Payton, Pippen, Rodman, Russell, Mutombo.

I'm going to surprise a few people and actually take Wilt over Russ. I know Russ is considered the best defensive player ever but I argue that Wilt would be every bit as good, and even better, if he did not have to score so much. After that I have to take KG and Rodman and then MJ and Payton. That's really a pretty good all around team with a great combination of not only defense but offense as well.

Wilt, KG, Rodman, MJ and Payton.

I'm going to surprise a few people and actually take Wilt over Russ. I know Russ is considered the best defensive player ever but I argue that Wilt would be every bit as good, and even better, if he did not have to score so much. After that I have to take KG and Rodman and then MJ and Payton. That's really a pretty good all around team with a great combination of not only defense but offense as well.

Wilt, KG, Rodman, MJ and Payton.

 

Russell, KG, Scottie, Moncrief, DJ.

EDIT: I'm thinking that Hakeem was probably the better all around defender ONLY because he could guard the great Shaquille O'Neal in his prime.

Shaq would outweigh poor Russell by quite a bit in a head-head competition.

Shaq was probably closer to an unofficial 320 pounds even in his prime, even though it was reported that he was 300. I'm thinking that Bill was only maybe 240 max?

Russell would be a PF in today's game.

Russell, KG, Scottie, Moncrief, DJ.

EDIT: I'm thinking that Hakeem was probably the better all around defender ONLY because he could guard the great Shaquille O'Neal in his prime.

Shaq would outweigh poor Russell by quite a bit in a head-head competition.

Shaq was probably closer to an unofficial 320 pounds even in his prime, even though it was reported that he was 300. I'm thinking that Bill was only maybe 240 max?

which adds weight to the choice above for wilt. he may be a richly hated non-celtic, but he was an incredible defensive player.

let's count rebounds as part of defense, and wilt averaged 22.9 rebounds a game for his CAREER, with a one season high of 27.2 r/g.

blocks? no records kept back then but you know he would have lead the league along with russell year after year.

size? 7' 1" and 275 pounds. and wilt was known for his strength. wilt would have been able to handle o'neal down low.

Russell, Duncan, Pippen, Jordan, Robertson

Bill Russell
Kevin Garnett
Reggie Lewis
Dennis Johnson
Gary Payton