All Time Defensive Starting 5

[loco_91]

For the all time list I take Bill Russell and KG, then you can add whoever you want because you can't score fewer than zero points anyway.

What about among active players, if you could rewind them to their prime? I'd take:

Dwight
KG
LeBron
Tony Allen
CP3

What about if you don't get to rewind?

Marc Gasol
Draymond Green
Kawhi Leonard (LeBron doesn't try as hard anymore)
Tony Allen
CP3

[NWCeltic]

Kept it to guys from the 1980s on when I started watching the NBA:

Gary Payton
Jordan
Bobby Jones
Dennis Rodman
Mutumbo

[mgent]

Russell
KG
Pippen
MJ
Hondo

[GratefulCs]

Active


Jordan
Davis
Lebron (i guess when he wants)
Tony allen
? (I think cp3 is overrated)


All time

Payton
Jordan
Pippen
Garnett
Russell

[Tr1boy]

Rodman
KG
Leonard
Allen
Smart

6th man
Draymond Green

[Csfan1984]

All Celtics
DJ
Allen
Lewis
KG
Russell

All Time
Gary Payton
Michael Jordan
LeBron James
Bill Russell
Hakeem Olajuwon

[GreenFaith1819]

Slightly off-topic (apologize in advance), but Bud's pick of Reggie Lewis got me thinking about him and Bias...

Lewis was chosen with the 22nd pick 1st round of the 1987 draft. Bias was the 2nd pick year prior.

If Bias would've lived, we would've beaten LA in 87 and probably STILL chosen Lewis. We would've drafted a few spots later I'm sure, but if he lasted until the 22nd pick in 87 I'm sure he would've lasted a few more spots.

We could've been set at SF and SG for the next 10-15 years....

[Boris Badenov]

Russell
Rodman
Pippen
Jordan
Payton

[GratefulCs]

Gotta say, there have been some solid off-season thread topics!

[Tr1boy]

All Celtics
DJ
Allen
Lewis
KG
Russell

All Time
Gary Payton
Michael Jordan
LeBron James
Bill Russell
Hakeem Olajuwon

Its your list but really lebron or lewis over leonard?

Leonard is the best defensive sf i have seen

Lebron agrees

http://youtu.be/LtlMEC_HAzU

[Csfan1984]

All Celtics
DJ
Allen
Lewis
KG
Russell

All Time
Gary Payton
Michael Jordan
LeBron James
Bill Russell
Hakeem Olajuwon

Its your list but really lebron or lewis over leonard?

Leonard is the best defensive sf i have seen

Lebron agrees

http://youtu.be/LtlMEC_HAzU

Leonard wouldn't work in the "All Celtics" category.  As for LeBron or Leonard, I take LeBron all day as LeBron is able to guard 1-4, he also has the ability to draw fouls (which limits an opponent's playing time and impact) and rebound. Too many advantages for LeBron. I would also put Pippen ahead of Leonard for all time Sf defenders. Leonard has more years to go so maybe he will change my mind in the long run but not right now.

[Tr1boy]

All Celtics
DJ
Allen
Lewis
KG
Russell

All Time
Gary Payton
Michael Jordan
LeBron James
Bill Russell
Hakeem Olajuwon

Its your list but really lebron or lewis over leonard?

Leonard is the best defensive sf i have seen

Lebron agrees

http://youtu.be/LtlMEC_HAzU

Leonard wouldn't work in the "All Celtics" category.  As for LeBron or Leonard, I take LeBron all day as LeBron is able to guard 1-4, he also has the ability to draw fouls (which limits an opponent's playing time and impact) and rebound. Too many advantages for LeBron. I would also put Pippen ahead of Leonard for all time Sf defenders. Leonard has more years to go so maybe he will change my mind in the long run but not right now.

Lebron is a good versatile defender but he is not as good as Leonard.   Leonard has made first all defensive team  for a reason. 

Yes Leonard might not be able to guard centers and some pfs but he can guard stretch 4s all the way to 1s , lockdown mode. 

[Csfan1984]

All Celtics
DJ
Allen
Lewis
KG
Russell

All Time
Gary Payton
Michael Jordan
LeBron James
Bill Russell
Hakeem Olajuwon

Its your list but really lebron or lewis over leonard?

Leonard is the best defensive sf i have seen

Lebron agrees

http://youtu.be/LtlMEC_HAzU

Leonard wouldn't work in the "All Celtics" category.  As for LeBron or Leonard, I take LeBron all day as LeBron is able to guard 1-4, he also has the ability to draw fouls (which limits an opponent's playing time and impact) and rebound. Too many advantages for LeBron. I would also put Pippen ahead of Leonard for all time Sf defenders. Leonard has more years to go so maybe he will change my mind in the long run but not right now.

Lebron is a good versatile defender but he is not as good as Leonard.   Leonard has made first all defensive team  for a reason. 

Yes Leonard might not be able to guard centers and some pfs but he can guard stretch 4s all the way to 1s , lockdown mode.

I don't think Leonard could guard a prime Derrick Rose.

[tstorey_97]

The only player I watched who played as hard as Russell was Dave Cowens. Cowens was a fraction of the athlete Russ was, but, nobody wanted to play against him either. Part of "defense" is intimidation and both these guys had it in their game.

As a homer? Big deal who else is on the list. Cowens would injure himself and his opponent over a loose ball in a meaningless game. Russell and Red invented NBA defense. Get off the stat train and watch the games. KG is in the discussion too, obviously.

[Csfan1984]

The only player I watched who played as hard as Russell was Dave Cowens. Cowens was a fraction of the athlete Russ was, but, nobody wanted to play against him either. Part of "defense" is intimidation and both these guys had it in their game.

As a homer? Big deal who else is on the list. Cowens would injure himself and his opponent over a loose ball in a meaningless game. Russell and Red invented NBA defense. Get off the stat train and watch the games. KG is in the discussion too, obviously.

Actually "Top Hardest playing players" would be a good thread.