Ranked: The 15 best defenders in NBA history

In a league that is so offensive-heavy and points-scored-driven, basketball fans often forget how important defense is to win a game or a championship. Here are the 15 most incredible defenders in NBA history.

During the Golden State Warriors dynasty that led to four NBA Championships, Draymond Green was the defensive glue that held the team together. He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and led the league in steals as a forward the same year (2 per game), per ESPN. He has made eight All-Defensive teams.

Despite being the NBA's all-time leading scorer, LeBron James has been an elite defender his whole career. He has made a name for his chase-down blocks in clutch moments, including THAT block in the 2016 finals. He has been a DPOY runner-up twice and selected to six All-Defensive teams, per Stat Muse.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

Seattle Supersonics legend Gary Payton earned the nickname 'The Glove' because of his lockdown defense as a guard. He was named DPOY in 1996, the season Seattle reached the NBA Finals and earned nine NBA All-Defensive First Team selections.

Kevin Garnett played with more passion and ferocity than anyone on the court during his NBA career, making every block, steal, and stop personal with the offensive player. 'The Big Ticket' was the 2008 DPOY and earned 12 All-Defensive selections.

It can be easy to forget due to his recent injury troubles, but Kawhi Leonard is still one of the best defenders in the NBA when fully healthy. He won back-to-back DPOY awards in 2015 and 2016 and is known for his 'claw' hands and vast wing span, making him an attacker's nightmare.

Dwight Howard has spent the end of his career as a bit-part player, but my god, during his shortened prime, he was unstoppable defensively. Between 2008 and 2013, he won three straight DPOYs, two blocking titles, and five rebounding titles. Unstoppable.

Defensive stats weren't invented when Bill Russell dominated for the Boston Celtics, but with 11 championships and five MVPs, you could say he did a pretty good job of stopping the opposition. He ranks first all-time in defensive win shares at 133.6.

Like 'The Glove,' Sidney Moncrief was an all-in-your-face guard during the early 1980s. He won the first DPOY award in 1983 and then secured it again in 1984. According to Clutch Points, he earned five All-Defensive honors.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is a 7ft monster in the NBA, earning the nickname 'The Stifle Tower.' The Frenchman is the most decorated defender in this era, securing four DPOY awards and seven All-Defensive First-Team selections.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!

'The Worm' Dennis Rodman did practically anything defensively to stop the league's best from torching his team. From jumping for loose balls into the stands to grabbing every rebound in sight, Rodman secured two DPOY awards, earned seven All-Defense First Team selections, and was a seven-time rebounding leader. He won five championships and averaged 13.1 rebounds.

From undrafted to the Hall of Fame, Ben Wallace built his iconic career on his defensive abilities. He played the center position at 6ft9 and scared the life out of opposition players due to his intimidation. He won four DPOYs, was a five-time All-Defense First Teamer, the blocks leader in 2002, and an NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons.

It is still one of the NBA's biggest mysteries how NBA legend Tim Duncan didn't win a DPOY award. In 19 seasons, he had 15 total All-Defensive selections, the most of all time. 'The Big Fundamental' ranks second all-time in defensive win shares (106.34).

The iconic finger wag when blocking an opponent's shot was a staple in Dikembe Mutombo's famous career. The big center was so dominant in the paint in the 1990s and early 2000s that he won four DPOY awards and is second all-time in blocks with 3,289 rejections.

GOAT Michael Jordan was nearly as good defensively as he was offensively, making him a killer on both sides of the ball. Jordan was the 1988 DPOY and tied for first all-time for having nine All-Defensive First-Team selections. He led the league in steals for three seasons and had 2,514 steals in his career.

Hakeem, 'The Dream' Olajuwon, was a handful for players on both the offensive and defensive end and became the most elite defender during his time with the Houston Rockets. Olajuwon is the all-time blocks leader (3,830), a two-time DPOY, and joins 'Air Jordan' with nine All-Defensive First Team selections. He averaged 3.1 blocks for his whole career.

Want to see more like this? Follow us here for daily sports news, profiles and analysis!