The Best NBA Player In Every Defensive Category (Steals, Blocks, Defensive Rating, And More)

Identifying the premier defensive players in the NBA requires an examination of various statistical categories, including steals, blocks, and advanced stats such as defensive win shares. Even in a league where offense is heavily encouraged and we have named the best offensive players, it is time to focus on the less attractive part of the modern game: defense.

In this analysis, we delve into each defensive category to pinpoint the standout performers, which include Defensive Player of the Year candidates Rudy Gobert, Chet Holmgren, and Victor Wembanyama. It is time to find out where all the elite defensive players rank among the rest of the NBA in multiple categories.

Steals – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Steals Leaders

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 2.2 SPG

2. Donovan Mitchell – 1.9 SPG

3. Kawhi Leonard – 1.7 SPG

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s league-leading steals (2.2 SPG) showcase his exceptional defensive instincts and ability to disrupt opponents’ offense despite averaging 31.3 points per game and being the focal point of the offense for his team. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard’s quick hands and anticipatory skills make him a constant threat in passing lanes, resulting in numerous steals throughout the season and his growth as a two-way player has been truly exceptional.

Donovan Mitchell is an underrated star player because his offense is the most acclaimed part of his game and is averaging an impressive 27.7 points per game on 46.1% from the field. However, the guard player competes hard on defense and hustles for every loose ball on the court along with reading passing lanes far more than in any other season of his career. 

Kawhi Leonard is slowly getting back to his best in terms of being a dominant defensive player. Known as “The Claw”, Leonard has massive hands that help him poke the ball loose from ball-handlers and also compete on defense time and time again. Hopefully, Kawhi can maintain his level of defense because that could catapult the Clippers’ season.

Blocks – Victor Wembanyama

Blocks Leaders

1. Victor Wembanyama – 3.1 BPG

2. Brook Lopez – 2.8 BPG

3. Walker Kessler – 2.7 BPG

Victor Wembanyama’s emergence as a shot-blocking presence is noteworthy, as the rookie has accumulated an impressive 3.1 blocks per game average. The rising star’s shot-blocking abilities have quickly made him a defensive anchor, showcasing his potential to impact games on the defensive end. As possibly the favorite for Rookie of the Year, Wembanyama has impressed as a star in his rookie campaign.

Brook Lopez’s dominance in shot-blocking is evident as he leads the league with an impressive 130 blocks. The Milwaukee Bucks’ veteran center has long been recognized for his shot-altering presence in the paint, and this season is no exception. Lopez’s timing, reach, and defensive instincts contribute significantly to the Bucks’ rim protection, making him a formidable force on a team that relies a ton on his presence.

Walker Kessler’s impact on the defensive end is underscored by his shot-blocking, establishing him as a key shot-blocking contributor. The 22-year-old’s combination of length, athleticism, and shot-blocking timing has already caught the attention of the league because he has a very fast ability to get up to swat shots away, contributing to his 2.7 blocks per game average.

Defensive Rating – Rudy Gobert

Defensive Rating Leaders

1. Rudy Gobert – 104.7

2. Isaiah Hartenstein – 107.6

3. Jarrett Allen – 108.2

Rudy Gobert’s league-leading defensive rating of 104.7 underscores his exceptional impact on the defensive end for the Utah Jazz. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has been a consistent force defensively and he is the favorite to win his fourth trophy which puts him on par with Ben Wallace and Dikembe Mutombo. Gobert’s presence not only deters opponents from attacking the rim but also positively influences the team’s overall defensive efficiency since the Timberwolves rank 1st in the NBA in defense (107.4 PPG).

Isaiah Hartenstein’s defensive rating of 107.6 reflects his commendable impact on the defensive end for his team. Even if he is often criticized for not moving his feet fast enough, the center has proven to be a valuable defensive asset, contributing to the Knicks’ overall ability to limit opponents’ scoring opportunities. A 7’0”, 250-lb force, size has greatly helped Hartenstein’s defensive impact this season.

Jarrett Allen’s defensive rating of 108.2 highlights his strong defensive contributions for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The center’s shot-blocking ability (1.1 BPG) and rim protection have been crucial components of the Cavaliers’ defensive success this season. Allen’s presence in the paint, combined with his overall defensive efforts, has played a pivotal role in solidifying Cleveland’s defense and contributing to his standout defensive rating.

Defensive Win Shares – Rudy Gobert

Defensive Win Shares Leaders

1. Rudy Gobert – 3.5

2. Anthony Davis – 2.8

3. Karl-Anthony Towns – 2.8

Rudy Gobert’s league-leading Defensive Win Shares of 3.5 underscore his unparalleled impact on the Utah Jazz’s defensive success. The favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year continues to be a defensive anchor, contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance by excelling in areas such as rebounding, shot-blocking, and defensive rotations. The fact that Gobert is spearheading the league’s best defense should make him a worthy superstar defensive player regardless of his offensive ability.

Anthony Davis, finally showing his true dominance on defense, solidifies his reputation as one of the premier two-way players in the league. The Los Angeles Lakers big man’s versatility and shot-blocking proficiency contribute significantly to the team’s defensive efficiency. Quite frankly, without Davis (2.3 BPG, 1.2 SPG) in the paint, the Lakers’ defense would rank much worse than 19th place right now.

Even if he is a known sharpshooter (43.7% 3-PT FG), Karl-Anthony Towns’ ability to protect the rim, rebound effectively, and contribute to defensive stops has been a crucial factor in the Timberwolves’ improved defensive performance. While Gobert has been the major component of the Timberwolves’ number-one-ranked defense, Towns deserves his praise as well.

