The rule changes that happened in the NBA about a decade ago greatly changed the dynamic of the perimeter defensive specialist. When isolation offenses ruled, teams could afford to field lineups with wings who were tremendous defenders, but who lacked discernible offensive prowess from anything other than point-blank range.
The implementation of the defensive three-second rule and restriction of impeding of progress brought more free-flowing offense to the game and more sophisticated team defenses, which meant two things for the defensive wing: on offense, he needed to be a threat to stretch the opposing defense and discourage overzealous help; on defense, there was more of an onus on being an aware, team defender instead of staying "hugged up" on your man off ball, which the old illegal-defense rules actually encouraged.
Although the rule changes happened a long time ago, the rise to prominence of the "3-and-D" wing, a 3-point shooter who is a defensive specialist, has occurred more recently, as more teams move to the type of pick-and-roll-heavy spread offense popularized by Mike D'Antoni and Steve Nash in Phoenix.
It should come as no surprise that one of the earliest prototypes of the defensive 3-point specialist was Raja Bell, infamous for his defensive battles with Kobe Bryant, but also highly productive from behind the arc. Another forerunner of the position was Bruce Bowen, one of the elite defenders of the 2000s (often tasked with guarding Nash), who similarly developed into a proficient 3-point shooter from the corners.
Here are the eight best defensive 3-point specialists in the league today.
1. Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs
2012-13 3P%: 37.4 (65-of-174)
If he can keep turning in the types of performances he posted in the playoffs, Leonard might be well on his way to "graduating" off this list after this season, but for the time being, I'm still classifying him as a 3-and-D guy. He follows in the footsteps of Bowen as a premier defensive player and an integral cog to San Antonio's success. Leonard's size, length and agility give him the ideal physical attributes to be able to defend a wide variety of positions, and he's a smart, aware help defender off the ball. Like Bowen, Leonard fashioned himself from a liability on the perimeter to a deadly shooter from the corners (42.9 3-point percentage from the corners); unlike Bowen, Leonard did it practically overnight, going from shooting sub-30 percent in his last college season to 38 percent in his NBA rookie campaign.
2. Thabo Sefolosha | Oklahoma City Thunder
2012-13 3P%: 41.9 (108-of-258)
Merely two seasons ago, Sefolosha would not have made this list; he's always been a good defender, but his perimeter offense left a lot to be desired. Indeed, he broke into the league as more of a combo guard who could handle the ball and distribute. But to Sefolosha's credit, he has worked hard at improving his 3-point shot, and as such has improved to a 40-plus percent shooter from beyond the arc, and made more 3s last season than he did in the previous three campaigns combined. This improvement has made him a far more effective complement to the Thunder's stars, as defenders who used to help off Sefolosha can't continue to do so without a real threat of being burned.
3. Jimmy Butler | Chicago Bulls
2012-13 3P%: 38.1 (40-of-105)
Butler burst on the scene last year, taking advantage of the opportunity afforded by the injuries to Luol Deng. In the playoffs, he made a big impression on the basketball viewing public in the Bulls' second-round loss to Miami, as he drew the assignment of guarding LeBron James and did an admirable job as part of a team effort that held James to a playoff-low 44 percent shooting mark for the series. Butler is extremely athletic, and has been able to absorb and execute in Tom Thibodeau's defensive scheme, one of the best team defense architects in the league. Offensively, Butler improved greatly from 3-point range, but still hasn't hit the high volume of 3s as others on this list.
4. Iman Shumpert | New York Knicks
2012-13 3P%: 40.2 (51-of-127)
The smallest player on this list, the 6-foot-5 Shumpert is more guard than wing, but in New York he draws the best perimeter assignment, regardless of size. An incredible athlete, Shumpert has fulfilled the defensive potential he showed in college as far as versatility and effectiveness (guarding Carmelo Anthony in practice is probably one of the best educations a defender can get). One of the biggest questions about Shumpert was whether he'd become an effective perimeter shooter; he answered that by improving in both his rookie season and his sophomore campaign. As his offensive role continues to grow with the Knicks, it will be interesting to see if he can continue to focus defensively while maintaining his 3-point efficiency.
5. Quincy Pondexter | Memphis Grizzlies
2012-13 3P%: 39.5 (60-of-152)
The lowest-profile name on the list, Pondexter still operates in the shadows behind his more famous defensive teammate, Tony Allen. However, make no mistake: Pondexter is fast becoming one of the elite defenders on the wing, and his developing 3-point shot threatens to make Allen expendable. Like Leonard, Pondexter was more of an offense-focused player in college whose range did not extend well, but has made the transition to a role player in the league. He's a tenacious defender with the size and strength to guard a wide variety of wings. Offensively, he's most effective from beyond the arc from the corners, shooting 46 percent (41-of-90).
6. Courtney Lee | Boston Celtics
2012-13 3P%: 37.2 (58-of-156)
Lee just as easily could have made the list of the top "3-and-D" players who have fallen off, especially after a rough first season in Boston. He's the highest-paid player on this list with an average annual value of $5.3 million, which can lead a player to believe that he's greater than the role he fills -- especially a former 20-plus point-per-game scorer on the collegiate level. Still, he's a great athlete with a competitive drive that makes him a pesky defender. He made his mark in the postseason guarding Kobe Bryant, but has lived somewhat of a journeyman's life since then, playing for four teams in his five years in the league. Through it all, he has been a consistent 3-point threat, shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc for his career.
7. Shane Battier | Miami Heat
2012-13 3P%: 43.0 (136-of-316)
If Bell and Bowen were the forerunners, Battier was the guy who popularized the role, and he most resembles them as a defender who relied more on instinct and IQ than athleticism. That's not to say Battier didn't have physical gifts; standing at a shade over 6-8 in socks, he has ideal size to guard 2s, 3s and even some 4s. But Battier's defensive prowess came more from studying scouting reports and opponent tendencies, and being an adept decision-maker. He's past his prime as an elite defender, but still plays a vital role in Miami as a smart team defender who is deadly from beyond the arc.
8. Jared Dudley | Los Angeles Clippers
2012-13 3P%: 39.1 (106-of-271)
No one has ever labeled Dudley as an elite athlete, but he makes up for it as a high-IQ player with a remarkable grasp of opponent tendencies, coming not only from avid consumption of scouting reports but from a ton of experience playing summer pickup games with players from around the league. He also brings a nonstop motor and quick hands that allow him to rack up steals, although recently that has turned him into more of a gambler on the defensive end. Offensively, he's the best shooter on this list, with a career 3-point percentage north of 40.