Ranking the top 10 defensive players in the NBA in the 21st century

#3 Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan was the kind of NBA player that did not go for the spectacular on defense. However, his input made him one of the best defensive players in the NBA during his era.

✅ 5 time NBA Champion✅ 3 time Finals MVP✅ 2 time league MVP✅ 15 time all defense ✅ 15 time all NBA✅ HALL OF FAMER🐐 Tim Duncan 🐐 pic.twitter.com/lzzs2ApHfo

— /r/spurs (@redditspurs) May 15, 2021

Of his 19-year career, he was selected to the NBA All-Defensive Team a record 15 times. Although he never won the Defensive Player of the Year award, his contributions on defense guaranteed his team 5 NBA championships. He also averaged 2.2 blocks per game throughout his career.

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#2 Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics

Things always got intense whenever Kevin Garnett was on the court because of how he approached the game. He was one of the fiercest competitors the NBA has ever seen as he leaves it all on the court every night.

Garnett signed with the Celtics in 2007 to form a big three with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. It seemed like he was the missing piece as they went on to win the 17th NBA championship for the Boston Celtics.

Kobe wrote this about Kevin Garnett in his book #MambaMentality “KG was a wizard on defense. I don’t think people give Kevin Garnett enough credit for that.” #HOF pic.twitter.com/QEj9AoMX3p

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) April 4, 2020

That same season, Garnett won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. In the four years before the 2007-08 season, he was the league's rebounding champion.

Garnett made 12 All-NBA defensive selections, nine of which were for first teams. He finished his career with 10.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals.

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#1 Ben Wallace

Ben Wallace #6 of the Detroit Pistons

Ben Wallace is undoubtedly the best defender of the 21st century in the NBA. He was not a major contributor on offense as he finished his career averaging 5.7 points per game. However, his 2.0 blocks per game career average should give you an idea of how dominant he was defensively.

It is even more impressive considering that he was an undersized center that stood at 6"9. Meanwhile, his height was not a deterrent, as he led the NBA in rebounding for two consecutive seasons (2002 & 2003). He also led the league in blocks during the 2001-02 season.

Wallace made NBA All-Defensive Team selections for six consecutive seasons. He also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times during his career.