NBA: Identifying the best defensive player at each position in 2022

Small forward – Jimmy Butler – Miami Heat

Playing defense is a very physical affair, which is why the best defenders always have the right combination of physical and mental attributes. You have to want to play defense and take pride in your work, but you also need the physical tools to do so.

Jimmy Butler has both of these in abundance. At 6-foot-7 and 230 lbs, he is the perfect size to guard point guards through to power forwards. He is incredibly strong and has quick hands and feet that make him a nightmare to face.

Butler is averaging 2.0 steals per game, and (if he stays healthy) could claim his 2nd straight steals title as the season progresses. Butler is the guy you put on the opposing team’s best player every night and he’s the guy you send in if you need a stop in a late-game situation.