RealGM

Who is the best defensive player in Jazz history?

No Ostertag?

Honestly, I didn't watch the NBA when Eaton was around, but the numbers make this look like an easy answer:
2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (1985, 1989)
3x NBA All-Defensive First Team (1985, 1986, 1989)
2x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1987, 1988)

Career average of 3.5 blocks per game.
NBA record for most blocked shots in a single season: 5.56.

I know the stats don't tell the whole story, but Eaton was just ridiculous. He takes this one.

Bobby Hansen.

Never really got to see him play because I was in early elementary school, but after seeing old stuff on NBA tv and hearing about other peoples stories about him sticking the best in the NBA I was convinced.

Malone was an incredible man to man defender. Used his body well, quick hands, great timing, not to mention he was a master of every old trick in the book. Not to mention he was a rebounding machine so he never gave up second chances.

When the Jazz had to face Shaq in big games, Karl always guarded Shaq in the 4th. Thats how good he was, because Shaq had to battle to score, nothing easy.

You have to mention though that AK's weak side help D maybe the GOAT.

Karl Malone became a very smart defender, but his athleticism was starting to go already by the time he was becoming the master of the trade. If he had had his early athleticism when he was getting a block per game, with the smarts he had towards the end of his career he would be considered an all time great big man defender, at least man to man. Since he never got them all on the same page at once he gets faulted a bit and rightfully so.

Andrei Kirilenko is one of the most unique defenders of all time. He's has Pippen's size, with a Center's shot blocking skills, and the ability to be a ball theif like a PG. With that said he lets that aspect of his game dissapear to often.

Stockton's ability to read what was going to happen on the floor made him a great defender and ball hawk, but as he got older he became a bit of a matador.

Mark Eaton simply controlled the paint, you didn't challenge him, and if you did your shot got blocked. To have that kind of presence that in all honesty probably saved the Jazz 12-16 ppg per game in his prime makes him truly one of a kind. On top of that multiple players including Kareem, and Hakeem Olajuwon stated that he was the toughest one on one defender they ever played against. That's saying something.

Again, I am old enough to remember the Jazz in the early to mid 80's. Mark Eaton made other teams change their offensive philosophy way more than any other player that they have had. His presence was always felt. There were a few times that he got posterized by someone, but that will happen at times when you are contesting everything that comes anywhere near the key. He is easily the Jazz's greatest defender of all time. Easily.

Speaking of Mark Eaton http://www.slcdunk.com/2008/9/19/617476 ... -4-intervi
here's a pretty good interview with him. I liked his all time Jazz team, no love for the new players.

Mark Eaton IMO

In the prime of his career, Mailman was the best low post man-defender in the league. His strength and quick hands allowed him to terrorize even much taller opponents. Though he was never a shot blocker, Malone could be counted on to stop just about any big man except Olajuwon.

Eaton was a tremendous shotblocker and lane-clogger, but his slow feet could be taken advantage of by quick players.

Stockton got tons of steals because he knew he had Malone and Eaton guarding the rim, so he could cheat off his man and roam the passing lanes.

Kirilenko should be the best Jazz defender ever, and if he had kept up the effort level of his first four years in the league he would be, but alas, it is not to be.

JDubJazz wrote:In the prime of his career, Mailman was the best low post man-defender in the league. His strength and quick hands allowed him to terrorize even much taller opponents. Though he was never a shot blocker, Malone could be counted on to stop just about any big man except Olajuwon.

Eaton was a tremendous shotblocker and lane-clogger, but his slow feet could be taken advantage of by quick players.

Stockton got tons of steals because he knew he had Malone and Eaton guarding the rim, so he could cheat off his man and roam the passing lanes.

Kirilenko should be the best Jazz defender ever, and if he had kept up the effort level of his first four years in the league he would be, but alas, it is not to be.

Great Post...

Mark Eaton was an intimidating presence in the lane not only with the number of
shots that he blocked but the number he shot attempts that he changed.

I gotta go witth Eaton