Hanging on/contact goal tech?

[letemplay]

Most know it is LEGAL to hang on the rim to prevent injury, as in 10.3.3 C, but is this limited only to an offensive player making a move to the basket (dunk or lay-in)? Could a defensive player, attempting to block a shot and finding himself high in the air and off balance, be afforded the same exclusion from contacting the goal? I realize issues with basket interference/goal tending would take precedence, as also gaining an advantage (10-3-4a), but what about a play where none of this was present?