The National Basketball Association ranks as one of the best sports franchises in the world. Over the past decades, several talents, such as three-point shooters and defenders, have risen to stardom and are now famous worldwide. Most best NBA defenders of all time made history playing in various positions, and their defensive skills stood out, which separates them from other athletes in the famous franchise.

Although possessing excellent defensive skills is not for everyone, some NBA players have established themselves in the industry by playing all around the court. Determining the best defender is not a walk in the park since most operate in various positions and are of different sizes.

Top 20 best NBA defenders of all time

Unlike other players, defenders playing in various basketball positions need to be skilled enough to put their opponents in place and secure wins. Some defensive athletes, such as Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, are among the greatest in the NBA's history. Considering various factors and sources, this is a list of the top 20 best NBA defenders of all time.

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20. Metta World Peace

• Team(s): Bulls, Pacers, Kings, Rockets, Lakers, Knicks
• Years active: 1999-2017
• Achievements: 4-time All-Defensive team, 2004 Player of the Year

Metta was one of the best NBA defenders in history and was widely known for his defensive skill set on the court. He took home several awards in his career and was recognised for his outstanding personality.

19. Alonzo Mourning

• Team(s): Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets
• Years active: 1992 - 2008
• Achievements: NBA champion, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year

Alonzo went down in history as one of the best shot-blockers the franchise had ever seen. With the great skills that saw him block hard shorts softly and gain possession, he ranks as one of the best NBA guard defenders of all time.

18. Maurice Cheeks

• Team(s): 76ers, San Antonia Spurs, Knicks, Hawks, Nets
• Years active: 1978 - 1993
• Achievements: NBA champion, 4-time All-Star, and All-Defensive First Team

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Maurice successfully marked and locked down some of the best point guards in history, such as Magic Johnson. In his 14-year career in the NBA, he averaged 2.1 steals per game and was regarded as one of the best on-ball defensive basketballers.

17. Nate Thurmond

• Team(s): Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Years active: 1963 - 1977
• Achievements: 5-time All-Defensive team player

Although the stats do not do him justice, Nate is regarded as one of the best defensive players in history. Against the Atlanta Hawks, he made a record with the first-ever quadruple-double in the sport's history when he blocked 12 shots.

16. Dwight Howard

• Team(s): Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, Wizards, Lakers, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks
• Years active: 2004 - present
• Achievements: 4-time All-Defensive First Team, 3-time Defensive Player of the Year

With the Orlando Magic, Howard ranked as the best defender in the NBA. Although he did not always play as a defensive player, most of his brilliant statistics and records are from the role.

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15. Sidney Moncrief

• Team(s): Milwaukee Bucks, Hawks
• Years active: 1979 - 1991
• Achievements: 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, 5-time All-Defensive team athlete

Sidney was the first player in history to take home the Defensive Player of the Year award during the 1982/83 season. He is among the best defenders ever to play as a guard in the sport's history.

14. John Havlicek

• Team(s): Boston Celtics
• Years active: 1962 - 1978
• Achievement: 1 All-NBA performer, 8-time All-Defensive team, and NBA champion

John was one of the best NBA perimeter defenders of all time who could play in all positions. During the Celtics' reign, he was the main ingredient to its superb performance that saw the club take home eight championship titles.

13. David Robinson

• Team(s): San Antonio Spurs
• Years active: 1989 - 2003
• Achievements: 2-time NBA champion, Defensive Player of the Year, 8-time All-Defensive Team athlete

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David was one of the best NBA guard defenders of all time who hung his boots with an average of 3 blocks per game. He won several trophies and awards, and in the 1991/92 season, David was the league's leader with 4.5 blocks per game.

12. Scottie Pippen

• Team(s): Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers
• Years active: 1987 - 2003
• Achievements: 6-time NBA champion, 10-time All-Defensive Team

The famous Scottie played alongside Jordan, and the duo led the Bulls to six championship titles in the 90s. Regardingsteals and the Bulls' history, he is the record holder with over 2.9 steals per game.

