Ranking the NBA’s Top 100 Defenders (100-11): Where do OG Anunoby, Jayson Tatum and Kawhi Leonard land on the 2024-25 list?

Last season I ranked the NBA’s top 100 defenders. To my knowledge, this was the first time such a list had been created. And while I believe it’s the best list ever, this season’s edition has made significant improvements.

This second attempt is still not perfect, but the goal of this project is to raise awareness of the league’s great defenders and the importance of that side of the ball. Last year’s list accomplished this task. Hopefully this year’s list will do the same.

A little about the methodology as it has changed compared to last year. In the past, I’ve tried to spread an even mix of guards, wings, and big men across the roster. I used a combination of the eye test, wisdom of the crowd, and advanced metrics to determine my rankings.

Most people said they would prefer a more subjective list of what I consider to be the best defenders based solely on eye tests. I watch as much NBA as anyone and have a good sense of who’s good and who’s bad. So that’s what I’m giving you this year. No advanced stats, no opinions from others – just my own list of guys who I think have the biggest impact on defense.

Part I of this story runs from #11 to #100. Part II, published tomorrow, covers the top 10.

NBA POSITION RANKING: PG | SG | SF | PF | C

The NBA’s best defenders: 11-100

Top 11-25 Defenders

rank	player
11.	Joel Embiid
12.	OG Anunoby
13.	Evan Mobley
14.	Jaren Jackson Jr.
15.	Isaiah Hartenstein
16.	Aaron Gordon
17.	Jalen suggests
18.	Derrick White
19.	Jaden McDaniels
20.	Kawhi Leonard
21.	Brook Lopez
22.	Walker Kessler
23.	Jarrett Allen
24.	Chet Holmgren
25.	Ausar Thompson

Joel Embiids With a wingspan of 7-5, he is one of the best rim protectors in the league. According to Crafted NBA, opponents shot 10.5 percent worse within six feet of the rim against him last season, ranking in the 94th percentile of all players. Watch the games and you will see players pulling out the ball because they are afraid to challenge it. The same also applies to Jaren Jackson Jr., Brook Lopez, Walker Kessler and Jarrett Allen.

Chet Holmgren was the most controversial member of last year’s list. Many were upset that an inexperienced rookie could be considered a top-100 defenseman. It turned out that his ranking of 63rd was way too low. Holmgren’s 2.3 blocks per game were fourth in the league.

Isaiah Hartenstein And Evan Mobley Although they are also good rim protectors, their best skills lie in other areas. Hartenstein rarely makes mistakes and knows exactly where he should be. Had he played enough games last season to qualify, he would have had a good chance of making an All-Defensive team. Mobley flies across the court, teleports to the shooters and reappears at the edge.

The wing defense is not considered effective, however OG Anunoby finds ways to change this narrative. He can guard anyone and is one of the best ball chasers in the league. That’s how it is Kawhi Leonardwho improved his defensive intensity last year and still has those huge hands that can rip the ball away from anyone. Jaden McDaniels Wins on the second, third and fourth attempts. He said his goal was to ruin his opponents’ day with his suffocating style.

Aaron Gordon deserves special praise as one of the least discussed defenders on this list. He does all the dirty work for the Nuggets, protecting the opposing player’s best player, regardless of his size, speed or skill. Ausar Thompson will one day surpass him in similar things. His athleticism and instincts allow him to make plays that no one else can.

The most difficult position to make an impact is guard. You really have to be special to be one of the best. Jalen suggests And Derrick White easily fits this description. Suggs is a distraction machine who is difficult to read and has restarted his career as a pest. White is the best defensive player since Dwyane Wade and moves his feet as well as anyone on the sidelines.

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Top 26-50 Defenders

rank	player
26.	Nick Claxton
27.	Marcus Smart
28.	Matisse Thybulle
29.	Paul George
30.	Jimmy Butler
31.	Jakob Pöltl
32.	Jarred Vanderbilt
33.	Kristaps Porzingis
34.	Lu There
35.	Dillon Brooks
36.	Mitchell Robinson
37.	Ivica Zubac
38.	Dyson Daniels
39.	Toumani Camara
40.	Kris Dunn
41.	Keon Ellis
42.	Gary Payton II
43.	Kyle Anderson
44.	Jayson Tatum
45.	Kevin Durant
46.	Mikal Bridges
47.	Robert Williams III
48.	Onyeka Okongwu
49.	Mark Williams
50.	Amen Thompson

Some of the players on this list are obvious additions. Marcus Smart, Paul George, Jimmy Butler And Matisse Thybulle have made multiple All-Defensive teams. Dillon Brooks And Mikal Bridges made one. Lu ThereThe nickname “Dorture Chamber” is well-deserved – it will bring heat and make you uncomfortable. Jayson Tatum is the team’s best fullback on some nights. Some of these guys are no longer at their peak, but all of them are still great when locked up.

