All Time NBA Defensive Team

Just thought of making a topic on the best defensive players of all time. Surprisingly enough, many of them were known for their offensive skills, but were still the best on the other end of the floor.

Center: Hakeem Olajuwon(Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors), though he is known for his repetoire of offensive moves, "The Dream" was a monster on the other end. With an 3.09 blocks per game average(4th all-time) and a total of 3,830 blocks in his career(1st all time), he used his athleticism, strength, and height, to become such a dominating force on both ends of the floor.

Honorable Mention: Dikember Mutumbo, Alonzo Mourning, Bill Russel, Wilt Chamberlain

Power Forward: Dennis Rodman(Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls) was not only a rebounding machine, but he was a menace to deal with when he you're on offense. When on the Detroit Pistons, he was named the Defensive Player Of The Year twice. One of the legit members of the "Bad Boys", he would always give Michael Jordan hard times when defending him. In Chicago, he was probably one of the best players to guard Shaquille O'Neal, and would do well against Karl Malone in the Finals, and also lead the league in rebounds.

Honorable Mention: Ben Wallace, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone

Small Forward: Scottie Pippen(Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Portland Trailblazers) used his physical advantaged such as his height and large wingspan to even guard the best point guards in the league. He made Chicago one of the best defensive teams of history, contributing to their six championships. He made guys, like Michael Jordan,'s job much easier on defense, with a career average of 2 steals and selections to the All NBA Defensive Team seven tims.

Honorable Mention: Michael Cooper

Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan(Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards) was one of the smartest and witty defenders of all time. Named the 1987-88 Defensive Player of the Year and chosen for the All Defensive Team, a record nine times. Even as a 40 year old man on the Wizards, he still used his wits and determination(along with his God-given skill) to swat balls out of bounds and steal from some of the best ball handlers. He and Pippen not only played great together on the offensive end but also on the defensive end, making the Bulls a great defensive team. With a lifetime average of 2.4 steals per game, he was one of the most feared defenders during his era.

Honorable Mention: Kobe Bryant, Julius Erving, Doug Christie, Allen Iverson

Point Guard: Gary Payton(Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers) arguably the best "1-2" point guard of all time, shining on both sides of the court. In 1995-96, when he won the Defensive Player Of The Year award and brought the Sonics to the Finals, he was the biggest ballhawk of the league and one of the msot feared defenders. Even today, he can still keep up with the quicker guards, and still put a stop when you need it. In his prime, you could either put him on guys like John Stockton or players like Michael Jordan.

Honorable Mention: John Stockton, Mookie Blaylock, Alvin Robertson

Erving is a SF while i think Jerry West and Sidney Monicrief derserves to be on teh list too..

Center:Honorable Mention: Bill Russel

You're kidding right?

That's Bill Russell, by the way

http://www.nba.com/history/players/russell_summary.html

Bill Russell was the cornerstone of the Boston Celtics' dynasty of the 1960s, an uncanny shotblocker who revolutionized NBA defensive concepts. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a 12-time All-Star, the angular center amassed 21,620 career rebounds, an average of 22.5 per game, and led the league in rebounding four times. He had 51 boards in one game, 49 in two others, and a dozen consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more rebounds

NBA Champions during Bill Russell's Entire Career.

1968-69 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
1967-68 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers San Francisco Warriors 4-2
1965-66 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
1964-65 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-1
1963-64 Boston Celtics San Francisco Warriors 4-1
1962-63 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
1961-62 Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
1960-61 Boston Celtics St. Louis Hawks 4-1
1959-60 Boston Celtics St. Louis Hawks 4-3
1958-59 Boston Celtics Minneapolis Lakers 4-0
1957-58 St. Louis Hawks Boston Celtics 4-2
1956-57 Boston Celtics St. Louis Hawks 4-3

