Who are the best young backcourt defenders in the NBA?

Jalexjsmithj · Post #1 » by **Jalexjsmithj** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 3:37 am

Who are the best young backcourt defenders in the NBA?

If not clear, I’d like to limit the conversation to guards and players who can stay in front of opposing traditional guards. I think I’m aware of all of the big name defensive guards with Jrue, Marcus Smart, Jimmy Butler, Klay, Middleton, heck Eric Bledsoe used to be considered here.

But which of the 24 and unders really stand out defensively?

For example, the only young guard I feel carries a really fierce defensive reputation is Tyrese Maxey. Oh and Josh Okogie who has issues staying on the court with his offense.

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LegenW84ITBOBBY · Post #2 » by **LegenW84ITBOBBY** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 3:39 am

OG, Kawhi and Siakam

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Jalexjsmithj · Post #3 » by **Jalexjsmithj** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 3:40 am

LegenW84ITBOBBY wrote:OG, Kawhi and Siakam

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Backcourt please.

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5paceman · Post #4 » by **5paceman** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 3:43 am

Fox/Hali/Mitchell has the potential to be strong defensively.

Post #5 » by **Duke4life831** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 3:44 am

Dort and Thybulle are the two standouts in my opinion. Mikal Bridges as well.

Catchall · Post #6 » by **Catchall** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 3:45 am

Lu Dort, Mathisse Thybulle, Kris Dunn if he's still considered young

Jalexjsmithj · Post #7 » by **Jalexjsmithj** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 3:45 am

5paceman wrote:Fox/Hali/Mitchell has the potential to be strong defensively.

Yeah so Mitchell was an elite defender in college so that makes sense, but isn’t Fox individually quite bad on D?

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5paceman · Post #8 » by **5paceman** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 3:49 am

Jalexjsmithj wrote:
5paceman wrote:Fox/Hali/Mitchell has the potential to be strong defensively.

Yeah so Mitchell was an elite defender in college so that makes sense, but isn’t Fox individually quite bad on D?

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He's not consistent, but has a lot of potential. This last year I think he was focused on improving his scoring, but in the first few seasons we've seen flashes of amazing defense; he's capable. And Haliburton is a smart and solid defender.

Def Leppard · Post #9 » by **Def Leppard** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 4:00 am

Fvv can lock guys up

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Matches Malone · Post #10 » by **Matches Malone** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 4:01 am

Donte Divincenzo, Dejounte Murray, Donovan Mitchell, and RJ Barrett are pretty good defensively and are in that 24 and under range.

BAMAFREAK · Post #11 » by **BAMAFREAK** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 4:04 am

D Brooks and Melton from Memphis
Jevon Carter as well

AleksandarN · Post #12 » by **AleksandarN** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 4:50 am

Shaq, One of the best defenders in the nba. Too bad his offense is the opposite of his defense.

clippertown · Post #13 » by **clippertown** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 4:53 am

It’s a homer vote, but I nominate Terrance Mann. He locked up the best backcourts in the NBA when it counted most (even Luka did all he could to switch off him). If not for his defensive intensity, the Clips would have really struggled in the playoffs.

RaptorPride · Post #14 » by **RaptorPride** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 4:56 am

I can see Nurse running OG or Barnes at the 2 beside Fred

Upperclass · Post #15 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 5:03 am

Kris Dunn, Lu Dort, TJ mcconnell

Upperclass · Post #16 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 5:05 am

Thybulle isn't a good defender one on one but he's probably the best defensive playmaker the league has seen. Smarts defense is a bit overrated as well in recent years

Impuniti · Post #17 » by **Impuniti** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 5:07 am

Matches Malone wrote:Donte Divincenzo, Dejounte Murray, Donovan Mitchell, and RJ Barrett are pretty good defensively and are in that 24 and under range.

Mitchell is an awful defender

geminiz · Post #18 » by **geminiz** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 5:09 am

Patrick Beverley

/s

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Matches Malone · Post #19 » by **Matches Malone** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 5:12 am

Impuniti wrote:
Matches Malone wrote:Donte Divincenzo, Dejounte Murray, Donovan Mitchell, and RJ Barrett are pretty good defensively and are in that 24 and under range.

Mitchell is an awful defender

I didn’t realize he tailed off so sharply on that side of the ball. Yikes

TheGOATWill · Post #20 » by **TheGOATWill** » Mon Aug 2, 2021 5:33 am

The Ball brothers. Particularly Lonzo. The Pels were awful but I've seen him give fits to NBA elites.