NBA 2018-19: Top 5 lockdown defenders from last season

#2 Paul George

Paul George during last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder

Paul George has been a defensive force ever since he joined the league, averaging more than one steal per game in all but one career year due to injury.

In the 2018/19 season though, he averaged an impressive 2.2 steals and 0.4 blocks per game - able to do this while also enjoying a career-high scoring year, averaging 28 points per game. It landed him in the MVP race last term and deservedly so as part of an Oklahoma City Thunder side who ultimately underperformed again. Similar to teammate Russell Westbrook, George always hustles on defense. Persistent while pressuring the ball out on the perimeter, his size and length help him get a hand on passes.

In rare instances that he is beaten on defense, he has the ability to quickly recover and make an impact on plays. Paired with Westbrook, the Thunder had one of the scarier defensive backcourts in the league while his shock arrival alongside Kawhi Leonard at the LA Clippers is sure to have a similar effect next season and beyond.