Gobert, Wembanyama lead All-Defensive First Team, one dominated by bigs - NBC Sports

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 27: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves interact after the game at Target Center on February 27, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Spurs 114-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

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The NBA removed positions from the postseason award ballots, which meant the top of the All-Defensive Teams list swung toward big men — in the modern game, they are more impactful as defenders.

Four centers took up spots on the five-man first team, but the second team was stacked with guards and wings. Here’s the complete list, as voted on by a select group of 99 media members.

NBA All-Defensive Teams

All-Defense First Team

Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves)Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)Herbert Jones (New Orleans Pelicans)

All-Defense Second Team

Alex Caruso (Chicago Bulls)Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic)Derrick White (Boston Celtics)Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota Timberwolves)Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics)

A few thoughts on the team:

• Alex Caruso had a thought on making the Second Team (he also said in other posts he was honored.

The 2023-24 Kia NBA All-Defensive Second Team:▪️ Alex Caruso of @chicagobulls▪️ Jrue Holiday of @celtics ▪️ Jaden McDaniels of @Timberwolves ▪️ Jalen Suggs of @OrlandoMagic▪️ Derrick White of @celtics pic.twitter.com/IdaekqTeHs

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 21, 2024

• Lu Dort just missed making the All-Defensive Team by a couple of votes, with Kawhi Leonard next. If Leonard had not missed the last eight games of the regular season, I wonder if he would have been front of mind for more voters and made the team. Here are the full voting results.

The complete voting results for the 2023-24 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team: pic.twitter.com/k3FODNJ0YU

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 21, 2024

• Gobert was the only player unanimously voted onto the First Team. A dozen voters put Wembanyama on the second team, and one left him off the ballot entirely. Interesting.

• Gobert now has seven first-team selections.

• Wembanyama is the first rookie to be selected to the All-Defensive First Team (which has existed since 1969, so no Bill Russell or some other bigs of that era). He’s going to be a First-Team fixture for a lot of years.

• Surprisingly, this is Adebayo’s first time making the First Team (he was on the Second Team each of the last four seasons).

• Domantas Sabonis got two All-Defensive votes, one for First Team. I have no words.

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