I'm doing a 24 man tournament for the Best Defensive Player in the NBA since 1985. Me and my friend, Eternal (he used to post at HHI and was a co-writer along with me for The Proud Franchise) decided who were the 24 best defenders since '85. There were some tough omissions. We have already given the top 8 players byes for the play in round. The next 16 duke it out to see who faces that top 8. The top 8 are:
Hakeem Olajuwon
Dikembe Mutombo
Scottie Pippen
Gary Payton
Michael Jordan
Dennis Rodman
Tim Duncan
Dwight Howard
Even though there are some younger posters who may not remember some of the players that will be in the polls, I feel like some or most of us can still go back that far and remember some of these dudes. Judge these guys to the best of your ability. You can judge them on their whole careers, their primes, or both. It's your choice. I will post each players' accolades and achievements however don't let them be the only factors in your decision making process.
Marcus Camby
-One defensive player of the year (2007)
-Two time All Defensive first team (2007, 2008)
-Two time All Defensive second team (2005, 2006)
-12th all time in total career blocks (2309)
-11th all time in career blocks per game (2.5)
-Highest block total was in 2008 with 285 blocks along with his highest blocks per game average 3.6 bpa.
-Had the highest defensive rating in the NBA in 2001 (90.6)
-Had the most steals in his career in 2010 with 95.
-Had his highest steals per game average in 2004 with 1.4.
Alonzo Mourning
-Two time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000)
-Two time All NBA Defensive First Team (1999, 2000)
-11th in career blocks with 2356.
-6th in career blocks per game with 2.8 bpg.
-Highest block total in one season was 294 blocks in 2000.
-Highest block per game in one season was 3.9 in 1999.
-Had the highest defensive rating in the NBA in 1997 with 95.3.
-Had his most total steals in one season with 70 in 1996 as well as his best steal per game average at 1.0 spg.