Defense wins championships—or at least, that’s what coaches keep telling players to get them to stop hoisting up ill-advised three-pointers.
While scoring gets the headlines, it’s the gritty work on the defensive end that often makes the difference between a good team and a great one.
These players were masters on the defensive end, able to shut down opponents with a perfectly timed steal, or a rejection that sent the ball (and the shooter’s ego) flying into the stands.
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The Best NBA Defensive Players In History
Let’s take a look at the top 10 NBA defenders of all time—because, after all, somebody’s got to do the dirty work.
1. Bill Russell
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 963
- Rebounds per Game (RPG): 22.5
- Blocks per Game: Data not officially recorded
- All-Defensive Teams: 1x All-Defensive 1st Team (1969) – note: award created in Russell’s final season
Bill Russell is the godfather of NBA defense.
While the league didn’t track blocks during his era, legend has it that Russell was a one-man SWAT team, sending shots into the third row with alarming regularity.
His 11 NBA championships speak volumes about his impact on the game, and his ability to anchor a defense remains unmatched.
Russell’s quickness, timing, and basketball IQ made him the most feared defender of his time.
2. Hakeem Olajuwon
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 1,238
- Blocks per Game: 3.1
- Steals per Game (SPG): 1.7
- All-Defensive Teams: 5x All-Defensive 1st Team, 4x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Hakeem Olajuwon, known as “The Dream,” was a nightmare for anyone who dared to enter the paint.
He is the all-time NBA leader in blocked shots with 3,830, but he was much more than just a shot-blocker.
His footwork, agility, and timing made him one of the best defenders in NBA history. He could guard multiple positions and was just as likely to steal the ball as he was to block it.
With two Defensive Player of the Year awards and nine All-Defensive Team selections, Olajuwon was a dominant force on both ends of the floor.
3. Dennis Rodman
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 911
- Rebounds per Game (RPG): 13.1
- Blocks per Game: 0.6
- Steals per Game: 0.7
- All-Defensive Teams: 7x All-Defensive 1st Team, 1x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Dennis Rodman, aka “The Worm,” was as colorful off the court as he was on it.
Rodman didn’t care much about scoring—he left that to others. His job was to defend, and he did it better than almost anyone. Rodman was a relentless rebounder and a pest on defense, using his athleticism, strength, and incredible instincts to disrupt opponents.
He led the league in rebounding for seven straight seasons and won two Defensive Player of the Year awards.
His ability to guard multiple positions made him invaluable to the Detroit Pistons (2 rings) and Chicago Bulls (3 rings) during their championship runs.
4. Michael Jordan
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 1,072
- Steals per Game (SPG): 2.3
- All-Defensive Teams: 9x All-Defensive 1st Team
Yes, Michael Jordan was also one of the greatest defenders of all time—because, of course, he is the GOAT (Our opinion. Fight us if you want).
Jordan’s drive extended to both ends of the floor, and his defense was as legendary as his scoring.
He was a nine-time All-Defensive Team selection and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1988.
Jordan’s quick hands, athleticism, and basketball IQ made him a terror for opposing guards.
He ranks third all-time in NBA steals with 2,514 and could lock down the best offensive players while still carrying the load on offense.
5. Gary Payton
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 1,335
- Steals per Game (SPG): 1.8
- All-Defensive Teams: 9x All-Defensive 1st Team
Gary Payton, “The Glove,” was one of the best perimeter defenders the NBA has seen.
Payton was a great on-ball defender who could lock down the best guards with his quick hands and bodywork.
He is the only point guard in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, and his nine All-Defensive 1st Team selections speak to his impact on that end of the floor.
Payton’s trash talk was also legendary, but it was his defense that did most of the talking.
6. Scottie Pippen
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 1,178
- Steals per Game (SPG): 2.0
- All-Defensive Teams: 8x All-Defensive 1st Team, 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Scottie “Pip” Pippen was the ultimate wing defender, capable of guarding multiple positions with ease.
Pippen’s length, athleticism, and basketball IQ made him a key part of the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty.
