The NBA officially announced its All-Defensive Teams for the 2022-23 season.
A total of 100 media members vote on the All-Defensive awards, with players receiving two points for a First Team vote and one point for a Second Team vote. This year’s All-Defensive teams are as follows:
First Team
- Forward: Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies (195 total points)
- Forward: Evan Mobley, Cavaliers (132)
- Guard: Jrue Holiday, Bucks (192)
- Guard: Alex Caruso, Bulls (125)
- Center: Brook Lopez, Bucks (181)
Second Team
- Forward: Draymond Green, Warriors (89)
- Forward: OG Anunoby, Raptors (81)
- Guard: Derrick White, Celtics (99)
- Guard: Dillon Brooks, Grizzlies (54)
- Center: Bam Adebayo, Heat (53)
Unsurprisingly, Jackson – who was this season’s Defensive Player of the Year – received the most First Team votes (96) and showed up on the most overall ballots (99). Only one voter didn’t include Jackson on either All-Defensive Team.
Holiday (94) and Lopez (85) received the second- and third-most First Team votes. No other player earned more than 50.
While the Bucks had two players on the First Team, it was somewhat surprising to see former DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo miss out altogether. Antetokounmpo earned 16 First Team votes and 28 Second Team votes for a total of 60 points, the most of any player who didn’t earn All-Defensive honors. Although he received more total points than Brooks or Adebayo, Giannis didn’t make the cut because there were four forwards with more points than him.
Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (40), Celtics guard Marcus Smart (35), Nets guard Mikal Bridges (33) and Nets center Nic Claxton (25) would have joined Antetokounmpo on a hypothetical All-Defensive Third Team as the highest vote-getters who fell short. A total of 38 players showed up on at least one ballot — the full voting results can be viewed here.
Being named to an All-Defensive Team will benefit two players financially, notes ESPN’s Bobby Marks (via Twitter). White earned a $250K bonus for his Second Team nod, while Holiday will receive $129,600 for making the First Team.
More must-reads: