Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert led the voting for the 2017-18 NBA All-Defensive team Wednesday, joined by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis and point guard Jrue Holiday, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo and Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington.
Gobert, named to the team for the second year in a row, is a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. Gobert, who had 2.3 blocks per game, earned 192 of a possible 200 points, including 94 First Team votes. Gobert missed 26 games this season with a knee injury and returned in late January to lead a resurgence by the Jazz, who finished the season 30-8 and won their first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Davis, another finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, led the NBA in blocks per game (2.6), finished fifth in rebounds per game (11.1), and ranked 15th in steals per game (1.5). He had four or more blocks 21 times this season, and had 10 blocks in a March 11 game against the Jazz.
Oladipo led the NBA in steals and closed out the year with an active streak of 64 consecutive games with a steal. It was his first time on the All-Defensive team.
Holiday, who racked up 64 blocks, made his first appearance on the team. Covington, also a first-timer on the team, led the NBA in deflections.
76ers center Joel Embiid (90 points), the third finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, led the second team.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who won Defensive Player of the Year last year, was also named to the second team. He was joined by Boston Celtics forward/center Al Horford, San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray and Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Jimmy Butler.
The winner of Defensive Player of the Year will be announced on June 25.