Pippen was a ten-time All-Defensive Team selection and played the ultimate sidekick role in the Bulls’ six NBA championships.
7. Kawhi Leonard
Career Stats (as of August 2024):
- Games Played: 600
- Steals per Game (SPG): 1.8
- All-Defensive Teams: 5x All-Defensive 1st Team, 2x All-Defensive 2nd Team (and counting)
Kawhi Leonard, also known as “The Klaw,” is one of the best two-way players in recent NBA history.
Leonard’s giant hands and instincts have made him one of the most feared defenders in the league.
He has two Defensive Player of the Year awards and has been named to seven All-Defensive Teams.
Leonard’s ability to shut down legends including LeBron, combined with his offensive skills, makes him one of the most complete players in the game.
8. Dikembe Mutombo
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 1,196
- Blocks per Game: 2.8
- All-Defensive Teams: 3x All-Defensive 1st Team, 3x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Dikembe Mutombo’s finger wag after a blocked shot became one of the most well-known images in NBA history.
Mutombo was a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and is second on the all-time list for career blocks.
His shot-blocking ability and presence in the paint made him one of the most dominant defensive centers of all time.
Mutombo’s ability to protect the rim and alter shots was unparalleled, and his six All-Defensive Team selections are a testament to his impact.
9. Ben Wallace
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 1,088
- Blocks per Game: 2.0
- Steals per Game: 1.3
- All-Defensive Teams: 5x All-Defensive 1st Team, 1x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Ben Wallace was the anchor of the Detroit Pistons’ defense during their run to the 2004 NBA championship.
Wallace, despite being undersized for a center at 6’9, was a four-time Defensive Player of the Year thanks to his incredible strength, timing, and relentless work ethic. He was a dominant shot-blocker and rebounder, leading the league in both categories multiple times.
Wallace’s six All-Defensive Team selections and his ability to guard players much bigger than himself made him one of the most feared defenders of his era.
10. Kevin Garnett
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 1,462
- Blocks per Game: 1.4
- Steals per Game: 1.3
- All-Defensive Teams: 9x All-Defensive 1st Team, 3x All-Defensive 2nd Team
Kevin Garnett, known as “The Big Ticket,” was one of the most intense defenders in NBA history.
Garnett could guard all five positions on the floor, using his length, athleticism, and basketball IQ to shut down opponents.
He was a 12-time All-Defensive Team selection and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2008.
Garnett’s ability to defend multiple positions, combined with his leadership and intensity, made him a cornerstone of the Boston Celtics’ defense during their championship run in 2008.
Best NBA Defenders In NBA History
We’ve taken the stats from above and thrown them into a table below for a little extra context for our best NB defensive players in history.
| Player | PPG | BPG | RPG | SPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Bill Russell | 15.1 | – | 22.5 | – |
| 2. Hakeem Olajuwon | 21.8 | 3.1 | 11.1 | 1.7 |
| 3. Dennis Rodman | 7.3 | 0.6 | 13.1 | 0.7 |
| 4. Michael Jordan | 30.1 | 0.8 | 6.2 | 2.3 |
| 5. Gary Payton | 16.3 | 0.3 | 3.9 | 1.8 |
| 6. Scottie Pippen | 16.1 | 0.8 | 6.4 | 2.0 |
| 7. Kawhi Leonard | 19.2 | 0.7 | 6.4 | 1.8 |
| 8. Dikembe Mutombo | 9.8 | 2.8 | 10.3 | 0.4 |
| 9. Ben Wallace | 5.7 | 2.0 | 9.6 | 1.3 |
| 10. Kevin Garnett | 17.8 | 1.4 | 10.0 | 1.3 |
The best defensive players in NBA history were more than just shot-blockers or steal machines; they were game-changers.
From Bill Russell’s dominance over other legends including Wilt Chamberlain, to Gary Payton’s lockdown perimeter defense, these players were simply the best at stopping opponents.
If youy love an NBA stats deep dive, check out our best NBA power forwards in history and our list of the best small forwards in NBA history.
