Predicting the unpredictable 2023–2024 NBA All-Defensive Teams
By Tyler Key
If there was an All-Defensive Third Team for 2024:
Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
The young 22-year-old budding superstar has been tremendous on the defensive end this season. His perimeter defense has been fantastic, and his size and athleticism allow him to provide backside rim protection and help defense as well. With that being said, it is very likely that Edwards’ defensive numbers and play are boosted by the likes of Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels also sharing the court with him.
Jrue Holiday - Boston Celtics
Holiday is another player that has the luxury of playing alongside other high-level defenders, with every Boston Celtics starter being a plus-defender. The 33-year-old guard hasn’t appeared to slow down much at all this year and is coming off of back-to-back-to-back All-Defensive Team appearances. Holiday’s on-ball defense is still incredible, however he has simply been asked to do less than he was when with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lu Dort - Oklahoma City Thunder
It seems like the popular pick to make an All-Defensive Team from OKC this year has been Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Despite that, Lu Dort deserves some love and should get the slight nod over his MVP-caliber teammate. Dort routinely defends the best perimeter player on the opposing team, allowing SGA to defend their second option. He does all of the dirty work for OKC and despite being undersized, he is an absolute menace on the defensive end of the floor.
Brook Lopez - Milwaukee Bucks
Most seasons, Brook Lopez would make the All-Defensive 2nd Team. Unfortunately for him, this is a stacked defensive year for fellow big men and defenders in general. Lopez leads the NBA in contested shots per game at 16.0 per game, which is 4.2 more than the next closest player (Chet Holmgren, 11.8 per game). He and Giannis have both helped the Bucks’ defense stay afloat following the Lillard-Holiday trade which obviously caused the perimeter defense to take a step back.
Jarrett Allen - Cleveland Cavaliers
Rightfully so, Jarrett Allen is still currently listed with the 5th best odds for Defensive Player of the Year. He was at his best when the Cavs went on a 17-1 record run and when he was not playing alongside Evan Mobley. Since that point however, their defense has been very up and down and the Allen-Mobley big duo still seems to be figuring it out, causing him to see those DPOY odds slide. In an uber-competitive All-Defensive year, he just missed out on All-Defensive Second Team.