AI Named and Ranked the 10 Best NBA Defenders Ever

Scoring is obviously the most important aspect of basketball. Teams can’t win if they don’t put the ball in the basket, but defence can be equally as important. Having a good defence can be the difference between a team being contenders and getting over the line and becoming champions. There have been some exceptional defenders throughout the history of the NBA. There are those who have been a menace in the paint, guarding the basket and blocking shots as if their lives depended on it.

There are also those who are incredible at defending the perimeter, making it increasingly difficult for opponents to get shots off from deep. In short, defence is incredibly valuable in the NBA and the league has been blessed with some exceptional defenders over the years. Whether they were a guard, a forward or a centre, some players just got it and ChatGPT has now named and ranked the 10 best defenders in NBA history.

10

Dikembe Mutombo

What AI said: “Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, famous for shot-blocking and finger-wagging intimidation.”

Known for his trademark finger-wagging taunt after he would swat his opponents’ shots away with ease, Dikembe Mutombo is a cult hero for fans and it’s all down to his defence. The former Houston Rockets centre was a problem on the court for his opponents, so it’s easy to see why ChatGPT has named him as one of the best defenders in NBA history.

Over 18 seasons in the association, he averaged 2.8 blocks-a-game, with a career-high 4.5 blocks-a-game during the 1995-96 season. Those are just unearthly numbers.

9

Ben Wallace

What AI said: “Four-time Defensive Player of the Year, the heart of the 2004 Pistons championship team.”

The 2004 NBA Championship-winning Detroit Pistons were known for their toughness and grit on the court. They weren’t afraid to play rough and it helped turn them into champions. One man at the heart of that was Ben Wallace, who was a defensive force for the franchise. While he only won one title during his career, he was a menace throughout his entire run on the court and won the Defensive Player of the Year award on four occasions.

No one has ever blocked more shots for the Pistons than Wallace and while he was never a particularly strong scorer and never averaged double figures in terms of points-per-game, he made up for it with his intense defence.

8

Kawhi Leonard

What AI said: “‘The Klaw,’ two-time Defensive Player of the Year, elite perimeter stopper with massive hands.

Nicknamed ‘The Klaw’ for the sheer size of his hands, Kawhi Leonard made a name for himself with the San Antonio Spurs when he wreaked havoc defensively on LeBron James in the NBA finals. He locked down one of the greatest players of all time and sent a statement to the rest of the league.

He’s lived up to his early promise too and has mastered the art of stealing the ball away from his opponents whenever they get too close. Injuries have hindered Kawhi’s availability in recent years, but when he’s healthy, he’s a serious problem.

7

Tim Duncan

What AI said: “Anchored the Spurs’ defense for nearly 20 years. 15-time All-Defensive selection (tied for most ever).”

Not one was Tim Duncan one of the best defenders in NBA history, but he was one of the most consistent too, as he shone for the San Antonio Spurs for nearly two whole decades. He wasn’t flashy, but he always managed to get the job done and that meant he always figured out his opponents and how to keep them quiet.

No player has ever made it into more All-Defensive teams than Duncan, who had that honour in 15 different seasons. He aged like a fine wine and was always willing to take on the toughest assignments for Gregg Popovich’s side.

6

Gary Payton

What AI said: “‘The Glove,’ arguably the best defensive point guard ever. 1996 Defensive Player of the Year (rare for guards).”

It’s not often that point guards are awarded the Defensive Player of the Year award, but that’s exactly what happened with Gary Payton in 1996 and is a testament to how impressive he was on that end of the floor. He was a phenomenal scorer for the Seattle Supersonics, but he was also an exceptional defender and was regularly stripping his opponents of the ball whenever they dribbled too closely to him.

Payton was named in the NBA’s All-Defensive first team on nine different occasions, a record he shares with a number of different players including the man AI has ranked one place above him.

5

Michael Jordan

What AI said: “Nine-time All-Defensive First Team, 1988 Defensive Player of the Year, and a relentless on-ball defender.”

Considering his status as the greatest basketball player of all time, it should surprise no one that Michael Jordan was an incredible defender as well as an elite scorer. He could just do everything and it was down to his competitive nature and his relentless workrate that made him such a nuisance to his opponents.

Jordan wasn’t afraid to get up close and personal with the opposition and even the best players struggled to shake him off on the court. Jordan was named to the All-Defensive first team on nine occasions and, according to ChatGPT, he’s the best defender in terms of guards to ever play in the NBA.

4

Dennis Rodman

What AI said: “Tenacious rebounder and defender, could shut down bigs or wings. Two-time Defensive Player of the Year.”

While Jordan was a fierce defender and certainly earned his impressive reputation, his teammate, Dennis Rodman, was arguably even better. The former power forward was one of the best rebounders in the history of the sport, but he was also a defensive machine. His wild antics off the court made him famous to even the most casual of basketball fans, but it was his work on it that made him so important to the Chicago Bulls during their three successive NBA titles in the late 1990s.

Rodman guarded the basket as though his life depended on it and whether he was facing off against another big or someone smaller, he more often than not had his opponent’s number.

3

Scottie Pippen

What AI said: “Long, athletic, and could guard all five positions. The backbone of the Bulls’ perimeter defense during their six titles.​​​​​​​”

In the late 1990s, the Bulls were a dynasty, dominating the NBA and winning three titles in a row. Jordan and Rodman were pivotal to that and so was Scottie Pippen. The third and final member of Phil Jackson’s incredible team, the small forward is remembered by most for his work as Jordan’s second in command, but more needs to be made of how good a defender he was.

Pippen had the ability to guard players across all positions. He was fast enough to deal with guards, but he was also strong enough to wrestle with bigs and without him, it’s hard to imagine the Bulls would have been half as successful.

2

Hakeem Olajuwon

What AI said​​​​​​​: “Quick feet, impeccable timing, and one of the best shot-blockers ever. Leads the NBA in career blocked shots.​​​​​​​”

It’s a testament to how good Hakeem Olajuwon was that it isn’t considered blasphemous that the Houston Rockets picked him ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft. He was an exceptional basketball player and defence was his bread and butter. He was quick and his positioning was second to none. Olajuwon always seemed to be in the right place at the right time and no one could block shots like he could.

In fact, no one has ever blocked more shots in the NBA than he did throughout his career. By the time he retired, he averaged 3.1 blocks every single game, which is sensational.

1

Bill Russell

What AI said: “The ultimate defensive anchor, 11 rings in 13 seasons. Known for shot-blocking, rebounding, and redefining defense as a path to championships.”

Ultimately named the greatest defender in NBA history by ChatGPT, Bill Russell is remembered largely for how dominant he was in the association and a large reason for that was his defence. There won’t be many at all who argue with his place at the top of this list and he wasn’t just one of the best shot-blockers ever, but he was also one of the best rebounders to ever play in the NBA.

With 11 championships in his 13-year career, no one contributed more to the Boston Celtics’ success than Russell did and there’s a reason he’s considered one of the franchise’s greatest players ever.