NBA's Top Defensive Players

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 31, 2007

NBA's Top Defensive Players

Marcus Camby

Camby won the 2006-07 Defensive Player of the Year award after averaging a league-high 3.3 blocks a game and leading all centers with 1.24 steals. Camby's career average of 2.56 blocks ranks fourth among active players, and his three blocked-shot titles put him one behind the NBA's all-time record, shared by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Mark Eaton.

Ben Wallace

Big Ben has won four Defensive Player of the Year awards, tying Dikembe Mutombo for the all-time record (the award was first given in 1983). Although his block average declined for the fifth consecutive year this season (2.0 per game), Wallace anchored a Bulls defense that ranked second in opponents' field goal percentage.

Bruce Bowen

With his quick feet, long arms and relentless energy, the 6-7 forward has established himself as one of the game's best one-on-one defenders. Bowen finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting for the second straight season. He's made the All-Defensive first team four consecutive seasons.

Tim Duncan

The Spurs have finished in the top five in fewest points allowed and field goal defense in each of Duncan's 10 seasons. Duncan has made the All-Defensive team every year of his career.

Ron Artest

The 6-7 Artest uses his thick frame, tremendous balance and just enough looniness to keep opponents on edge. He's the only non-center to win Defensive Player of the Year (2004) in the last 11 seasons.

Alonzo Mourning

The 37-year-old was the runaway leader in blocks per 48 minutes (5.44), and his per-game mark of 2.31 was sixth, though he averaged only 20.4 minutes. Mourning won Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1999 and 2000.

Kevin Garnett

An All-Defensive team staple, the Big Ticket led the NBA in defensive rebounding (10.4) while also chipping in 1.66 blocks and 1.17 steals.

Andrei Kirilenko

Kirilenko had a disappointing season, but he's still a premier shot-blocker and a capable one-on-one defender. He had made three consecutive All-Defensive teams before being left off this season.

Raja Bell

Infamous for his clothesline takedown of Kobe Bryant in last year's playoffs, the 6-5 guard has shown he won't back down to anybody. He made the All-Defensive team this season for the first time in his seven-year career.

Shane Battier

Widely regarded as a top stopper who guards multiple positions as well as provides solid weakside help and takes a lot of charges, Battier is still waiting for his first selection to the All-Defensive team. He narrowly missed making the 2006-07 All-Defensive second team.

Kirk Hinrich

The feisty guard provides the perimeter complement to Ben Wallace's inside presence for the stingy Bulls. Hinrich can be overly aggressive -- he led all guards in fouls this season -- but he also keeps opponents from getting into their offense with his on-the-ball pressure. Coaches rewarded Hinrich with an All-Defensive second-team nod.

Shawn Marion

The versatile forward finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Marion, who defends everyone from perimeter shooters to post scorers, led the NBA in total steals and also averaged 1.53 blocks.

Jason Kidd

Along with being a nightly triple-double threat, the veteran point guard continues to be recognized for his defense. Coaches chose him for the All-Defensive second team, the ninth time in 13 years he's been either on the first or second team.

Kobe Bryant

Though some observers believe his defense has slipped, Bryant nevertheless landed on the All-Defensive first team for the fifth time.

Dikembe Mutombo

The finger-wagging Mutombo moved ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar this season for second all time in blocks (behind Hakeem Olajuwon), as he remains a presence in the paint at age 40. He has 3,230 blocks in a 16-year career that has included four Defensive Player of the Year awards. Mutombo also stands as the only player to lead the NBA in blocks three consecutive seasons (1993-94 through 1995-96).