What is the best defensive player?
In the NBA, the best defensive player is a much-talked-about award that represents a player's outstanding defensive performance in the game and impact on the lineup. The best defensive player is usually judged on the player's individual defensive ability, contribution to the team's overall defense, and dominance in the game.
Chamberlain's defensive dominance
When it comes to the best defensive player, it's impossible not to mention one of the most dominant players in NBA history – Bill Chamberlain. As a center forward, Chamberlain's dominance is unmatched on the defensive end. He's strong, powerful, and has incredible reach and bounce to provide a very intimidating defense under the basket. Whether it's blocking, rebounding, stealing, or limiting the opponent's scoring, Chamberlain has displayed extraordinary dominance that is intimidating to opponents.
Jordan's all-round defensive capabilities
Michael Jordan is known as one of the most well-rounded players in NBA history, and his defensive prowess is unmatched. Jordan possess excellent physicality and exceptional reflexes, able to magically stop opponents from scoring and achieve crucial blocks in crucial moments. Whether the opponent is attacking on the outside or inside, Jordan can become an iron wall and put the opponent under extreme pressure.
Cousins' dominance and injuries hinder
DeMarcus Cousins is a dominant player on the defensive end, but injuries have hampered his career. As an interior player, Cousins has superior power and good blocking ability under the basket, and is able to effectively limit the opponent's scoring. However, a back-to-back of serious injuries has had a big impact on his career, making it impossible to imagine how much defensive dominance he would have had not been injured.
Nets guard Irving became the only active player
In today's NBA league, it's very rare for a guard to be able to excel on both the offensive and defensive ends at the same time. However, the Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving became the only active guard with the best defensive player quality. With excellent body coordination, quick reflexes and flexibility, Irving has shown commendable ability on the defensive end. Not only is he able to press on opponents and block breakthroughs, but he can also make crucial blocks at crucial moments, which will be a huge help to the team.
Reasons why it's hard for a defender to be voted the best defender
There are several reasons why a defender is more difficult to be selected as the best defensive player. First of all, defenders face a more diverse variety of opponents and need to deal with different styles of offensive players, such as speed, break-through and projection. Second, defenders are often responsible for scoring and playmaking on the offensive end, resulting in a physical and energetic distraction that makes it difficult to concentrate on defense. In addition, defenders need to rely more on tactical awareness and the ability to see and hear, rather than just individual talent. These factors make it more difficult for a guard to be voted the best defensive player.
To sum up, it is very difficult for a defender to be selected as the best defensive player, and it requires a player to excel in terms of individual ability, contribution to the team's defense, and game dominance. While only a handful of players in history have been able to reach that height, Nets guard Irving has shown his talent on the defensive end as the only active guard with the best defensive player quality.