After announcing their All-Rookie teams, the NBA has made another announcement. The league announced the All-Defensive teams.
The NBA All-Defensive teams consists of the best defensive players in the NBA. These players make an impact on the defensive end of the floor and play a role in their team’s success. Whether they are a rim protector or a defender that guards multiple positions, their defensive effort impacts their team. This year’s All-Defensive teams features the elite defenders of the league.
The All-Defensive First Team consists of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Thunder forward Paul George, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Celtics guard Marcus Smart and Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe.
The 2018-19 NBA All-Defensive First Team!@Giannis_An34 @EBled2 @Yg_Trece @rudygobert27 @smart_MS3 pic.twitter.com/BXj7REv1dJ
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2019
Three members of the First Team are finalists for the Defensive Player of the Year. Antetokounmpo, George and Gobert are up for the award and have a legitimate chance at winning.
Antetokounmpo averaged 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals. His 7-foot-3 wingspan allows him to pester offensive players. He is also a threat on the offensive end. Antetokounmpo’s game continues to grow on both ends of the floor. His performance of the defensive end led to his first time as a First Team member.
The other two Defensive Player of the Year candidates have excelled on the defensive end as well. This season, George led the league in steals with a career high 2.2 steals. This is the second time of George’s career that he made First Team. He also made First Team in 2014. He has also made Second Team twice in his career (2013 and 2016).
Gobert averaged 2.3 blocks this season. He was last year’s Defensive Player of the Year and the blocks leader in 2017. Gobert is an excellent rim protector who presence is felt by opposing every season.
Gobert earned a total of 196 points as well as 97 First Team votes to make the team. It is his third straight year as a member of the First Team. George received 195 points (including 96 First Team votes) to make First Team. Antetokounmpo had 193 points and 94 First Team votes to make the team.
The Second Team is also a credible defensive team. The Second Team consists of Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, Warriors guard Klay Thompson, Sixers center Joel Embiid, Warriors forward Draymond Green and Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard.
The All-Defensive teams feature skilled defenders. Now, it is time to see who becomes the Defensive Player of the Year.
Featured image courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images
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