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Who are the best young backcourt defenders in the NBA?

If not clear, I’d like to limit the conversation to guards and players who can stay in front of opposing traditional guards. I think I’m aware of all of the big name defensive guards with Jrue, Marcus Smart, Jimmy Butler, Klay, Middleton, heck Eric Bledsoe used to be considered here.

But which of the 24 and unders really stand out defensively?

For example, the only young guard I feel carries a really fierce defensive reputation is Tyrese Maxey. Oh and Josh Okogie who has issues staying on the court with his offense.


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OG, Kawhi and Siakam

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LegenW84ITBOBBY wrote:OG, Kawhi and Siakam

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Backcourt please.


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Fox/Hali/Mitchell has the potential to be strong defensively.

Dort and Thybulle are the two standouts in my opinion. Mikal Bridges as well.

Lu Dort, Mathisse Thybulle, Kris Dunn if he's still considered young

5paceman wrote:Fox/Hali/Mitchell has the potential to be strong defensively.

Yeah so Mitchell was an elite defender in college so that makes sense, but isn’t Fox individually quite bad on D?


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Jalexjsmithj wrote:

5paceman wrote:Fox/Hali/Mitchell has the potential to be strong defensively.

Yeah so Mitchell was an elite defender in college so that makes sense, but isn’t Fox individually quite bad on D?


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He's not consistent, but has a lot of potential. This last year I think he was focused on improving his scoring, but in the first few seasons we've seen flashes of amazing defense; he's capable. And Haliburton is a smart and solid defender.

Fvv can lock guys up


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Donte Divincenzo, Dejounte Murray, Donovan Mitchell, and RJ Barrett are pretty good defensively and are in that 24 and under range.

D Brooks and Melton from Memphis
Jevon Carter as well

Shaq, One of the best defenders in the nba. Too bad his offense is the opposite of his defense.

It’s a homer vote, but I nominate Terrance Mann. He locked up the best backcourts in the NBA when it counted most (even Luka did all he could to switch off him). If not for his defensive intensity, the Clips would have really struggled in the playoffs.

I can see Nurse running OG or Barnes at the 2 beside Fred

Kris Dunn, Lu Dort, TJ mcconnell

Thybulle isn't a good defender one on one but he's probably the best defensive playmaker the league has seen. Smarts defense is a bit overrated as well in recent years

Matches Malone wrote:Donte Divincenzo, Dejounte Murray, Donovan Mitchell, and RJ Barrett are pretty good defensively and are in that 24 and under range.

Mitchell is an awful defender

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Impuniti wrote:

Matches Malone wrote:Donte Divincenzo, Dejounte Murray, Donovan Mitchell, and RJ Barrett are pretty good defensively and are in that 24 and under range.

Mitchell is an awful defender

I didn’t realize he tailed off so sharply on that side of the ball. Yikes

The Ball brothers. Particularly Lonzo. The Pels were awful but I've seen him give fits to NBA elites.