50 Greatest Defensive Duos in NBA History

The old adage that defense wins championships usually does in fact ring true. But a great defense is not made up of just one player. 

Since two or more players are necessary to make up a stellar defensive unit, let's take a look through the 50 best defensive duos in the history of the NBA. 

From the immovable force called Bill Russell to the modern day versatile defender named LeBron James, this slideshow reveals those duos in chronological order. Please don't make the mistake of thinking that they are ranked in any way. 

There have always been great combinations of defensive players in the NBA and these are but 50, so be sure to leave your favorite duos in the comment section below. 

Enjoy!

John Havlicek and Bill Russell

John Havlicek

Defensive Accolades: Five-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.2 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Shooting guard and small forward

Bill Russell

Defensive Accolades: One-time All-Defensive First Team, Arguably the greatest defensive player of all time

Career Per Game Stats: Unknown 

Position: Center

Years Together: 1962-1969

Wilt Chamberlain and Nate Thurmond

Wilt Chamberlain

Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive First Team

Career Per Game Stats: Unknown

Position: Center

Nate Thurmond

Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive First Team

Career Per Game Stats: 0.5 steals and 2.1 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 1963-1965

Rudy LaRusso and Nate Thurmond

Rudy LaRusso

Defensive Accolades: One-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: Unknown 

Position: Power forward and center

Nate Thurmond

Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive First Team

Career Per Game Stats: 0.5 steals and 2.1 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 1967-1969

Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West

Wilt Chamberlain

Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive First Team

Career Per Game Stats: Unknown

Position: Center

Jerry West

Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 2.6 steals and 0.7 blocks

Position: Point guard and shooting guard

Years Together: 1968-1973

Dave DeBusschere and Walt Frazier

Dave DeBusschere

Defensive Accolades: Six-time All-Defensive First Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks

Position: Power forward

Walt Frazier

Defensive Accolades: Seven-time All-Defensive First Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.9 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Point guard

Years Together: 1968-1974

Dave Cowens and John Havlicek

Dave Cowens

Defensive Accolades: One-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

John Havlicek

Defensive Accolades: Five-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.2 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Shooting guard and small forward

Years Together: 1970-1978

Bob Love and Norm Van Lier

Bob Love

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Small forward

Norm Van Lier

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive First Team, Five-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.8 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Point Guard

Years Together: 1971-1976

Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier

Jerry Sloan

 Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 2.2 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Shooting guard and small forward

Norm Van Lier

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive First Team, Five-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.8 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Point Guard

Years Together: 1971-1976

Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen

Horace Grant

Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Scottie Pippen

Defensive Accolades: Eight-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 2.0 steals and 0.8 blocks

Position: Small forward

Years Together: 1987-1994

Dave Cowens and Paul Silas

Dave Cowens

Defensive Accolades: One-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Paul Silas

Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive First Team

Career Per Game Stats: 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Small forward and power forward

Years Together: 1972-1976

John Havlicek and Paul Silas

John Havlicek

Defensive Accolades: Five-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.2 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Shooting guard and small forward

Paul Silas

Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Small forward and power forward

Years Together: 1972-1976

Lionel Hollins and Bill Walton

Lionel Hollins

 Defensive Accolades: One-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Point guard

Bill Walton

 Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive First Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.8 steals and 2.2 blocks

Position: Center

Years Together: 1975-1978 and 1982-1983

Artis Gilmore and Norm Van Lier

Artis Gilmore

Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 0.6 steals and 2.4 blocks

Position: Center

Norm Van Lier

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive First Team, Five-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.8 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Point Guard

Years Together: 1976-1978

Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones

Maurice Cheeks

Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 2.1 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Point guard

Bobby Jones

Defensive Accolades: Eight-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks

Position: Small forward

Years Together: 1978-1986

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Michael Cooper

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Defensive Accolades: Five-time All-Defensive First Team, Six-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.9 steals and 2.6 blocks

Position: Center

Michael Cooper

 Defensive Accolades: One-time Defensive Player of the Year, Five-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Shooting guard and small forward

