Defense doesn’t always get the loudest applause, but Bleacher Report made it the focus as it ranked the 99 best defenders in NBA history. With August around the corner, the outlet put together its list and included five players who spent time with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Chet Holmgren came in at No. 84, and B/R pointed straight to his rim protection. “Even with his 7'1", 208-pound frame that looks like it could be folded by most NBA wings, Chet Holmgren has been one of the league's best rim protectors from the moment he entered it...
"And in his last two campaigns with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he's ranked in the 97th and 99th percentile, respectively, in defensive rating (the team's points allowed per 100 possessions when a given player is on the floor).”
Alex Caruso checked in at No. 75, with B/R highlighting the edge he brings every night. “Caruso is one of the game's best examples of the 'refs can't call everything' mentality.
From the moment he enters the game to the last time he leaves it, his hands are all over the opponent. He pushes, grabs, pulls, bodies and otherwise pushes the envelope as far as he can.
"And the approach absolutely works for him. Officials, as it turns out, can't call everything. And Caruso's overly physical defense rattles opponents and has been a crucial element of two different championship teams.”
Paul George landed at No. 72, and the writeup focused on how his defense separated him from other high-volume wings. “Paul George rose to superstar status for much of his career, thanks in large part to his offense. But his versatility on the defensive end made him unique among the other volume-scoring wings of his era.
"George is 6'8", but at his peak, he moved like a guard. That combination of size and lateral explosiveness helped him cover tons of ground on the defensive end.”
Serge Ibaka was next for the Thunder, coming in at No. 64.
B/R zeroed in on his shot-blocking peak. “In the early part of Serge Ibaka's NBA career, he was one of the most prolific shot-blockers we've ever seen.
In his first six seasons, he averaged 2.6 blocks per game, but that doesn't really tell the whole story.
"In 2011-12, he averaged 3.7...in just 27.2 minutes. There are only five players in league history who had seasons with more blocks per 75 possessions than the 5.2 Ibaka averaged that year.”
Chris Paul rounded out Oklahoma City’s group at No. 29.
B/R emphasized his ability to bother ball-handlers in different ways. “He used foot speed to stay in front of bigger players and strength to stand up smaller ones.
And when an opponent was remotely careless with the ball, CP3 was often able to take advantage.
"He averaged 2.0 steals for his career and led the league in that category in six of his first nine seasons.”
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