Chicago’s Joakim Noah and Indiana’s Paul George — representing the NBA’s clear best defenses in the NBA — deserved to be on top of the NBA All-Defensive teams standing.
Those two were the leading vote getters as the NBA announced its All-Defensive team lists, which were released by the NBA on Monday. Among the interesting things is LeBron James — who did step back on defense this sea on — fell to the second team. Also Roy Hibbert — who was a defensive phenom in the first half of the season and in the second half his defense never slipped like his offense — edged out DeAndre Jordan for the second team.
Also of note, somebody gave James Harden a vote (he had two points, either one first team vote or two second team votes) and David Lee got a vote as well. Let’s just say Timothy Leary at the peak of his experience (so to speak) would think James Harden belonged on the All-Defensive team.
These were voted on by 123 media members.
NBA All-Defensive First team (one center, two forwards, two guards)
Joakim Noah (Chicago, center) 223
Paul George (Indiana, forward) 161
Chris Paul (LA Clippers, guard) 156
Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City, forward) 152
Andre Iguodala (Golden State, guard/forward) 148
NBA All-Defensive Second team (one center, two forwards, two guards)
LeBron James (Miami, forward) 134
Patrick Beverley (Houston, guard) 112
Jimmy Butler (Chicago, guard) 103
Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio, forward) 89
Roy Hibbert (Indiana, center) 76
Other players receiving votes, with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers 63 (14); Anthony Davis, New Orleans, 62 (18); Tony Allen, Memphis, 60 (17); Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 45 (12); Dwight Howard, Houston, 26 (6); Taj Gibson, Chicago, 21 (2); Mike Conley, Memphis, 21 (5); Ricky Rubio, Minnesota, 19 (5); Lance Stephenson, Indiana, 14 (3); P.J. Tucker, Phoenix, 13 (2); Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City, 10 (2); Kyle Lowry, Toronto, 10 (3); Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix, 9 (1); Marc Gasol, Memphis, 8; John Wall, Washington, 8 (1); Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City, 8 (1); Kirk Hinrich, Chicago, 7 (2); Trevor Ariza, Washington, 5 (2); Avery Bradley, Boston, 5 (1); Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City, 5 (1); Klay Thompson, Golden State, 5; Andrew Bogut, Golden State, 4; Chris Bosh, Miami, 4 (1); Luol Deng, Cleveland, 4 (1); Wesley Matthews, Portland, 4 (1); Tony Parker, San Antonio, 4 (1); Nicolas Batum, Portland, 3 (1); Stephen Curry, Golden State, 3 (1); Danny Green, San Antonio, 3 (1); Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte, 3; Shaun Livingston, Brooklyn, 3 (1); Victor Oladipo, Orlando, 3 (1); DeMarre Carroll, Atlanta, 2; Matt Barnes, L.A. Clippers, 2 (1); James Harden, Houston, 2; George Hill, Indiana, 2; Jeff Teague, Atlanta, 2; Dwyane Wade, Miami, 2 (1); Kemba Walker, Charlotte, 2; David West, Indiana, 2; Arron Afflalo, Orlando, 1; Corey Brewer, Minnesota, 1; Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia,1; Darren Collison, L.A. Clippers, 1; DeMar DeRozan, Toronto, 1; Andre Drummond, Detroit, 1; Monta Ellis, Dallas, 1; Danny Granger, L.A. Clippers, 1; Draymond Green, Golden State, 1; Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City, 1; David Lee, Golden State, 1; Paul Millsap, Atlanta, 1; Rajon Rondo, Boston, 1.