The Greatest First And Second All-Defensive Teams In NBA History

Over the course of NBA history, certain players have emerged as the greatest defensive players at their position. They did this by accumulating a plethora of defensive accolades over the course of their career while leading some of the greatest defensive teams in NBA history. The All-Defensive Team is a sense of pride among players in the NBA who are named one of the best defensive players at their position and help their team become NBA champions. Below, based on their defensive accomplishments, we have put together the greatest All-Defensive Teams in NBA history.

Using the standard All-Defensive Team format, we have put together the ultimate All-Defensive First and Second Team lineup made up of the most accomplished and impactful defenders in NBA history. It is full of Defensive Player of the Year winners/candidates, steals leaders, blocks leaders, and players who had a direct impact on winning an NBA title on the defensive side of the ball. When it comes to the elite of the elite defensively, this is the greatest lineup ever assembled.

These are the greatest First and Second All-Defensive Teams in NBA history.

All-Defensive First Team

Point Guard – Gary Payton

Defensive Player Of The Year: 1

All-Defensive First Team: 9

All-Defensive Second Team: 0

To start things off, we anoint Gary Payton as the greatest defensive point guard in NBA history. With the SuperSonics, Bucks, Celtics, Lakers, and Heat from 1991 through 2007, Payton accumulated one steals title with 1.8 steals per game for his career. He was selected to nine All-Defensive first Teams in his career battling the likes of John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Michael Jordan, and so much more.

Payton’s 2,445 steals in his career rank fifth in NBA history and his 1.8 steals per game ranks 25th. In 1996, Payton was awarded the first Defensive Player of the Year ever won by a point guard when he led the NBA in steals with 2.9 per game. In his 17-year career, Payton recorded 2.0 steals per game in a season or better eight times, mostly in 13 seasons with the SuperSonics.

When it comes down to the skill level of his opponents and the body of work turned in, Gary Payton is easily the greatest defensive point guard in NBA history.

Shooting Guard – Michael Jordan

Defensive Player Of The Year: 1

All-Defensive First Team: 9

All-Defensive Second Team: 0

As dominant as an offensive player as Michael Jordan was entering the NBA, his defense hadn’t quite caught up with him yet. Following the 1986-87 season, Jordan was tired of the criticism and spent the entire offseason honing in on that side of the ball. What followed was an incredible season in 198788 that saw him earn All-Defensive First Team honors and the Defensive Player of the Year award averaging 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.

Over the course of his career, Jordan would win a total of three steals titles and averaged 2.3 steals per game for his career. Even in his elder years with the Wizards, Jordan strung together 1.5 steals per game in 142 appearances. His 2.3 steals per game ranks third in NBA history while his 2,514 total steals rank fourth.

Once Jordan became a dominant force on the defensive side of the ball, he never lost that drive to completely demoralize his opponents. It is what led to his legendary attitude towards winning in becoming a six-time NBA champion and six-time Finals MVP.

Small Forward – Kawhi Leonard

Defensive Player Of The Year: 2

All-Defensive First Team: 3

All-Defensive Second Team: 4

Kawhi Leonard is our selection for the greatest defensive small forward in NBA history and with great reason. It all started in the 2014 NBA Finals where he visibly frustrated the reigning Finals MVP LeBron James to the point that the Spurs defeated the Heat in five games. Along with decent offensive output, Leonard’s series-leading 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game led to him earning Finals MVP honors for the job he did in shutting down Miami’s offense.

Over the next two seasons in 2015 and 2016 with the Spurs, Leonard would be named the Defensive Player of the Year on back-to-back occasions averaging 72.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He won the steals title in 2015 and has been one of the best two-way players in the NBA for the last decade.

In 2019, Leonard would secure his second Finals MVP award with the Toronto Raptors with a much better offensive output as well as an even more impressive defensive effort. This time, Leonard averaged 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks per game as the Raptors took down the Warriors in six games. Over the last 12 seasons, Leonard has earned seven All-Defensive Team selections including three to the First Team and four to the Second Team.

Power Forward – Dennis Rodman

Defensive Player Of The Year: 2

All-Defensive First Team: 7

All-Defensive Second Team: 1

While Dennis Rodman is one of the biggest characters in NBA history off the court, he was someone who opponents feared seeing across from them on the court. Rodman got his start with the Detroit Pistons where he became a focal point of the historic Bad Boys defense. In 1989 and 1990, Rodman helped the Pistons capture back-to-back NBA championships with his versatile and devastating defensive effort.

In 1991 and 1992, Rodman would take home back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards while averaging 18.5 rebounds per game and defending every position on the court. Rodman would go on to win seven straight rebounding titles from 1992 through 1998 with Detroit, San Antonio, and Chicago. From 1996 through 1998, Rodman held down the interior against the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Shawn Kemp, and Karl Malone as he helped the Bulls capture three straight NBA titles.

With a combination of his incredible rebounding accolades and defensive abilities to slow down or even shut down every position on the court, Dennis Rodman is our selection for the greatest defensive power forward in NBA history.

Center – Hakeem Olajuwon

Defensive Player Of The Year: 2

All-Defensive First Team: 5

All-Defensive Second Team: 4

Hakeem Olajuwon is not only the greatest defensive center in NBA history but I would say that the case is strong for him to be named the greatest overall defensive player in NBA history. Standing 7’0’’, Olajuwon was an incredibly athletic and intelligent defender who could guard three or four positions on the court comfortably.

During the 1990s, Olajuwon brought home three blocks titles as well as back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1993 and 1994. Olajuwon’s 3,830 career blocks are the most in NBA history and his 3.09 blocks per game rank third in NBA history as well. What makes Olajuwon’s defensive accomplishments even more incredible is the fact that he also ranks 10th in NBA history in steals with 2,162 and 1.7 career steals per game average.

