Perhaps the single most important facet in the NBA is defensive ability, especially with today’s fast-paced playstyle. A day after revealing the 2018 NBA All-Rookie teams which boasted heaps of young talent, we now also know the 2018 NBA All-Defensive teams.
Though there were some notable omissions from the group, the panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters that received votes mostly got it right. Defensive Player of The Year candidates Anthony Davis and Rudy Gobert were locks to make the first-team which they both did.
The backcourt was where things were up for debate but the honor ultimately went to the deserving duo of Jrue Holiday and Victor Oladipo. Rounding out the first-team is the somewhat surprising Robert Covington who quietly did a stellar job on the wing for the Philadelphia 76ers this season.
Obviously, there were some notable absences from the first team starting with Warriors forward Draymond Green who had made the first team three years in a row. That being said, Green did make the second team along with fellow frontcourt members Al Horford and Joel Embiid. Many surely thought Embiid to also be worthy of the first team but it would’ve been unlikely that he earned those honors over the stout Rudy Gobert.
In the backcourt for the second team is Wolves wing Jimmy Butler and up and coming Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray who was a demon on the defensive end this season. Still, there were some players who could be perceived as snubs such as veterans Chris Paul and Paul George who each enjoyed solid campaigns on the less glamorous end this season in their own right.
The full vote counts and other players who received votes can be seen below.
Here are the 2017-18 NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams pic.twitter.com/el18F8SGiC
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) May 23, 2018
