The Top 10 Best Defenders of the Last Decade

[picc84]

Guaranteed Battier isn't even on this list if that series against Kobe isn't fresh in this dumb broad's mind.

This article was written by a woman?

I didnt even look. That explains everything.

[Bob Lanier]

I'd also like to add that Tay Prince has gotten severely overrated now. He had one good series against Tmac and one good series against Kobe. The last few years he's been getting his lunch handed to him routinely by the league's wings. He's still gliding off rep from 2003 and 2004.

This article was written by a woman?

I didnt even look. That explains everything.

and blocked.

[IronMexican]

Duncan should be #1.

[Bob Lanier]

If Kirk Hinrich played on a small market team, no one would know his name, let alone rave about the great defense he doesn't play.

And this isn't true about Raja Bell and the media darlings on Nash's team in Phoenix?

Did anyone (aside from Charley Rosen) think Bell was a notable defender in Dallas or Utah?

[Kai]

This article was written by a woman?

I didnt even look. That explains everything.

Wrong. Kelly Dwyer is a guy.

[mojorizen7]

I can't believe Kirk "Rich man's Jason Williams" Hinrich made over about 100 more deserving players.

Yeah um.....Hinrich on this list = headscratcher
Look i'm a self proclaimed Kobe hater but how is he not somewhere on this list?

I saw this list and thought....incomplete and out of order.
Is Garnett really a monster defensively?....enough to rank over guys like Duncan,Artest,B. Wallace and Bowen?
I could be wrong but I think not.
I might even put Bowen at the top of this list although big men usually get the nod on lists like these.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Wrong. Kelly Dwyer is a guy.

Guy named Kelly =

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

And this isn't true about Raja Bell and the media darlings on Nash's team in Phoenix?

Raja Bell has been a two time all NBA first team defender.....Kirk Hinrich hasn't had that honor once. The proof is in the pudding.

[picc84]

Raja Bell has been a two time all NBA first team defender.....Kirk Hinrich hasn't had that honor once. The proof is in the pudding.

Kinda shows that the "big market = big hype" thing doesn't apply to him.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Kinda shows that the "big market = big hype" thing doesn't apply to him.

You're making no sense.


Kirk Hinrich not being a first all NBA defender has nothing to do with the team he plays for, it has something to do with the fact he's not a first all NBA defender.

[Phillip]

What a ing dumbass list. KG is the best defender of the past decade? Really?

Kidd is not a defensive liability as this dumbass proclaims. Obviously he can't stick super fast PGs like Parker, Harris, or Paul, but then again... who can? He can still play good defense against most other people he faces.

Bruce Bowen at #7? GTFO he should definitely be top 3.

Battier is very good, but should not be ahead of Bowen or Duncan or Wallace.

Eric Snow over Raja Bell?

This list is ing stupid.

[Bob Lanier]

Raja Bell has been a two time all NBA first team defender.....Kirk Hinrich hasn't had that honor once. The proof is in the pudding.

Larry Hughes was an all-defensive team player, which should tell you all you need to know about that particular honor.

Or, in terms you can understand, Steve Nash was a two-time NBA most valuable player; Dwyane Wade hasn't had that honor once. Steve Nash > Dwyane Wade.

[picc84]

You're making no sense.


Kirk Hinrich not being a first all NBA defender has nothing to do with the team he plays for, it has something to do with the fact he's not a first all NBA defender.

You said that because he plays on a big market team, his defense gets unwarranted rave and praise. The fact that he's never made an all-defensive team actually serves to de-substantiate that theory.

In addition, being named to an all-nba defensive first defensive team in no way means you were on the first echelon of defenders that season, the same way not being named to one doesn't mean you weren't.

For example.

2009:
Kobe Bryant, first team - Dwayne Wade, second team
Chris Paul, first team - Shane Battier/Tim Duncan, second team

2007:
Raja Bell, first team - Kevin Garnett/Ben Wallace, second team

2005:
Larry Hughes, first team (!) - Jason Kidd/Tayshaun Prince, second team

Shane Battier, as overrated as he was on this list, has never made a first defensive team while being at the very least the same caliber defender Bell is. Horace Grant never made first team defense either. Dan Majerle made an all defensive team once in his career, and it was to the 2nd team.

These lists arent made by an all knowing basketball God, they're put together by votes compiled from coaches who usually vote based on reputation and/or steals and blocks statistics, as clearly evidenced by Larry Hughes selection in 2005 and Chris Paul and Kobe Bryants selection over superior defenders in 2009.

Raja Bell having made first team one time to Kirk's one time second team is as good an indicator of his superiority to Kirk as Alonzo Mournings 2x time selection indicates he's the defensive equal of 2x selection Marcus Camby. Or that 2x MVP Steve Nash is more valuable than 1x MVP Shaquille O'Neal. Or that 11 time NBA champion Bill Russell is better than 6 time champion Michael Jordan. Or etc. etc.

Really, it doesn't mean anything. Its better to base opinion from just watching them play. If you can maintain your position without including the meritless comparison of all nba defense teams, I can respect that. Though I (highly) disagree.

[mojorizen7]

Whats the debate here?
When both in prime......Raja > Hindrich defensively easily.

[picc84]

Dont think i've ever seen Hindrich play defense. Who's he play for?

[My Fault]

Lol @ this list

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Larry Hughes was an all-defensive team player, which should tell you all you need to know about that particular honor.

Or, in terms you can understand, Steve Nash was a two-time NBA most valuable player; Dwyane Wade hasn't had that honor once. Steve Nash > Dwyane Wade.

The quote was "at their peak". At Raja's Peak, he was a far and away superior defender.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

And at Nash's peak, he was better than D-Wade was at the time.

[picc84]

And at Nash's peak, he was better than D-Wade was at the time.

Maybe, maybe not, but thats inconsequential. At Nash's peak, he had 2 MVP awards. At Wade's peak thus far, he has 0 MVP awards. Nash peak > Wade peak?

[UrAphag]

I feel like i'm watching a kobe bryant picture mix

[ThePop]

lol garnett

[ambchang]

This list is just so full of fail that I don't even know where to begin.

Garnett has become overly hyped since he joined the Celtics. Look at the Wolves when he was there, you don't see the Wolves being some kind of defensive juggernaut back then despite have capable defenders in other positions.

Battier > Bowen? Bowen and Artest were the top two perimeter defenders in the league for the past decade. While both saw steep declines the last year or so, their overall impact during the last decade far out ranked anything Battier ever accomplished.

Finally, I am surprised I don't see LeBron James somewhere, the writer must not have gotten the memo from the NBA, all list must include LeBron James, preferrably at the top.

[Showtime24 LAKERS]

Talk about Defense....where da is Kobe Bryant???

[Mori Chu]

No Raja Bell = fail.

[Sdayi135]

talk about defense....where da is kobe bryant???

+1