Defensive Box Plus/Minus – Nikola Jokic

Defensive Box Plus/Minus Leaders

1. Nikola Jokic – 4.4

2. Joel Embiid – 3.3

3. Matisse Thybulle – 3.1

Nikola Jokic’s league-leading Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) of 4.4 showcases the Denver Nuggets’ center’s remarkable defensive impact, challenging conventional expectations for a player of his position. The big man is a triple-double machine, averaging 26.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game, and his defense is often criticized because he lacks lateral movement, but this stat is firmly in the reigning NBA champion’s favor.

Joel Embiid, with a DBPM of 3.3, cements his status as one of the league’s premier defensive big men. The Philadelphia 76ers’ center’s imposing presence in the paint, shot-blocking proficiency, and overall defensive acumen contribute significantly to his team’s success on that end. Even when leading the league in scoring (36.0 PPG), Embiid is adding 1.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.

Thybulle appears in another defensive category, showcasing his defensive versatility and disruptive perimeter play. Despite playing with the rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers this season, Thybulle has showcased his defensive prowess and he does have two All-NBA Defensive Second Teams (2021,2022) on his resume.

Defensive Rebounds – Domantas Sabonis

Defensive Rebounds Leaders

1. Domantas Sabonis – 437 Rebounds

2. Nikola Jokic – 428 Rebounds

3. Rudy Gobert – 417 Rebounds

Rebounding is often overlooked when it comes to defense, but crashing the boards means a defensive play is complete and these players have an impact in that sense. Domantas Sabonis is an exceptional rebounder, posting 13.0 rebounds per game this season which leads the NBA as he looks for his second-straight rebounds title.

Nikola Jokic is not known as a defender, but he can crash the boards at a high level and his size (6’11”, 284 lbs) greatly helps boxing out defenders and reaching up to grab rebounds. Jokic is not only an elite scorer and passer, but he is an excellent rebounder and that makes him one of the best and most complete centers in NBA history.

Gobert is renowned for his shot-blocking and rim-protection, as he led the NBA in blocks in 2016-17 (2.6 BPG), but he is also an elite rebounder. Gobert led the NBA in rebounds in 2021-22 (14.7 RPG) and is posting 12.5 rebounds per game this season. With six All-Defensive Team selections, Gobert has to be recognized as one of the most accomplished defensive players ever.

Blocks Percentage – Walker Kessler

Blocks Percentage Leaders

1. Walker Kessler – 9.9%

2. Victor Wembanyama – 9.4%

3. Chet Holmgren – 7.9%

Blocks Percentage is an estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while he was on the floor. The long-term replacement for Rudy Gobert for the Utah Jazz, Walker Kessler is leading the NBA in BLK%. In only 23.5 minutes per game, Kessler is demonstrating his defensive prowess by being an active shot-blocker and he will start earning more minutes once he improves his stats across the board (8.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.7 BPG).

Rookie Victor Wembanyama is an exceptional shot-blocker and he is already showing signs that he can be a future Defensive Player of the Year winner. The Frenchman is not far behind Walker Kesller in BLK% and his 3.1 blocks per game average ranks first in the NBA. The hype is real about Wembanyama, even if the Spurs have only won 10 games this season.

Chet Holmgren is another rookie who has impressed this season, posting 2.6 blocks per game, and he has managed to impact the defense for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder rank 13th in the league in defense despite sporting a roster of young players, and Holmgren has spearheaded that.

Steals Percentage – Matisse Thybulle

Steals Percentage Leaders

1. Matisse Thybulle – 3.3%

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 3.1%

3. Dyson Daniels – 2.8%

Steal Percentage is the percentage of estimated opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while the player is on the court. Matisse Thybulle is the best in the NBA in this advanced statistic, showing his prowess when it comes to playing passing lanes and poking the ball away from ball-handlers. It might be time Thybulle’s name is mentioned more among the league’s best defensive players overall.

Gilgeous-Alexander has proven to be a star when it comes to competing on defense and going for steals, averaging a league-leading 2.2 steals per game. A 3.1 steals percentage indicates that he will get a steal on occasions more than every player in the league not named Matisse Thybulle.

Dyson Daniels, a 6’8” point guard with potential, is a menace when it comes to going after steals. Posting 1.3 steals per game, Daniels is proving he can play an important role for the New Orleans Pelicans despite being 20 years old and averaging 21.8 minutes per game in his second season.

Steals To Turnover Ratio – Matisse Thybulle

Steals To Turnover Ratio Leaders

1. Matisse Thybulle – 2.69

2. Tyus Jones – 1.45

3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – 1.42

Matisse Thybulle’s league-leading steals-to-turnover ratio of 2.69 exemplifies the Portland Trail Blazers forwardd’s exceptional defensive efficiency and ball security. Thybulle’s ability to generate steals while minimizing turnovers underscores his defensive prowess and disciplined play on both ends of the court, even if his role on offense is very limited.

Tyus Jones, with a steals-to-turnover ratio of 1.45, demonstrates the point guard’s ability to make impactful defensive plays while maintaining ball control. Jones is often commended for being a steady point guard because he does not make bad passes and is an above-average defender.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, boasting a steals-to-turnover ratio of 1.42, showcases the guard’s ability to contribute defensively while efficiently managing possessions. Caldwell-Pope’s balanced approach to creating steals without compromising ball security highlights his overall reliability as a two-way player and his impact with the Denver Nuggets cannot be understated. 

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