NBA First-Team All-Defense Center during Olajuwon's Career.
1984-85 Mark Eaton, Utah
1985-86 Mark Eaton, Utah
1986-87 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1987-88 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1988-89 Mark Eaton, Utah
1989-90 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1990-91 David Robinson, San Antonio
1991-92 David Robinson, San Antonio
1992-93 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1993-94 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1994-95 David Robinson, San Antonio
1995-96 David Robinson, San Antonio
1996-97 Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta
1997-98 Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta
1998-99 Alonzo Mourning, Miami
1999-00 Alonzo Mourning, Miami
2000-01 Dikembe Mutombo, Atlanta-Philadelphia
2001-02 Ben Wallace, Detroit

That's 5 of 18 years.
A two-time defensive player of the year.
That's 2 of 18 years.
Probably not even the best defensive center of his era, let alone 1946-1984.

You understand they didn't keep track of Blocked Shots until 1974 or something. Some say Russell blocked at least 5000 shots if not 6000.

1961-62, saw Russell register an 18.9 scoring average, his career high. Chamberlain's individual accomplishments were mind-boggling: he won the scoring title by averaging 50.4 points, while the team-oriented Celtics didn't place anybody in the top 10. The NBA players, voting for MVP, chose Russell over Chamberlain.
It's all about Russell's Defense!



Later I will show how many other selections are completely modern and nutty.

Ya, I agree with paul pierce the truth, Bill Russell is a far better defender than Hakeem, not taking anything away from "The Dream" but still, Bill Russell over Hakeem for best defensive center.

Ya, I agree with paul pierce the truth, Bill Russell is a far better defender than Hakeem, not taking anything away from "The Dream" but still, Bill Russell over Hakeem for best defensive center.

Bill Rusell is known for one of the greatest defenders/blockers of all time. HE is a way better defender than "The Dream". I think this is fact.

I'd still play Russell over stiffs like Olowokandi, Kaman, Bradley, hell he could start at center for the Heat right now, granted he's 70 but he was the best defensive center ever

Well Russell probly had to guard players smaller than him given that most players weren't his size and also guys with less offensive skills so i'd go with the Dream

Well Russell probly had to guard players smaller than him given that most players weren't his size and also guys with less offensive skills so i'd go with the Dream

Russell was 6'9 1/2" and weighed 220. He was about on-par for a center, maybe a little bigger during that time.

Not putting him on an All-Time All-Defense team is sacrilege...Russell is the All-Time Greatest Defensive player ever...period.

Anyway...my team goes like this...

C Russell
PF Rodman (Defending Shaq and Michael Jordan well is mind-boggling.)
SF Pippen
SG Jordan
PG Payton

Backups: Walt Frazier, Ben Wallace, Dikembe Mutombo

Gloveguy, nice thread, must appreciate the effort. But really, you just wanted to tell everyone what a great defender Gary Payton is

Charles Barkley an honourable mention? I thought Chuck was a pretty average defender?

And not putting Bill Russell as a starter, Gloveguy you did that just to piss Mike off didn't ya?

Honourable mention: Maybe D-Rob and P-Ewi They were respectable defenders at least. I would also add I suppose Joe Dumars and maybe one day Ron Artest if he stays sane, and remove Kobe and Al.

ok, well i didn't know cos ive never actually seen Russell play

Yeah, I agree with those who mentioned Russell over anyone else.

I would easily put Joe Dumars together with Jordan instead of Payton, even M. Cheeks would go there before Payton & I'm not trying to disrespect him with that.

Michael Cooper is the best defensive SF the league has ever had, & I don't have to take stls & blks to show you that, those are stats that show just a few of the real defensive chart. The votes? yes, Pippen was there in the 90s but remember Pippen is a player coming out of the 80s meaning he was not like that until he decided to play better, something that didn't happen with Cooper. I admire Pippen efforts to make great players look ridiculous but sometimes he can't do anything to avoid 40+ or 50+ points by his match. Something that didn't happen with Cooper.

You can try to name anyone who scored 50+ against Cooper, however, Mashburn took on Pippen & scored 50 without any problem, all Pippen could do was watch him as he destroyed the Bulls that night. I understand anyone has a good night, but when you see something like that & know it was against one of the best def. players, then you compare that player with the other one in the same cat. who nobody ever scored 50 against him, the credit goes to that particular player who never allowed the opponent get that great scoring.

