'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 Tim Duncan
The game of Tim Duncan, arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history, was not as much about his offense and beautiful off-the-glass shots but his defense, which was probably his greatest asset.
Duncan made the NBA's All-Defensive teams a record 15 times during his 18-year career, and he ranks fifth in all-time blocks in the regular season while leading the table in the NBA Playoffs.
Despite being a two-time regular-season MVP and three-time Finals MVP winner, Duncan never won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. However, he did not really need that as he has already etched his name in the competition's history books as one of the finest defenders ever.
Moreover, Duncan ranks second all-time in defensive win shares with 106.34 and is third in defensive rating with 95.57.
#3 Hakeem Olajuwon
The Dream Hakeem Olajuwon can best be described as one of the most unique players on both sides of the court in NBA history. He is easily in the discussion for the best defenders of all time, and his case is a pretty solid one.
Olajuwon is the all-time leader in blocked shots in the NBA regular season, but what was really an anomaly for his position was that he could also guard perimeter players and stay in front of them with consummate ease.
The Dream's offensive play was eye-catching, but his defensive prowess arguably stood out more.
He was named in the NBA's All-Defensive teams on nine occasions and led the league in defensive rating five times. He is fourth in the all-time defensive win shares ranking. Moreover, Olajuwon was the first player to rank in the top 20 in both steals and rebounds and the only one to be in the top ten in both categories.
#2 Bill Russell
If Bill Russell tops the list of the NBA's best defenders ever, he would not look out of place as his defensive numbers and impact on the game were huge.
A staggering total of 11 NBA championships in 13 seasons were not won by just scoring. Bill Russell was the total package in defense. He was a revolutionary defender in the sense that he perfected the art of blocking shots.
Russell was a beast in the paint and often blocked shots when his team needed it the most. Perhaps, more importantly, he was always smart enough to block a shot and make the ball stay in bounds for a teammate to pick it up.
Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas once said about Russell:
"You do not win 11 NBA titles purely on athleticism or skill. You win with smart people."
Thomas' words couldn't have been more true as Russell was beyond smart.
He is second all-time in rebounds and would easily have been top two in blocked shots if that stat was tracked by the NBA when he played. Of course, he was also a five-time regular-season MVP award winner and would have probably won 11 Finals MVP honors if the award existed back then.
#1 Dennis Rodman
One may not find Dennis Rodman's name in most major defensive stats tables, but he was easily the greatest defender to ever step onto an NBA basketball court.
Rodman had the versatility of a guard during his prime and was able to cover any player ranging from Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler to Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon and even Shaquille O'Neal during his late NBA days.
He was an efficient defender and did well against any player from the 1 to 5 positions even when he was only 6' 7" tall, a height considered small for his role.
A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner, Rodman led the league seven straight years from 1991 to 1998 in terms of rebounds per game. He once averaged 18.7 rebounds and over 15 rebounds a game.
Even when he was in his late 30s, Rodman could handle Karl Malone in the NBA Finals or Shaquille O'Neil in the Eastern Conference Finals, managing to keep them relatively quiet.
A five-time NBA winner, he was a key player for all his teams from a defensive standpoint and in terms of his extraordinary rebounding ability.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: Boston Celtics to swoop for Andre Drummond to address problems at center position.
Guess the Lakers players!
