5 best defenders in the Eastern Conference entering the 2021-22 NBA season

#3 Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo (#13) of the Miami Heat

Big men who can move their feet and essentially defend against guards in the NBA are rare. Bam Adebayo is one such player whose defense transcends beyond paint protection.

The Miami Heat center has been an anchor for the team defensively. and also makes notable contributions at the other end of the floor. The youngster has had problems guarding dominant big men like Embiid. But the 24-year-old still has a few years to play and develop in the NBA.

Adebayo is heavily underrated as a defender, and that might not stop anytime soon. His versatility is beyond impressive. He showed that in his rookie season after guarding Stephen Curry and not getting burned.

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#2 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo (#34) of the Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. While he is practically unguardable in offense, his athleticism also gives him an advantage defensively.

Rudy Gobert has dominated the DPOY award for the last four years, winning three of them. The Greek Freak is the only one who successfully dethroned Gobert. Antetokounmpo won the 2020 DPOY, and made the NBA All-Defensive First Team for three consecutive seasons (2019-2021).

His ' clutch block in Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Finals will go down in history as one of the greatest plays in league history. He had to quickly switch back to Deandre Ayton after the pick-and-roll to make a block.

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#1 Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers

It is unclear where Ben Simmons could play in the 2021-22 NBA season, given his strained relationship with the 76ers' management and his eagerness to leave. But at the time of writing, he remains a Sixer, and is the best defender in the East.

Simmons was a finalist in the 2021 DPOY race, and could get as close or perhaps win the award in the 2021-22 NBA season. His versatility is the most intriguing aspect of his defensive acumen. The All-Star once told reporters that he can guard all positions in the league, and he has proven that on occasion.

“I’m one of those guys who can guard one through five. Obviously, there’s a lot of respect for Rudy. I know what he’s capable of. I know he’s great down there in the paint. But he’s not guarding everybody, and that’s just what it is. He guarded me in Utah. I had 42. And, apparently, I’m not a scorer.”

The Australian is tasked with guarding the best player on the court, regardless of the position. In most cases, he has successfully limited the productivity of the opposition's key players.