Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Paul George highlight NBA All-Defensive First Team

Gabrielle McMillen

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Paul George highlight NBA All-Defensive First Team image

The NBA All-Defensive First Team was announced Wednesday, with three of it's five players receiving nearly identical points to make it on the team.

Jazz center Rudy Gobert lead all players with 196 points, including 97 First Team votes, to make the First Team for the third year in a row.

Thunder center Paul George was second with 195 points (96 First-Team Votes), while Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo had 193 points (94 First-Team votes).

Boston's Marcus Smart (145 points, 63 First-Team votes) and Milwaukee's Eric Bledsoe (100 points, 36 First-Team votes) round out the roster.

Each First-Team vote is worth two points, while Second-Team votes are worth one.

It marks the second time George has been on the First Team and is the first time Antetokounmpo has made either a First Team roster. Smart and Bledsoe are both first-time selections to an NBA All-Defensive Team.

Gobert, George and Antetokounmpo all are finalists for the 2018-19 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, as well.

The NBA All-Defensive Teams were selected by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters, which selected an All-Defensive Second Team, as well.

Jrue Holiday, Klay Thompson, Joel Embiid, Draymond Green and Kawhi Leonard all round out the Second Team.

NBA All-Defensive First Team

PlayerTeamPositionFirst Team votesSecond Team votesTotal points
Rudy GobertJazzCenter972196
Paul GeorgeThunderForward963195
Giannis AntetokounmpoBucksForward945193
Marcus SmartCelticsGuard6319145
Eric BledsoeBucksGuard3628100

NBA All-Defensive Second Team

PlayerTeamPositionFirst Team votesSecond Team votesTotal points
Jrue HolidayPelicansGuard312890
Klay ThompsonWarriorsGuard233682
Joel Embiid76ersCenter47280
Draymond GreenWarriorsForward25761
Kawhi LeonardRaptorsForward52939

Gabrielle McMillen