[The Athletic] Top 25 Defensive Players EVER

Come on, Bill Russell would just be a better Gobert in this era if he had average teammates. Can't guard the perimeter, no way.

Hakeem would be the best defensive player in the NBA today. In Russell's era and even with a less talented team, he would have just as good a chance at DPOY as Russell.

Has always been a silly discussion to me. Russell is slightly better on the interior. Hakeem is vastly better everywhere else and makes you have to guard him. Hakeem the clear winner imo.

 

Can't see Sengun in the list. Probably some filter on number of years played.

 

There is a reason why the Defensive Player of the Year Award is named after Hakeem rather than Bill Russell.

 

Yes. The Finals MVP award is already named after Bill Russell, and the "Defensive Player of the Year" award didn't exist when he played.