Who is the greatest defender in NBA history?

I personally think that it is Hakeem Olajawan

Who is the greatest defender in NBA history?nba playoff

Bill Russell followed by Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo. Not many centers can contain a Wilt Chamberlin and Bill managed to slow him down throughout his career. Hakeem leads the NBA in all-time blocks and is # 7 in career steals. The Dream was able to contain centers like David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and Shaquille O'Neal. Both players were undersized (under 7 foot) centers but were smart enough defenders to know how to move them feet, anticipate when to jump up to block a shot, and not fall for easy pump fakes. Russell and Olajuwon were the premier defender during their time.

Who is the greatest defender in NBA history?nba stats ,nba teams

Hakeem Olajuwon is the guy! If he doesn't block shots, he alters shots. a pick-pocket as well. the best on the low post. a great intimidating presence...great anchor on defense!!!

other notables : Bill Russell; GP; Big Ben; The Worm (can guard all 5 spots); Bowen; Michael Jordan; Kareem
Bill Russell. I know Wilt dropped a lot of points on him back in the day, but he made sure no one else got off.
Bill Russel hands down...dude won 8 straight titles in the 60s with Wilt in his prime!

He was the only one who could come close to containing Wilt Chamberlain...no one in NBA history can say they can do that

If they had kept stats of blocks and steals back then when Wilt and Rusell were playing i bet he would be the all time leader in blocks/blocks per game and steals/steals per game...dude was a beast defensively
Big Ben Wallace, in his prime
Ron Artest.
Jerry West was on the all- defensive team like 12 times! Walt Frazier, Bobby Jones, Kevin McHale.
those dirty *** spurs players who make people who take a jump shot land on their feet to mess up their ankles.....see it on youtube with bruce bowen injuring steve francis.....they get away with it and win championships from it....i'd say that's nba history if you win a championship from cheap shot defense
Some come to mind:

1 Hakeem Olajawan

2 Dikembe Mutombo

3 Bill Russell

4 Wilt Chamberlain

4 Ben Wallace

Of these five, I'd have have to agree with you; Hakeem the Dream is the greastest. He's the all time leader in blocks, top ten in pts, rebs, stls, defensive player of the year, ect.
the center is hakeem alajawon, forward bill rusell and forrward dennis rodman guard michael jordan and guard a. tomas
dennis rodman
Dennis Rodman(2 defensive player of the year)

MJ (1 defensive player of the year)

Scottie

* all 3 can defend any position (MJ can't defend center)
Hakeem Olajawan is just about the best post man not just defensivly he was good in all ways. he won best defensive player back to back years. and won mvp in 1994. he is the greastest defensive player ever.
There are four that stand out to me, I would not like to rank them.

Bill Russel, Scottie Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwan and Michael Jordan

Others would be Bobby Jones, Gary Payton (the one part of his game that was not over-rated), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, Joe Dumars and Walt Frazier.

Did not really see a lot of Russel but still would go with him in the post and Pippen on the wing, I guess Payton on point guards.
Kevin McHale (Celts)
Wayne Gretzky!!!
For me it's John Stockton...

runner-ups:

Gary Payton and Michael Jordan
i would have to go with the glove gary payton, but you can make a great argument for ben wallace, dikembe mutumbo or hakeem.
hakeem olajawan
hard to judge across positions-

Russell at center

Rodman and forward

GP or maybe Moncrief at guard
Gary Payton and his mouth.
Either Dennis Rodman or Bruce Bowen.
Jordan...he not only dominated the game at the offensive end, he dominated the game at the defensive end as well.
I'd say it's between Hakeem and Russell. Not too many people had a presence like they did on the defensive end of the court.
Hakeem, Bill Russell, and Michael Jordan.
i agree with the Dream-Shake as number 1, cuz he's @ #1 in blocks...right? but all-around...Bill Russell..yeah...his 11 titles with Boston are huge...but know that the first year the NBA All-Defense teams were introduced...he was the first nominated...and it was the last year he played...jordan was big on D, but i still think russell was the best overall...btw...KING if u read this...tha guy ur tryin 2 clown on was right...eight STRAIGHt...that means CONSECUTIVE..ur the idiot...u need to kno wut ur talkin about BEFORE u yap...they won the rest later...that makes 11...