Agreed... Gerald Wallace is a stud defender. I have never been more impressed with a player that I have seen live...
Battier...He still makes the best in the NBA take low percentage shots, which is all you can do with people like Kobe. Battier, the most intelligent man in the NBA.
When they care, LeBron and Wade are as good as anyone. Next season, I hope both guys bring the defense every game since they can slack some on offense.
Those seem to be based on stats. There are a lot of aspects on Defense that can't be measured by numbers.
Russel Westbrook is really impressiving me in the FIBA world cups right now defending international guards. But I believe Thabo Safalosha is one hell of a great perimeter. Him and Westbrook start on the say me team which is scary.
During one stretch in the first half of last season, both Thabo and Westbrook were locked in on defense and they shut down opposing backcourts. It was a joy to watch and was indeed scary for opposing teams.
I still think Ronnie Brewer deserves some love. He is the only guy in the league right now that I believe matches the lateral quickness, tenacity and strength that Ron Artest had 5-6 years ago and he brings his hard hat every single night (unlike a lot of other guys). The guy is a defensive beast and will only get better. He won't block a lot of shots or get a lot of steals but he will play Battier-like defense only he physically punishes the offensive player while he locks them down like Ron used to.
Westbrook is pretty intimidating on defense. I have to say that Derrick Rose looks much improved in that area, judging from his performance in FIBA. He's quick, strong, and athletic plus his defensive instincts seem to be getting better. Either that or he's playing against unathletic white guys.
Consider Rose's pathetic coach his first two years. I expect him to blow up on both ends of the floor this coming season. In Westbrook's case, consider that FIBA allows perimeter defenders play physical. This magnifies his ability. In the NBA, he's mostly restricted to just keeping guys out of the lane and contesting passes instead of challenging the dribble.
Tie - Afflalo / Sefolosha Battier Rondo Brewer Artest It's hard to pick one really. Artest defends big 3's better than anyone, but he sucks against the Roy's of the world. No one is a better team defender than Shane, but he's aging and past his prime.
