very quickly. We are already seeing how dynamic these two can be in just their first season together. Both are very good on the defensive side of the ball for young players.
When is McGee not swatting a shot attempt? He averages over two blocks per game and he can dominate in the post.
Wall is one of the quickest point guards in the league and he already averages 1.6 steals per game in his first season.
The Wizards’ future is bright.
22. New Jersey Nets
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The Nets rank this high—despite their woes across the board—for future purposes. The acquisition of Deron Williams is huge. He might just be the best point guard in the NBA. He has incredible size, speed and quickness at the point guard position and he is a matchup nightmare. He averages a steal per game.
Williams’ acquisition was even more important because New Jersey is hoping that Brook Lopez will once again be motivated to play. His offense declined mightily this season but he does record 1.5 blocks per game.
Somehow, the unit gave up less than 100 points per game prior to Williams’ acquisition.
21. New York Knicks
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Whoa, the Knicks this high?
With Mike “no D” ‘Antoni as the head coach!?
You’d think they were much further down.
But this new-look New York team showed great promise against the Miami Heat. That was a playoff-type game on February 27 and that game proved that when push comes to shove, they can shove right back.
Throw out the 105.8 points they give out. This team will be different for the stretch run and postseason once they have some solid practices under their belts.
Amar’e Stoudemire has proved critics wrong this season by showing up to play defense. Chauncey Billups may not have the quickness anymore, but he still has his instincts, size and strength. Billups was clutch offensively and defensively for the Knicks against the Heat and even resembled a cornerback.
I like this new-look Knicks team a lot, they’ll get the job done.
20. Denver Nuggets
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As much as I hate him, Kenyon Martin averages over a block and steal for his career—somehow. At least I didn’t have to watch much of him this season. Then again, maybe that’s a big reason the Nuggets give up over 103 points per game.
Chris Andersen is a defensive playmaker and has been injured this season. He also averages over a block per game.
The Nuggets have pieces to play great defense and now with Carmelo Anthony gone, George Karl can finally get them playing better on that side of the ball. Danilo Gallinari has shown that he’s willing to improve on the defensive side of the ball and he is showing the toughness necessary as well.
The key man to look for may be Ty Lawson. He is averaging just less than one steal per game. Now that he’s starting and the pieces around him are improving or getting healthier, the Nuggets defense will pick up big time.
19. Sacramento Kings
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I love the makeup of this Kings team for the future, but they aren’t there yet this season due to injuries. Tyreke Evans, like Deron Williams, is an absolute matchup nightmare. He has the size, strength, speed and quickness to dominate this league. His only downside right now is that he has battled injuries throughout the season.
The Kings have a great one-two combo upfront for the rest of the season with DeMarcus Cousins and Samuel Dalembert. Dalembert averages over one block per game, while Cousins averages just less than one block and one steal.
Cousins will be a destructive force in the NBA very quickly and learning from Dalembert is a great start.
18. Charlotte Bobcats
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The Bobcats got rid of Gerald Wallace but they still have pieces to compete with. Stephen Jackson is one of the most underrated and grittiest players in the league and averages over a steal per game.
The Bobcats did a fine job defensively despite not having Tyrus Thomas for a while. When he returns, business will pick up for Charlotte defensively. He’ll give Bobcats fans some hope for the future as he has fantastic defensive prowess.
17. Memphis Grizzlies
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It’s really hard to believe the Grizzlies give up less than 100 points per game. It really is.
Yet that’s what they’re holding teams to and they are making a run for the postseason. It’s tougher now that Rudy Gay is forced to miss time but they acquired one of the better defensive forwards in the game in Shane Battier for the stretch run. He averages a steal and a block per game for his career.
Perhaps even better for Memphis, Mike Conley’s quick hands have allowed him to amount almost two steals per game this season.
Right now, Conley is the main cog in the Grizzlies’ machine as they eye the postseason.
16. Detroit Pistons
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Despite the turmoil this season, the Pistons actually have good defensive pieces. The first and foremost is, of course, veteran forward Tayshaun Prince. It’s a real shame he wasn’t moved at the deadline because his defensive prowess could have solidified a team’s championship dreams, like the San Antonio Spurs.
Rookie center Greg Monroe already averages a steal per game. As he develops his man body and better adapts to the NBA, he’ll improve drastically defensively.
Of course, Ben Wallace is still one of the better defenders the league has to offer despite his declining athleticism. Wallace still averages a steal and a block per game this season as the Pistons give up less than 100 points per game.
