The NBA released its All-Defense teams Wednesday. The list was relatively unsurprising, but there was one pretty interesting selection. Philadelphia forward Robert Covington squeezed onto the first team, edging out reigning Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green by one first-team vote and four total voting points.
First team all defense. pic.twitter.com/dV2i1zkmud
Green is one of Golden State's leaders, and he anchors the defense for the best team in the league, so fans took exception to the perceived snub.
ICYMI, a slap in the face this morning by members of the media as they vote Draymond (reigning DPOY) *seventh* in best defensive players in the league, landing him on All-NBA Defense Second Team. #shame pic.twitter.com/wZ4nspDDia
Wow draymond green didn’t get all defensive team this year????
Draymond Green only 2nd team All Defense must be a f***ing joke right?! pic.twitter.com/n6od8XcjDB
Covington a better defender than Draymond Green lmaoooooo ya okay https://t.co/5jl5ZtPUtz
The NBA's defensive awards are the only ones that I feel like I don't watch enough basketball to have a particularly strong stance on, but Robert Covington on the First Team over both Draymond Green and Al Horford seems questionable
Green averaged 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game this season. Covington averaged 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks. They occupy different roles on their teams' defenses, so it's difficult to compare the two, but Green certainly has more star power behind his name.
Jared Dudley thought P.J. Tucker belonged on the first team.
So every team that was top 5 in defense had a player on a team except Houston?? No PJ TUCKER HUH?!!!!!! https://t.co/QeDSpi5rPq
Joel Embiid received only four first team votes, but he was the overall leader on the second team. Utah center Rudy Gobert, the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year, was the overall leading vote-getter.
