NBA All-Defensive Team Highlighted By Rudy Gobert And Ben Simmons

The NBA All-Defensive Team was announced Monday and includes Utah Jazz center, Rudy Gobert, who is also the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Two Milwaukee Bucks were selected in guard Jrue Holiday and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. The final two players included on the team were Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.

Miami Heat stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were voted to the Second All-Defensive Team, joined by 76er teammates Joel Embiid and Matisse Thybulle. Former Finals MVP and star Clippers forward, Kawhi Leonard, also earned a spot in the Second All-Defensive Team.

Many of these honorees have earned this accolade in the past. Monday’s announcement marked Gobert’s fifth All-Defensive Team selection, Green’s sixth All-Defensive Team selection, with four first-team selections and two second-team selections. Leonard has appeared on the All-Defensive Team seven times.

Green is the only player earning this honor who did not appear in the 2021 postseason. Four of the final eight teams remaining in the playoffs are represented within these honors: the 76ers, Clippers, Jazz and Bucks.