15. Utah Jazz
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For now, the Jazz still have Al Jefferson and “AK47” Andrei Kirilenko. Kirilenko should be gone, but if they can keep him at a much discounted rate, he’s worth it for his hustle and defensive prowess. Jefferson averages almost two blocks per game. Kirilenko averages over a steal and a block per game.
The Jazz also held onto one of the best perimeter defenders in the league in Raja Bell. Bell, like Ron Artest, is a gritty defender who will give even the best offensive players fits with his great foot work, toughness and quick hands.
Finally, although they gave up Deron Williams, the Jazz boast one of the best power forwards in the league. Paul Millsap averages just less than a block per game but also almost 1.5 steals.
It’s a shame Jerry Sloan is no longer around…
14. Philadelphia 76ers
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The 76ers have an underrated group led by Andre Iguodala. He is a potential triple-double threat but also usually has to guard the opposition’s best player. The 76ers give up less than 97 points per game and a big reason has been Iguodala’s 1.6 steals per game and the addition of Spencer Hawes and a healthy Elton Brand.
Brand is actually averaging over a steal and block per game this season. Hawes is also averaging just under a steal per game.
This defensive unit is gelling together better than most predicted. They’ll be heading to the postseason with the ability to play defense and score points.
They shouldn’t make it out of the first round, but this team has the tools necessary to score an upset.
13. Indiana Pacers
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Roy Hibbert was supposed to be a project, but he turned into a great defender very quickly. He averages almost two blocks per game this season.
Arguably the most underrated and least-talked about great player in the league is Danny Granger. He continues to improve each season and is also doing so on the defensive side of the court. He averages exactly one steal per game.
The Pacers should be heading to the playoffs and won’t cause much trouble in the first round despite giving up just under 100 points per game, but they’re making great strides for the future.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
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The Bucks are a surprisingly good defensive team, averaging just under 93 points allowed per game. Andrew Bogut is an absolute monster in the paint and leads the NBA in blocks, recording an astounding 2.8 denials per game.
Both Brandon Jennings and Carlos Delfino give opposing offenses trouble with their quick hands—the guards average well over one steal per game. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, their ability to slow opponents down hasn't translated to victories.
They need more time to gel as a team, more offensive production and a deeper bench to realize the potential they show.
11. Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Thunder's ranking is more for the future than the past. Once Kendrick Perkins comes back healthy in a week or two, this team is going to be a defensive force. The Thunder have very good pieces to compete in the Western Conference on both sides of the ball.
Serge Ibaka has proven to be a powerhouse with two blocks per game. If he shifts to the power forward position once Perkins starts or even to the bench, Oklahoma City is going to be a very scary team.
Don’t even get me started on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Durant has excellent size and length while Westbrook has fantastic speed, quickness and strength.
The Thunder are a lock to give every single team a run for their money this postseason and challenge for an NBA championship.
10. New Orleans Hornets
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Luckily for the Hornets, they boast arguably the best point guard in the game with maybe the quickest hands of the all. Chris Paul is a magician with the ball and has fantastic instincts to take it away from opposing guards. He averages almost 2.5 steals per game.
Emeka Okafor has been solid for them on the defensive side of the ball, averaging almost two blocks per game.
One of the integral cogs to the defensive improvement this season was the athletic-and-lanky Trevor Ariza. Ariza is one of the better defensive small forwards in the league and averages 1.6 steals per game.
I predict a first-round exit for the Hornets, but they only give up the third-least amount of points in the league.
9. Dallas Mavericks
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The Mavs have been getting better on defense each season it seems. They brought in Tyson Chandler this year and he’s proven to be their best defensive center in years.
They now give up less than 96 points per game. Chandler has been a defensive force this season, averaging a block per game.
Jason Kidd is really where it’s at though. He may be getting up there in age, but he is still a quality defender with his size and quick hands. He is closing in on his two steal per game career average this season.
8. Atlanta Hawks
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The Hawks have a very good group of defenders and just improved by acquiring Kirk Hinrich. Josh Smith and Al Horford make up one of the better defending one-two punches in the league. Smith is never out of a play it seems—with his supreme length, athleticism and defensive prowess.
The Hawks are already a top-10 team as far as points given up goes at 95.3.
Josh Smith averages over a steal per game and he is closing in on two blocks to boot. His partner in crime, Horford, averages a block and almost a steal per game. As they look to make a run in the playoffs, they added Hinrich, who averages over a steal per game for his career.
7. Orlando Magic
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When you have the best center in the game defending the rim, it certainly makes a world of difference—especially considering Dwight Howard isn’t even surrounded by quality defenders. It’s remarkable how amazing Howard is in the post. His supreme size and athleticism provide him with the ability to demolish all of those that attempt to challenge him. He averages over a steal and two blocks per game. That’s some serious business right there.
