Leonard becomes the first Spurs player to win Defensive Player of the Year since David Robinson in 1991-92. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, the Defensive Player of the Year, headlines the 2014-15 NBA All-Defensive First Team, the league announced Wednesday.
Leonard received 116 first-team votes and 242 points from a panel of 129 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada.
The first team also includes forward Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors (229 points, 107 first-team votes), guard Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies (207 points, 88 first-team votes), center DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers (187 points, 84 first-team votes) and guard Chris Paul of the Clippers (170 points, 67 first-team votes).
Green and Jordan, who finished second and third, respectively, in the voting for the Defensive Player of the Year Award this season, join Leonard as first-time selections on the first team. Paul made the first team for the fourth straight season and fifth time overall, while Allen earned his third first-team honor.
The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, Warriors center Andrew Bogut, Washington Wizards guard John Wall and Spurs forward Tim Duncan.
Leonard teamed with Duncan to help San Antonio hold opponents below 100 points per game (97.0) for the 20th consecutive season. Leonard averaged career highs of 5.9 defensive rebounds and a league-leading 2.31 steals for the Spurs.
Green and Allen had significant impacts on the defensive performance of their teams. Green ranked 14th in the NBA in defensive rebounding (6.7 per game), and Allen finished third in steals (2.05).
Paul ranked second in the NBA in total steals (156) and fifth in steals per game (1.90). Jordan led the NBA in defensive rebounding (10.1 per game) and was fourth in blocks (2.23).
