The NBA announced the First and Second team for All-Defense for the 2020-2021 season. Some names were as expected, and some were a bit of a surprise. However, the Los Angeles Lakers– who finished with the best defensive rating in the NBA– were shut out from both teams.
The Lakers had the league’s best defensive rating this season.
They have 0 All-Defense players. pic.twitter.com/NZQUa31ewg
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 14, 2021
The best defense in the NBA yet nobody on either of the first two teams is a bit of a head-scratcher. Sure, injuries happened, but it is still shocking that not one Lakers player made an appearance on one of the teams.
Anthony Davis– when healthy– is one of the best defenders in the entire NBA. Alex Caruso proved his worth time and time again, and Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also give the Lakers quality defense night in and night out.
Yes, Davis, Schroder, KCP, and Caruso received votes. LeBron James didn't receive any votes at all. Either way, the top defense in the NBA has been completely left off the All-Defense teams, and– quite frankly– that is confusing.
The Lakers got bounced in the first round after an injury to Anthony Davis proved too much to overcome, but the fact they were left out of the All-Defense teams is utterly surprising.
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