As long as the Magic have Dwight Howard patrolling the paint, they will rank among the best defensive teams in the game and only give up 94.3 points now.
6. Portland Trail Blazers
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The Trail Blazers were already a good defensive team with a quality rotation. Now after the trade deadline, they brought back Brandon Roy from injury and acquired Gerald Wallace from the Charlotte Bobcats. Oh yeah, they have this guy Marcus Camby who is one of the best defensive players of the past decade.
LaMarcus Aldridge has been the one, main constant for the Blazers, and what a constant he’s been. He averages over a steal and a block per game.
That Camby guy? He averages a steal and 2.5 blocks per game throughout his career.
That new kid on the block Wallace? Yeah, he averages 1.5 steals and a block per game throughout his career.
This team is going to be a handful for everyone else in the Western Conference this postseason.
5. Miami Heat
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It’s easy to be declared a top defensive team when you have two of the top defenders at their position. Dwyane Wade is so quick with his feet and hands that it’s tough to get anything by him.
But let’s move on to the real powerhouse of this team: LeBron James.
James is the most talented player in the Association. His speed, size, strength, agility and vision make him unbeatable opposition. The best part of James’ defensive game is, of course, his patented run-down-from-behind block that we see each season.
Both Wade and James average over a steal per game. Wade also averages more than a block per game while LeBron is just short of that mark himself.
Miami gives up only 94.4 points per game, 0.3 points more than the Orlando Magic.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
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The Lakers boast one of the best starting lineups as far as defense goes. I’d feel safe putting each one of their starters up against almost any other player of their respective position in the league.
It all starts with the one-and-only “Black Mamba” (oh how I hate that nickname), Kobe Bryant. He is easily one of the premier perimeter players in the game, averaging 1.5 steals per game throughout his career.
Of course, we all know about Ron Artest. Yeah, he’s completely off his rocker for the most part, but he’s a still a shutdown defender.
Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum make up one of the better big men duos in the game, arguably the best to some. With their athleticism and long range of motion, very few want to try to mix it up with them.
The Lakers only give up 95.8 points per game, a top-10 team as far as points against goes.
3. San Antonio Spurs
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The Spurs have an excellent mix of youth and experience. While the experience of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli set the tone, the young guns DeJuan Blair, George Hill and Gary Neal take care of the rest.
Gregg Popovich, in my opinion, is the very best coach in the league and he rarely has his team out of position. That’s what really makes this team one of the best in the league. His guidance and coaching always has his men doing what their supposed to be doing, which is why they are arguably the most fundamental team in the league.
When you have a power forward like Duncan averaging two blocks per game and an athletic behemoth like Blair averaging over a steal per game, you know you’re going to have a dominant defensive front.
The Spurs give up a better-than-average 96.6 points per game, as opponents shoot less than 45 percent from the field.
2. Chicago Bulls
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The Chicago Bulls are gunning for the top spot and may be there once the playoffs enter. The team is finally healthy and now they can show us their true defensive potential. I’m not a Boozer fan, but he’s a fine defender. At the very least, he should be able to take a beating in the paint with that physique!
Joakim Noah is one of the best defensive centers in the league and he’s only getting better. He’s back from injury and just getting back in the groove of things, but he still averages over a block and a steal per game.
Derrick Rose is a monster of a point guard and he is fighting to be the very best in the league. He is too strong and quick for most of the point guards, which makes him a lethal combination for opposing point guards to compete with. Rose is not only eyeing an NBA championship in just his third season, but also an MVP award as he averages a steal per game.
The Bulls give up just 92.2 points per game and will only improve with their full starting five on the court for the stretch run.
1. Boston Celtics
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Things will be interesting now that Kendrick Perkins is gone for good, but he wasn’t around for just about the entire season. The Celtics core group is still there and, led by Kevin Garnett, they’ve had the best defensive team in the league for the past three years.
This defense will never give up and they have a unique array of talent who can guard multiple positions. We’ve even seen KG get down and handle a point guard here and there. There’s still enough left in this tank for this unit. Doc Rivers is one of the best coaches in the league at drawing up clutch defensive stops.
The Celtics give up just over 91 points per game, best in the league. This is due to their versatility and history playing together. Three years with essentially the same starting lineup allowed them to pick up the subtle nuances of their teammates. They are one of the most vocal teams in the league and always have each other’s back on weak side help.
Amazingly, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce all average about a steal per game. Rondo actually averages more than two per game since he has some of the quickest hands in the game.
Opposing teams shoot just 43.6 percent from the field, third best in the Association.
For now, this unit still tops the league until they are dethroned by the Chicago Bulls.