Jordan, I consider Jordan good years were great but after seeing Kobe scoring over 50 as well against him, then you have to know it was time for him to go home. Kobe is not going to earn my respect as a def. player after Allan Houston took him & smacked 50 on him as well. This goes like that, sometime if you're too old like Jordan is acceptable but in the cases of Pippen & Kobe, you just have to say they are great but not the best ever in terms of defense. Pippen falls in the category by many others scorers but yet I just remember that 50 Mash night, so decided to use it as an example.

I understand anyone has a good night, but when you see something like that & know it was against one of the best def. players, then you compare that player with the other one in the same cat. who nobody ever scored 50 against him, the credit goes to that particular player who never allowed the opponent get that great scoring

but in the cases of Pippen & Kobe, you just have to say they are great but not the best ever in terms of defense

IMO getting lit up by one player for whatever amount of points shouldn't take away from a players greatness on defense.

i believe that the greatest defensive players of all time had their nights when they couldn't stop the guy they defended. some examples: russel gave wilt a hard time, but wilt did destroy him on several occasions. or the dream embarrasing the admiral in that playoff series. or that one guy from washington in the early 90's that would school jordan every time they played, abdul rauf scoring a ton of pts on stockton (recently played on espn classic), shaq on mutumbo in the finals...etc

good list...i also would place russel ahead of hakeem.

wtf?nobody haven´t mentioned duncan?12 rpg 2.5 blocks are solid enough!

center:shaq
pf-tim duncan
sf-bruce bowen
sg-allen iverson
pg-kidd

C-SHAQ
PF-DUNCAN
SF-CHRISTIE
SG-JAMES
PG-IVERSON

All these guys have shown some sign of good D and I show them a good sign for what they have accomlished.

wtf?nobody haven´t mentioned duncan?12 rpg 2.5 blocks are solid enough!

center:shaq
pf-tim duncan
sf-bruce bowen
sg-allen iverson
pg-kidd

its "ALL TIME" nba defensive team and even though bruce bowen is a good defender, he probably shouldn't be on the all time nba defensive team.

C-SHAQ
PF-DUNCAN
SF-CHRISTIE
SG-JAMES
PG-IVERSON

All these guys have shown some sign of good D and I show them a good sign for what they have accomlished.

Now LeBron James is the greatest defensive shooting guard of All-Time!

Jeezus H. Criminee, it's just sick and wrong.

James

I agree the most with EGarrett's list. .

I guess I probably should have put Bill Russell ahead of Hakeem. I respect all of your opinions, which I believe are valid(except Slayer and Lebron James which were just...wow).

And Stevan, I didn't just make the list to let everyone know how great of a defender Payton is, or else I would've made his part five times bigger than the others. He is my favorite player, mostly because of his defensive intensity and greatness, but I really just felt like making a big post, since I haven't in a while.

some examples: russel gave wilt a hard time, but wilt did destroy him on several occasions. or the dream embarrasing the admiral in that playoff series. or that one guy from washington in the early 90's that would school jordan every time they played, abdul rauf scoring a ton of pts on stockton (recently played on espn classic), shaq on mutumbo in the finals...etc

Well, Stockton was never known like someone who would make you miss shots so the defense of Stockton was not based on the real thing but steals. Also, when Abdul Rauf was playing like that, he was killing anyone in the league so not just Stockton would have trouble with him but also anyone who would try to stop him. There you mentioned also great guys like Wilt, the Dream, Shaq you can't ask the defense that much and I hope you understand why without explaining it.

The Washington guy you are talking about might be Bernard King hall of famer or Jeff Malone who was great as well and you couldn't deny the basket against them. Or probably the other Michael (he was as great as those 2 when playing for the Wiz at that time Bullets) Michael Adams.

IMO getting lit up by one player for whatever amount of points shouldn't take away from a players greatness on defense.

