NBA Player Each Defensive Position: Examining several statistical categories, such as thefts, blocks, and advanced data like defensive win shares, is necessary to determine which NBA defensive players are the best. It’s time to pay attention to the less appealing aspect of the current game: defence, even in a league where offensive play is highly promoted and we have identified the top offensive players.
We examine every defensive metric in our research in order to identify the top players, which include Rudy Gobert, Chet Holmgren, and Victor Wembanyama, who are all contenders for NBA Defensive Player of the Year. It’s time to see how all of the NBA’s best defensive players stack up against one another in a variety of areas.
The Top Player In Each Defensive Position In The NBA
Check out the top player in each defensive position in the NBA below:
Steals Leaders
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 2.2 SPG
2. Donovan Mitchell – 1.9 SPG
3. Kawhi Leonard – 1.7 SPG
Even though Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 31.3 points per game and is his team’s main offensive weapon, his league-high 2.2 steals per game demonstrate his remarkable defensive instincts and capacity to stymie opponents’ offence. The guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder is a continuous danger in passing lanes because of his fast hands and anticipatory talents. This has allowed him to steal many baskets this season and develop into an absolutely remarkable two-way player.
Given that his offence is the most praised aspect of his game and averages an amazing 27.7 points per game on 46.1% shooting from the field, Donovan Mitchell is an underappreciated great player. But more than in any previous season of his career, the guard player plays fiercely on defence, hustles for every loose ball on the floor, and pays close attention to passing routes.
Kawhi Leonard is gradually returning to his peak as a formidable defensive player. Leonard, sometimes referred to as “The Claw,” is able to repeatedly compete on defence and pry the ball away from ball-handlers thanks to his enormous hands. Kawhi’s ability to play defence will hopefully not waver because it has the potential to turn around the Clippers’ season.
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Blocks Leaders
1. Victor Wembanyama – 3.1 BPG
2. Brook Lopez – 2.8 BPG
3. Walker Kessler – 2.7 BPG
With an astounding average of 3.1 blocks per game, freshman Victor Wembanyama has emerged as a significant shot-blocking force. With his ability to block shots, the emerging star has established himself as a defensive pillar and shown that he can have an influence on games. Wembanyama, who is perhaps the front-runner for Rookie of the Year, has excelled in his first season of play.
With an astounding 130 blocks to his name, Brook Lopez leads the league in shot blocking, demonstrating his supremacy in this area. The veteran centre for the Milwaukee Bucks is known for his ability to change shots in the paint, and this season is no different.
Lopez is a very valuable member of a team that depends heavily on him because of his timing, reach, and defensive instincts, all of which play a major role in the Bucks’ rim protection.
Walker Kessler is a vital shot-blocking contributor, and his shot-blocking highlights his significance on the defensive end. The league has already taken notice of the 22-year-old’s mix of length, quickness, and shot-blocking timing. He also has a very quick release time, which helps him average 2.7 blocks per game.
Defensive Rating Leaders
1. Rudy Gobert – 104.7
2. Isaiah Hartenstein – 107.6
3. Jarrett Allen – 108.2
Rudy Gobert’s outstanding influence on the defensive end for the Utah Jazz is highlighted by his league-leading defensive rating of 104.7. The three-time DPOY has been a reliable force on defence and is the favourite to earn his fourth award, putting him on the same level as Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace. Since the Timberwolves lead the NBA in defence (107.3 PPG), Gobert’s presence not only discourages opponents from hitting the rim but also improves the team’s overall defensive effectiveness.
With a defensive rating of 107.6, Isaiah Hartenstein contributes a noteworthy amount to his team’s defence. Although he is frequently chastised for not moving his feet quickly enough, the centre has established himself as a vital defensive player, helping the Knicks restrict their opponents’ chances of scoring. Hartenstein’s stature, at 7’0″ and 250 pounds, has been a major asset to his defensive performance this season.
Jarrett Allen has contributed significantly to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defence, as seen by his defensive rating of 108.2. The centre’s rim protection and shot-blocking efficiency (1.1 BPG) have been essential to the Cavaliers’ successful defence this year. In addition to his general defensive efforts, Allen’s presence in the paint has been crucial in fortifying Cleveland’s defence and enhancing his exceptional defensive performance.
Defensive Win Shares Leaders
1. Rudy Gobert – 3.5
2. Anthony Davis – 2.8
3. Karl-Anthony Towns – 2.8
Rudy Gobert has had an unmatched influence on the defensive performance of the Utah Jazz, as seen by his league-leading Defensive Win Shares of 3.5. Defensive anchor and favourite for Defensive Player of the Year, he makes a major contribution to the team’s overall performance by being a standout in defensive rotations, rebounding, and shot-blocking. Regardless of his scoring prowess, Gobert should be considered a superstar defensive player since he is leading the league in defence.
Anthony Davis cedes his status as one of the best two-way players in the league by at last displaying his actual superiority on defence. The flexibility and shot-blocking prowess of the Los Angeles Lakers big man greatly enhance the team’s defensive effectiveness. Quite simply, the Lakers’ defence would now be in much worse shape than 19th place if Davis (2.3 BPG, 1.2 SPG) hadn’t been in the paint.
Karl-Anthony Towns is a recognised sniper (43.7% 3-PT FG), but the Timberwolves’ increased defensive performance has been greatly attributed to his ability to guard the rim, rebound well, and help with defensive stops. Towns deserve recognition as well, even if Gobert has been a key member of the Timberwolves’ top-ranked defence.
