Best NBA Defensive Guards?

[syfy9]

Where does Avery Bradley rank?

Also, to those who watched the 80s Celtics play, what do you think of the Bradley vs Dennis Johnson comparison? What about Gary Payton as well?

[lightspeed5]

top 5 at least

[GreenFaith1819]

The amazing thing for us is that he's even being discussed like this - in only his 2nd year in the NBA.

Good things coming from this young man..even more than we've seen already.

Joe Dumars? Could his ceiling be this?

Joe Dumars was 6'3", too - and often given credit by none other than Michael Jordan for his defensive prowess.

[Celtics18]

Rondo and Bradley are surely both near the top of that list.

[clover]

The amazing thing for us is that he's even being discussed like his - in only his 2nd year in the NBA.

Good things coming from this young man..even more than we've seen already.

Joe Dumars? Could his ceiling be this?

Joe Dumars was 6'3", too - and often given credit by none other than Michael Jordan for his defensive prowess.

Interesting comparison.

[Jon]

I think both the Dumars and DJ comparison could work.  Neither was a pure PG and neither was as big as your average 2.  But both guarded bigger players.  As someone already noted, Dumars guarded MJ and DJ often guarded Magic (who was 5-6 inches taller than him). 

Still early, but I think that's what he should be aspiring to be. 

[OmarSekou]

It's too early for me to even put Bradley among the best defensive guards in the league, let alone all time.

He's playing great though.

[feckless]

There were some top tier 2 guards that DJ dominated so completely that they may as well have not played when DJ was on the floor.  Avery is not there yet although he has done that to some back-up points.

[BballTim]

Where does Avery Bradley rank?

  Second best defensive guard on the Celts, which is nothing to sneeze at.

[GreenFaith1819]

I had to go a bit farther with the Joe Dumars/AB comparison:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=bradlav01&y1=2012&p2=dumarjo01&y2=1986

I only took THIS season into comparison for AB, and even THEN we have to take into consideration that AB has only started the last 14 games or so, while Joe Dumars, I think, started his 1st season.

Those numbers, especially the 36 min per game comparison, are strikingly similar...the only major difference is in assists.

I know its still very early, but......

[GreenFaith1819]

As far as best Defensive Guards right now, I'd go: (in no particular order, here)

Kobe, Iggy (when he plays SG), Rondo, DWade, CP3, Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, Thabo Sefolosha, Tony Allen...........Avery Bradley?

I even list DWade subjectively, because when I see him on Sportscenter, it's often for a chasedown block or something. I know he's one of the better defenders, though.

EDIT: I take back that last sentence about Wade. He's a legit defender. The man is averaging nearly 2 stls, 5 rebs and 1.3 blocks so far.

[mgent]

1a. Tony Allen
1b. Iguodala
3. DWade
4. Thabo Sefolosha
5. Ronnie Brewer


Iguodala is stronger and a better help defender but I think Tony is slightly better on the ball.

[Surferdad]

I think both the Dumars and DJ comparison could work.  Neither was a pure PG and neither was as big as your average 2.  But both guarded bigger players.  As someone already noted, Dumars guarded MJ and DJ often guarded Magic (who was 5-6 inches taller than him). 

Still early, but I think that's what he should be aspiring to be. 

Aspiring yes but not there by a long shot.  DJ is a better natural point guard and I wonder if AB could ever be that good.

[colincb]

According to BB-Reference's active career defensive ratings, Rondo (9) is the top PG defensively and Manu (6) is the top 2 guard.  Pierce (21), O'Neal (7), KG (5), and Perk (15) are all top 25.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/def_rtg_active.html

Both Tony Allen and AB are at 102 for their careers, but don't qualify based on PT. Allen has averaged about 100 for the last 5 years.  Kobe's not on the top 50 list, but LBJ is.

KG's been top 10 every year since he joined the Cs including #1 in 07-08.  He's 3rd this year.  DH has been the top rating for each of the last 4 years.

[apc]

As far as best Defensive Guards right now, I'd go: (in no particular order, here)

Kobe, Iggy (when he plays SG), Rondo, DWade, CP3, Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, Thabo Sefolosha, Tony Allen...........Avery Bradley?

I even list DWade subjectively, because when I see him on Sportscenter, it's often for a chasedown block or something. I know he's one of the better defenders, though.

EDIT: I take back that last sentence about Wade. He's a legit defender. The man is averaging nearly 2 stls, 5 rebs and 1.3 blocks so far.

I'd drop Kobe off this list. i think people put him there based on past reputation.