I already said I know everyone has a night & still I believe I'm not taking anything away from anyone & I'm not saying Pippen was not great defensively but let's see if you get the point now:

The 2 greatest defensive teams: Let's suppose this:

Detroit 89 & Miami 2000, both of them with the same record of lower FG% allowed from their opponents, but in a little note you see Miami allowed Golden State break the record for most points in a game with 187, while you look at Detroit & still they never allowed a team get over 120 points, that clearly would give the advantage to Detroit when talking about the best of the 2. Again, it doesn't mean Miami was not great but when talking about the 2 of them, some notes are taken even if it was just one day. That's how I see it, I'm not saying Pippen was bad def., Pippen was even better than MJ there but again, there are few notes you won't find in that other particular player that lets him stand as the greatest ever.

Wilt scored 100 points against "the wheelchair players association of" NY, you will never hear anyone saying that particular team was the greatest defensive team knowing Wilt did that to them & it was just one particular night that messed up the history of that team.

A particular night messed up the Celtics history against Jordan, A particular night messed up the Cavaliers history against the same Jordan, A particular night messed up the Clippers against David Robinson, and finally in a particular night (player) messed up the greatness of Jordan taking advantage of his age. Even better, a particular night messed up the memories & thoughts everyone had about that other great player, whether was rape, adultery or whatever he wants to call it, that's life & if they want to be remembered as great players they were, they'd better don't mess up.

this type of difference in opinion doesn't seem worth debating over. i respect yours but i think otherwise...

that one guy that schooled jordan, as i mentioned earlier was a no name. definitely not king or malone. a journeyman type player. maybe i'll do some research on it some other time.

Going by stats...Russel is the greatest defender at Center ever.

However, speaking from a logical and observative point of view...he is not...or wouldn't be in today's NBA. If i had to build an all time defensive team..and i had a time machine..i wouldn't waste it's gas to take a little 6'9" 1/2 220 pound Center to face up against the monsters of today. I mean, even i weigh more than that...


Also, I dont really like Dennis Rodman on that list. I'd put even Tim duncan or Kevin Garnett above him there.

And Stevan, I didn't just make the list to let everyone know how great of a defender Payton is, or else I would've made his part five times bigger than the others. He is my favorite player, mostly because of his defensive intensity and greatness, but I really just felt like making a big post, since I haven't in a while.

I was just joking around with the Payton thing, so I hope you didn't take it the wrong way. It's a good thread and like I said I appreciate the effort you went to.

that one guy that schooled jordan, as i mentioned earlier was a no name. definitely not king or malone. a journeyman type player. maybe i'll do some research on it some other time.

I forgot the guys name but he pretty much got lucky. The next game against the Bullets Mike said he was going to have the same amount of points that guy got on him, by half time. He was a couple of points shy of reaching that goal and ended up teaching the big mouth fool a lesson If that's a poor version of the story (which it is) it's because my memory serves me like an old man's wang. Once a month and only for a short time.

Going by stats...Russel is the greatest defender at Center ever.

However, speaking from a logical and observative point of view...he is not...or wouldn't be in today's NBA. If i had to build an all time defensive team..and i had a time machine..i wouldn't waste it's gas to take a little 6'9" 1/2 220 pound Center to face up against the monsters of today. I mean, even i weigh more than that...

Monsters? What monsters?

Shaq is a big man, who else?

I do not think Russell would have any problems with anyone else, ever.

Wilt Chamberlain was 7'1" 300lbs, though he rebounded and scored very well at times,
his teams never advanced past the C's. (except 1967)

For some reason history has never said Russell could not hold his own, it's just pointing to his size and saying he is small.

I again point out:

1961-62, saw Russell register an 18.9 scoring average, his career high. Chamberlain's individual accomplishments were mind-boggling: he won the scoring title by averaging 50.4 points, while the team-oriented Celtics didn't place anybody in the top 10. The NBA players, voting for MVP, chose Russell over Chamberlain.
It's all about Russell's Defense!

