Ranking the top 5 two-way players of all time in the NBA

A player who can impact an NBA game on both ends of the basketball court is definitely a dream for any coach and organization in the league. Whenever a great NBA player comes around, performing on both ends of the court will quickly separate him from some of his peers who do not meet the same criteria.

Throughout the league's illustrious history, we've seen several legends who've been impactful defensively on the rare nights where their offense did not possess its usual impeccability.

These are the greatest two-way players in NBA history

In the 2021 NBA Finals, we saw Giannis Antetokounmpo perform brilliantly, especially in Game 6. His 50 points will live in the memory of a massive number of NBA fans for what it meant for the Milwaukee Bucks, giving them their first title in 50 years. However, he was equally dominant on the defensive end during that game, and that should be noted.

The "Greek Freak," already an MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, has the strongest case to be considered the best two-way player in today's NBA. But does he make the all-time Top 5 list?

In this article, we will take a broader view into players who were impactful on any area of the floor. We will give you the top five two-way players in NBA history and will rank them accordingly.

Without further ado, let us take a look.

#5 Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett with the Boston Celtics in 2013.

Kevin Garnett is one of five players in NBA history to win the, usually, offense-driven MVP award and also the Defensive Player of the Year award in their careers.

"The Big Ticket" was a force both on offense and defense with his intensity and an athletic 6' 11'' frame, which allowed him to protect the paint and also guard perimeter players when needed.

Garnett made nine All-NBA teams in his career and a record-equalling nine All-Defensive first teams throughout his 21-year journey in the NBA. He was named the 2003-04 NBA MVP after putting up a great all-around season on offense and defense.

Along with his defensive accolades, Garnett scored 26,071 points in his career (17.8 per game).

#4 Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant's offensive skills will always be regarded as one of the greatest and most polished in NBA history, but his defensive presence is scarcely talked about. Defensively, in one-on-one matchups, Bryant was able to be as dominant as he was on the offensive end during his prime.

The LA Lakers legend, who won five NBA titles throughout his illustrious and iconic 20-year career, was a nine-time All-Defensive first-teamer in his career. He is tied at the top in league history for the latter stat.

His ability to guard the perimeter was extraordinary, albeit underrated, due to his offense taking all the shine. Overall, Bryant made the All-Defensive team 12 times, the second-most in NBA history.

Bryant's offense was simply untouchable. He scored 33,643 points in his career, the fourth-most in NBA history, and averaged 25 per game in the regular season.

#3 Tim Duncan

2014 NBA Finals - Practice Day And Media Availability.

Tim Duncan is arguably the greatest defensive player to never win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, at least since the award was created in the 1982-83 season. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain would've been strong choices for this claim as well.

Still, Duncan's defensive mark was easily recognizable during the San Antonio Spurs' run of five NBA championships between 1999 and 2014. A tremendous rim-protector, he dominated defensively as much as he did attacking the low post.

Duncan has the most All-Defensive selections in NBA history with 15, and eight of those were on the first team. He is the all-time leader in blocks in the NBA Playoffs and is fifth in blocks in the regular season.

Duncan averaged 19 points, 10.8 rebounds, three assists and 2.2 blocks per game throughout his regular-season career.

#2 Hakeem Olajuwon

A freak of nature at the center position, Hakeem Olajuwon was the second player in NBA history to win the MVP award and Defensive Player of the Year (which he won twice).

"The Dream" is also one of three players in NBA history to win the MVP, DPOY and Finals MVP award, alongside Michael Jordan and Giannis Antetokounmpo. But Olajuwon's achievement is incredible in that regard as he managed to achieve all three awards in a single season. On offense, he was unstoppable and had an incredible amount of post moves, probably rivaled only by Kevin McHale in NBA history.

He scored 26,946 points in his NBA career, averaging 21.8 per game. Additionally, he also recorded 11.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 3.1 blocks per game.

Olajuwon is the all-time leader in career blocks in the regular season and is second in blocks in the NBA Playoffs. Although he was a center, arguably the greatest at the position, Olajuwon was able to switch on the pick-and-roll and defend guards as well as any perimeter defender in his era.

The two-time Finals MVP made it to nine All-Defensive teams in his great career.

#1 Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan's case to be considered the NBA's greatest player ever often excludes his defensive prowess. However, the evidence suggests that he is the greatest two-way player in NBA history, as he was equally dominant on both sides of the floor.

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Not only did Jordan win a record 10 scoring titles throughout his career and put up the fifth-most points ever (32,292), he made the All-Defensive First Team nine times in his career.

Jordan was the first player in league history to win the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP award. He led the league three times in steals per game and also has the highest career average of points per game in NBA history at 30.1.

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