France's Gobert Leads Picks for NBA All-Defensive Team

Frenchman Rudy Gobert, who helped power the Utah Jazz into the NBA playoffs, was the top vote-getter on the NBA All-Defensive First Team announced by the league Wednesday.

The 7-foot-1 (2.16m) center received 94 first-team votes and 192 points from a global media panel to edge New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis of the United States for the most support on the five-man honor squad. Davis had 73 first-place votes and 163 total points.

Gobert and Davis, both 25, are finalists for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

Joining them on the top defensive squad were Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday and Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington.

The only prior first-team defensive selection was Gobert, who made his debut last year when he led the NBA with 2.6 blocked shots a game. Davis led the NBA this season with 2.6 blocks a game.

Gobert averaged 13.5 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists a game this season for the Jazz, who ousted Oklahoma City in the first round of the playoffs before being eliminated by Houston.

Jazz opponents shot 10 percent worse near the basket when Gobert was on the court. Utah had the second-rated defensive unit in the NBA, allowing 101.6 points per 100 opponent possessions and only 97.7 points when Gobert was on the court.

The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of 76ers center Joel Embiid, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Boston Celtics center Al Horford, San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray and Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Jimmy Butler.

Cameroon center Embiid is also a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, which will be announced next month at the NBA Awards show.