If you are a fan like me, you must know the thrill of watching elite defensive guards in the NBA throughout different eras. Let's dive into how these players have stood out in their respective times.
In the 1980s, you couldn't talk defense without mentioning Sidney Moncrief. This guy was something special—a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Imagine shutting down scorers like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. How many players could do that consistently? Not many. Moncrief's defensive rating of 98.1 over the 1982-83 season sets a benchmark that still stands tall.
As the 1990s rolled around, Gary Payton became a household name. "The Glove," as he's affectionately known, won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1996, the only point guard in history to do so. Payton could limit opponents to under 40% shooting, a stat that jumps off the page. Given how the game's pace increased, averaging 92.1 possessions per game in that era, Payton's focus and agility were remarkable.
Fast forward to the 2000s, and you'd hear whispers of Bruce Bowen. Here’s a guy who would follow superstar scoring threats like a shadow. On a nightly basis, Bruce would average a defensive win share of 4.5. His tenacity is legendary; he held players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James below their scoring averages. An NBA Finals in 2003 put him against the New Jersey Nets, and Bowen was critical in limiting their offensive efficiency.
Dwyane Wade, often seen as an offensive powerhouse in the late 2000s, rarely gets enough credit for his defense. With a 6'4" frame, he led all guards in blocks per game multiple seasons. Wade had an average of 1.3 blocks per game during his prime. His disruptiveness made Miami Heat a formidable defensive team, culminating in NBA championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013.
Modern-day NBA has its defensive juggernauts too. Marcus Smart, for instance, often gets overlooked beyond Boston. He's the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and the first guard to win it since Payton. Marcus Smart can record over 3.0 defensive win shares in a season. His ability to switch onto bigger players and guard multiple positions makes him an invaluable asset as the game becomes more positionless.
But have we ever seen a guard like Jrue Holiday? With matching up against stars like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, Jrue's defensive impact often goes understated. Jrue Holiday's defensive box plus/minus (DBPM) is consistently among the top for guards, specifically sitting at 1.4 in recent seasons. What does this mean? Essentially, a positive DBPM indicates his team allows fewer points when he's on the court.
Consider Kawhi Leonard, primarily known as a small forward but who operated as a guard during his early years. With a defensive rating of 99 in the 2015-16 season, Kawhi’s performance redefined what we expect from perimeter defenders. He grabbed two Defensive Player of the Year awards back-to-back in 2015 and 2016. Imagine a player who can disrupt an entire team's game plan—that's Kawhi for you.
And of course, no discussion would be complete without mentioning Tony Allen. Memphis Grizzlies pride themselves on their 'Grit and Grind' era, and Tony Allen was its face. During the peak of his career, from 2010 to 2017, Allen averaged 1.7 steals and consistently ranked in the top 10 for steals per game. You don't earn the nickname "The Grindfather" for nothing.
Even looking back at older eras, Joe Dumars from the Detroit Pistons in the late 80s and early 90s comes to mind. He was directly responsible for containing Michael Jordan in playoff battles. Dumars's impact is visible in the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals where he limited Jordan to below 50% shooting multiple times. This was a Herculean task against someone who regularly shot at a 51% efficiency rate.
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