As the famous saying goes defense wins championships. However, defense is largely under-discussed and not fully appreciated in NBA discourse. With that in mind let’s shine some light on some of the NBA’s best defenders. This article will focus on the best defender on every Western Conference team. The same list for the Eastern Conference can be found here.
The Best Defender On Every Western Conference NBA Team
Dallas Mavericks: Dereck Lively
As a rookie Dereck Lively was an instrumental part in the Mavericks title run. Lively was especially important as a defensive anchor and rim protector he averaged 1.4 blocks on the season. Impressively Lively’s play only improved in the playoffs his defensive field goal percentage dropped from 48.2 percent to 42.3. At 20 years old Lively has a bright future and projects to be a high-impact defender for years to come.
Denver Nuggets: Aaron Gordon
Since being traded to the Nuggets Aaron Gordon has been an underrated linchpin. Gordon’s defense has been central to his value for the Nuggets. He often guards the opposing team’s best wing but is also capable of guarding centers and even guards if needed. This ability was incredibly valuable during the Nuggets 2023 NBA Championship run. Impressively Gordon ranks in the 94th percentile for defensive plus/minus and posted 2.6 defensive win shares.
Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green
Sure his public image has faded over the past few seasons but there’s no denying that Draymond Green is still an elite defender. Green revolutionized modern defensive schemes with his unmatched versatility. This past season Green held opponents to 43 percent from the field and ranked in the 98th percentile for defensive plus/minus. For his career, Green is an eight-time All-Defensive player and the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year. When it’s all said and done Green will rightfully be remembered as one the best defenders in NBA history.
Houston Rockets: Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks was a key part in transforming the Rockets’ defense from 29th to 10th. Brooks is an elite wing defender who can also defend opposing guards. Crucially, Brooks is one of the best on-ball stoppers in the league. CraftedNBA ranks Brooks in the 99th percentile for defensive versatility and in the 94th percentile for matchup difficulty. Brooks’ stellar defense could help the Rockets make another jump this upcoming season.
Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard
While he’s past his prime Kawhi Leonard is still a high-level two-way star. Leonard is still an elite disruptor and wing-stopper. The advanced stats highlight Leonard’s defensive impact. Leonard ranks in the 95th percentile for defensive plus/minus and posted 2.9 defensive win shares. With the loss of Paul George, the Clippers will count on Kawhi to provide an extremely productive year including more defensive responsibilities.
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis is the ideal combination of a classic defensive anchor and an elite roamer. Davis ranked in the 93rd percentile for defensive plus/minus and brought home 4.7 defensive win shares. Additionally, Davis ranked fourth in blocks. This all-around defensive skill set makes Davis a possible Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Notably, Davis finished fourth in DPOY voting and made All-Defensive first team.
Memphis Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Grizzlies have both the 2021-22 and the 2022-23 DPOY. As a result, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart are both reasonable choices for the Grizzlies’ best defender. While few players can match Smart’s versatility and grit Jackson’s rim protection and help defense give him the edge. Jackson is one of the league’s best shot blockers he averaged 3.0 blocks in his 2023 DPOY campaign. JJJ’s rare combination of rim protection and off-ball roaming make him an elite defender. He earned 2.8 defensive win shares this past season and 3.8 the year he won DPOY. With a healthy Grizzlies team, Jackson’s impact and stats could return to his DPOY level.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Rudy Gobert
While the Timberwolves have talented defenders throughout the roster, especially versatile wing Jaden McDaniels Rudy Gobert is the clear choice for the team’s best defender. After winning his fourth DPOY award this past season Gobert is tied for the most in NBA history and is a clear hall-of-famer. Gobert is an all-time great rim protector and defensive anchor. He led the Timberwolves to the league’s top-ranked defense. Gobert also led the league with 5.8 defensive win shares and ranked in the 95th percentile for defensive plus/minus.
New Orleans Pelicans: Herb Jones
Herb Jones is one the best perimeter defenders in the league while having the size and strength to guard opposing forwards. Jones is both one of the best on-ball stoppers and off-ball disruptors. Last season, Jones was named to the All-Defensive first team. Impressively, Jones posted a defensive field goal percentage of 44 and All-Star guards shot just 39 percent when defended by Jones. Moreover, Jones ranked in the 94th percentile for defensive plus/minus and had 3.0 defensive win shares. All in all, there are few players in the NBA who rival Jones’ defensive skill and impact.
All-Stars guards shot 39% FG this season when defended by Herb Jones.
All-Defensive First Team
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Oklahoma City Thunder: Alex Caruso
The Thunder were the hardest team to pick the best defender from. Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, and Chet Holmgren all have rock-solid cases. Ultimately, Caruso’s elite on-ball defense, versatility, and advanced stats give him the best case. In the past two seasons on the Bulls, Caruso has been named to an All-Defensive team. He is an elite perimeter defender with incredible hustle and the ability to guard several positions. BBall Index lists Caruso as the top point-of-attack defender in the league. Additionally, Caruso ranks in the 99th percentile for defensive plus/minus he also posted a -6.4 net defensive difference. Caruso will further bolster a loaded Thunder defense.
Phoenix Suns: Kevin Durant
The Suns don’t have a clear choice for their best defender. Nevertheless, Kevin Durant is a quality option. While Durant is most known for his legendary offensive skill set he is an underrated defender. Durant’s size and length allow him to guard several positions. Furthermore, Durant gathers plenty of steals and blocks paired while being an on-ball stopper. Impressively this past season, Durant held opponents to 44.2 percent from the field.
Portland Trail Blazers: Deni Avdija
For a rebuilding squad, the Trail Blazers have quite a few options for their best defender. Robert Williams is an elite rim protector but his health holds him back. Jerami Grant used to be an elite wing defender but has slightly regressed defensively in recent years. Enter Deni Avdija, a versatile 23-year-old wing. Avdija was traded from the Wizards this summer. He is incredibly versatile and impactful defensively. Deni ranked in the 100th percentile for versatility and 79th percentile for matchup difficulty. Additionally, Deni posted a -3.8 net defensive difference. With the Blazers Deni is well-positioned to further develop around a talented young core.
Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray
The Kings’ defense projects to be a weakness this season however, young wing Keegan Murray is a clear bright spot. Murray is a high-IQ two-way wing who is often asked to guard the opposing team’s best player. Notably, he ranks in the 90th percentile for matchup difficulty. With the Kings adding DeMar DeRozan Murrary will only have more defensive responsibilities.
San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama
Entering the league has one of the most anticipated No.1 overall picks in NBA history Victor Wembanyama delivered with a historic defensive season. The 7-foot-4 giant’s 3.6 blocks were 1.2 more than the next highest average while Wemby’s 4.8 stocks per game were 1.4 more than the next highest. Wembanyama posted an incredible -6.1 net defensive difference while he was on the court the Spurs had a top-five defense despite the team having the 21st-ranked defense overall.
Furthermore, Wemby was in the 99th percentile for defensive plus/minus and posted 4.4 defensive win shares. Ultimately, Wembanyama finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting but many believed he should have won the award. Nevertheless, at 20 Wembanyama has poised for defensive dominance and will win plenty of DPOYs in his career. Wembanyama has the potential to be the best defender of all time.
Utah Jazz: Walker Walker
Walker Kessler is one of the NBA’s top shot blockers and rim protectors. His 2.4 blocks per game were second in the league. On a similar note, Kessler was in the 99th percentile for block percentage. Impressively Kessler also posted a -3.1 net defensive difference. Ultimately, Kessler has a long career ahead of him in large part due to his ability to anchor a defense.
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