RealGM

Hi everyone. Brand new member of the forum here. Just a quick little background story about myself: defense was my specialty when I played organized basketball back in the day so that is hands down my favorite aspect of the game and a topic of discussion that I have a lot of passion for. So to introduce myself as a fan I thought I'd just show you all my list of who I believe are the top 10 best defenders of all-time for each position. Granted there is a little bit of my own personal bias in there but at the same time I think I did a decent job of being objective. Let me know your thoughts. I look forward to having great in-depth discussions with you all about the game we all know and love. Without further ado, here's my list...
- Point Guard:
1- Dennis Johnson
2- Gary Payton
3- Walt Frazier
4- Jrue Holiday
5- Jason Kidd
6- Chris Paul
7- Maurice Cheeks
8- Jerry West
9- John Stockton
10- Mookie Blaylock
- Shooting Guard:
1- Sidney Moncrief
2- Michael Jordan
3- Joe Dumars
4- Alvin Robertson
5- Michael Cooper
6- Tony Allen
7- Kobe Bryant
8- Dwyane Wade
9- Jerry Sloan
10- Eddie Jones
- Small Forward:
1- Kawhi Leonard
2- Scottie Pippen
3- Shawn Marion
4- Ron Artest
5- Bruce Bowen
6- Andrei Kirilenko
7- Lebron James
8- John Havlicek
9- Tayshaun Prince
10- Andre Iguodala
- Power Forward
1- Dennis Rodman
2- Kevin Garnett
3- Tim Duncan
4- Draymond Green
5- Bobby Jones
6- Giannis Antetokounmpo
7- Anthony Davis
8- Evan Mobley
9- Dave DeBusschere
10- Elvin Hayes
- Center:
1- Bill Russell
2- Hakeem Olajuwon
3- Nate Thurmond
4- David Robinson
5- Wilt Chamberlain
6- Ben Wallace
7- Dwight Howard
8- Dikembe Mutombo
9- Alonzo Mourning
10- Mark Eaton

I'm assuming this is a prime list, not a career value type of thing.

Names seem pretty reasonable. I might not have thought of Mobley quite yet, but he's certainly doing great work. Kobe's the only guy I'd for certain leave out of my own version of such a list. I'd get my guy Rudy onto the C list, Ewing probably too. Zo would be out, and can't decide who else. No shame in being just off the C list though, still top 20 defenders ever ignoring position.

My personal favorites are AK and Dray.

Looks awfully good. Not much to quibble with.

I always think of DJ as a Seattle Supersonic as that was my initial exposure to him so think of him as an SG. But like the fact that you have him rated so high.

Don't think as highly of DWade as you do (I wouldn't have him tp 10) but the others are clearly top defenders. Would have Dumars lower because he forced so few turnovers and grabbed few defensive rebounds.

Again don't know if minutes played are important in your overall defensive rating but would put Kirilenko higher.

Like seeing Bobby Jones so high.

I think your C listing is spot on, but would swap out DHoward for Jabbar.

eminence wrote:I'm assuming this is a prime list, not a career value type of thing.

Names seem pretty reasonable. I might not have thought of Mobley quite yet, but he's certainly doing great work. Kobe's the only guy I'd for certain leave out of my own version of such a list. I'd get my guy Rudy onto the C list, Ewing probably too. Zo would be out, and can't decide who else. No shame in being just off the C list though, still top 20 defenders ever ignoring position.

My personal favorites are AK and Dray.

Thanks for the reply. Your assumption is correct. I definitely valued defensive peak more so than longevity when making the selections.