Credit: Fadeaway World
The 3 Best NBA Defenders At Every Position For The 2022-23 Season
The NBA in 2022-23 is more offensively minded than it has ever been. The freedom of movement aspect of the game is in full effect and one result of that is the unbelievable rise in offensive numbers. The NBA has seven players who are averaging at least 30.0 PPG in 2022-23 and I don’t know about you, but I remember a time that 30.0 PPG was only achieved by one or two guys per season. What gets lost in the offensive explosion and three-point era is the fact that there are two sides to the ball. Nobody wants to talk about defense anymore and the game has seemingly turned into offensive slugfests nightly.
Despite this fascination with scoring and offensive chemistry, there are still elite defenders around the NBA at every position. These players are your current leaders for the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year award and the players who have the most impact on their team’s success due to their defensive ability. These players are elite rim protectors, shot blockers, off-ball defenders, and on-ball defenders. Defense is still one of the better conversations in basketball so let’s have it about the best of 2022-23 so far.
These are the best defenders at every position for the 2022-23 season.
The Best Defensive Point Guards
Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
1. Jrue Holiday
2. Marcus Smart
3. Alex Caruso
The list of the best defensive NBA point guards for 2022-23 starts off with two of the elite perimeter defenders overall. Jrue Holiday is making an All-Star appearance this season based on his incredible defensive ability and the offense he has brought with it. Holiday is averaging 1.3 SPG which ranks fourth among point guards this season and has a defensive rating of 111.0 which ranks second among point guards in 2022-23. Holiday is a great on-ball defender with quick hands and great instincts making him number one so far this season.
Marcus Smart is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year becoming the first point guard to win the award since Gary Payton in 1996. He is also tied with Holiday for fourth among point guards with 1.3 SPG but his defense goes beyond just the numbers. Smart never stops moving and is one of the few point guards I have seen him willingly take on much bigger opponents even in the post. The Celtics currently hold the best record in the NBA and it all starts with their defense despite their historic offensive numbers this season.
The final top defensive point guard is a fan-favorite in Alex Caruso. The Chicago Bulls have had one of their more disappointing seasons in recent memory after making a playoff run in 2022 but have fallen flat in 2022-23. One bright spot has been the defensive effort of Alex Caruso who is averaging 1.6 SPG off the bench this season and has a defensive rating of 109.0 which ranks first amongst point guards in the NBA in 2022-23. Caruso is likely on the move this offseason and whatever team gets him is getting a defensive ball of energy who can be impactful in many ways.
The Best Defensive Shooting Guards
Credit: Fadeaway World
1. Matisse Thybulle
2. Dejounte Murray
3. Anthony Edwards
You will never hear anybody complain about the defensive side of the ball from Matisse Thybulle. Recently, Thybulle was traded to Portland from the 76ers, the only place he has called home in his four-year NBA career. Thybulle’s perimeter defense has been amongst the best defense in the NBA overall and he has held some of the best offensive players in the game to the worst games of their careers. Among shooting guards, Thybulle is still the best in the NBA in year four of his career and Portland hopes his addition will help bring them to the playoffs in 2022-23.
Dejounte Murray has been one of the best perimeter defenders in basketball over the last two seasons. After winning the steals title in 2022, Murray made the switch to shooting guard this season, his first with the Hawks next to Trae Young. Murray is currently averaging 1.6 SPG which ranks second amongst shooting guards this season. The Hawks’ defense overall has been suspect and they are struggling at this point in the season but Murray is still performing at a high level this season.
Next on the list of best defensive shooting guards is All-Star Anthony Edwards. With the Timberwolves this season, Edwards is averaging 1.6 SPG and has a defensive rating of 112.8 which is sixth for all shooting guards in the NBA in 2022-23. Edwards has been disruptive by using his lateral quickness and size to keep opponents in front of him. He has also been active off the ball disrupting passing lanes with his hands and defensive awareness.
