Dwyer: Top 10 Defenders of the Last Decade (Artest #6)

[Luffy]

A low ranking on this list might surprise some, but Artest does tend to get by on reputation a good chunk of the time. He gambles for steals, or ignores any chance at help defense as he obsesses over his man, and overplays to the point of hurting his team. He can be the rare selfish defender. He can also be the best defender in the league, mixing a desperate doggedness to dominate with long arms, a sturdy frame (to say the least) and quick feet.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-top-10-best-defenders-of-the-last-decade;_ylt=AguWIobfTvquo7.Qzi8LTF.8vLYF?urn=nba,185792

My List:
1) Wallace
2) Duncan
3) Garnett
4) Mutumbo
5) Battier
6) Artest
7) Bowen
8) Camby
9) Bryant
10) Howard

[fareweatherfan]

Nice to see Kirk get his due, but I just don't think Kirk or E Snow belong on that list. Also, no problems here with what is said about Artest.

[Asianiac_24]

I would replace Kirk with Kobe and put Doug Christie somewhere in that list. They are both great defenders in the early 2000s

[That Nicka]

that list sucks.


1. Duncan/Wallace
2. Duncan/Wallace
3. Garnett
4. Mutombo
5. Bowen
6. Artest
7. Camby
8. Kidd
9. Bryant
10. Prince

HM: Battier, Christie

[dingclancy]

Even if Kobe is not on the list - notice the player that Artest, Battier, and Bowen are guarding....

[Asianiac_24]

Even if Kobe is not on the list - notice the player that Artest, Battier, and Bowen are guarding....

Goes to show the type of player Kobe is

[snaquille oatmeal]

that list sucks.


1. Duncan/Wallace
2. Duncan/Wallace
3. Garnett
4. Mutombo
5. Bowen
6. Artest
7. Camby
8. Kidd
9. Bryant
10. Prince

HM: Battier, Christie

my list

1. Duncan/Wallace
2. Duncan/Wallace
3. Garnett
4. Mutombo
5. Bowen
6. Artest
7. Camby
8. Bryant
9. Prince
10. Bell

HM: Kidd, Battier, Christie

Battier hasn't been considered a top defender for that long to be on that list. give him a couple of more years, and like Bell his reputation took a huge boost because of Kobe. the irony there is that Kobe scores at will on both of them.

[Dexmor]

Kobe scores on Battier at will? I don't think so. Kobe scores on Battier yes but it seems painfully obvious Battier is by far bar none the best defender Kobe has faced and nobdoy gives him problems or makes him work as hard as Battier. If these contending teams were smart they would pick up Battier even if they had to pay big bucks or players. Spurs went after RJ thank god because if they went after Battier or if Dallas or Blazers did I would honestly be a little worried.

My list

Deke-I don't know if it's bad memory but this guy was a hall of famer with 0 offense

KG-just so versitle

Battier-He is just an on the ball defender but I have never seen somebody defend on the ball like him. I will say his hand in the face should be made illegal as it could really hurt a player.

Ben Wallace

Ron Artest-In his defensive prime (I think he can get back to it this year with the working out) he was a maniac on D. Holding Spree to 0 points? Are you kidding me.

Howard-Gets the nod over Duncan because Duncan has a serious flaw on D.

Duncan-He has a serious flaw on D. Deep in the post he can be scored on, not as physical as he could be, little overrated on D actually imo. Just me.

Marcus Camby-Ever seen Duncan played like that? Blocking his shot on the ball. He's still got it to. If this guy had detication (he doesn't trust me) he could have been a 10x allstar

Kirk Hinrick-Guarded 3 positions and is the best defensive pg since Payton. I loved seeing him on this list. I always thought it was just me but apperently not.

Raja Bell-This guy is a really good defender. Best defensive 2 guard in the league imo and of course not being a bobcats homer lol.

Explanitions of some guys you might feel shouldn't of been left off.

Kobe-This year he could get himself back on the list and talent wise and defensive potential or if it was a series were he just played D like a Bell does he would be the best defender at the 2guard bar none. The reason I left him off is there were alot of times he gambled to much or he had to focus to much energy on offense and everything else and his D was just very good not great.

Prince-He had a great defensive series vs Kobe and ever since his D has been wildly overrated. He is to thin to be super versitle on D from what I have seen. When you post him up you can muscle him and score at him at will.

Jason Kidd-I had to put Kirk over him because he played sf for almost a whole season locking up sf's. I seen Kidd guard sf's and do it better then great sf's but not for games at a time. He would be 11th.

Bowen- He is freaking dirty. you don't get points with me when you put your foot under a player after a jumper. I hate dirty players.

Explanations of guys left off the list