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Avery Bradley solidified his reputation as one of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA this year. But, after missing a third of the season, Bradley fell just short of making the All-Defense second team despite 12 first-team votes, the NBA announced Monday.
Bradley was the first runner-up of all players, falling 22 points short of the last guard spot behind the San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green. Tony Allen was the other second team guard with 80 points and 17 first-team votes. Bradley finished a point ahead of Klay Thompson and 8 points ahead of John Wall, each of whom received more first-team votes at 16 and 14, respectively.
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Marcus Smart received 21 points (5 first-team votes) while Jae Crowder received 5 points. Players receive 2 points for a first-team vote and 1 point for a second-team vote. Bradley ranked 5th among guards while Smart ranked 8th. Crowder had an up-and-down defensive season, but he received some votes based on reputation, as is often the case with voting for defensive awards.
The case for Bradley missing the second team is fair considering he missed a third of the season, playing just 55 games. However, first-team guard Chris Paul played just 61 while Green and Beverley played less than 70 games as well.
The NBA Twitter fury began with his backcourt partner Isaiah Thomas, livid that his teammates who cover up for his defensive weaknesses didn’t make the second team. His teammates, current and former, jumped on the bandwagon.
Damn Avery, Smart or Jae didn't get all defense??? That's a JOKE!!!
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) June 26, 2017
Wow eh! https://t.co/zQCIt0jSEW
— Kelly Olynyk (@KellyOlynyk) June 26, 2017
How did Avery Bradley not make first or second team all defense
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) June 26, 2017
Even the opponents he battled came out to bat for him. If Bradley’s rep as an elite defender wasn’t clear before, players around the league—mostly in the Western conference—spoke out to solidify it.
Btw Avery Bradley not making at least 1st team All Defense is so crazy to me.. I wanna know who these voters are smh
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 27, 2017
Smh they not watchin these games bro lol https://t.co/uIQ0FFobpG
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 26, 2017
Someone need slapped ... Avery Bradley ain't make one team ? fuxk outa heaaaa
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) June 26, 2017
No Avery Bradley all-defense?! On the behalf of the players... he deserves it!
— Devin Booker (@DevinBook) June 26, 2017
How the hell is Avery Bradley not on the all defensive team?? That's crazy!!
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) June 26, 2017
How the hell Avery Bradley is not in the 1st all defensive team ?
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) June 26, 2017
He's viewed as a Top 3 wing defender in this league by players!!! https://t.co/G3gjZvFHUY
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) June 26, 2017
Avery Bradley got my vote
— Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) June 26, 2017
McCollum’s reaction is not surprising after he told CelticsBlog that Avery Bradley is the best on-ball defender in the league earlier this year. That is a widely-held sentiment around the league, but there are only four spots for six elite defenders, so Bradley’s extensive time missed makes his snub understandable.
Ironically, Isaiah Thomas’s defensive reputation appears to have surpassed Al Horford’s.
Isaiah Thomas had more All-Defense votes than Al Horford https://t.co/W60APUffjk
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) June 26, 2017