All-defensive first team selections
Do you think all NBA players prioritize defense in today's league? Well if not, these five certainly do. The Conference Finals are close to wrapping up and the 2021-22 season All-Defensive First Team selections have been released. The players who receive this honor are chosen by select members of the media who cover the league extensively.
Here is the 2021-22 KIA NBA All-Defensive First Team:
Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics (G)
Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns (G/F)
Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz (C)
Jaren Jackson of the Memphis Grizzlies (F)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (F)
Picture source: https://www.nba.com/news/nba-2021-22-all-defensive-teams
This season has been a historic year for defense in the modern NBA. Celtics Guard, Marcus Smart took home the honor of being named the 2021-22 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. The last time a guard won Defensive Player of the Year was Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season. This is Smart’s third season being selected to the All-Defensive First Team. Hopefully this will inspire other guards and players in general to want to give their all on the defensive end in a league so heavily based on offense.
Coming in second place for the 2021-22 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year votes, Mikal Bridges of the Phoenix Suns takes the other guard spot on the All-Defensive First Team. Bridges was a crucial asset in the impressive 64-18 record season that the Phoenix Suns had. Bridges finished eighth in the league for defensive win shares this season along with being in the top twenty in the league for total steals and steal percentage. Having just finished his fourth season in the league with a First Team All-Defense award, the skies are the limit for this young talent.
A familiar face of the All-Defensive First Team and three time Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz is selected for the sixth consecutive season. Gobert finished first in Defensive Rating and was also first in Defensive Rebound Percentage this season. Another notable season for Gobert.
Next up, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Antetokounmpo continues to assert his presence on the All-Defensive first team as a two-time Kia NBA Most Valuable Player and former Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Antetokounmpo makes his fourth straight First Team All-Defense this season. This year is his seventh season in the top twenty Defensive Win Shares ratings.
Last but not least, making his first appearance on an NBA All-Defensive team, Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson. Jackson was the fourth overall pick back in 2018 for the Grizzlies and was the first major piece to their rebuild. It’s safe to say that the Grizzlies got a return on their investment with his defensive presence. Jackson led the league in blocks per game (2.27) displaying how to protect the rim at an elite level.
The future is bright for these young stars as they keep defense alive in a league where scoring is emphasized more.