Donovan Mitchell Names The Six Best Defenders In The NBA

Donovan Mitchell named the six players he thinks stand tall as the best defenders in the NBA right now.

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Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Defense in the modern NBA is far more challenging, given how heavily the rules favor offensive players. Despite that, the league has its own collection of defensive standouts that make scoring a challenge even in the fast-paced offense today.

Donovan Mitchell dropped 71 points in a game this season, so he’s well aware of what bad or good defense is. He revealed the best defenders in the NBA, in his opinion, naming some of the regular suspects in the conversation while on Theo Pinson’s podcast.

“No order. Jrue (Holiday), Lu Dort, OG Anunoby, I’mma put Bam (Adebayo) on there. Dray (Green) and (Marcus) Smart have to be tied for fifth.”

https://twitter.com/tidalleague/status/1665163140395417606

There are few people in the NBA whose opinion in this situation would be stronger than Micthell’s. He has played against the best defenders in both conferences in the last few seasons and emerged as an All-NBA Second Team player this season, primarily based on his incredible offensive skill set. This was his first season named as an All-NBA player.


Notable Omissions 

Mitchell didn’t name 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. in his list, though he is unlikely to be guarded by JJJ, who focuses on bigs. The only big Mitchell named was Bam Adebayo, who is well-known for his ability to switch onto the perimeter and defend guards when needed.

Jrue Holiday is the only player Mitchell named that featured on this season’s All-Defensive First Team, snubbing not only JJJ but his own teammate Evan Mobley along with Alex Caruso and center Brook Lopez. 

Bam, OG, and Draymond were named to the All-Defensive Second Team, while Marcus Smart was the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year. 

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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