After the announcement of its two “All-Rookie Teams” yesterday, the NBA reveals today its two best five defensive of the season, before continuing tomorrow on the three “All-NBA Teams” of 2022/23.
As for the ” All-Defensive First Team », No one was unanimous, but we obviously find the Defender of the Year 2023, namely Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies), as well as the two other trophy finalists, Brook Lopez (bucks) and Evan Mobley (Horsemen). They are accompanied by Jrue Holiday (bucks) and Alex Caruso (Bulls) on the back lines.
About the ” All-Defensive Second Team “, it consists of Derrick White (Celtics), Dillon Brooks (Grizzlies), OG Anunoby (Raptor), Draymond Green (Warriors) and finally Bam Adebayo (Heat).
With two players each, Milwaukee and Memphis are the two best-represented teams in the lot.
Note, unsurprisingly, the absence of triple DPOY, Rudy Gobert, who was however in one of the two best defensive fives since 2017 and who received… no votes this year! Crowned “Defensive Player of the Year” a year ago, Marcus Smart fails this time at the gates of the second five, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, another former winner left out.
Jimmy Butler, Mikal Bridges, Jaden McDaniels, Herb Jones, Nic Claxton or Joel Embiid are other names who will also have to settle for just a few votes here and there.