Who is the best defender in NBA History?
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) September 7, 2020
Who is?
By 
September 7, 2020 6 Comments
Reader Interactions
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
A Lakers Fan Community
By September 7, 2020 6 Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Would like everyone who is part of our community or a visitor to share their personal observations.
5 sit on ⛰ 23 Jordan 20 Payton 34 Olajuwon 21 Garnett 6 Russell
Almost at top Mutombo, Duncan, Rodman, Moncrief, Bryant, Robertson, Pippen, Bobby Jones, Dennis Johnson, Kareem, Wilt…
23 20 34 21 all won DPOY awards . In fact of the players who have 9 All-Defensive 1st team selections, only Kobe is without a DPOY award.
Tim Duncan, stalwart defenders ever, never won a DPOY. Neither did Scottie Pippen. Both were 8 time All-Defense 1st team.
Hard to sustain a level of greatness trying to be a great defender in the NBA. It’s a trade, it takes time you need the right mentor and you need to be the right apprentice.
Sean, this is a very tough one to answer since they are all in different eras. . But based on what I read about Bill Russell, he probably stood taller on the list. However, your breakdown and analysis of the DPOY and Defensive 1 st team selections is right on the money.
Breaking it down by Center, Forward, and Guard: Russell, Rodman, Cooper (I’m probably being a homer with Coop).