In the ever-evolving world of NBA basketball, where offenses reign supreme, the art of defense often takes a backseat. But, as we delve deeper into the intricacies of defensive strategies, a fascinating story unfolds. The NBA's Dark Horse: Unsung Heroes of Defense
In a league dominated by offensive showcases, it's easy to overlook the unsung heroes who make their mark on the defensive end. Among them, Dru Smith stands out as a defensive disruptor, but who else joins this elite club?
12.19.2025
Photo: Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire
The Evolution of NBA Defense: A Constant Battle
As NBA offenses continue to innovate, defenses must adapt and find new ways to thrive. In this offense-driven league, great defense can sometimes be overlooked, yet it's often the deciding factor between victory and defeat.
Our unique approach to covering basketball involves charting positive and negative defensive plays, many of which don't make the box score. These include disrupting shots, deterring rim attacks, and even poor defensive gambles that lead to open shots for opponents.
We refer to these as 'DPLAYs' - a simple yet powerful tool to evaluate defensive impact.
The League Leaders in Positive DPLAYs
Unsurprisingly, the Oklahoma City Thunder, known for their offensive prowess, also lead the league in positive defensive playmaking. Averaging an impressive 15.2 positive DPLAYs per 100 possessions, they showcase their all-around excellence.
The Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Phoenix Suns round out the top five, each with their own unique defensive strategies.
But here's where it gets controversial... The makeup of these teams' defensive totals varies drastically. The Thunder, for instance, have six players averaging at least 2 positive DPLAYs per 100 possessions, with Cason Wallace leading the pack at 5.5. Meanwhile, the Raptors have seven such players, with Gradey Dick's 4.6 being the standout.
The Disruptive Force: Cason Wallace
Wallace's DPLAY numbers not only lead his team but the entire NBA. Arguably the most disruptive defensive player in the league, he stands out among the top disruptors.
Top 5 DPLAY Leaders:
1. Cason Wallace (OKC) - 5.5
2. Dru Smith (MIA) - 5.1
3. Dyson Daniels (ATL) - 5.1
4. Jalen Suggs (ORL) - 4.8
5. Herbert Jones (NOP) - 4.6
DPLAYs typically favor perimeter players, making it challenging to assess interior impact. However, with today's NBA teams playing big, centers remain the backbone of elite defenses. San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama, the first qualifying big man on our leaderboard, averages 3.9 positive DPLAYs per 100 possessions.
Rim Deterrence: A Measure of Big Men's Impact
While overall DPLAY numbers might not reflect big men's defensive impact, 'Rim Deterrence' offers a clearer picture. Defined as an active attempt by the opposing ball-handler diminished by the defender's presence, it highlights the league's most impactful big men.
And the leader? Victor Wembanyama, with an impressive 16 rim deterences overall. No one else even comes close.
Rim Deterrence Leaders:
1. Victor Wembanyama (SAS) - 1.5
2. Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL) - 0.51
3. Jalen Duren (DET) - 0.51
4. Rudy Gobert (MIN) - 0.42
5. Quinten Post (GSW) - 0.42
The Dark Side: Defensive Miscues and Gambles
While the NBA boasts elite defenders, not every team or player can match their prowess. But being a less-than-stellar defender doesn't always equate to poor play.
Take Klay Thompson of the Dallas Mavericks, for instance. Among roughly 200 qualified players this season, he's the only one not averaging at least 1 positive DPLAY per 100 possessions (0.6). While he's no longer the All-Defensive star he once was, his lack of defensive havoc doesn't necessarily make him a poor defender.
However, some players take it a step further, committing defensive miscues or 'Bad Gambles'. These are defined as a player making a significant negative Defensive Play that improves the opposing team's chances of scoring.
Breakdowns and Bad Gambles: The Costly Mistakes
'Breakdowns' occur when a player makes a defensive miscue due to poor communication, scheme understanding, or decision-making, leading to a significant offensive advantage for the opposition.
Top 5 Breakdown Leaders:
1. James Harden (LAC) - 2.1
2. Michael Porter Jr. (BKN) - 1.8
3. Alex Sarr (WAS) - 1.7
4. Russell Westbrook (SAC) - 1.8
5. Derik Queen (NOP) - 1.6
'Bad Gambles', on the other hand, happen when a defender gambles to force a turnover or disrupt the offense but fails, putting their team in a difficult defensive position.
Top 5 Bad Gamble Leaders:
1. Reed Sheppard (HOU) - 0.8 (100th percentile in Deflections)
2. Jalen Suggs (ORL) - 0.8 (93rd percentile in Deflections)
3. Kawhi Leonard (LAC) - 0.7 (97th percentile in Steals)
4. Bobby Portis (MIL) - 0.7 (32nd percentile in Deflections)
5. Dru Smith (MIA) - 0.6 (99th percentile in Steals)
Although Portis' gambles aren't often offset by positively correlated DPLAYs, the others in the top five are among the NBA's elite defensive disruptors.
The Tradeoff: High-Risk, High-Reward Defense
Teams like the Thunder, who lead the league in positive DPLAYs, steals, and deflections while committing the fewest breakdowns, also account for the 9th-most bad gambles. This raises the question: Is it a worthy tradeoff for teams to allow their top defenders to gamble, as long as the results remain positive?
The same debate extends to teams like the LA Clippers, Houston Rockets, and Sacramento Kings, who rank high in bad gambles but also in steals or deflections. Are their defenses undisciplined, or is it a calculated risk?
The Final Verdict: A Complex Web of Factors
Defensive playmaking is just one piece of the puzzle when evaluating a team or player's defensive performance. While it might not provide a perfect assessment, it offers valuable insights into who's making a significant impact, for better or worse.
So, what do you think? Is defensive playmaking an accurate measure of a player's defensive prowess? Or are there other factors at play? Let us know in the comments!