The Best Defensive Small Forwards
Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
1. OG Anunoby
2. Mikal Bridges
3. Jimmy Butler
The small forward position may be the deepest position in the NBA when it comes to defensive presence. OG Anunoby has had the best defensive season of his career in 2022-23 despite the overall struggles from the Raptors this season. Anunoby is currently leading the NBA in steals with 2.1 SPG and has been a shutdown perimeter defender highly sought after by teams at the trade deadline. On top of his defensive ability, Anunoby is also having a career-best offensive season with 16.9 PPG and shooting 36.6% from three.
Mikal Bridges has also been one of the best NBA small forwards defensively over the last two seasons. After finishing runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, Bridges has kept that momentum going for most of 2022-23 as well. Bridges is averaging 1.2 SPG and 0.8 BPG from the small forward spot this season with the Suns and Nets after being sent to Brooklyn in the deal for Kevin Durant. Bridges has already made a defensive impact for the Nets in his two games with the team coming up with timely plays and late-game stops in close games.
We have once again reached the point in the NBA season where somehow Jimmy Butler has become underrated. Missing alot of time with injury this season, Butler has picked it up as of late. He is leading all small forwards with 2.0 SPG and a defensive rating of 108.9. Butler and teammate Bam Adebayo’s defensive effort are a large reason the Heat’s season has not gone down the tubes yet. If we know anything about Jimmy Butler, he will not let the Heat fall out of a playoff spot and will do whatever it takes on each side of the ball.
The Best Defensive Power Forwards
Credit: Allison Farrand-USA TODAY Sports
1. Jaren Jackson Jr.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
3. Draymond Green
As we move into the frontcourt players for our best defenders at each position, we take a look at the top defenders overall in the NBA. The power forward position is loaded with talent for the 2022-23 NBA season. Jaren Jackson Jr. is having the type of season that could land him the Defensive Player of the Year award if he keeps it up at this pace. Despite what one Reddit thread claims, Jackson has been a shot-blocking phenom as he is averaging 3.3 BPG after taking home his first career blocks title in 2022 with 2.3 BPG. Jackson has also added 1.0 SPG from the power forward position for the second-best-rated defensive team in basketball, the Memphis Grizzlies. Is Jackson the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year?
It seems odd to not have Giannis Antetokounmpo as the best-rated defensive power forward but Jackson has just been that good. Giannis is still having a great defensive season and is ranked Top Five for the Defensive Player of the Year award despite his lowest defensive numbers in years. He currently boasts the best defensive rating by a power forward with a 107.1 rating. Giannis and teammate Brook Lopez have formed the best defensive frontcourt in recent memory and could be what drives them to their second NBA championship.
The Golden State Warriors are struggling in 2022-23 and no one is hiding that fact. Although that may be the case, I am still taking Draymond Green over most power forwards on the defensive side of the ball. Green has proven that he is still as versatile as ever and is one of the few defenders who can guard all five positions on the court. Green is also the ultimate defensive leader constantly directing his teammates and calling out rotations like he is conducting a symphony at a classical music concert.
The Best Defensive Centers
Credit: USA TODAY Sports
1. Nic Claxton
2. Brook Lopez
3. Bam Adebayo
The three players at the center position who are considered the best this season are filled with surprises. Nic Claxton has been a savior for the Nets of sorts as the team has lacked a solid interior presence for what seems like forever. Claxton has taken on the role beautifully both as a help defender and on the ball. Claxton is averaging 2.6 BPG which technically leads the NBA due to the games played rule. Claxton is on an all-time great defensive trajectory if he can keep this type of production up.
The transformation of Brook Lopez’s game has been a beautiful thing to watch. Lopez used to be an offensively limited big in the paint and a so-so defender at best. In his last three seasons with the Bucks, he has completely adjusted his game to become a decent three-point shooter and among the best defensive players in basketball. Lopez is averaging 2.4 BPG this season and has the fifth-best defensive rating among centers at 108.5.
The final member of the best defensive centers in basketball is Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. Of all the players in the NBA who claim defense is their specialty, Adebayo lives it the most. His versatility on that side of the ball has been incredible to watch as he shuts down guards and wings on the perimeter just as well as he shuts down big men in the paint. With a unique blend of speed, strength, and instinct, Adebayo has quickly become one of the game’s great two-way bigs. Maybe one day, the Defensive Player of the Year voters will finally reward him for it.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
