Top 30 Best Defenders in NBA History

16. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard was the unquestioned best defensive player in the NBA for years while he was playing for the Orlando Magic. Howard won three-straight Defensive Player of the Year Awards from 2009 through 2011. Howard led the league in blocks twice and in rebounds five times as he was able to control the pace of the game from the defensive end. Now while Howard is not quite the same difference-maker as he was in the past, he is still an above-average defender from the center position.