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We are a quarter of our way through the season and so much can change in the remaining time. Remember when we all thought DeMarcus Cousins was going to be an All Star last year? Me neither, as so much transpired after that.
Thus, despite it being an exercise in futility, I have tried to make a list of players for the NBA All Defensive Team for the 2018-19 season. A couple of stellar players miss out on this list due to various injuries. Dejounte Murray (ACL tear), Kris Dunn (Bulls PG), Oladipo (Pacers SG), Westbrook (multiple injuries) and Andre Roberson (rehabbing, out beyond Christmas) come to mind but some teams have been stopping NBA powerhouses on a regular basis even with the hands-free rule.
Some players have slightly disappointed and some have risen from the depths of irrelevancy to show up ready for a grit 'n' grind team. Here's a look:
1) Center: Marc Gasol
The younger Gasol brother must be relieved to be back to relevancy again. After a forgettable last season, when he won a civil war with David Fizdale but lost almost everything else, he has been reinvigorated as the anchor of a grit'n'grind team reminiscent of the old era. In a league where offense is god and defense is what players aren't paid to do, the 2012-13 DPOY is back to winning ways, aided by underrated Mike Conley and revelation rookie Jaren Jackson Jr, who might be the steal of the draft.
Gasol is a very good anchor and has tremendous leadership skills, particularly when it comes to calling for sets and plays during the game. He's quick on his feet and almost always makes the right play, particularly in clutch situations. In light of Gobert's slightly disappointing start, Gasol has shown himself to be a rock under the rim. (Rose's 50 point outburst came against Gobert, while Gobert was his man on multiple possessions. How a 6'3 guard was able to finish with that consistency against a 7'1 center at the rim is still a mystery to me.)
An All Defensive team nomination is all very good, but in a league dictated on changing styles, Gasol has expanded his game to include shots from outside the paint.
2) Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard
Leonard is the best perimeter defender and two-way player in the NBA. A two-time back-to-back DPOY, serious MVP candidacy and a bizarre stat, where his steals are more than personal fouls, had been forgotten as he sat out last season with injury. But he's back, and while he hasn't reached 100% working capacity yet, he's already been a monster on defense.
On a Raptors team filled with long, rangy defenders two deep at every level, Leonard's lockdown vise cannot be understated. At the Sixers game, he put Ben Simmons in a existential crisis, forcing double digit turnovers from the playmaker.
Against the Warriors, after Durant made a corner three in his face to force OT, he learned. The next possession, Durant brought the ball up and Leonard reached across and deflected the ball off KD to get back possession. He knew the risk of letting Durant build up steam near the arc and just "klawed" the ball out of his hands. That was clutch!
3) Power Forward: Draymond Green
Yes, Green is noisy and loud. Yes, he goes off on his teammate who is a free agent after this season. Yes, he talks trash without provocation. But this Golden State team is realizing just how important he is to all their defensive identity. There's no one to protect the rim now that JaVale McGee isn't there, and the Warriors cannot implement their switching scheme and hide Curry at the same time against a blitzing opponent. Draymond is a pest, but he's peskier to the opposition than he is to his own teammates.
4) Shooting Guard: Jimmy Butler
For decency's sake, we'll leave out Butler's wretched time in Minnesota where he only displayed lacklustre effort on nationally televised games like the Lakers and Warriors matches.
Butler is a phenomenal on ball defender, one who also follows Leonard's inconceivable stat of having more steals than fouls over his career. Last season in Minnesota, he was thrown in the mix, relentlessly defending offensive powerhouses while also contributing in a big way to his own team's offense. Abrasive spirit and hostility aside, this is a guy who would make anyone's defensive team.
5) Point Guard: Mike Conley
Back from the depths of three injury-riddled seasons, Conley is Memphis' primary top-of-the-key defender. Having been underrated all his career, it isn't surprising that while people fawn over Gasol's rim protection and Jackson Jr's rookie output, Conley's defensive instincts have been grossly overshadowed. On top of that, he's also Memphis' half court offensive kick-starter and regularly puts up good numbers. That's a pretty solid effort from a PG with a laundry list of injuries.
All Defensive Team: Marc Gasol (C), Draymond Green (PF), Kawhi Leonard (SF), Jimmy Butler (SG), Mike Conley (PG)
Honorable Mentions: Embiid, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Rob Covington, Paul George, Pascal Siakam, Al Horford, Danny Green, Marcus Smart, Trevor Ariza
Guess the Lakers players!