Years Together: 1978-1989 

Quinn Buckner and Sidney Moncrief

Quinn Buckner

Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.9 steals and 0.1 blocks

Position: Shooting guard

Sidney Moncrief

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Four-time All-NBA First Team, One-time All-NBA Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.2 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Shooting guard

Years Together: 1979-1982

Kevin McHale and Robert Parish

Kevin McHale

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 0.4 steals and 1.7 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Robert Parish

Defensive Accolades: None

Career Per Game Stats: 0.8 steals and 1.5 blocks

Position: Center

Years Together: 1980-1994

Bobby Jones and Moses Malone

Bobby Jones

Defensive Accolades: Eight-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks

Position: Small forward

Moses Malone

Defensive Accolades: One-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 1982-1986

Dennis Johnson and Kevin McHale

Dennis Johnson 

Defensive Accolades: Six-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Point guard and shooting guard

Kevin McHale

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 0.4 steals and 1.7 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 1983-1990

Larry Bird and Dennis Johnson

Larry Bird

 Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks

Position: Small forward and power forward

Dennis Johnson 

Defensive Accolades: Six-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.3 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Point guard and shooting guard

Years Together: 1983-1990

Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson

Hakeem Olajuwon

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Five-time All-Defensive First Team, Four-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 1.7 steals and 3.1 blocks 

Position: Center

Ralph Sampson

Defensive Accolades: None

Career Per Game Stats: 0.9 steals and 1.6 blocks

Position: Center

Years Together: 1984-1988

Rodney McCray and Hakeem Olajuwon

Rodney McCray

Defensive Accolades: One-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward

Hakeem Olajuwon

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Five-time All-Defensive First Team, Four-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 1.7 steals and 3.1 blocks 

Position: Center

Years Together: 1984-1988

Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas

Joe Dumars

Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive First Team, One-Time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks 

Position: Shooting guard

Isiah Thomas

Defensive Accolades: None 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.9 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Point guard

Years Together: 1985-1994

Karl Malone and John Stockton

Karl Malone

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks

Position: Power forward

John Stockton

Defensive Accolades: Five-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 2.2 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Point guard

Years Together: 1985-2003

Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman

Joe Dumars

Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive First Team, One-Time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks 

Position: Shooting guard

Dennis Rodman

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Seven-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward and power forward

Years Together: 1986-1993

Dennis Rodman and Isiah Thomas

Dennis Rodman

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Seven-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward and power forward

Isiah Thomas

Defensive Accolades: None 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.9 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Point guard

Years Together: 1986-1993

Dennis Rodman and John Salley

Dennis Rodman

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Seven-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward and power forward

John Salley

 Defensive Accolades: None 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.6 steals and 1.3 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 1986-1992 and 1996

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen

Michael Jordan

Defensive Accolades: One-time Defensive Player of the Year, Nine-time All-Defensive First Team

Career Per Game Stats: 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks

Position: Shooting guard and small forward

Scottie Pippen

Defensive Accolades: Eight-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 2.0 steals and 0.8 blocks

Position: Small forward 

Years Together: 1987-1993 and 1995-1998

Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley

Patrick Ewing

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 1.0 steals and 2.4 blocks

Position: Center

Charles Oakley

Defensive Accolades: One-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 1988-1998

Vernon Maxwell and Hakeem Olajuwon

Vernon Maxwell

Defensive Accolades: None

Career Per Game Stats: 1.1 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Shooting guard

Hakeem Olajuwon

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Five-time All-Defensive First Team, Four-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 1.7 steals and 3.1 blocks 

Position: Center

Years Together: 1990-1995

Nate McMillan and Gary Payton

Nate McMillan

 Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks 

Position: Point guard and shooting guard

Gary Payton

Defensive Accolades: One-time Defensive Player of the Year, Nine-time All-Defensive First Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.8 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Point Guard

Years Together: 1990-1998 

Antonio Davis and Dale Davis

Antonio Davis

Defensive Accolades: None 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.5 steals and 1.0 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Dale Davis

Defensive Accolades: None 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.6 steals and 1.2 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 1993-1999

Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman

Scottie Pippen

Defensive Accolades: Eight-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 2.0 steals and 0.8 blocks

Position: Small forward 

Dennis Rodman

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Seven-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward and power forward

