Who's the all-time best defensive player in NBA?

[MaD RoBoT]

for me, Hakeem Olajuwon

finished his career with:

2x Defensive Player of the Year
within top 10 in rebounding, steals (only center) and blocks (all-time, 1st)
only player posted 200+ blocks & 200+ steals in a season

[lebrick]

for me, Hakeem Olajuwon

finished his career with:

2x Defensive Player of the Year
within top 10 in rebounding, steals (only center) and blocks (all-time, 1st)
only player posted 200+ blocks & 200+ steals in a season

russell for me...

[Haglerwins]

I swear I've never seen anyone do what Scottie Pippen did to the Lakers in '00.

He almost single handedly put the Trailblazers over the top with his D on the whole Lakers offense.

[talip bin osman]

agree wholeheartedly to madvein here...

the dream was a great defensive workhorse...

[bojangles1987]

Based on what little I've seen and all the accounts of his play, Bill Russell was. Since I don't have enough evidence I've seen myself to pick him for sure, I'd say Pippen was the best all around defender I've ever seen. He did just about everything.

[MaD RoBoT]

using kswizzy's logic, Steve Nash is better defender than John Stockton coz he's more athletic

[-jose-]

... Olajuwon ...

[AntonTheMeh]

russell for me...

this. I'd go with mike as number 2.

[DeadLikeMe]

In terms of ATG players the guys who are top 10 at their position are usually defensive beasts as well, but then you have to consider defensive guys like Mutombo and Rodman. Even guys like Bruce Bowen and Sidney Moncrief might deserve a shake. Olajuwon was an all-around beast so he is deserving on accolades and rank alone, but was he really the "best". Tim Duncan might say otherwise.

edit: and that Gary Payton fella wasn't half bad either.

[J-Smooth]

In terms of ATG players the guys who are top 10 at their position are usually defensive beasts as well, but then you have to consider defensive guys like Mutombo and Rodman. Even guys like Bruce Bowen and Sidney Moncrief might deserve a shake. Olajuwon was an all-around beast so he is deserving on accolades and rank alone, but was he really the "best". Tim Duncan might say otherwise.

edit: and that Gary Payton fella wasn't half bad either.

Good post....GreenK sent