Timberwolves' All-Star selections show that the NBA doesn't value defense

Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns were both named Western Conference All-Stars Thursday. The Timberwolves have the best record in the Western Conference, and Edwards and Towns are returning to the All-Star Game as a result.

They're both tremendous offensive players, but the Wolves' rise to the top of the West has been driven by their defense, which is No. 1 in defensive rating. They hold opponents to the fewest points in the NBA, the worst shooting percentage on two-pointers and give up the fewest rebounds.

All those are primarily due to the efforts of center Rudy Gobert, the three-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. He's averaging 13.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks while maintaining a miniscule defensive rating of 104 points per 100 possessions.

Not only is Gobert the anchor of the Wolves defense, he's also its designer. Gobert was inspired to rework Minnesota's defensive schemes during a 64-hour darkness retreat.

Edwards and Towns are undoubtedly having great years. Edwards is averaging 25.5 points and 5.2 assists, while Towns is scoring 22.7 points and grabbing 8.7 rebounds, while making more than 44 percent of his three-pointers.

But it shows how offense is the primary focus of the All-Star Game when the best defender on the league's best defense can't sniff the All-Star reserves.