Michael Jordan ranked 15th in Bleacher Report’s all-time NBA defenders list

Michael Jordan has been placed at No. 15 on Bleacher Report’s list of the NBA’s 99 best defenders of all time, released on Tuesday.

Bleacher Report ranked Boston Celtics icon Bill Russell at No. 1, followed by Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ben Wallace. Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player ever, finished behind modern defensive anchors like Dikembe Mutombo and Scottie Pippen.

What happened?

Bleacher Report unveiled its ranking on Tuesday, capping a debate that has simmered for decades. Russell’s No. 1 spot reflects his unmatched championship pedigree: 11 titles in 13 seasons with the Celtics. Duncan, who never won Defensive Player of the Year, landed at No. 2 despite anchoring San Antonio’s stingy defense for nearly two decades.

Jordan’s No. 15 finish underscores how his legacy skews toward offense. The Chicago Bulls legend won Defensive Player of the Year in 1988 and made nine All-Defensive First Teams. He averaged 2.3 steals per game over his career and averaged 2.7 steals and one block per game in his first nine seasons.

Why it matters for Michael Jordan

The ranking spotlights a gap in Jordan’s resume. While he’s the undisputed GOAT on offense, his defensive résumé sits outside the top 10. Russell’s 133.6 career defensive win shares lead the group, a figure that dwarfs Jordan’s total. The list also highlights how eras shape perception: Russell played before blocks and steals were tracked, yet his impact on winning remains untouchable.

Jordan’s inclusion at No. 15 still stands as a defensive milestone. He’s the highest-ranked player known primarily for his offensive greatness. His nine All-Defensive First Teams trail only Duncan’s 15 and Garnett’s 12 among the top 25.

Where the top five stand

Russell tops the list thanks to Boston’s defensive dominance during his tenure. The Celtics’ defensive rating was 10.8 points better than the league average in 1963-64, the season he won his third straight MVP and another title. Duncan’s No. 2 finish comes despite zero Defensive Player of the Year awards-a gap Bleacher Report called “maybe the biggest miss in the history of individual NBA awards.”

Garnett ranks third for his versatility and intensity, while Olajuwon’s 3,830 career blocks place him fourth. Wallace rounds out the top five after four Defensive Player of the Year wins. The rest of the top 10 includes Mutombo, Dennis Rodman, Pippen, Rudy Gobert and Draymond Green.

What comes next

The debate over the NBA’s greatest defender isn’t settled. Russell’s statistical gaps leave room for argument, but his 11 rings and 133.6 defensive win shares speak for themselves. For Jordan’s legacy, the ranking reinforces a simple truth: even the greatest often fall short in categories they didn’t prioritize.

The list also serves as a reminder of how stats evolve. Russell’s era lacked blocks and steals data, yet his influence on winning remains unmatched. Modern greats like Gobert and Green now dominate the conversation, their advanced metrics filling the gaps Russell bridged by sheer will.