Years Together: 1995-1998

Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman

Michael Jordan

Defensive Accolades: One-time Defensive Player of the Year, Nine-time All-Defensive First Team

Career Per Game Stats: 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks

Position: Shooting guard and small forward

 

Dennis Rodman

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Seven-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward and power forward

Years Together: 1995-1998

Mookie Blaylock and Dikembe Mutombo

Mookie Blaylock

Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive First Team, Four-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 2.3 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Point guard and shooting guard

Dikembe Mutombo

Defensive Accolades: Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Three-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.4 steals and 2.8 blocks

Position: Center

Years Together: 1996-1999

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal

Kobe Bryant

Defensive Accolades: Nine-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Shooting guard

Shaquille O'Neal

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.6 steals and 2.3 blocks 

Position: Center

Years Together: 1996-2004

Tim Duncan and David Robinson

Tim Duncan

Defensive Accolades: Eight-time All-Defensive First Team, Five-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.7 steals and 2.3 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

David Robinson

Defensive Accolades: One-time Defensive Player of the Year, Four-time All-Defensive First Team, Four-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.4 steals and 3.0 blocks

Position: Center

Years Together: 1997-2003

Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal

Ron Artest

Defensive Accolades: One-time Defensive Player of the Year, Two-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.9 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward

Jermaine O'Neal

Defensive Accolades: None 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.5 steals and 1.9 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 2002-2006

Jason Kidd and Clifford Robinson

Jason Kidd

 Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive First Team, Five-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 2.0 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Point guard

Clifford Robinson

 Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 1997-2001 and 2005-2007

Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan

Bruce Bowen

Defensive Accolades: Five-time All-Defensive First Team, Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Small forward

Tim Duncan

Defensive Accolades: Eight-time All-Defensive First Team, Five-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.7 steals and 2.3 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 2001-2009

Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace

Chauncey Billups

 Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 1.0 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Point guard

Ben Wallace

Defensive Accolades: Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Five-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 2002-2006

Tayshuan Prince and Ben Wallace

Tayshaun Prince

Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward

Ben Wallace

Defensive Accolades: Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Five-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 2002-2006 and 2009-present

Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince

Chauncey Billups

 Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive Second Team

Career Per Game Stats: 1.0 steals and 0.2 blocks

Position: Point guard

Tayshaun Prince

Defensive Accolades: Four-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward

Years Together: 2002-2008

Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O'Neal

Alonzo Mourning

Defensive Accolades: Two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Two-time All-Defensive First Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.5 steals and 2.8 blocks

Position: Center

Shaquille O'Neal

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.6 steals and 2.3 blocks 

Position: Center

Years Together: 2005-2008

Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace

Ben Wallace

Defensive Accolades: Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Five-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.3 steals and 2.0 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Rasheed Wallace

Defensive Accolades: None 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 2004-2006

LeBron James and Anderson Varejao

LeBron James

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive First Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Small forward

Anderson Varejao

 Defensive Accolades: One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks

Position: Power forward and center

Years Together: 2004-2010

Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins

Kevin Garnett

Defensive Accolades: One-time Defensive Player of the Year, Nine-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks

Position: Power forward

Kendrick Perkins

Defensive Accolades: None 

Career Per Game Stats: 0.3 steals and 1.4 blocks

Position: Center

Years Together: 2007-2011

Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo

Kevin Garnett

Defensive Accolades: One-time Defensive Player of the Year, Nine-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks

Position: Power forward

Rajon Rondo

Defensive Accolades: Two-time All-Defensive First Team, One-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 2.0 steals and 0.1 blocks

Position: Point guard

Years Together: 2007-present

Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant

Ron Artest

Defensive Accolades: One-time Defensive Player of the Year, Two-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.9 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Small forward

Kobe Bryant

Defensive Accolades: Nine-time All-Defensive First Team, Two-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks

Position: Shooting guard

Years Together: 2009-present

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade

LeBron James

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive First Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.6 steals and 0.3 blocks

Position: Small forward

Dwyane Wade

Defensive Accolades: Three-time All-Defensive Second Team 

Career Per Game Stats: 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks

Position: Point guard and shooting guard

Years Together: 2010-present

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