Could Anthony Davis (when healthy) be the best playoff defensive player in the league

[Colbinii]

Giannis case is him being better a few years ago basically, he's not close to Davis defensively this year.

Embiid is a strange mention, to be honest I don't see any case for him.

To compare to some historical players.

I have AD closer to David Robinson than to Embiid.

I have Embiid closer to Moses Malone than AD.

Closer to Moses?! That seems rather rough. Are you also high on Moses defense?

I'm more thinking in-era. Its becoming too difficult for me to feel confident about viewing a player like Moses, and in his era, performing in the current era.

I'd have Moses comfortably ahead of Domantas Sabonis, for example.

[70sFan]

To compare to some historical players.

I have AD closer to David Robinson than to Embiid.

I have Embiid closer to Moses Malone than AD.

Closer to Moses?! That seems rather rough. Are you also high on Moses defense?

embid thicc, tall, n bouncy. he also guardin folks at the perimiter. he prob d-rob lvl. ad sumthn else tho

Embiid isn't close to Robinson defensively.

[frozt]

I mean it's pretty obvious now AD is just a level above other defenders. Yes Giannis has the tools and is certainly capable, but the responsibility of taking on the entire defensive identity of his team isn't there at the moment. AD is literally 95% of the best defense in the NBA post season.

[NO-KG-AI]

Davis is the most talented and gifted defender in the league when he's healthy and locked in. He's as good as anyone on switches and blowing up pick and rolls and can lead the league in blocked shots multiple times over while doing it. He's truly special in terms of a combo like that.

[Ron Swanson]

Always have to do a double take when I hear things like AD being a whole level above a DPOTY who anchored literally some of the best era relative defenses of all-time over a multi-year period. I mean yes, he's clearly been the best defensive player during this current 10-game playoff sample size, but that's always the rub with AD isn't it?

We always have to insert that pesky caveat of "when healthy" to these guys who are so rarely ever healthy, motivated, "locked in" etc. to imply that the only thing preventing them from always playing at this level is simply a combo of bad luck and laziness. It also certainly helps that Davis doesn't have to shoulder the kind of offensive burden that guys like Hakeem, D-Rob (pre-Duncan), and Giannis did in order to compensate for his much poorer durability and motor. Although I think with Draymond looking like he's finally lost a step or two, he certainly has a compelling argument going forward.