Olajuwon was the greatest shot-blocker, shot-alterer, and entry-pass-denier there has ever been in NBA history. In 1194 and 1995, Olajuwon would lead the Houston Rockets to their only NBA championships in franchise history which was capped off by great defensive performances against Patrick Ewing and Shaquille O’Neal which led to two Finals MVP awards.

All-Defensive Second Team

Point Guard – Walt Frazier

Defensive Player Of The Year: 0

All-Defensive First Team: 7

All-Defensive Second Team: 0

Walt Frazier was so creative as an all-around basketball player that his defensive prowess was nearly as flashy as the job he did on defense. Frazier would almost lull the opponent to sleep with seemingly lackadaisical defensive stances and as soon as their focus strayed, he pounced like a jackal and snatched the ball away. Steals were almost an art for Frazier who would lead the Knicks to two NBA titles during the 1970s.

The NBA did not start recording defensive statistics until 1974 but even then, Frazier put on a show. His career 1.9 steals per game would undoubtedly be much higher if they had kept track of his early career with New York. Frazier’s defense on the perimeter set the tone for the greatest teams in Knicks history and often led to their unstoppable fast-break offense that was executed like a well-oiled machine.

As great of a passer and playmaker as Frazier was, his defense is definitely among his greatest attributes and undoubtedly deserves a spot on the greatest All-Defensive Teams in NBA history.

Shooting Guard – Kobe Bryant

Defensive Player Of The Year: 0

All-Defensive First Team: 9

All-Defensive Second Team: 3

Over the course of 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant became a basketball icon thanks to his obsession with winning and legendary mentality on and off the court. While he turned in countless memorable performances on offense, his defensive effort and the results that followed is where the Mamba Mentality really came to life.

Although he was never a steals leader or led the NBA in any major defensive stats, Bryant still holds the NBA record for most All-Defensive Team selections by a guard with 12. Nine of those selections were to the First Team while three came to the Second Team. He averaged 1.4 steals per game over 20 seasons accumulating 1,944 steals which ranks 16th in NBA history.

Whether it was the first quarter or with 15 seconds left and the game on the line, Kobe Bryant welcomed the toughest challenges on the court and came out victorious more often than not. Bryant would go on to lead the Lakers to five championships in his career while also capturing two Finals MVP awards in 2009 and 2010 and an MVP award in 2008.

Small Forward – Scottie Pippen

Defensive Player Of The Year: 0

All-Defensive First Team: 8

All-Defensive Second Team: 3

In many ways, Scottie Pippen is one of the more underappreciated players in NBA history, In other ways, he has become quite overrated but that is a story for another day. Pippen earned his flower over the course of a 17-year career that saw him win six NBA championships with the Bulls in the 1980s and become one-half of the greatest duo in NBA history.

Scottie Pippen was a physical and athletic defender whose length and size allowed him to slow down some of the best offensive players in the NBA. From the Dominique Wilkins’ and Larry Bird’s of the world to even taking on the likes of Shawn Kemp and Brad Daugherty in the paint, Pippen took on all challengers without complaint.

In his NBA career, Pippen would earn eight All-Defensive First Team selections and three Second Team Selections in 17 seasons. He accumulated 2,307 steals which ranks seventh in NBA history while also recording an incredible 947 blocks. His 1.96 steals per game puts him at 14th in NBA history as well. Pippen’s track record speaks for itself and his defense on some of Chicago’s toughest opponents is a big reason the Bulls are six-time NBA champions.

Power Forward – Kevin Garnett

Defensive Player Of The Year: 1

All-Defensive First Team: 9

All-Defensive Second Team: 3

In a close race for our second power forward to be selected for this spot, Kevin Garnett narrowly gets the nod. Over 21 seasons with the Timberwolves, Celtics, and Nets, Kevin Garnett became one of the most intimidating and ferocious competitors the NBA has ever seen. From the energy he brought as a defender to his incredible ability to take on all five positions on the court, Garnett was truly one of a kind on the defensive side of the ball.

Kevin Garnett is one of the few players in NBA history to average over 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. He finished with 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per game in his career, ranking 18th in NBA history with 1,859 steals and 18th in blocks with 2,037. In 2008, Garnett was named Defensive Player of the Year after helping the Celtics win 66 games while averaging 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game.

At his peak, no power forward in NBA history was quite like Garnett was on the defensive side of the ball. He was basically a black hole in the paint, swallowing up any and all shot attempts that were even in his vicinity. As accomplished and skilled as he is, Garnett deservingly makes our greatest All-Defensive Team.

Center – Bill Russell

Defensive Player Of The Year: 0

All-Defensive First Team: 1

All-Defensive Second Team: 0

Do not let the lack of accolades and celebratory awards fool you, Bill Russell is one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history. Russell was a master of fundamentals who paved the way for shot-blockers and interior defensive specialists for years to come.

Russell’s reputation as a shot-blocker is legendary. His style was simple but it won games and eventually led to 11 championships in 13 seasons making Russell the winningest player in NBA history. Russell timed his blocks perfectly almost every time without making any contact with the opponent, keeping them off the free throw line. Almost every time, the blocked shot would be sent in the direction of a teammate who initiated Boston’s deadly fast-break offense.

Along with his defensive presence, Russell was a relentless rebounder. His 22.5 rebounds per game and 21,620 total rebounds both rank second in NBA history and his playoff average of 29.4 rebounds per game ranks first. His career defensive win-share rating of 133.64 ranks first in NBA history and his five rebounding titles are among the top five.