LeBron James Falls Short in NBA's Greatest Defender Ranking

Michael Jordan and LeBron James, two of the greatest basketball players of all time, were left out of the top 15 in Bleacher Report's ranking of the NBA's 99 best defenders.

What happened?

Bleacher Report released its ranking on Tuesday, placing Boston Celtics icon Bill Russell at No. 1. Tim Duncan finished second, followed by Kevin Garnett, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Ben Wallace. Jordan landed at No. 15, while James finished at No. 22.

Why it matters for LeBron James

LeBron James, known for his incredible all-around skills, was ranked lower than expected in the defensive category. Despite his impressive defensive record, including nine All-Defensive First Teams and an average of 2.3 steals over his career, he fell short of the top 15.

What comes next?

The ranking highlights the challenges of evaluating defense in the NBA, particularly for players from earlier eras. Russell's selection, for example, was based on his impact on winning and his influence on the game, rather than traditional statistics.

Russell played 13 seasons for the Celtics and won 11 championships. Boston's defense was significantly better than the league average in every one of those seasons. The most dramatic example came in 1963-64, when the Celtics' defensive rating was 10.8 points better than the NBA average. Russell won his third consecutive MVP award that season and led Boston to another championship.

The lack of blocks and steals in Russell's official record could have hurt him in a ranking that included modern stars with detailed advanced statistics. Instead, Bleacher Report viewed it as evidence that his influence went beyond the box score. Russell controlled the paint, dominated the glass, organized Boston's defense, and discouraged opponents from attempting shots that might have resulted in blocks for another center.

His 133.6 career defensive win shares remain the highest total listed among the 99 players.

The top 5

Duncan received the No. 2 spot despite never winning Defensive Player of the Year, something Bleacher Report called "maybe the biggest miss in the history of individual NBA awards." The Spurs legend earned a record 15 All-Defensive selections and served as the foundation of one of the league's most consistent defenses for nearly two decades.

Garnett ranked third because of his versatility, intensity, and influence on the Celtics' championship defense in 2007-08. Olajuwon, the NBA's all-time leader in officially recorded blocks, finished fourth. Four-time Defensive Player of the Year winner Wallace rounded out the top five.

Where Michael Jordan and LeBron James ranked

Jordan was the highest-ranked player known primarily for his offensive greatness, landing at No. 15. The Chicago Bulls legend won Defensive Player of the Year in 1988, made nine All-Defensive First Teams, and averaged 2.3 steals over his career.

During his first nine seasons, Jordan averaged 2.7 steals and one block per game despite not having the same level of defensive statistics as modern players.

The full list

Bleacher Report's ranking of the NBA's 99 best defenders is a comprehensive look at the league's top defensive players. The list includes a mix of modern stars and legends from earlier eras, providing a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of defense in the NBA.

The full list can be found on Bleacher Report's website.

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