Best Defensive Player in NBA History?

[writerman]

i would be interested in what writerman and even others have to say about george mikan.

I try not to comment on players I never saw.

[ronnymac2]

This is Rus quite easily IMO. He was the one who brought defense into relevance with the way he impacted the game. On another note, although Shaq is FAR FAR away from the most skilled/best defender, he's one of the most intimidating IMO.

Thank you!!!

[CousinOfDeath]

People need to realize that "evolution" can't occur over just 30-40 years. People are not much bigger now than they were in the 60's.

[Bank Shot]

I'll go with Russell. I'm not going to pretend like I've seen a ton of him (although I would love too seeing as how he's my favorite player from that generation) but its hard to argue with 11 Championships and 8 in a row.

[NO-KG-AI]

One thing that stood out about Russell and even Hakeem to me was how they defended things.... Guys like Wilt turned teams into jumpshooters, Hakeem and Russell would bum rush a shooter and make him either put the ball on the floor, or take a contested shot, and still return in time to grab the board.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWFsL4Y8RVA

I love when they talk about how he lulled guys to sleep... let them make a move multiple times, then when the game is close at the end, and the guy tries his go to move, Russell takes his lunch.

[aura]

I know its natural for people to name great legends over modern players because they feel if they say someone like Artest, everyone else will just make fun of them. But personally, I have been watching basketball for decades and you would think it would be natural for me to say someone like Bill Russel or Sidney Moncrief. However, I don't think there has ever been a more consistent and skilled defender to the caliber of Bruce Bowen. He is one of the biggest reasons San Antonio has been a power house for the past decade. Stars have not had the opportunity to explode on them with 30-40 pt games because of Bowen. Call him dirty, call him cheap, but man there has never been and there will never be a lock down defender as skilled and as consistent as Bruce Bowen. He is definitely the Michael Jordan of defense.
Now the best post defender would be Bill Russell. Bowen's game cannot be measured with stats, Russel's can. But ask almost any superstar in this league who is the last person they want to play against, the answer will almost always be Bruce Bowen.

[Zoli]

Is there an "All-time defensive team" thread too? I'd check it out, i heard a sport analyst talking about it, if i remember correctly he picked Olajuwon at the center spot, and Pippen was mentioned too... I was wondering who is the best defensive power forward ever, or who would be the point guard of that team? Gary Payton at PG? Scottie Pippen has the SF spot? I see you guys ranks Russel ahead Olajuwon, so he is the center. Moncrief is the SG. Duncan at the PF spot? Moncrief and Pippen on the same team, with Russel guarding the paint, that combo could've stopped even MJ.

[kooldude]

People need to realize that "evolution" can't occur over just 30-40 years. People are not much bigger now than they were in the 60's.

they're not like genetically bigger but through modern advances, players are more athletic. Cmon, like every other sports has more athletic players than the past EXCEPT basketball?

[NO-KG-AI]

I know its natural for people to name great legends over modern players because they feel if they say someone like Artest, everyone else will just make fun of them. But personally, I have been watching basketball for decades and you would think it would be natural for me to say someone like Bill Russel or Sidney Moncrief. However, I don't think there has ever been a more consistent and skilled defender to the caliber of Bruce Bowen. He is one of the biggest reasons San Antonio has been a power house for the past decade. Stars have not had the opportunity to explode on them with 30-40 pt games because of Bowen. Call him dirty, call him cheap, but man there has never been and there will never be a lock down defender as skilled and as consistent as Bruce Bowen. He is definitely the Michael Jordan of defense.
Now the best post defender would be Bill Russell. Bowen's game cannot be measured with stats, Russel's can. But ask almost any superstar in this league who is the last person they want to play against, the answer will almost always be Bruce Bowen.

Bruce Bowen has the luxury of playing in an excellent system where he can play as tight as he wants and funnel guys into Duncan.... and he gets away with more than any other perimeter defender from his rep. I honestly don't think he's a top 5, I think there are more than a few guys who you can stick into that specialist spot with Duncan covering there ass, and they will do better.

Hell, just look at Pierce since KG came, his opponents average 12.5 PER now... Bowen, especially this year has been overrated IMO.

[Doctor MJ]

Bruce Bowen has the luxury of playing in an excellent system where he can play as tight as he wants and funnel guys into Duncan.... and he gets away with more than any other perimeter defender from his rep. I honestly don't think he's a top 5, I think there are more than a few guys who you can stick into that specialist spot with Duncan covering there ass, and they will do better.

Hell, just look at Pierce since KG came, his opponents average 12.5 PER now... Bowen, especially this year has been overrated IMO.

Yup. The Spurs were a dominant defensive team before Bowen got there.

It's quite amazing: I can see an argument for Bowen being the best perimeter defender of all time, but I really don't buy an argument for him as the most valuable defender on his own team.

[HarlemHeat37]

which shouldn't be a knock on Bruce..nobody is going to deny that having Duncan on the team helps him defensively, but he's being underrated now..he's still a top 5 perimeter defender in the NBA IMO, but I understand the argument that he isn't..you have to remember this guy's age before forgetting about his prime..the Spurs D will always be good with Pop and Duncan there, as shown when you consider the masking of average defenders like Parker, Ginobili and Oberto, and a terrible defender in Finley..as a guy that watches him every night, that isn't a knock on Bowen though..

how many guys have actually been better perimeter defenders than Bowen in this era? not many..sure he gets away with calls defensively, but so does pretty much EVERY great defensive player..Duncan and Garnett get away with a lot..Kobe gets to have his way defensively..everyone on the Celtics this year has been able to..the Pistons..I don't think that should be a knock against Bowen in any way..it's just the defensive reputation that refs have allowed the "elite" defensive players and teams over the years..nobody is going to argue that offensive players aren't as good because of their superstar calls..

I think the only guy who has had an argument over Bowen(in years prior to this one) on the perimeter is Artest, maybe Prince(although I think he's a little overrated)..

a lot of players in the NBA have called him their toughest opponent, which is understandable, since this guy does everything defensively..he was able to stay in front of guys that are much more athletic, his instincts are some of the best, and he plays mind games, which is important defensively IMO..frustrating your opponent is a big part of playing defense..I don't think I would take any other guy to fill Bowen's role the past few years(other then this year)..