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The 25 Best Defenders in the NBA Right Now

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The responsibilities of a defender in today’s NBA are taxing. With the rise of three-point shooting and modern rules which favor offenses, NBA defenses have more responsibility than ever. Defenders have to be able to excel in different defensive schemes. Versatility is paramount, and the best defenders are the ones that show up at the most important times.

Apologies go out to Jonathan Isaac and Klay Thompson, who would probably make this list any other year, but Isaac and Thompson are out for the season due to injury. There were also other defenders worthy of recognition, but the NBA is filled with players who have a case to make this list. From Rudy Gobert to Giannis Antetokounmpo, here’s a look at the best defenders in the NBA right now.

1. Rudy Gobert

2. Anthony Davis

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo

4. Myles Turner

5. Ben Simmons

6. Kawhi Leonard

7. Marcus Smart

8. Bam Adebayo

9. Joel Embiid

10. LeBron James

11. Jimmy Butler

12. Patrick Beverley

13. Eric Bledsoe

14. Paul George

15. Jrue Holiday

16. Draymond Green

17. Brook Lopez

18. PJ Tucker

19. OG Anunoby

20. Dejounte Murray

21. Luguentz Dort

22. Jaylen Brown

23. Clint Capela

24. Larry Nance Jr.

25. Pascal Siakam

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