NBA

NBA announces 2020-21 All-Defensive Teams

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The NBA today announced the All-Defensive Teams for the 2019-20 season.

2020-21 NBA All-Defensive First Team

Position Player (team) 1st Team Votes (2pts) 2nd Team Votes (1pt) Total Points
C Rudy Gobert (Jazz) 100 0 200
F Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) 43 49 135
F Draymond Green (Warriors) 80 16 176
G Jrue Holiday (Bucks) 65 27 157
G Ben Simmons (76ers) 100 0 200

The first team is headlined by the recently named Defensive Player of the Year in Gobert, alongside Ben Simmons who finished second, both of who were unanimous decisions.

Gobert picks up his fifth consecutive All-Defensive First Team nod, while Simmons earns his second-straight.

2020-21 NBA All-Defensive Second Team

Position Player (team) 1st Team Votes (2pts) 2nd Team Votes (1pt) Total Points
C Joel Embiid (76ers) 8 71 87
F Kawhi Leonard (Clippers) 8 27 43
F Bam Adebayo (Heat) 37 37 111
G Jimmy Butler (Heat) 37 37 111
G Matisse Thybulle (76ers) 3 57 63

Thybulle earns his first All-Defensive honours in just his second season in the NBA, alongside teammate Embiid, who earns his third selection, giving the Philadelphia 76ers three players across the First and Second Teams. 

Leonard has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team (First Team and Second Team) for the seventh time in his career, while Butler earns his fifth NBA All-Defensive Team selection.

The NBA All-Defensive Teams were selected by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. Players were awarded two points for each First Team vote and one point for each Second Team vote.

Voters selected two guards, two forwards and one center for each team, choosing players at the position they play regularly. Players who received votes at multiple positions were slotted at the position where they received the most votes.

Other players receiving first-team votes

  • Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns (4)
  • Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns (2)
  • Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics (1)
  • Lugentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
  • Paul George, LA Clippers (1)
  • Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs (1)
  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Los Angeles Lakers (1)
  • Dennis Schroder, Los Angeles Lakers (1)
  • Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics  (1)
  • Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (1)
  • Mike Conley Jr., Utah Jazz (1)
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