Others you may have never heard of. Dyson Daniels Has the best technique in the league and cuts through attacks with excellent footwork. Toumani Camara was called a “one-man defense” by Blazers teammate Scoot Henderson. That is a completely justified statement. Keon Ellis forced his way into the Kings’ rotation due to his stifling perimeter defense. Mark Williams is a great jumper who can move his feet well at a height of 7 feet.

Then there are the older heads who keep finding ways to get stops. Kyle Anderson proved in the playoffs that, like Luka Doncic, he is one of the best defenders on elite wings. Kevin Durant doesn’t get enough praise for its weak side rim protection.

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Top 51-75 Defenders

rank	player
51.	Scottie Barnes
52.	Lonzo Ball
53.	Isaac Okoro
54.	Josh Okogie
55.	Ben Simmons
56.	Haywood Highsmith
57.	Vince Williams Jr.
58.	Fred VanVleet
59.	Josh Hart
60.	Larry Nance Jr.
61.	Kentavious Caldwell Pope
62.	Jaylen Brown
63.	Jose Alvarado
64.	Al Horford
65.	Clint Capela
66.	De’Anthony Melton
67.	Wendell Carter Jr.
68.	Jabari Smith Jr.
69.	Derrick Jones Jr.
70.	Xavier Tillman
71.	Dennis Smith Jr.
72.	Shai Gilgeous Alexander
73.	Aaron Nesmith
74.	Dean Wade
75.	Nickel Alexander-Walker

Four Celtics made this list, making them seven of the top 75 defensemen in the league. Jaylen Brown is a new addition to this list. He improved tremendously last season both on and off the ball. Al Horford continues to be a reliable big man, and Xavier Tillman has great size and better foot speed.

Scottie Barnes jumped up 24 spots on this year’s list. He has done a good job on the upper wings of the league and provided great weak sideline protection.

Lonzo Ball was added this year. When he was fully healthy a few seasons ago, it would have been much higher. He was able to defend his position, take a ton of deflections and know exactly where the ball was going. Ben Simmons His defensive impact has also diminished due to injuries. Compared to last season, it dropped 30 places, which is the biggest drop of anyone in the top 50.

Shai Gilgeous Alexander is another newcomer. His defense has been rather disappointing in recent seasons. He was miles better last year, tied for the league lead with 2.0 steals per game. He is much better in the ballhawk role, intercepting passes in the other direction for easy points.

Vince Williams will take up the full playing field and no one can get past him in the area. He guarded everyone from Tyrese Haliburton to Kevin Durant last year.

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Top 76-100 Defenders

rank	player
76.	Pascal Siakam
77.	Kenrich Williams
78.	Bruce Brown
79.	Dorian Finney Smith
80.	Davion Mitchell
81.	Delon Wright
82.	Deuce McBride
83.	Keegan Murray
84.	Nikola Jokic
85.	Paul Reed
86.	Myles Turner
87.	Cameron Johnson
88.	Nicolas Batum
89.	Caleb Martin
90.	Cody Martin
91.	Royce O’Neale
92.	Deni Avdija
93.	Javonte Green
94.	Naji Marshall
95.	Grant Williams
96.	Patrick Williams
97.	Ayo Dosunmu
98.	De’Aaron Fox
99.	Donte DiVincenzo
100.	Andrew Nembhard

Deuce McBride, Keegan Murray And De’Aaron Fox have all made great progress towards their first top 100 list. McBride is limited by his small size, but he is locked in at the rim and gives great effort. Murray quietly emerged as the Kings’ best wing defender last season. Fox has overcome his reputation as a lackluster defender and is now truly successful. He also led the league in steals.

Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu And Davion Mitchell are ready and willing to screw up whatever other teams are aiming for. They get into your grill and can’t escape again.

Myles Turner was the biggest loser in the top 100 at 49 spots. He’s still a good rim protector, but nowhere near the all-defensive caliber of a few seasons ago. Pascal Siakam He has the tools to be great and make big plays, but his focus isn’t always there.

Nikola Jokic doesn’t look like a great defender, but his teams always perform better when he’s on both ends of the field. He has great hands, good anticipation and a fun way to kick the ball to force teams to restart against a tight defense.

There are some good 3-and-D wingers in this group who fill one of the most important roles in the league.

Bruce Brown will not shy away from anyone. Dorian Finney Smith has a great size and tools on the wing. Cameron Johnson has improved from the skinny player targeted in the playoffs a few seasons ago. Nic Batum is now a full-time power forward but can still make heady plays. Deni Avdija took on the toughest tasks for the Wizards and did a better job than you would think. Javonte Green Because of his athleticism and toughness, he plays much larger than his height.