After the all-rookie teams were announced on Monday, the NBA revealed the players who would be on the all-defensive teams. Let’s look into the ten guys who received the honor this year.
First Team
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans
- Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Let’s start with Adebayo, who put the team on his back in the playoffs after Jimmy Butler went down. The former Kentucky product played and started in 71 games this year, averaging 19.3 points per game. More notably, he averaged 10.4 rebounds per game (12th-best) and 1.1 steals per game. He also had nearly a block per game. In fact, he finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting, posting a defensive rating of 109.3.
Then, we have Davis, who remained as healthy as ever this season. He played in 76 games, averaging 24.7 PPG and 12.6 rebounds per game. You could argue he should have been in the DPOY conversation, as the big man averaged 2.3 blocks per game and 1.2 steals per game. How important is he to the team’s defense? When he’s on the floor, the Los Angeles Lakers have a defensive rating of 115.4. When he is off of it, it goes up to 125.6.
Gobert is the only player on the first team that is still playing in the playoffs. The 2023-2024 DPOY winner was second in the league in rebounding and averaged 2.1 blocks per game. This will be his seventh selection to the all-defensive team, serving as the anchor for the Timberwolves and their suffocating defense.
Jones is the only player on the first team who didn’t play center yet earned the honor to be here. The Pelican averaged 1.4 steals per game and 0.8 blocks per game, all while leading the Pelicans to have the sixth-best defensive rating in the NBA. With 66 first-place votes, it’s good to see the young man get the honor and attention he deserves.
Finally, there’s Wembanyama. Was there any doubt he was going to be here? Sure, he averaged 10.6 rebounds per game and 1.2 steals per game. But, 3.6 blocks per game is absolutely insane. The Spurs were 21st in defensive rating in the league. However, it’s not his fault. He is the first rookie to be named to the first team, and this won’t be the last time he will be here.
Second Team
- Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls
- Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
- Derrick White, Boston Celtics
- Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
Caruso averaged 1.7 steals per game this year, which was tied for third-most in the league this year. The guard received 43 first-place votes and had a 113.2 defensive rating this season.
Next, we have Suggs who helped the Magic make a surprise run into the postseason. His 1.4 steals per game ranked in the top ten among all players this year, and helped the team maintain a defensive rating of 110.8 (third-best in the league). Individually, Suggs had a defensive rating of 110.4.
White has made his impact at times throughout the year on offense. But, his defensive play stood out and was the reason why he is on the second all-defensive team. Boston was second in defensive rating as a team this year, and White is a big reason why. He averaged a block and steal per game, all while helping the Celtics make it to the conference finals (and possibly beyond).
McDaniels has recently been solid on offense in the second round against the Denver Nuggets. But, defense has always been his calling since he joined the league in 2020. He averaged nearly a block and a steal per game. However, his defensive rating of 111.5 is a big reason why he was voted onto the all-defensive second team. With his long arms and hustle, he has caused havoc on the defensive end of the ball all year long.
Finally, Holiday. He was also a big contributor to Boston’s ability to have the second-best defensive rating in the regular season this year. A 112.9 defensive rating will get you recognized, as he also averaged nearly a steal and a block per game. This NBA all-defensive nomination is the sixth in the past seven years for the point guard.
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Featured Image: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
