Ranking the 5 best lockdown defenders on the Spurs roster

Defense wins championships. We've all heard that adage before, and it rings true historically. Out of the last 40 NBA champions, only three of those squads were outside the top ten in defensive rating during the season they took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy. In fact, 25 of those teams ranked inside the top five in defensive rating for the year.

The NBA has seen an influx of buckets each and every season as the league office has bent the rules to make the game more offense friendly. While scoring numbers are rising, we should take some time to appreciate the other side of the ball. The San Antonio Spurs struggled on that end last season, but they added a handful of lockdown defenders this summer.

5.) Devin Vassell

Though all Spurs fans share a deep love for what Devin Vassell has done on the offensive end, no one should overlook what he brings defensively. He entered the NBA as a prospect known for his defense, but his reputation as a stopper has slipped as his scoring burden has skyrocketed. But with Popovich mentoring the young swingman, we could see him develop as time passes.

Vassell has an invaluable archetype. Standing 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, his length benefits him on both sides of the floor. He can recover back into position even when his man beats him off the dribble. And while he might not be a lockdown defender right now, Devin isn't afraid of doing the dirty work off the ball.

The fourth-year guard carries an excellent feel for the game defensively, knowing how to make timely rotations as a team defender. Devin gives 110% effort on almost every possession, routinely making the right reads to help create stops or turnovers. As he continues improving, learning how to best use his body, and maximizing his defensive upside, Vassell could become indispensable to this squad.

4.) Reggie Bullock

One of San Antonio's newest acquisitions is already one of the best defenders on their roster. Reggie Bullock is your quintessential 3-and-D role player, and he could be a perfect fit coming off the bench for the Spurs this season.

The former Maverick is a dual-threat-defender. I don’t know if that term has ever been used, so let me explain. That means he has the ability to defend well on and off the ball. Bullock has earned a first-rate reputation for suffocating some of the best ball handlers in the league, and he can hold down the fort on the perimeter. His value doesn't stop there.

The former Tar Heel can recover when his man slips past him off the dribble, and his ability to pursue and block shots from behind with rearview contests makes him unique. Bullock is more than capable of stepping up against taller players who have the size advantage over him. He also offers secondary rim protection, which is a useful skill fans shouldn't sleep on.

Even some of the top dogs of the association have high praise for what Bullock does defensively. His box score numbers won't make you think, "Wow, this guy is a good defender." Regardless, Bullock has the experience and tools to impact the game defensively, and he could supply the Spurs with veteran leadership if they decide to keep him around.

3.) Sidy Cissoko

San Antonio's recent second-rounder was a standout stopper for the G-Leauge Ignite, and he had no trouble translating his skills during his first taste of NBA action at the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League.

Cissoko was instantly put to the test in his California Classic opener, going toe-to-toe with Brandon Miller. Though the number two overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft ended the night with 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field, a handful of those buckets came on late-game threes when Cissoko was no longer his primary defender.

Sidy looked like one of the top up-and-coming perimeter defenders, showcasing a ton of upside with his rotations while consistently making the right reads off the ball. He forced turnovers in the passing lanes, was an effective on-ball defender, and had well-timed double teams to bother ball handlers.

His defense stood out during the draft process. And while flashes of elite playmaking potential turned some heads, it was his defensive upside that convinced the Spurs to ink him to a three-year deal. San Antonio needed a high-energy defensive presence off the bench, and Cissoko could make an impact on that end early into his NBA career.

2.) Victor Wembanyama

You were 100% correct if you though Victor Wembanyama would make his way onto this list. The first overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft has a trait that seperates him from everyone else on the roster. So what makes him so special? That would be none other than his elite rim protecting ability.

The Alien led the way defensively for Metropolitans 92 last season, averaging a league-leading three blocks per game. That skill carried over to the states before San Antonio drafted him as he recorded nine blocks in two exhibition matchups against Scoot Henderson and G League Ignite last October.

Wembanyama didn’t stop there. He didn't waste any time making his presence known around the rim at Las Vegas Summer League, swatting five shots in his first outing versus the Charlotte Hornets. He followed that performance up by rejecting three more attempts in the next matchup, bringing his tally to eight blocks in only 54 minutes of action.

One of the charactertics that makes Wembanyama an extraterrestrial is his athletic fluidity compared to most players his size. His lateral quickness allows him to slide his feet with virtually any position on the court, making him a nightmare for every opponent. Let's not forget that his insane length makes it possible for him to block jump shots all the way out to the three-point line.

1.) Jeremy Sochan

Is there any other answer that makes sense here? The Spurs drafted Sochan for his talent as a high-level defender, which instantly translated to the NBA during his rookie season. Gregg Popovich didn't wait long before handing the Baylor product some of the most challenging defensive assignments in the league.

Sochan embraced covering the best player on the opposing team, including back-to-back matchups with future Hall of Famers Steph Curry and Damian Lillard. The second-year combo forward shined as an man-to-man defender, and he showed a knack for irritating players with his physicality and tireless motor.

The ninth overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft was the most versatile defender for the Silver and Black. He took on the best scorers on a nightly basis. Perhaps his most well-known matchups of the season came against LeBron James. He held LeBron to 4-of-15 shooting in three games, making him feel his presence on every possession.

Sochan is the most well-rounded defender on the roster. He smothers opposing ball handlers, has excellent instincts in the passing lane, makes punctual rotations as a team defender, and has some remarkable footwork that allows him to switch across any position on the floor. The 20-year-old has an immense amount of potential for the Spurs to tap into, and he should continue making progress toward becoming an All-Defense caliber player as he enters his sophomore season.