The 7 Best Defensive Shooting Guards Of All Time
This article delves into the best defensive shooting guards of all time, highlighting players who excelled on the defensive end throughout their careers. We take into account NBA/ABA Defensive Player of the Year awards, most All-Defensive Team votes, All-Defensive team selections, contributions during championship runs, Basketball Hall of Fame induction, and all-time defensive statistics leaders.
By analyzing these metrics, this article aims to provide insight into the defensive prowess and lasting legacy of some of the greatest shooting guards to ever grace the hardwood, showcasing their impact on shaping game outcomes and championships through their elite defensive abilities.
Now, let’s dive into our list of defensive stalwarts who have left an enduring legacy in basketball history.
Who are the Best Defensive Shooting Guards Of All Time?
In NBA history, there have been some amazing defensive shooting guards. These players are special because they’re tough, determined, and incredibly skilled at stopping their opponents. Think of stars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, who were relentless defenders. Dennis Johnson, a key player on championship teams because he put his heart into his defense, and Sidney Moncrief won Defensive Player of the Year awards because of his unwavering effort.
Tony Allen was known as the “Grindfather” for his hard-nosed defense, while Joe Dumars was a big part of the Detroit Pistons’ success with his defensive leadership. From legends like Jerry West to today’s stars like Klay Thompson and Matisse Thybulle, these players made a huge impact on the game with their defensive abilities.
Now, let’s narrow down our focus to identify the absolute best defensive shooting guards of all time. Here are our top 7 best defensive shooting guards of all time:
7. Jerry Sloan
Jerry Sloan was a tenacious and hard-nosed defensive specialist during his playing career in the NBA and ABA. Despite never winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, he was named to the All-Defensive First Team four times (1973, 1975, 1976, 1977) and the All-Defensive Second Team twice (1974, 1978), a testament to his prowess on the less glamorous end of the court.
Sloan’s gritty defensive prowess, combined with his scoring ability, earned him two All-Star appearances (1967, 1969). Though he was never an offensive juggernaut, his well-rounded game and defensive excellence over a 10-year NBA career ultimately led to his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, albeit as a coach for his remarkable 23-year tenure with the Utah Jazz.
6. Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars was a special NBA player, earning recognition as a five-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team, 1st team 4 times and 2nd team once, for his elite perimeter defense. He made the All-Star game six times and received three All-NBA nods.
Dumars was named the 1989 Finals MVP after leading the Detroit Pistons, where he teamed up with Dennis Rodman, one of the best defensive power forwards of all-time, as members of the “Bad Boys,” to their first of back-to-back NBA championships.
Dumars’ well-rounded excellence, anchored by his tenacious defense and clutch performances, culminated in his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006 after a stellar 14-year career that began with the 1985-86 All-Rookie Team honors.
5. Sidney Moncrief
Sidney Moncrief was a special NBA player known for his outstanding defensive abilities as a shooting guard. He was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in 1983 and 1984, and was selected to the All-Defensive Team five times from 1982 to 1986, highlighting his excellence as a perimeter defender.
Moncrief was a five-time NBA All-Star from 1982 to 1986, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team four times in 1982, 1984, 1985, and 1986, and the All-NBA First Team once in 1983. Given his impressive individual accolades, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2019, cementing his status as one of the best defensive guards of all time.
4. Michael Cooper
Michael Cooper was a defensive specialist who won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1986-87 and was selected to the All-Defensive Team eight times, with five selections for the first team and three for the second team. Though he never made an All-Star team, the five-time NBA champion’s elite defensive skills were invaluable to the Lakers’ dynasty in the 1980s.
His sustained defensive excellence over his 12-year career led him to be named a finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024, along with Lakers legend Jerry West. Cooper’s defensive greatness and championship contributions make a strong case for his eventual enshrinement.
3. Dennis Johnson
Dennis Johnson was a phenomenal defensive stalwart during his NBA career as a shooting guard. His prowess on that end of the court was recognized with three selections to the All-Defensive First Team in 1979, 1980, and 1982, and one selection to the Second Team in 1984.
Johnson received the most votes for All-NBA Defensive team honors twice, in 1979 and 1980, before there was a Defensive Player of the Year award. His lockdown perimeter defense made him a nightmare for opposing guards. While Johnson’s offensive numbers were solid, it was his tenacious defense that truly set him apart and earned him those prestigious All-Defensive accolades.
His ability to shut down the league’s top scorers was invaluable and established him as one of the premier defensive shooting guards of his era. Johnson’s defensive brilliance ultimately paved the way for his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, cementing his status as one of the best defensive shooting guards of all time.
2. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant was a truly special player in the NBA, making an impact on both ends of the court. He was an 18-time All-Star, won 5 NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, and was a 4-time All-Star Game MVP. Bryant was a prolific scorer, winning 2 scoring titles and making the All-NBA Team 15 times.
Defensively, he teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal, one of the top 10 NBA best defensive centers to ever play the game, and was selected to the All-Defensive First Team 9 times and the Second Team 3 times, showcasing his excellence on that end of the court.
Bryant’s unparalleled work ethic and competitive drive led him to become the MVP in 2007-08 and a 2-time Finals MVP. His incredible career accomplishments, including being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, culminated in his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
1. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is considered by many as the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a 14-time All-Star, 10-time scoring champion, 6-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, and earned 11 All-NBA selections. Jordan’s defensive prowess was also unmatched, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1988 and making the All-Defensive First Team 9 times.
He teamed up with Scottie Pippen, one of the best defensive small forwards of all-time, during the Bulls’ championship runs. Jordan won a record 5 MVP awards and 6 Finals MVPs. He led the Bulls to two separate three-peats and was a 3-time steal champion.
Jordan’s impact went beyond statistics, elevating the NBA’s popularity globally. Jordan was a transcendent figure, named one of the 50 Greatest Players in 1996 and unanimously selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
As we reflect on the defensive prowess of players like Jerry Sloan, Joe Dumars, Sidney Moncrief, Michael Cooper, Dennis Johnson, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan it becomes evident that their contributions have left an enduring legacy in the realm of basketball history.
Shaping The Course Of Basketball History
The defensive prowess exhibited by the players mentioned in this article has indelibly shaped the course of basketball history. Their relentless determination, strategic brilliance, and unwavering commitment to defense have left an enduring legacy that resonates through generations of fans and players alike.
As we celebrate these defensive stalwarts, who rank among the best defensive players in NBA history, we eagerly anticipate unveiling our rankings for other positions, including our Top 10 NBA Best Defensive Centers and our best defensive point guards of all-time, further showcasing the remarkable talents that have graced the hardwood.
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