Oct 12, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets small forward Andrei Kirilenko (47) looks up at a rebound against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of the preseason game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Perimeter Defense/Versatility: Andrei Kirilenko
Andrei Kirilenko may go down as the best overall defensive player in Utah Jazz History.
An athletic mix of length, seemingly endless limbs and incredible timing, Kirilenko could comfortably guard four positions while occasionally switching onto a center when needed. Not many people can boast being able to defend Serge Ibaka, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in the same game, let alone be effective. That’s rarified air.
Throughout his career, Kirilenko was named to the NBA All-Defensive team three times and led the league in blocks per game during the 2004-05 season, swatting 3.3 shots per game.
His Swiss Army Knife style of play gave him elite versatility. In fact, from 2003 to 2006, he was one of the most versatile players in the NBA. During that stretch, he averaged 15.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.0 blocks, 1.7 steals per game and posted a 22.2 PER. That’s both multi-talented and efficient.
Kirilenko is also one of only seven players in NBA history to post a 5×5 game—when a player records numbers in five categories with at least five in each category, ie: five points, five assists, five blocks, five rebounds and five steals. He did so three times: twice in 2003 and once in 2006.
Next: Handles/Playmaking