Best defender for every team

[AEnigma]

Total value, I don't see Kawhi as particularly valuable defender after 2020.

If total value, not sure I understand the Raptors or Kings picks (although both are imo the correct peak choices).

Gasol over Kawhi in total value is an easy choice for me, though maybe I miss someone better.

I don't have a strong pick for Kings, that's why I simply took the best defender.

I would probably take Sam Lacey for career value on the Kings.

For the Raptors, agree it is not clear — career options to entertain include Siakam, Bosh, Anunoby, and Amir Johnson — but Marc only played there for a season and a half.

[Rich Michmond]

If total value, not sure I understand the Raptors or Kings picks (although both are imo the correct peak choices).

Gasol over Kawhi in total value is an easy choice for me, though maybe I miss someone better.

I don't have a strong pick for Kings, that's why I simply took the best defender.

I would probably take Sam Lacey for career value on the Kings.

For the Raptors, agree it is not clear — career options to entertain include Siakam, Bosh, Anunoby, and Amir Johnson — but Marc only played there for a season and a half.

Funnily enough, Kawhi actually played more minutes for the Raptors than Marc (2979 to 2772).

[Jaivl]

Chuck Hayes for both Raptors and Kings, thank you very much.

[OhayoKD]

Thanks!

Are you picking Zubac over Kawhi for total value or peak performance?

Total value, I don't see Kawhi as particularly valuable defender after 2020.

If total value, not sure I understand the Raptors or Kings picks (although both are imo the correct peak choices).

Isn't the correct peak choice for the Clippers Paul George?

[AEnigma]

The correct choice is actually Coach Larry Brown.

[70sFan]

Chuck Hayes for both Raptors and Kings, thank you very much.

How could I forget him...

[kdawg32086]

For the Blazers, Walton is certainly the most obvious one. But other elite defensive players over the years are Maurice Lucas, Kermit Washington, Lionel Hollins, Buck Williams, Stacey Augmon, Scottie Pippen, and Theo Ratliff.

[ronnymac2]

LOL at Kawhi for the Clippers. Only thing he's stealing the past four years is Ballmer's billions. Double LOL at Zubat, who has anchored absolutely nothing. I'll go with Elton Brand for the Clippers.

New York is Ewing. New Jersey/Brooklyn is Kidd EASILY. Denver is Deke. MIL is loaded with defensive talent all-time, so honestly not sure who I'd take (Holiday vs. Moncrief is an insanely good comparison, both defensively and overall).

For Philly, I'm taking Bobby Jones. Utah...I think I'll go Eaton as he actually had tremendous durability that goes somewhat unnoticed, and Kirilenko is his strongest competition (AK was a monster though). Going w/ Amir for TOR. As great as Worm was, I have to go with Big Ben in DET.

[durantbird]

Why not CP3 for Clippers? He's not the defensive anchor, but elite individual defender for a long period. Also, what about DAJ?

[Samurai]

Potential list:

Lakers - Wilt/West/Cooper/Davis/Kobe/EJ/Artest - going with Wilt

???

Can you clarify?

Can't speak for Ohayo but I would take West or Cooper over Wilt if we are just looking at their Laker years. Wilt on the Lakers was still a great rim protector but his lateral movement (particularly after his knee injury) was nowhere near what he was in his Philly days. Artest was still a great defender but not quite as good IMO as he was as a Pacer.

[OhayoKD]

???

Can you clarify?

Can't speak for Ohayo but I would take West or Cooper over Wilt if we are just looking at their Laker years. Wilt on the Lakers was still a great rim protector but his lateral movement (particularly after his knee injury) was nowhere near what he was in his Philly days. Artest was still a great defender but not quite as good IMO as he was as a Pacer.

Wilt in a wheelchair is a better defender than West

[ShotCreator]

These are the ones I have a problem with:

Cavaliers - LeBron

I'm not 100% sold LeBron was better defensively than Larry Nance, but it's probably the easiest to let go. LeBron had some tremendous defensive seasons and stretches for the Cavaliers.

Thunder - DJ/Payton/Ibaka/Holmgren/Sikma - going with Payton

I actually think Andre Roberson is the clear OKC/Seattle defensive GOAT. With Nate McMIllan, Ibaka and Collison trailing close behind.

They also got really good seasons of Thabo Sefolosha on the wing. Then, in this new era, Shai, Holmgren and others are yet show exactly how great they are. Maybe the best 30 year defensive stretch for a team in league history.

Suns - Kidd

I have to imagine the Suns had a better defender than that version of Kidd. Maybe Andrew Lang or Kurt Thomas.

Heat - LeBron/Wade/Mourning/Butler/Bam - going with LeBron

It's easily Alonzo Mourning. Peak, prime, otherwise. And then Haslem might beat everyone out for longevity.

Spurs - Duncan/Robinson/Wemby/Kawhi/Bowen - going with Duncan

Robinson clearly peaked the highest defensively. Close but clear over Duncan. But a forgivable gap here.

Bucks - Kareem/Giannis/Moncrief/Pressey/Holiday - going with Giannis

Giannis had a pretty strong, sub-DPOY level stretch there from 2019-2022, but Bucks GOAT? I just doubt this. I think prime Larry Sanders clears him, let alone Kareem. Prime Luc Mbah a Moute is right there too.

Bulls - MJ/Pippen/Rodman/Noah - going with Pippen

Horace Grant needs to at least be mentioned here. Only way Pippen tops him for me is through longevity. Peaks? Not that close IMO.

Clippers - Kawhi/George/Paul - going with Kawhi

Luc Mbah a Moute, CP3 and DAJ all have arguments over Kawhi at different times.

Raptors - Kawhi/Gasol/Ibaka/Anunoby/Lowry - going with Kawhi

There's a lot of competition. Amir Johnson and Jokob Poetl have to be in there. Anunoby has to be removed outright. Along with Ibaka. For the record, I think Danny Green was their best defender in 2019.

Grizzlies - Marc Gasol/Battier/Tony Allen/JJJ/Posey - going with Battier

I think Battier peaked on the Rockets, and even that was below peak Tony Allen. Allen was better than Gasol, and everybody on defense for quite a while there. Flat out anchored them in 2015. Gasol slipped a lot athletically by that time, but his skill increase on offense hid it.

Jazz - Gobert/Eaton/Kirilenko - going with Kirilenko

Very, very competitive. AK47 would be multiple teams DGOAT. But no argument whatsoever over Gobert or Eaton.

[trelos6]

Wilt in a wheelchair is a better defender than West

As great at West was defensively, I agree that the value of Wilt’s rim protection, especially in the early 70’s was far more valuable.

[ronnymac2]

Why not CP3 for Clippers? He's not the defensive anchor, but elite individual defender for a long period. Also, what about DAJ?

Either of those work as well. With DeAndre, he wasn't a good man defender in the post, and sometimes he was too aggressive chasing blocks. Still, he had great mobility to guard in space for a guy who could also hit the defensive glass and man the paint.