Playing defense seems like a lost art nowadays in the NBA. With players constantly pulling up from beyond the three-point line, the rules changing in their favor, and referees calling every time a player draws contact, there’s not much interest in playing defense.
Then again, some players earn their paychecks out of getting spots. More than that, they take pride in their defense and become the ultimate nightmare even for the most dominant and explosive scorers in the league.
True basketball fans will argue that getting a clutch steal or blocking a shot should be as exciting – if not more – as a game-winning three-pointer or even an explosive dunk, even if it goes against today’s basketball.
From the Lakers, Celtics, Warriors, to the Bulls, Spurs, or Wizards. Here, we’ve listed the best defender on every single roster.including those players who – sadly -haven’t played due to injury.
The Best Defender Per Every NBA Team In 2021
+ Atlanta Hawks: Clint Capela
+ Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart
+ Brooklyn Nets: Bruce Brown
+ Charlotte Hornets: Gordon Hayward
+ Chicago Bulls: Wendell Carter Jr.
+ Cleveland Cavaliers: Isaac Okoro
+ Dallas Mavericks: Josh Richardson
+ Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray
+ Detroit Pistons: Jerami Grant
+ Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green
+ Houston Rockets: PJ Tucker
+ Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner
+ Los Angeles Clippers: Kawhi Leonard
+ Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis
+ Memphis Grizzlies: Brandon Clarke
+ Miami Heat: Jimmy Butler
+ Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
+ Minnesota Timberwolves: Josh Okogie
+ New Orleans Pelicans: Lonzo Ball
+ New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson
+ Oklahoma City Thunder: Luguentz Dort
+ Orlando Magic: Jonathan Isaac
+ Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid
+ Phoenix Suns: Mikal Bridges
+ Portland Trail Blazers: Robert Covington
+ Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes
+ San Antonio Spurs: Dejounte Murray
+ Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet
+ Utah Jazz: Rudy Gobert
+ Washington Wizards: Jerome Robinson
