NBA All-Time Defenders

[xmuscularghandix]

Give me a 10 man roster, 2 at each position, for the best defensive players of all time.
 
PG. Dennis Johnson, Gary Payton
SG. Michael Jordan, John Havlicek
SF. Bobby Jones, Scottie Pippen
PF. Kevin Garnett, Dennis Rodman
C.  Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon

honorable mention: Jerry Sloan, Ben Wallace

[DavorCroatiaFan]

Nice...
Some say's K.C. Jones was a elite, near-Russell level defender...Kevin McHale could defend four positions...Walt Frazier...

[Finkelskyhook]

Give me a 10 man roster, 2 at each position, for the best defensive players of all time.
 
PG. Dennis Johnson, Gary Payton
SG. Michael Jordan, John Havlicek
SF. Bobby Jones, Scottie Pippen
PF. Kevin Garnett, Dennis Rodman
C.  Bill Russell, Hakeem Olajuwon

honorable mention: Jerry Sloan, Ben Wallace

Hard to argue with that roster.  But I would rate McHale and Duncan ahead of Garnett.

McHale could guard almost anybody and Duncan is stellar guarding two positions.

Nate Thurmond is another who comes to mind.

[Celtics17]

I know Wilt never gets much credit but I think he deserves it before Olajuwan. MJ, Coop, KG, Rodman, are all names that come to mind in no particular order.

[dark_lord]

i like all the names listed so far, but i would also throw joe dumars into the discussion

[xmuscularghandix]

i like all the names listed so far, but i would also throw joe dumars into the discussion

good call.

[xmuscularghandix]

I know Wilt never gets much credit but I think he deserves it before Olajuwan. MJ, Coop, KG, Rodman, are all names that come to mind in no particular order.

Hakeem had 12 seasons with 100+ blocks and 100+ steals. He even had a 200/200 season.

[GreenFaith1819]

Like a few posters mentioned I'd definitely add Kevin McHale to the list..I'd put him on there among the top 5 all time.

Michael Cooper frustrated Larry Bird sometimes..Joe Dumars is a good one to add..Rodman..Kareem..Larry Nance was an under-rated defender..too bad his career was hampered by injuries.

I'd place Bill Russell as my first center..then you could argue for Hakeem, Shaq, Dikembe as far as defenders go.

Shaq in his prime was extremely mobile for his size, and patrolled the paint very well.

Hakeem was just a monster..extremely quick and long.

Can't forget Mark Eaton, too. He could not make this list, but I remember him clogging up the middle for Utah back in the day.

[Roy Hobbs]

C: Bill Russell / Kareem Abdul-Jabbar  
PF: Dennis Rodman / Kevin McHale  
SF: Scottie Pippen / Michael Cooper
SG: Michael Jordan / Sidney Moncrief  
PG: Gary Payton / Norm Van Lier

Toughest omissions: Dikembe Mutumbo, Ben Wallace, Don Chaney, John Havlicek, John Stockton, Mookie Blaylock, Dennis Johnson, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan

[dark_lord]

alvin robertson is another guy who should be mentioned imo

[Surferdad]

C: Bill Russell / Kareem Abdul-Jabbar  
PF: Dennis Rodman / Kevin McHale  
SF: Scottie Pippen / Michael Cooper
SG: Michael Jordan / Sidney Moncrief  
PG: Gary Payton / Norm Van Lier

Toughest omissions: Dikembe Mutumbo, Ben Wallace, Don Chaney, John Havlicek, John Stockton, Mookie Blaylock, Dennis Johnson, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan

I like that roster better because Michael Cooper has to be on it.  Best one-on-one defender I've ever seen.  I only vaguely remember Norm Van Lier, so I would take DJ instead.  Also would take Olajuwon over Kareem:

C: Bill Russell / Hakeem Olajuwon 
PF: Dennis Rodman / Kevin McHale 
SF: Scottie Pippen / Michael Cooper
SG: Michael Jordan / Sidney Moncrief 
PG: Gary Payton / Dennis Johnson