In the world of basketball, there are many players who excel at one particular thing. Some are amazing shooters, while others can make driving to the basket look easy. Then there are those who focus on playing defence. In this blog post, we will count down the top 10 NBA players who have made a name for themselves as defensive specialists. From steal leaders to shot blockers, these are the players who have changed the game with their defensive prowess.
Draymond Green
Draymond Green is one of the most talented defensive players in the NBA. He has been named to the All-Defensive First Team three times and in 2016-17, was the Defensive Player of the Year.
Green is 6’7” with a wingspan of 7’1”. He has great size for a small forward or power forward. Green is an excellent rebounder, averaging 7.9 rebounds per game throughout his career. He is also a good shot blocker, averaging 1.4 blocks per game.
Not only a defender, but Green is also a very good offensive player. He averaged 10.3 points per game last season and shot 49 per cent from the field. Green is an excellent passer, averaging 7 assists per game last season. As well as this, shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc for his career, he is a good three-point shooter.
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert, one of the top defensive players in the NBA, is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and has led the league in blocks per game three times. Gobert is a rim protector who alters shots and deters drivers from attacking the basket. As well as this, he is an excellent rebounder, averaging over 10 rebounds per game in each of the last four seasons.
Paul George
Paul George is widely considered one of the best defenders in the NBA. He has the ability to guard multiple positions and is an excellent perimeter defender. George is also a very good rebounder for his position.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler is one of the best NBA defence players. He is known for his ability to shut down opposing players, and he has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team four times. Butler, a two-time Olympian, helped the United States win gold medals in both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard, one of the best defensive players in the NBA, has been named to the All-Defensive First Team for three consecutive seasons. Leonard is an excellent perimeter defender and he has the ability to guard multiple positions and is very good at using his length to bother shooters. Leonard is also a very good rebounder for his position.
Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday is one of the top NBA defence players. He is a 6’4″ guard who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans. Holiday is well-known for his strong defensive skills. He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team twice. In the 2016-17 season, Holiday averaged 1.5 steals per game, which was second in the NBA.
Brook Lopez
Brook Lopez is one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He is a big body who can block shots and protect the rim. He is also a good rebounder. Brook Lopez is a very good defender.
Patrick Beverley
As one of the top defensive players in the NBA, Patrick Beverley is known for his tenacious on-ball defence and his ability to shutdown opposing players. A physical player, Beverley is not afraid to get in the face of his opponents and has been known to trash talk them throughout the course of a game.
Beverley, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, played college basketball at the University of Arkansas. He went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft,however, later signed by the Los Angeles Lakers. Beverley would go on to play for several different teams before finding a home with the Houston Rockets where he has been for the past five seasons.
During his time with the Rockets, Beverley established himself as one of the best defensive players in the league. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2014-15 and 2016-17 and was named to the All-Defensive First Team in 2017-18.
Beverley’s tough defence has helped him become a fan favourite in Houston and he is often seen leading chants of “MVP! MVP!” from the Rockets bench when James Harden is shooting free throws.
Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson, one of the best defensive players in the NBA, has the ability to guard multiple positions and is a key player for the Golden State Warriors.
Thompson is 6’7” and has a wingspan of 7’0”. He uses his length and athleticism to his advantage on the defensive end. He is quick enough to stay with smaller guards and has the strength to body up bigger players in the post.
Thompson is an excellent rebounder for his position. He averages 6.3 rebounds per game which is second among all shooting guards in the league. His rebounding ability allows him to provide extra possessions for his team on both ends of the floor.
As well as being a great rebounder, Thompson is also a very good shot blocker. He averages 1.1 blocks per game which ranks him fifth among all shooting guards in the league. His size and timing make him a difficult player to shoot over when he’s contesting shots at the rim.
In addition to his individual defensive stats, Thompson also helps anchor one of the best team defenses in the league. The Warriors are currently first in the league in points allowed per 100 possessions. They have been one of the top defensive teams in each of the past four seasons whilst Thompson was on the team.
There’s no doubt Klay Thompson is one of the best defenders in the NBA today. His ability to guard multiple positions
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the top defensive players in the NBA, has the ability to guard multiple positions and is a great shot blocker. He is also a good rebounder and can run the floor well.