Mavericks coach Jason Kidd named as one of 15 best defenders of all-time

The Dallas Mavericks are back up to fifth in the Western Conference after winning 13 of their last 16 games. Their run has been spurred by defense and the return of superstar Luka Doncic. Head coach Jason Kidd has the team buying in and committed to competing on the defensive end of the floor. The Mavs have the best defensive rating in the NBA since Jan. 1.

It should come as no surprise. Kidd was an assistant for the Lakers when they won the championship in 2020 with a commitment to defense, but it goes back further. The Hall of Fame point guard was one of the best perimeter defenders in the league during his playing career.

The Athletic’s John Hollinger took a crack at ranking the best defenders (subscription required) of all-time as part of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary celebration, and J-Kidd was an obvious selection for the list. Here is a look at where he landed.

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Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd named one of the 15 best defenders of all-time

Kidd was an unbelievable player on both ends of the floor. He had a way of changing an entire team's defense as J-Kidd made nine All-Defensive teams and ranks 12th all-time in defensive win shares, which is highest among perimeter players in league history.

Kidd ranked 13th in Hollinger’s all-time ranks, and he was the top perimeter player. It should come as no surprise as he changed the Mavericks' defense after arriving in 2008. The team’s defense was a key factor in them winning the championship in 2011, despite Kidd being well past his peak.

J-Kidd ranked as the 36th best player of all-time in The Athletic’s top 75. The Hall of Fame point guard could have landed higher on the list after an exceptional career.

Figuring out the best defenders of all-time is no easy task, so credit to John Hollinger for taking on the task. It is difficult to argue against Jason Kidd as one of the 15 best. The current Dallas Mavericks head coach was unbelievable, and he has transformed his current team into a defensive force. Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest.