The NBA has announced the 2018-19 season's All-Defensive teams, starring some of the most notable stalwarts in the game.
#NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams have been announced: pic.twitter.com/QOqj4hCj40
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) May 22, 2019
The Milwaukee Bucks were the big winners and to no surprise, after posting the best defensive rating in the regular season. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was a near unanimous choice with 94 first-place votes, while point guard Eric Bledsoe edged New Orleans Pelicans' floor general Jrue holiday for a spot in the first team.
Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors and Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics finally notched their first selection to the All-Defensive team, joining Bledsoe as the three newcomers of this list.
Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the three finalists for the Most Valuable Player award, also received his second mention to the first team, making it the fourth overall mention to an All-Defensive team in his nine NBA seasons.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz was the closest to an unanimous vote, getting 97 out of 100 first place votes as the best defensive center in the league.
Former DPOY winners Draymond Green and Kawhi Leonard notched a mention in the second team, while Joel Embiid has impressively racked up his second straight second team call up with 80 total points.
Perhaps the most notable snub was Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers, who led the NBA in blocked shots (2.69 per game), though there are plenty others who could have a case for their place in that list.
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