Peskiest Perimeter Defenders in the NBA

Kobe Bryant called Tony Allen his toughest defender in the NBA in a recent interview, and it's not hard to see why that's the case.

While Allen's defensive skills and work ethic have been praised by Bryant, there are a number of other notable names who can really be pesky on the perimeter.

There are some guys who really stand out the defensive end of the floor, and not all of them are guys that some might expect to be atop the league's best.

15. Raja Bell, SG Utah

Bell's defensive intensity has fallen off slightly from where it stood previously, but that doesn't mean that he's fallen off the map entirely.

He'll play more of a mentor role in Utah than he's been used to heretofore in his career, but with the club clearly rebuilding, Bell may soon find himself with an even further decreased role or landing on an entirely new roster.

When given the opportunity, the veteran certainly won't shy away from any opportunity to stand out at the defensive end, and that's an element of his game he'll maintain until he hangs it up.

14. Thabo Sefolosha, SG Oklahoma City

Those unfamiliar with exactly what Sefolosha brings to the table may have been surprised to see him start 79 games last season, but it doesn't come as a surprise whatsoever.

He was brought aboard a young Thunder roster to provide leadership by example at the defensive end of the floor, and he's responded favorably by averaging better than a steal per game every season since his arrival.

Sefolosha makes his opposition's life at the offensive end a much more difficult one, and those contributions can prove pivotal to any team looking to rise to the top.

13. Dwyane Wade, SG Miami

It's amazing that Wade doesn't get more credit for his defensive grit, but it's not a shock considering his offensive prowess.

Wade has really improved on defense since he originally came into the league, and his skills don't reside solely on the perimeter.

His statistical output took a slight hit from where it stood previously last season due to the roster changes in Miami, but he's really shown himself as someone to be reckoned with on defense.

12. Manu Ginobili, SG San Antonio

Ginobili is one of the most annoying defenders to get paired up against for almost anyone in the league, as he simply doesn't back down no matter what.

A steals machine, the veteran shooting guard knows how to force his opposition into uncomfortable spots on the floor and use the spacing on the hardwood to his advantage.

He's proven his worth at both ends of the floor for the Spurs, and make no mistake that everyone he's lined up against leaves the matchup with frustration.

11. Kobe Bryant, SG Los Angeles

Bryant's offensive contributions over the years have trumped his defensive outputs for some, but it would be a mistake to have them left unnoticed.

A smart defender who typically knows when and where to pick his spots, Bryant rarely over-exerts himself or leaves himself vulnerable to getting bested.

There's a reason that he's made the All-Defensive First Team nine times (including every season since 2006), and he is one who truly leads by example at both ends of the floor.

10. Russell Westbrook, PG Oklahoma City

Westbrook received a lot of criticism last season for how he played the point guard position, but almost all of it was rooted in his choices on the offensive end.

Defensively, Westbrook came into a zone last season, superseding his efforts from the two previous campaigns and looking like a different player at most times.

He's still learning how to play his position, and his unbelievable athleticism will aid him in the pursuit of improvement of his game, but he's already shown an inclination to make life a little more difficult for those who line up against him.

9. LeBron James, SF Miami

James really put his best defensive foot forward last season in his first with Miami, and that was especially evident during the postseason against Chicago.

When James was on Rose during the series, the youngest MVP in NBA history shot a meager 6.3 percent, and that's the type of play that will get one noticed at the defensive end.

The overall stats from the regular season might not indicate just how good he was on defense last season, but he really looked good in his first season playing in front of the South Beach fans.

8. Gerald Wallace, SF Portland

Wallace might be the most underrated player currently in the league, and it's amazing that he continues to fly under the radar despite consistent production.

The veteran forward was lighting it up in Charlotte before being dealt to Portland at the deadline, but a change of scenery and role didn't seem to slow him down a single iota.

With a distinct ability to rip the ball out of anyone's hands or swat a shot out of midair, Wallace really doesn't get the appreciation that he sorely deserves as a complete basketball player.

7. Metta World Peace, SF Los Angeles

World Peace's play at the offensive end of the floor last season was anything but pretty to watch; his falloff at the defensive end was not as stark as most have made it out to be.

He actually increased his steals per game average from the 2009-10 season, and he ranked eighth in the league in terms of steals per 48 minutes with 2.47.

Obviously unafraid to challenge anyone, World Peace makes it his job to make sure there are no easy buckets for anyone he's assigned in any contest.

6. Andre Iguodala, SF Philadelphia

Iguodala often gets criticized for being overpaid as his offensive output is not what some would like to see from him, but the strengths of his game aren't rooted in his scoring.

One of the more under-appreciated defenders on the perimeter in all of basketball, Iguodala really knows how to put the pressure on the opposition and force many tough decisions.

There's a lot to like about what he brings to the court defensively, and it's a little surprising that his production doesn't get mentioned with more regularity.

5. Ronnie Brewer, SG Chicago

Brewer has always been viewed as a solid perimeter defender since he came into the league, and it's a major reason why Chicago signed him prior to last season.

Fourth in the NBA in steals per 48 minutes last season, Brewer's value to the team is almost entirely lodged in his contributions at the defensive end of the floor.

He's got the skills to stop some of the most talented offensive players in the NBA, and that's a true testament to exactly how difficult it is to go up against him.

4. Rajon Rondo, PG Boston

Rondo is one of those guys that opposing point guards know is going to present a serious challenge when they go up against him.

Boston's point guard never backs down from a challenge, and he really makes the opposition work its hardest for anything and everything they get against him.

He's got some of the quickest hands in the business, and with those insanely long fingers on his huge mittens, it results in a lot of balls being deflected around the court.

3. Chris Paul, PG New Orleans

Some were down on Paul last season after he dealt with injury and was limited to just 45 regular-season games in 2009-10, but he quickly showed that he hasn't lost a step.

Paul's 2.4 steals per game was the third-highest of his career last year, and his efforts along the perimeter were especially impressive at times.

He's an absolute pest for any other point guard to go head to head against given his unique skill set, and that's not something that's going to be changing anytime soon.

2. Shane Battier, SF Free Agent

Battier was brought to Memphis last season at the deadline for his on-court leadership, and that starts with his gifted defensive skills.

The box score doesn't always illustrate the impact that he leaves on a game, but the veteran forward really knows how to make things challenging for the opposition and never gives anybody an easy path to the basket.

He remains one of the smartest basketball players currently playing the game, and that intelligence undoubtedly contributes to his on-court approach.

1. Tony Allen, SG Memphis

Allen was sort of an afterthought for the Boston Celtics after the team won the 2007-08 title, and he signed a three-year deal worth about $10 million with Memphis following the campaign.

Turns out it was one of the biggest losses from the roster.

While his defensive efforts had not always been seen by many during his tenure with the Celtics, it was instrumental in the club securing its first championship in over 20 years.

In his first season with the Grizzlies, Allen completely radicalized the culture of the clubhouse and it had a clear positive impact with the team.

Averaging 4.14 steals per 48 minutes last season and always leaving it out on the hardwood, Allen deserves placement atop this list.