Wing players have become more and more prominent in the NBA over the years, which means athletes able to defend them have become more important too.
According to BBall Index, one Cleveland Cavaliers player towers above the rest when it comes to stopping wing players.
Using their special type of measuring, the site found that Dean Wade of the Cavaliers is the best wing stopper in the league.
Other stars with the talent for stopping wing players include Herb Jones, Haywood Highsmith, Alex Caruso, Robert Covington, and others.
The top 10 Wing Stoppers in D-LEBRON
1. Dean Wade
2. Herbert Jones
3. Haywood Highsmith
4. Alex Caruso
5. Robert Covington
6. Keegan Murray
7. Scottie Barnes
8. Jalen Johnson
9. Franz Wagner
10. Josh HartWing Stopper explainer⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0VVXF2o2vg
— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) January 16, 2024
Wing stoppers have a lot of responsibilities and plenty of things to keep in mind.
They are usually tasked with stopping the best scorer for another team and have to use their length and athleticism to slow them down.
At six-foot-nine and 228 pounds, Wade uses every bit of his body and mind to minimize the competition.
Wade is now in his fifth season with the Cavaliers and is averaging 5.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1 assist per game.
He has started in 24 of his 31 games this season and is on the floor for an average of just under 22 minutes per game.
When he is on the court, Wade’s impact is felt and he has been able to limit plenty of other stars, including some of the biggest in the league.
In many ways, this is Wade’s best season yet.
He is a prime example of the Cavaliers’ depth and consistently reminds fans that they have a strong bench that is ready and eager to help.
An NBA team cannot thrive without a strong defense and Wade has some of the strongest in the league.
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