When excellent two-way players Kawhi Leonard and Paul George decided to migrate to the Los Angeles Clippers, joining Patrick Beverly, the team’s defensive-minded guard, a fine defensive trio was formed.
Based on the past performances of this trio in the past, they collectively can challenge the defensive players of yesteryears for a spot in the all-time rankings.
Defense is one of the aspects of a basketball game that’s difficult to assess because they are not measured in numerical terms. There are, however, figures that might give one an idea of how good a player is defensively. Here’s some career defensive numbers of today’s Clippers and how they stack up against other great defensive trios:
Today’s Clippers trio
Player | Kawhi Leonard | Paul George | Patrick Beverly | Player | Kawhi Leonard | Paul George | Patrick Beverly |
Defensive stats | Defensive Awards | ||||||
Defensive rebounds per game | 5.1 | 6.4 | 3.1 | Defensive Player of the Year | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Blocks per game | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1st All-Defensive Team | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Steals per game | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2nd All-Defensive Team | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Defensive rating | 100 | 102 | 108 |
The Defensive rating stat is an estimate of points allowed by a player for every 100 possessions.
When ranking these trio among the greats, I would consider the size and the function to make a more or less appropriate comparison. The Clippers trio occupies the “small” positions and ideally be compared to the same player combos.
Having that said, this trio is the most elite backcourt-small forward defensive unit that pops up in my head:
Bulls “Small” defensive combo
Player | Michael Jordan | Scottie Pippen | Ron Harper | Player | Michael Jordan | Scottie Pippen | Ron Harper |
Defensive stats | Defensive Awards | ||||||
Defensive rebounds per game | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.3 | Defensive Player of the Year | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Blocks per game | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1st All-Defensive Team | 9 | 8 | 0 |
Steals per game | 2.3 | 2 | 1.7 | 2nd All-Defensive Team | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Defensive rating | 103 | 102 | 104 |
This trio that won three consecutive NBA titles was a defensive beast with their imposing size. The most unheralded one in the trio ironically was the swing factor. Harper’s size often provides opposing offense a challenge given the style the play back then.
Expanding the comparison, let’s go pound for pound. Here are some of best defensive “big” combos:
Spurs “Big” defensive combo
Player | Tim Duncan | Bruce Bowen | David Robinson | Player | Tim Duncan | Bruce Bowen | David Robinson |
Defensive stats | Defensive Awards | ||||||
Defensive rebounds per game | 8.1 | 2.2 | 7.5 | Defensive Player of the Year | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Blocks per game | 2.2 | 0.4 | 3 | 1st All-Defensive Team | 8 | 5 | 4 |
Steals per game | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 2nd All-Defensive Team | 7 | 3 | 4 |
Defensive rating | 96 | 102 | 96 |
Celtics “Really Big” defensive combo
Player | Robert Parish | Kevin Mchale | Bill Walton | Player | Robert Parish | Kevin Mchale | Bill Walton |
Defensive stats | Defensive Awards | ||||||
Defensive rebounds per game | 6.3 | 4.9 | 8.2 | Defensive Player of the Year | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Blocks per game | 1.5 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 1st All-Defensive Team | 0 | 3 | 2 |
Steals per game | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 2nd All-Defensive Team | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Defensive rating | 102 | 106 | 96 |
And some of the other best defensive combos ever:
Bulls All-time defensive combo
Player | Michael Jordan | Scottie Pippen | Dennis Rodman | Player | Michael Jordan | Scottie Pippen | Dennis Rodman |
Defensive stats | Defensive Awards | ||||||
Defensive rebounds per game | 4.7 | 4.6 | 8.4 | Defensive Player of the Year | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Blocks per game | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1st All-Defensive Team | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Steals per game | 2.3 | 2 | 0.7 | 2nd All-Defensive Team | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Defensive rating | 103 | 102 | 100 |
Jazz All-time defensive combo
Player | Mark Eaton | Karl Malone | John Stockton | Player | Mark Eaton | Karl Malone | John Stockton |
Defensive stats | Defensive Awards | ||||||
Defensive rebounds per game | 5.8 | 7.7 | 2.1 | Defensive Player of the Year | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Blocks per game | 3.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1st All-Defensive Team | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Steals per game | 0.4 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 2nd All-Defensive Team | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Defensive rating | 100 | 101 | 104 |
Pistons All-time defensive combos
Player | Ben Wallace | Tayshaun Prince | Chuancey Billups | Player | Ben Wallace | Tayshaun Prince | Chuancey Billups |
Defensive stats | Defensive Awards | ||||||
Defensive rebounds per game | 6.5 | 3.2 | 2.4 | Defensive Player of the Year | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Blocks per game | 2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1st All-Defensive Team | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Steals per game | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1 | 2nd All-Defensive Team | 1 | 4 | 2 |
Defensive rating | 96 | 108 | 107 |
Player | Bill Laimbeer | Dennis Rodman | Joe Dumars | Player | Bill Laimbeer | Dennis Rodman | Joe Dumars |
Defensive stats | Defensive Awards | ||||||
Defensive rebounds per game | 7.1 | 8.4 | 1.5 | Defensive Player of the Year | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Blocks per game | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1st All-Defensive Team | 0 | 7 | 4 |
Steals per game | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 2nd All-Defensive Team | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Defensive rating | 104 | 100 | 110 |
Hawks All-time defensive combos
Player | Dikembe Mutombo | Mookie Blaylosk | Tyron Corbin | Player | Dikembe Mutombo | Mookie Blaylosk | Tyron Corbin |
Defensive stats | Defensive Awards | ||||||
Defensive rebounds per game | 7.1 | 3 | 3.1 | Defensive Player of the Year | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Blocks per game | 2.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1st All-Defensive Team | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Steals per game | 0.4 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 2nd All-Defensive Team | 3 | 4 | 0 |
Defensive rating | 99 | 105 | 105 |
Not to be forgotten other notable defensive combinations are Bill Russell-John Havlicek-KC Jones, Walt Fraizer-Dave DeBusschere, Willis Reed, Bill Walton-Bobby Gross-Lionel Hollins, Sidney Moncrief-Paul Pressey-Jacki Sikma, Bobby Jones-Maurice Cheeks-Julius Erving, and Wilt Chamberlain-Jerry West-(add another teammate from that Lakers era).
Leonard, George, and Beverly are expected to play for at least three more years. At the end of their partnership, could they make a run at becoming the best defensive trio ever over these guys?
By Armando M. Bolislis