Lakers News: Anthony Davis Misses Out On Accolade, But Warriors Vet Makes Cut
The NBA has just unleashed its All-Defensive Teams for the 2022-23 season, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
You won't find Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis on either of them, but Golden State Warriors power forward/center Draymond Green has been named to his fourth All-Defensive Second Team. The 2017 Defensive Player of the Year has also made four All-Defensive First Teams, and is generally considered one of the league's greats on that end of the floor.
But he's been thoroughly outplayed by Davis in their ongoing, best-of-seven second round playoff series. AD has been an absolute menace in the paint, and his presence there has proven to be a decisive factor in building a 3-1 Lakers lead for the series.
Perhaps the funniest Lakers-centric inclusion on either All-Defensive Team, joining Draymond Green on the Second Team, is vanquished Memphis Grizzlies small forward Dillon Brooks, whose erratic offense forced head coach Taylor Jenkins to bench him for long stretches of LA's first round series against the higher-seeded Grizz. Thanks in large part to Brooks' shenanigans during that series, it was revealed that Memphis has told him they will not under any circumstances re-sign the unrestricted free agent this summer.
Grizzlies power forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr., who was named the Defensive Player of the Year earlier this spring and equipped himself admirably during his team's six-game defeat to Los Angeles, received the most votes of any All-Defensive Team honoree, making his second straight All-Defensive First Team.
Ex-Lakers combo guard Alex Caruso, now with the Chicago Bulls, was named to his first-ever All-Defensive First Team this year. That's the kind of honor the league bestows on you when you (and fellow ex-Lakers guard Patrick Beverley) have to accommodate for the lackluster defensive efforts of Chicago wings Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!
