Greatest Interior Defender

[Thomas82]

I was just curious to get the opinions of everybody on who the best interior defender of all-time is. Here are the first big men that came to my mind:

Wilt Chamberlain
Bill Russell
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (before playing with Magic)
Hakeem Olajuwon
David Robinson
Tim Duncan
Other


I know it's been a long offseason, and I'm just trying to pass the time like everybody else.

[JakeCuenca]

Wilt, Bill and Jabbar on this list :lmao

Dying here. :lmao

[Thomas82]

Wilt, Bill and Jabbar on this list :lmao

Dying here. :lmao

Well, who is your choice?

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Russell by sheer dominance, but possibly skewed due to weak, white-dominated era...

[HarlemHeat37]

Tough to separate interior defender and overall defender IMO..David Robinson is probably the best defensive player of my lifetime due to his combination of mobility and interior defense, but I'm not sure if I'd put him ahead of Olajuwon or Mutombo strictly as an interior defender, it's tough..

People will laugh, but prime Howard(2008 to 2010) was as good as any interior defender I've ever seen, too..

I can't take players from the 60s and 70s too seriously, wayyyyyyyyyyy before my time and it's tough to watch, tbh:lol..watching videos of Bill Russell reminds me of watching Jeff Ayres..

[JakeCuenca]

Well, who is your choice?

In terms of All time Greats..Hakeem, David and Prime TD.

You also have guys like Mutombo and Howard.

[Thomas82]

In terms of All time Greats..Hakeem, David and Prime TD.

You also have guys like Mutombo and Howard.

Thanks for reminding me about Hakeem. I can't believe I forgot about him.

[Spurtacular]

In terms of All time Greats..Hakeem, David and Prime TD.

You also have guys like Mutombo and Howard.

Larry Bird and Kevin McHale carved up Hakeem (and Sampson) in the 86 Finals. Yea, he was a very good defender. But history looks too favorably upon him, imo.

[tatteredprince]

a better poll could be be built around the new frontline of the Spurs

is the LaMarcus and Leonard forward combination ONE OF THE BEST in NBA history????

[LiSpurs516]

Up with hakeem, I'd say prime Ben Wallace. Guy used to be a monster down low.

[BD24]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Jabbar was ever considered an "elite" level interior defender. I didn't get too see many of these guys play, but from what I have heard Hakeem was probably the best.

Best I haver personally watched though was either Duncan(due to longevity) or prime Ben Wallace. Wallace was a monster at his peak, but it was only for a few years. Duncan has been a top notch defender for years now.

[r0drig0lac]

Russell was the best

[tatteredprince]

Hakeem was unbelievable!

im fortunate to have watched him, one of the very best!

[tatteredprince]

Hakeem can do it all!

Defend the rim, intimidate, score, rebound, assist, steal, block shots!

And his post moves are second to none!

[Kikoluna]

Since I can remember, wanna say 1991 and on.....Duncan 1, Mutombo 2 Ibaka (one season) 3.

[skulls138]

Larry Bird and Kevin McHale carved up Hakeem (and Sampson) in the 86 Finals. Yea, he was a very good defender. But history looks too favorably upon him, imo.A, that was early Hakeem, its the later Hakeem that won the championships and should be the era considered when thinking of his greatness, and B, that Celtics team, the one with a healthy Bill Walton as 6th man of the year, is considered as one of the best of all time. They only lost one game at home that season.

[skulls138]

I'm going with Russell first and Duncan second.

[Cry Havoc]

The fact that Hakeem isn't on here makes this list laughable. Kareem? Lol.

[spursistan]

TD never winning DPOY :lmao that award got some pretty embarrassing history..

[Bartleby]

I would put Mark Eaton over some of the guys on that list.

[Richie]

Surprised nobody has mentioned Garnett yet

[wildbill2u]

Russell redefined pro basketball to include defense as an important part of the game. He not only protected the basket, but turned defense into a way to start the famous Celtic fast break offense. And he did it for a very long time against some very good offensive players such as Wilt Chamberlain.

[SPURt]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/y%20Little%20Big%20Men%20n%20Giants/1%20Giants/Mark%20Eaton/6b3fd905.jpg~original (http://s304.photobucket.com/user/nbacardDOTnet/media/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/y%20Little%20Big%20Men%20n%20Giants/1%20Giants/Mark%20Eaton/6b3fd905.jpg.html)


Mark Eaton about to smush with the dream

[spurraider21]

weird that the all time shotblocking leader doesn't appear in the poll options of greatest interior defenders

[thiste]

My vote goes to Mutombo. I know that Wilt had an incredible vertical but never seen him play defense so can't compare. I agree that Ibaka might be included in this discussion, so intimidating.

[007nites]

Hakeem not on the list :lol

[Russ]

Most experts would not include Abdul-Jabbar on that list.

[ginobilized]

Robert Parrish is a dark horse for this list.

For their careers: Russell, Robinson and Duncan. Others have had a standout season or three, Bill Walton, but, those 3 were defensive beasts for their whole careers.

[Arcadian]

Duncan has been a top notch defender for years now.

*decades

[BD24]

I agree that Ibaka might be included in this discussion, so intimidating.
:lol Ibaka is a great off ball blocker, but fairly poor in 1on 1 post play.

[BD24]

*decades
:toast

[Leetonidas]

You forget about that nigga Ben Wallace tbh?

[Galileo]

Hakeem the best, quickest jumper and true NBA height.

Russell was a little undersized but still great.

I would put Duncan 2nd. Duncan committed fewer fouls and was better on team defense.

Chamberlain not consistent enough and never fouled.

Jabbar taller than Akeem but not as quick or intense.

David Robinson most talented and very tall, not as intense and did not play at peak level as long as the others, did not elevate in playoffs.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Don't have Wallace (4x DPOY), Mutumbo (4x DPOY) or Mourning (2x DPOY) on this list.

[daledondale]

You forget about that nigga Ben Wallace tbh?

[disciple]

Well, it is not uncommon for the older players to be ignored because of ignorance to their play. Stats only tell you so much.

I can tell you Bill Russell was the most intense, physical and intimidating player I have ever watched. Wilt was intimidated. I never saw so many shots be affected by his mere presence. Simply was imazing.

[Agloco]

Other. Dennis Rodman.