The Nuggets have had some overlooked lock down defenders.

Nuggets: Top 10 defenders in their history

Memphis Grizzlies v Denver NuggetsDENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 29: Chris Andersen #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw against the Denver Nuggets on February 29, 2016 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 513163864 /

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DENVER, CO – FEBRUARY 13: Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) and San Antonio Spurs center Joffrey Lauvergne (77) chase after a loose ball during the first quarter on February 13, 2018 at Pepsi Center. (Photo by John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Gary Harris: DWS 3.8

Okay, a defensive win share number of 3.8 isn’t, on the surface, deserving of this list but bear with me.

Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Gary is up to 1.8 steals per game this year, he is both the risk-taking defensive pest and the lock down, on-ball defender that is so desperately needed in the talent heavy West.

His ability to disrupt passing lanes and deny the likes of Klay Thompson and James Harden the ball is great in its own right. Where Gary separates is that he’s more than the Corey Brewer/J.R. Smith model of ball hawk. He can jump out and steal passes with the best of them but he is also a fantastic on-ball defender.

On the Nuggets February breakout party, Harris has poked, prodded, bothered and generally defended the heck out of the best the league has to offer. We could run a highlight reel of Harris’ defense in that time with names like Antetokuonmpo, Westbrook, Curry, Harden, Thompson on the other end of Gary’s defensive success.

It’ll take a while for the statistical numbers to catch up with what we already know, Gary Harris is a premier defender for the Nuggets.