11. Tim Duncan

• Team(s): San Antonio Spurs
• Years active: 1997 - 2016
• Achievements: 4-time NBA champion, 15-time All-Defensive Team

Tim Duncan was one of the best NBA defenders of all time by position. Tim played as a power forward and could easily mark both ends of the court. In his career, he had an average of 2.2 blocks per game.

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10. Gary Payton

• Team(s): Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, LA Lakers, Celtics, Miami Heat
• Years active: 1985 - 2004
• Achievements: NBA champion and Defensive Player of the Year, 9-time All-Defensive team

Gary is among the best NBA point guard defenders of all time. Gary Payton's outstanding ability in the defensive role saw him and his team, the Miami Heat, take home the NBA championship title in 2006.

9. Ben Wallace

• Team(s): Washington Bullets, Orlando Magic, Pistons, Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Years active: 1996 - 2012
• Achievements: NBA champion, 6-time All-Defensive Team, 5-time Defensive Player of the Year

Ben Wallace won the 2004 NBA championship title with the Pistons due to his defensive skills, which saw him make two blocks and an average of 1.3 steals per game.

8. Kawhi Leonard

• Team(s): SA Spurs, Toronto Raptors, LA Clippers
• Years active: 2011 - present
• Achievements: 2-time Defensive Player of the Year

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Leonard is one of the best NBA defenders right now. He made a name for himself with the Raptors when he won back-to-back two straight defensive Player of the Year awards. That said, there is much about him to be seen in the future.

7. Kareem Abdul-Jabaar

• Team(s): Milwaukee Bucks, Lakers
• Years active: 1969 -1989
• Achievements: 6-time NBA champion, 1 NBA All-Defensive team

Kareem is one of the greatest NBA players in history, with records yet to be broken. In Kareem's career, he averaged 2.6 blocks per game, and with skills, he managed to maintain his position as the best rim-protector.

6. Michael Jordan

• Team(s): Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
• Years active: 1984 - 2003
• Achievements: 6-time NBA champion

Like Kareem, Michael Jordan is considered the greatest of all time in NBA history. His statistics and records are undisputed, and since he played both in the offensive and defensive positions, he became the all-time NBA leader.

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5. Walt Frazier

• Team(s): Knicks, Cavaliers
• Years active: 1967-1979
• Achievements: 7-time NBA All-Defensive player

As one of the best NBA point guard defenders of all time, Walt Frazier averaged 1.9 steals per game, although some of his statistics were not recorded.

4. Dennis Rodman

• Team(s): Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Dallas Mavericks
• Years active: 1986 - 2000
• Achievements: 5-time NBA champion, 8-time All-Defensive Team, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year

Although Dennis was not an all-around player, he ensured his team took the lead by locking down on opponents' advances. Statistically, he is among the best rebound athletes to ever grace the NBA franchise.

3. Hakeem Olajuwon

• Team(s): Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors
• Years active: 1984 - 2002
• Achievements: 2-time NBA champion, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, 9-time All-Defensive Team

Hakeem Olajuwon is among the best defensive players, averaging 1.7 steals and 3.1 blocks per game. His end-floor skills helped the Rockets rise to stardom in his career with the Houston-based club.

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2. Dikembe Mutombo

• Team(s): Denver Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, Houston Rockets
• Years active: 1991 - 2009
• Achievements: 4-time Defensive Player of the Year

With his finger-waggingcelebration, Dikembe was the all-time NBA leader who ended his career with an average of 2.8 steals per game. He took home several awards and was considered among the best NBA defenders of all time.

1. Bill Russell

• Team(s): Boston Celtics
• Years active: 1956 - 1969
• Achievements: 1 All-Defensive team, 5-time MVP

Finally, Bill Russell is the best defender in NBA history, topping the list. The legend is renowned for his shot-blocking skills, rebounds, and 11 championship titles in 13 years as a defender.

For an NBA team to be in its best form, it has to have an outstanding squad of talented and skilled defenders who can keep the opponents' advances in check. Most best NBA defenders of all time have, at some point, played for the best teams in the franchise and, in doing so, made history.

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