Defensive Box Plus/Minus Leaders
1. Nikola Jokic – 4.4
2. Joel Embiid – 3.3
3. Matisse Thybulle – 3.1
With a league-best Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) of 4.4, Nikola Jokic defies expectations for a player of his position and demonstrates the incredible defensive effect of the Denver Nuggets centre. With an average of 26.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game, the big man is a triple-double monster. His defence is sometimes criticised for his lack of lateral mobility, but this statistic clearly favours the current NBA champion.
Joel Embiid solidifies his position as one of the best defensive big players in the game with a DBPM of 3.3. The intimidating presence of the Philadelphia 76ers centre in the paint, his skill at blocking shots, and his general defensive aptitude all play a big part in his team’s success in that regard.
Despite leading the league in scoring (36.0 PPG), Embiid is averaging 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals per game.
Thybulle appears in a new defensive zone, showcasing his defensive versatility and disruptive perimeter play. Despite playing for the rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers this season, Thybulle has proven his defensive prowess, as seen by his inclusion on two All-NBA Defensive Second Teams (2021, 2022).
Defensive Rebounds Leaders
1. Domantas Sabonis – 437 Rebounds
2. Nikola Jokic – 428 Rebounds
3. Rudy Gobert – 417 Rebounds
While it’s easy to ignore rebounding when discussing defence, these guys have an effect when they crash the boards, which signals the end of a defensive play. In his quest for his second consecutive title in rebounding, Domantas Sabonis, an amazing rebounder, leads the NBA with 13.0 rebounds per game this season.
Despite his lack of reputation as a defender, Nikola Jokic is a fantastic rebounder and his stature (6’11”, 284 lbs) helps him box out opponents and reach up to collect rebounds. Jokic is among the finest and most complete centres in NBA history since he is a superb rebounder in addition to being a superb scorer and distributor.
Gobert is well-known for his ability to block shots and guard the basket; in 2016–17, he led the NBA in blocks (2.6 BPG), but he is also a superb rebounder. Gobert is averaging 12.5 rebounds per game this season and led the NBA in rebounding in 2021–2022 (14.7 RPG). Gobert is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished defensive players of all time, having been selected to six All-Defensive Team teams.
Blocks Percentage Leaders
1. Walker Kessler – 9.9%
2. Victor Wembanyama – 9.4%
3. Chet Holmgren – 7.9%
The proportion of the opponent’s two-point field goals that the player blocked while he was on the court is estimated by his block percentage. Walker Kessler, the Utah Jazz’s long-term substitute for Rudy Gobert, is leading the NBA in BLK%. Kessler has shown his defensive skills in just 23.5 minutes per game by actively blocking shots, and until he improves his overall stats (8.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.7 BPG), he will start to get more minutes.
Excellent at blocking shots, rookie Victor Wembanyama is already displaying the makings of a future Defensive Player of the Year contender. The Frenchman’s 3.1 blocks per game average leads the NBA, while he trails Walker Kesller by a small margin in BLK%. Even though the Spurs have only won 10 games this season, the excitement around Wembanyama is genuine.
Another rookie who has made an impression this season is Chet Holmgren, who averages 2.6 blocks per game and has helped the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defence. Despite having a youthful squad, the Thunder rank 13th in the league in defence, and Holmgren has been a key component of that success.
Steals Percentage Leaders
1. Matisse Thybulle – 3.3%
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 3.1%
3. Dyson Daniels – 2.8%
The proportion of predicted opponent possessions that result in theft by the player while the player is on the court is known as the steal percentage. This sophisticated statistic, which displays Matisse Thybulle’s skill at playing passing lanes and pinning the ball away from ball handlers, ranks him as the top player in the NBA. Perhaps Thybulle should be included more frequently in discussions about the league’s top defensive players in general.
With an average of a league-high 2.2 thefts per game, Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as a standout when it comes to competing on defence and going after steals. With a 3.1 theft %, he will likely steal more than any other player in the league who isn’t called Matisse Thybulle.
Potential 6’8″ point guard Dyson Daniels is lethal when it comes to chasing steals. Despite being 20 years old and averaging 21.8 minutes per game in his second season, Daniels has shown that he can play a significant role for the New Orleans Pelicans by posting 1.3 steals per game.
Steals To Turnover Ratio Leaders
1. Matisse Thybulle – 2.69
2. Tyus Jones – 1.45
3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – 1.42
The Portland Trail Blazers big Matisse Thybulle’s league-best steals-to-turnover ratio of 2.69 is a prime example of his outstanding ball security and defensive effectiveness. Even though Thybulle plays a relatively little role on offence, his ability to create steals while limiting turnovers highlights his defensive brilliance and disciplined play on both sides of the court.
Tyus Jones, a point guard, exhibits the ability to make significant defensive plays while keeping ball possession with a steals-to-turnover ratio of 1.45. Jones is frequently praised for being a reliable point guard since he plays above-average defence and makes few poor passes.
With a steals-to-turnover ratio of 1.42, guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope demonstrates how effectively he can manage possessions and contribute defensively. It is impossible to overstate Caldwell-Pope’s importance to the Denver Nuggets because of his balanced approach to generating steals without sacrificing ball security.
The top player in each defensive position in the NBA. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
