NBA: 2017-18 projected All-Defensive teams entering the final stretch

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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 25: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on October 25, 2017 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention

Andre Roberson

In a season filled with devastating injuries, only Boogie Cousins’ ranks as more tragic than Roberson’s, whose elite defense vindicated Oklahoma City’s miserable first half offense.

According to ESPN:

"In 539 minutes with Roberson joining Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony and Steven Adams on the floor, the Thunder allow a measly 95.9 points per 100 possessions; in 402 minutes for the Thunder’s Big Four without Roberson, they allow 114.5 points per 100."

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More importantly, it hinders their ability to guard two dynamic wings in a their likely first round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, let alone if they can advance to play either the Rockets or the Warriors.

Miami Heat

The Heat are a brilliant rag tag operation, once again forming a core that is greater than the sum of its parts. They surrender only 101.4 points per game, sixth best in the NBA. Some people proclaim Josh Richardson to be their standout defender, but in the limited games I have watched, I have also been impressed by Justise Winslow and Bam Adebayo. It is hard to single out one player who stands head and shoulders above his front court or back court teammates.

San Antonio Spurs

Much like the Heat, the Spurs work so well because of their system, which allows Kyle “Slow-Mo” Anderson and Dejounte Murray to shine, while Danny Green remains impressive. Though these players probably deserve individual recognition, I cannot pretend to watch enough of the team’s games to pick one player over another.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis is a freak, and the one game where I was fortunate enough to watch him in person, he did this. But his team defense was porous under Jason Kidd, and the Freak has to take an L for that.

First Team

Guard: Marcus Smart

In the 11 games Smart has missed with a lacerated hand, the Celtics have gone 6-5, losing the Conference’s top seed and sinking into the section of the bracket that will play the likely third-seed Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs. He is strong enough to defend small forwards and quick enough to stick with point guards. His two charges in the final eight seconds of the Rockets-Celtics game in December was unlike anything I have ever seen before.

Guard: Jimmy Butler

Jimmy G. Buckets’ defense regressed in his final season in Chicago, but it has picked up for the Timberwolves, and he has even inspired Karl-Anthony Towns to strive to become an average defensive player. I was fortunate enough to see Mr. Buckets live in Brooklyn against the Nets, and in a single possession he switched onto three different players, and then dove out of bounds to save a loose ball. He’s good.

Forward: Paul George

Like Butler, George’s final year on his former team was a bit of a letdown, defensively, but he has been reenergized in OKC’s defensive system. He leads the league in steals, but the quality of his steals is more important than the raw numbers. He doesn’t gamble, miss a steal, and allow his man to drive to the basket. He recovers exceptionally well. His defensive performance against the Warriors, when he recorded six steals, was impressive, but so too was his offensively-challenged game against the Wizards last month.

Forward: Kevin Durant

Much has been written about Durant’s transformation into a defensive dynamo, and most of it rings true. He also actually been a reliable defender for since OKC’s Finals run in 2012, but he has stepped it up this year, with his improved shot blocking, and ability to prevent big men from posting him up as easily. On any given night, Durant can be his team’s most impactful defender, and this season, more often than not, he has been.

Center: Al Horford

Not much needs to be said about the anchor of the best defensive team in the NBA. Horford reads opposing teams’ passing lanes as well as he reads passing lanes on offense, and can defend smaller guards almost as well as Durant.

Second Team

Guard: Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson has the worst defensive rating and third worst defensive Defensive Box Plus/Minus, proving once again that defensive measures are very flawed. While he doesn’t jump passing lanes for steals, he uses his size and body control to keep opposing players from backing him down.

Guard: Kyle Lowry

This is probably the pick I am least sure of. The injured Roberson is miles ahead of Lowry, Chris Paul, or any other guard not named Smart or Butler on defense. Had he been healthy, he would have beaten at least one for a spot on the 1st team, and the guard roster would be full. Lowry earns this because he is the best guard defender on the best team in the East, and stands out as such.

While Miami or San Antonio fans may be out for blood, I can only use the justification no single wing defender on these teams stands head and shoulders above his teammates, as Lowry does on the Raptors. May God forgive me!

Forward: Draymond Green

The reigning DPOY has probably regressed slightly, and the team’s 14 losses are representative of his reduced tenacity. None of that changes the fact that Green can still switch positions one through five better than anyone else in the league.

Forward: Anthony Davis

The Brow has continued to shine and keep his team in playoff contention, even without DeMarcus Cousins. He is one of the guys whose raw blocks number don’t fully tell the story of how he impacts opponent’s shots. He is one of the most intimidating interior defenders, and while his defensive switchability is perhaps a bit overstated, it is still elite by the standards of most bigs.

Must Read: NBA: Breaking down the 2018 playoff race in the Western Conference

Center: Steven Adams

If Steven Adams has ever been backed down in the post, I haven’t seen it. It should come as no surprise that he leads the league in box-outs by over 100. While he struggles defending point guards more than the other guys on this list do, his interior defense, and chemistry with most Thunder lineups attest to his impact.

The Thunder yields the league’s seventh best defensive rating (which is mere decimal points from being fifth best) and highest steal rating, because of Adams’ ability to effectively wall off the paint, and even prevent alley oops.

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