Nugg Love
Fansided

Nugg Love’s top 10 defensive players in NBA history

By Michael Longhofer

Phoenix Suns v Utah JazzSALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Alex Len #21 of the Phoenix Suns blocks the shot by Jonas Jerebko #8 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Jazz beat the Phoenix Suns 107-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)Getty ID: 918398032
Phoenix Suns v Utah JazzSALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Alex Len #21 of the Phoenix Suns blocks the shot by Jonas Jerebko #8 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Jazz beat the Phoenix Suns 107-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)Getty ID: 918398032 /
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BEL AIR, CA – FEBRUARY 15: Scottie Pippen attends the Haute Living NBA All Star Dinner Honoring Scottie Pippen on February 15, 2018 in Bel Air, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Haute Living
BEL AIR, CA – FEBRUARY 15: Scottie Pippen attends the Haute Living NBA All Star Dinner Honoring Scottie Pippen on February 15, 2018 in Bel Air, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Haute Living /

Scottie Pippen:  DWS 67.29

Long and deceptively fast, Scottie Pippen was the 5th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in 1987 and went on to a remarkable career with the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers.

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He is overshadowed by the accomplishments of Michael Jordan but Pippen earned his spot in the top-50 all-time NBA and the Hall of Fame.  Largely on his defensive prowess. Pippen had a remarkable run of NBA All-Defensive first team nominations from 1992-1999.

He led the NBA in steals in 1995 and was tasked with guarding some of the best small forwards the game has seen (Peja Stojakovic, Detlef Schrempf, Chris Mullin, James Worthy, Dominique Wilkins and Larry Bird among them).

He was Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman for the Bulls 6 NBA titles.