Dyson Daniels named to All-Defensive First Team

• Dyson Daniels is the second Australian player to be named to NBA All-Defensive First Team in history
• Daniels was awarded the NBA's Most Improved Player award in his first season with the Atlanta Hawks
• Daniels led the league in total steals (229) and steals per game 3.0

Dyson Daniels — the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2024-25 — is the second Australian to earn All-NBA Defensive First Team honours after being named as one of the five best defenders in the league on Friday, May 23, 2025.

Daniels, 22, joins Ben Simmons as the only Australians to make the First Team. Simmons is a two-time NBA First Teamer (2019-20 and 2020-21).

The 2024-25 All-Defensive First Team

The 2024-25 NBA All-Defensive Team represents the gold standard for defensive excellence in basketball. This year's selections highlight a diverse group of defenders who excel in different aspects of the defensive game.

Evan Mobley (Cleveland Cavaliers): As the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Mobley anchored the Cavaliers' formidable defense. The 23-year-old forward averaged 1.6 blocks per game and demonstrated remarkable versatility, capable of guarding all five positions. His near-unanimous selection (99 of 100 first-team votes) reflects his dominant defensive presence.

Mobley's combination of length, timing, and basketball IQ has established him as one of the most complete defensive big men in the league. His ability to protect the rim while also switching onto perimeter players makes him particularly valuable in today's pace-and-space NBA.

Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks): Daniels led the NBA with an impressive 3.0 steals per game during his first season with the Hawks. His 229 total steals represented the highest mark in the league since Gary Payton's 231 in 1996, highlighting his exceptional ability to disrupt opposing offenses.

As a perimeter defender, Daniels combines quick hands, anticipation, and disciplined footwork to create havoc for opposing guards. His unanimous selection to the First Team speaks to his immediate impact as an elite defender.

Luguentz Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder): Dort has established himself as one of the premier on-ball defenders in the NBA. With the 68-win Thunder, Dort averaged 1.1 steals per game while consistently taking on the challenge of guarding the opposition's best perimeter scorer.

His physical strength, lateral quickness, and relentless energy make him particularly effective against high-scoring guards and wings. Dort's defensive contributions were a significant factor in Oklahoma City's defensive excellence this season.

Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors): A defensive stalwart for more than a decade, Green earned his fifth First Team selection this season. Averaging 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, the former Defensive Player of the Year continued to demonstrate his unique defensive versatility.

Green's nine total All-Defensive Team selections ties him with basketball legends such as Michael Jordan, Payton, and Hakeem Olajuwon, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest defenders in NBA history. His communication, anticipation, and positional defense remain elite despite being in the later stages of his career.

Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets): In just his second NBA season, Thompson has already established himself as one of the league's premier defenders. Averaging 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, the young swingman showcased his exceptional athleticism and defensive instincts.

Thompson's combination of perimeter defense and shot-blocking ability makes him a unique defensive talent. His rapid ascension to the All-Defensive First Team suggests a bright future as a defensive cornerstone.

All-NBA Defensive Second Team

• Ivica Zubac (LA Clippers): A reliable rim protector who anchored the Clippers' defense
• Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies): The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year continued his shot-blocking excellence
• Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder): Forming an elite defensive duo with teammate Dort
• Toumani Camara (Portland Trail Blazers): A breakout defensive performer earning his first selection
• Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves): A four-time Defensive Player of the Year making his eighth All-Defensive Team appearance

Voting System

Players receive two points for each First Team vote and one point for each Second Team vote. The five players with the highest point totals make the First Team, while the next five constitute the Second Team. In case of ties, the tied players are placed on the same team, potentially resulting in more than five players on a team.

Analytics and Defensive Recognition

Advanced metrics have helped highlight previously undervalued defensive contributions. While blocks and steals remain the most visible defensive statistics, metrics like Defensive Field Goal Percentage, Defensive Box Plus/Minus, and Defensive Win Shares provide more comprehensive evaluations.

This analytical revolution has helped players who don't accumulate traditional defensive statistics receive appropriate recognition for their impact.

The History and Evolution of the NBA All-Defensive Team

The NBA All-Defensive Team was first introduced in the 1968-69 season, creating a formal recognition system for players who excelled on the defensive end of the court. Before this award existed, defensive specialists often went unrecognised, as most accolades focused on scoring and offensive production.

In its original format, the honour consisted of two five-player teams (First Team and Second Team), a structure that continues today. The selection process has evolved over time, but the fundamental purpose remains: to celebrate those players who demonstrate exceptional defensive abilities throughout the regular season

Championship Correlation

Historically, championship teams almost always feature at least one All-Defensive Team calibre player. From Bill Russell's Celtics to Michael Jordan's Bulls to the more recent Warriors with Draymond Green, elite defenders have proven crucial to championship success.

A study of NBA champions over the past 30 years reveals that approximately 80% featured at least one player who made an All-Defensive Team either that season or within the previous two seasons.