Best 2-way players in the game

[TDfan2007]

nba.com just released its list of the best 2-way players in the league. Solid list, imo. Who do you guys have?

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/hca/03/23/the-list-top-10-two-way-players/index.html?ls=nbahpsplit3

[apalisoc_9]

terrible list.

Lebron hasn't been a two player this year at all. Outside of blocks, Anthony Davis hasn't been that impressive...The bulls have been better defensively without buttler..

Just a mainstream article...

Agree with Paul though...Weird he's not getting any MVP love this year. He has been just as good as westbrook in the last 20 games or so...

[Malik Hairston]

:lol Lebron hasn't played defense since 2013, tbh..

Davis is pretty overrated as a defender, too, the Pelicans are a terrible defensive team, even on the interior, despite having a Davis/Asik frontcourt..

[sook]

shit list, Lebron getting an occasional off the glass block doesn't mean crap he clearly coasts on the defensive end. Same deal with CP3, gets steals here and there by gambling but that doesn't mean he's a good defender. You'd think that nba.com would hold themselves to a better standard.

[Robz4000]

:lmao Thompson above Leonard. Most of that list is shitty tbh.

[apalisoc_9]

Leonard and Gasol are really the top 2 two way players and it's not even close.

There's also Thompson, Maybe Conley..

But outside of these 4, I don't think there's any other player out there that's put as much effort on the defensive end...

Maybe I'm forgetting someone...Ibaka is a good one. Tim earlier parts of the season...

[AlexJones]

Draymond Green should be on the list. GS needs to give the nigga the max.. they're going to be West favorites for the next 3 years with that core

[baseline bum]

After The Tape, shouldn't Snitch be on this list?

[TDfan2007]

terrible list.

Lebron hasn't been a two player this year at all. Outside of blocks, Anthony Davis hasn't been that impressive...The bulls have been better defensively without buttler..

Just a mainstream article...

Agree with Paul though...Weird he's not getting any MVP love this year. He has been just as good as westbrook in the last 20 games or so...

When LeBron is dialed in, there are few better perimeter defensive players out there, but you're right in the sense that the list was more about hype/potential than actual numbers.

But can you think of other guys besides those 10 who can change the game on both ends? The list is pretty short, because there might not even be 10 solid 2-way players in the league at this point.

[TDfan2007]

:lol Lebron hasn't played defense since 2013, tbh..

Davis is pretty overrated as a defender, too, the Pelicans are a terrible defensive team, even on the interior, despite having a Davis/Asik frontcourt..

Davis' numbers are puzzling, because the guy is basically made to be a KG-level defender. Not sure what the deal is there. He's weak, and therefore a mediocre post defender, but that doesn't get exposed much with Asik to back him up.

This would be my list:

1) Gasol
2) Thompson
3) Kawhi
4) Davis
5) LeBron
6) Jimmy Butler
7) Timmy
8) CP3
9) Conley
10) Ibaka


The interesting thing though is that not a single player on that list is ELITE on both ends (since LeBron isn't consistent w/ the D). Gasol maybe, but his play has trended downward since the ASB and I still don't think he's consistent enough as a go-to guy. Kawhi also has his moments, but he's limited offensively by the Spurs' system and his mediocre ball-handling.

[apalisoc_9]

holy shit Thompson is unbelievably overrated.

It's not even funny anymore.

[whitemamba]

Thompson over Kiwi isn't that outlandish. He's a way better shooter , he can go to the rim , his passin is not bad. Kawhis only edge is defense , him and those freak hands he has. But klay is no Amy on defense.

[apalisoc_9]

Kawhi is a superior playmaker tbh..

It's not even close.

[unleashbaynes]

Thompson is only top 10 in punchable faces tbh

[ohmwrecker]

Not to overload with Spurs but Danny Green is as good a 2 way player as half the dudes on that list.

[Malik Hairston]

Not to overload with Spurs but Danny Green is as good a 2 way player as half the dudes on that list.

If you're including role players, it's a much different list, tbh..Draymond Green, Middleton, Danny, maybe George Hill, etc..

[Malik Hairston]

When LeBron is dialed in, there are few better perimeter defensive players out there, but you're right in the sense that the list was more about hype/potential than actual numbers.

But can you think of other guys besides those 10 who can change the game on both ends? The list is pretty short, because there might not even be 10 solid 2-way players in the league at this point.

The league has more 2-way players than ever IMO, but if we're speaking from an elite level standpoint, then you're correct that there aren't as many today..

To be fair, there are never more than a handful of elite 2-way players in the league at the same time..in the 2000s, it was KG and Duncan, but I wouldn't consider anybody else on that level..

The 90s was split in half..first half had Jordan/Hakeem/Robinson/Pippen, maybe Ewing..2nd half didn't have many once Hakeem and Ewing declined..

[sook]

Draymond Green should be on the list. GS needs to give the nigga the max.. they're going to be West favorites for the next 3 years with that core

I hate that little shit but its a crime to snub him.

[RD2191]

2,3,5 dont belong

[RD2191]

holy shit Thompson is unbelievably overrated.

It's not even funny anymore.
As is every player on GS. Can't wait til they get their shit pushed in in the playoffs.

[DMC]

The fact that they list Klay over Kawhi due to offense just highlights the continuing trend to ignore defense. It's never going to change.

Also, they consider Klay such a good offensive presence yet somehow Curry is in the MVP talks.

[Holden_Caulfield]

damn the media has really moved on from the thunder to the warriors :lol

[DMC]

damn the media has really moved on from the thunder to the warriors :lol
That "Heat Index" thing didn't work out too well for them last year. Brian Windhorst missed a breakfast, almost lost 40lbs.

[pgardn]

I can see other lists skipping Duncan.
So the list is good just from that addition.

Lebron can play excellent D when he cares too, if that counts.

[TDfan2007]

The league has more 2-way players than ever IMO, but if we're speaking from an elite level standpoint, then you're correct that there aren't as many today..

To be fair, there are never more than a handful of elite 2-way players in the league at the same time..in the 2000s, it was KG and Duncan, but I wouldn't consider anybody else on that level..

The 90s was split in half..first half had Jordan/Hakeem/Robinson/Pippen, maybe Ewing..2nd half didn't have many once Hakeem and Ewing declined..

Yeah I was referring to players who are great to elite on both ends.

KG and Timmy were the 2 best 2-way players of the 2000s, but there were others who were great-elite. Kobe (the 3-peat years), Kidd, and Rasheed (99-04) are some that come to mind.

Also, you can't forget Grant Hill from the 90s. Before his injury he was the heir to Jordan, on both ends. In fact he was still a very solid defender in the twilight of his career with the Suns.