All-Defensive Team member Kawhi Leonard OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – MAY 8: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots two points as Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs tries to block his shot during the second half of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on May 8, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
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After earning his second Defensive Player of the Year award and finishing second in the MVP voting, San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard was unanimously voted to the NBA All-Defensive First team Wednesday.

Leonard was named to the first team by all 130 voters. Draymond Green of Golden State, DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley also made the first team. Among the five players on the first team, Bradley is the only player making his first appearance.

The NBA’s All-Defensive Second team featured Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Indiana’s Paul George, Miami’s Hassan Whiteside, Memphis’ Tony Allen, and Jimmy Butler of Chicago. Butler was the only player on either defensive team to not make the playoffs, and Green is the only player on either team playing in the conference finals.

Leonard played on a Spurs team that held opponents to a league-low 92.9 points per game during the 2015-16 season and had the NBA’s best defensive rating, giving up 96.6 points per 100 possessions. The Spurs finished the regular season 67-15 before being bounced by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. The other three teams with players on the First team — Golden State, Los Angeles and Boston — all tied for fourth in defensive efficiency.

About Ryan Williamson

Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Missouri and has recently returned to his Minnesota roots. He previously has worked for the Columbia Missourian, KFAN radio in Minneapolis and BringMeTheNews.com. Feel free to email me at rwilliamson29 AT Gmail dot com.

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