In the NBA, the strongest and most proficient of defensive players lead their teams to championship wins.
In this article, we’re shining the spotlight on 5 of the most talented defenders the franchise has ever seen: Dikembe Mutombo, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Hakeem Olajuwon and last (but certainly not least), the legendary Bill Russell.
Now let’s get into why these 5 exceptional players are considered to be the greatest blockers in the history of the NBA:
Dikembe Mutombo
As one of the most remarkable shot-blockers in the history of the sport, the 8x All-Star and Hall-of-Famer and Dikembe Mutombo locked down four Defensive Player of the Year awards while also leading the NBA in blocks for three consecutive years, including leading twice in rebounding.
No one can deny that Mutombo’s defensive skills were a threat to any opposing team.
Scottie Pippen
Alongside legendary teammate Michael Jordan who was considered by fans as the Batman to his Robin, the 7x All-Star and 10x All-Defensive Team maker Scottie Pippen stands as one of the greatest defensive talents the franchise has ever seen. And of course, we can’t forget that this phenomenal defender has a total of 6 NBA championships under his belt.
The golden era of Pippen x Jordan will never be forgotten.
Dennis Rodman
In addition to his fierce defensive abilities, Dennis “The Worm” Rodman was a killer rebounder. As a “dirty work” power forward with two Defensive Player of the Year Awards, 8 All-Defensive Teams and 5 championships, Rodman had an undeniable hustle on the basketball court – with a versatility and set of defensive skills that earned him his memorable reputation.
This “bad boy” undeniably goes down in history as one of the best defenders to ever do it.
Hakeem Olajuwon
A 12x All-Star and 2x NBA champion, Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon ranks fourth all-time in defensive win shares – making him truly one of the most impressive defenders to ever play in the NBA. Also the recipient of two Defensive Player of the Year awards, Olajuwon led the NBA in blocked shots (and also in rebounding in 1989 and 1990).
How many blocks by Olajuwon, you may ask? A whopping 3,800.
Bill Russell
As mentioned in his NBA.com legends profile, Bill Russell literally transformed the way that basketball players defended. Posting a mind-blowing 133.64 defensive win shares, 12x All-Star, 5x MVP, and 11x NBA Champion Russel had unrivaled defense skills and team-first ethics that played a critical role in securing 11 title wins for the Boston Celtics across 13 seasons.
There’s not much to be debated about Russell’s status as the greatest defender in league history – he just was.
These top NBA defenders will always be remembered
On the basketball court, playing defense is a highly sophisticated responsibility that requires a balance of physical and mental skill – and there’s no question as to why these 5 masterful defenders are considered by many to be the greatest of the great.
For a full list of greatest NBA defenders of all time, visit Champions Basketball Network.
