[jwplayer 6IgXMEol]
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 2019-20 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, headlined the NBA All-Defensive First Team voting, the league announced in a press release.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart joined Antetokounmpo on the All-Defensive First Team for games played through March 11.
The 2019-20 NBA All-Defensive Second Team consisted of Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, Bucks center Brook Lopez, Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo, Clippers guard Patrick Beverley and Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe.
The NBA also released the full list of players to receive a vote as 76ers rookie Matisse Thybulle registered one NBA All-Defensive Second Team vote in the polling. The inclusion of Thybulle wasn’t a surprise after he established himself as an elite defender this year.
Thybulle entered the season fresh off of winning the 2019 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award at Washington after leading the NCAA in steals. He carried that production into the NBA, leading all rookies in steals while he ranked 16th among all players.
Thybulle was often matched up against some of the best players on defense this season and held his own given his awareness, IQ, instincts and lateral quickness. Once he can develop a consistent offensive game, Thybulle has the ability to be one of the best two-way players in the NBA.
[lawrence-related id=21653,20368,20143]
[vertical-gallery id=22382]