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Anthony Davis And Jrue Holiday Named To NBA’s All-Defensive First Team

By Mark Nilon

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: TJ Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jrue Holiday #11 during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: TJ Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jrue Holiday #11 during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Today, the NBA’s All-Defensive Team selections have been announced. To Pelicans fans, it should come as no surprise that both Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday made the cut. With this, it is the first time in franchise history that two New Orleans players have been named to an all-defensive team in the same season. 

The picks are in! This years NBA All-Defensive Team’s are set, and the categories first team holds two players from the New Orleans Pelicans; power forward Anthony Davis and shooting guard Jrue Holiday. The rest of the team consists of Robert Covington (PHI), Victor Oladipo (IND) and Rudy Gobert (UTA).

Though the Pelicans as a whole were not necessarily the most intimidating defensive unit this year (105.6 defensive rating), Davis and Holiday were hellbent on making their presence felt on that side of the ball. Davis, a finalist for the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award this season, led the league in blocks for the third time in his career, averaging 2.57 a game. Davis also held opponents to 52.4% shooting at the basket, which ranks in at fifth best in the entire league. With this selection, AD has now been named to an All-Defensive team three times during his six-year career.

MUST READ: AD Listed As An MVP Finalist For The First Time In His Career

As for Jrue Holiday, this is his first time being named to any of the NBA’s All-Defensive teams. This season, the combo guard was one of just 10 players in the NBA to record at least 50 blocks, 100 steals and 300 rebounds. With him on the floor, New Orleans allowed 9.1 fewer points per 100 possessions in comparison to when he would be on the bench. He also managed to finish the year averaging 8.8 contested shots per game, having him tied for first among guards with Victor Oladipo.

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Outside of these two players, there has only been one other member of the NOLA franchise to be selected to an All-Defensive team. And yes, as you may have guessed, his name is Chris Paul. Hopefully there will be many more selections to come for this dynamic duo! As for this season, they are well deserving of this prestigious defensive distinction.

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