NBA All-Defensive First Team Predictions

Guard: Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart is coming off a season where he was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year and is the first guard to win the award since Gary Payton in the 1995-96 season. It would be disrespectful not to expect Marcus Smart to make the All-NBA Defensive First Team for the upcoming season. Smart will continue to play hard and bring his tenacious defense to a very good Boston Celtics team. Smart has the chance to win another DPOY award for this upcoming season and will easily be rewarded with a spot on the first team.

Guard: Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges placed second in the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year award voting. I have him having another great defensive season for the Phoenix Suns. Bridges has an insane 7-1 wingspan while being 6-6. His length makes him a great on-ball defender who can guard the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward positions. His long wingspan also makes him a great off-ball threat by playing the passing lanes. I expect him to become a smarter and better defender throughout his career, so I expect another great season from him, which will lead to a spot on the first defensive team.

Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis Antetokounmpo has made the All-NBA Defensive First Team for the past four seasons, and I don’t expect this season to be any different. Antetokounmpo is one of the most dominant players the league has ever seen. Antetokounmpo stands at 6-11 with a 7-3 wingspan and moves like a guard. I’ve never seen a player at his height that can move like him. He is a special talent who has a chance to win defensive player of the year every season. I expect another dominant season from the greatest player on the planet, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Forward: Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo has made the All-NBA Defensive Second Team for the past three seasons. This could be the year that he makes the jump to the first team. Adebayo has been known to be a great defender in the league. However, he’s never been good enough to make the first team. If Adebayo can continue to develop and improve his game, it will take the Miami Heat to the next level. If the Heat want to win a championship, Adebayo needs to continue to be that dominant defensive force that he’s known to be and more.

Center: Rudy Gobert

Rudy Gobert has found a new home for the 2022-23 season, playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gobert has been hands down the best defensive center in the league and has made the All-NBA Defensive First Team for the past six years while winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Gobert won’t miss a beat with his new Timberwolves squad. He will continue to be the best defensive anchor in the league and fill that void that the Timberwolves were desperately missing. Gobert will have another dominant defensive year, easily making the first team and possibly winning another Defensive Player of the Year award.