Do you really believe form 1956-1969 that Russell avoided facing anyone bigger than he? It's crazy to think because he is such and such a size, he couldn't defend. Dennis Rodman could guard Karl Malone and did well against centers, he was smaller than Russell or around the same size.

Tim Duncan and with no doubt Kevin Garnett could not play defense better than Dennis Rodman.

Some of this is everyone's opinion, but the thing about Russell is that it's just to overwhelming to believe he was small or something. He was the leader on the Celtics, on the boards and on the defense to the tune of 11 championships in 13 years.

Was Charles Barkley at 6'4" too small to lead the league in rebounding?
(Barkley has admitted on TNT he's 6'4")

Was Joe Dumars at 6'3" too small to guard Michael Jordan?

Is Allen Iverson too small to lead the league in scoring at 6'0" 165?

Dave Cowens was 6'9" 230 and played center on two championship teams and averaged 13.6 rebounds for his career.

Elvin Hayes 6'9 235lbs Center/Power Forward
Elgin Baylor 6'5 225lbs Power Forward 13.5 Rebounds Career
Spencer Haywood 6'9" 225lbs Center/Forward
Dan Issell 6'9 240lbs Center
Jerry Lucas 6'8 235lbs Center/Power Forward 15.6 Rebounds Career

Bob McAdoo 6'9 225lbs three consecutive scoring championships, and an MVP Award, all in his first four years. Center/Power Forward

Kevin McHale 6'10 225lbs had some low post game I think.
Bob Pettit 6'9 215lbs Center/Power Forward 16.2 Rebounds Career
Nate Thurmond 6'11 235lbs 15.0 Rebounds Career
Wes Unseld 6'7 245lbs Center 14.0 Rebounds Career

These are some of the greatest inside players of all-time, none 7 feet tall, none over 250lbs.

David Robinson was 3" taller than Russell and weighed 30lbs more, did he understand defense better than Russell?
Is it about size?

Tell me about the Mosters today, I want to here all about these Giants.

Yao Ming is big, not scaring Russell
Tim Duncan is big and great, again not better than Wilt Chamberlain.
Shaq is huge, doesn't mean Russell would not block his shot.
What about quickness to the ball, positioning, understanding and skill?

Kevin Garnett by the way could play Center and dominate there and he's
6'11 240 and I think the 240 is stretching it.

It's about skill, if you think 25 pounds and 3 inches makes all the difference, than start the Kandiman and have a good year.

Going by stats...Russel is the greatest defender at Center ever.

However, speaking from a logical and observative point of view...he is not...or wouldn't be in today's NBA. If i had to build an all time defensive team..and i had a time machine..i wouldn't waste it's gas to take a little 6'9" 1/2 220 pound Center to face up against the monsters of today. I mean, even i weigh more than that...

Wow...that's pretty bad logic. You're picking the greatest defenders All-Time in the league. Russell led his team to 11 championships as its defensive centerpiece. Size or not he belongs there.

Also, I dont really like Dennis Rodman on that list. I'd put even Tim duncan or Kevin Garnett above him there.

Rodman took Shaq pretty regularly whenever the Bulls played Orlando or L.A. during the second threepeat and gave him fits. Duncan won't touch Shaq with a 10-foot pole...that job fell to Robinson even when the Admiral could barely jump anymore. There's a reason Rodman was in the league as a 6'6" power forward with no offensive ability...and it wasn't because he looked good in a wedding dress. Seriously...the guy would willingly guard Shaq and Michael Jordan when his teams face them and gave both problems. What other player in NBA history would have the toughness, strength, quickness and will to do that? You better recognize.

I forgot the guys name but he pretty much got lucky. The next game against the Bullets Mike said he was going to have the same amount of points that guy got on him, by half time. He was a couple of points shy of reaching that goal and ended up teaching the big mouth fool a lesson If that's a poor version of the story (which it is) it's because my memory serves me like an old man's wang. Once a month and only for a short time.

thats who i'm talking about hehe. you have good memory...after looking through the bullets rosters in the 90's i think it was either labradford smith or doug overton