clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Trevor Ariza snubbed in All-Defensive Team voting

The Wizards' ace defender was not even close to making one of the two All-Defensive teams.

By Mike Prada
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

One would think Trevor Ariza's banner defensive season would be rewarded in some way by voters. Alas, that wasn't the case. Not only did Ariza miss out on the two All-Defensive teams, but he missed out by a wide margin.

Ariza received only three total votes for his efforts. Two were first-team selections: one by Wizards radio announcer Dave Johnson and one by TV analyst Phil Chenier. The other was a second-team selection by ... TV play-by-play man Steve Buckhantz. The other 121 votes left the Wizards' small forward completely off their ballots. In fact, teammate John Wall received more votes (one first-team vote by Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and six second-team selections, none of which were by Wizards broadcasters).

That's nuts to me. The following wings got more votes than Ariza that shouldn't have:

  • LeBron James, who made the second team despite not trying defensively all season.
  • Lance Stephenson
  • P.J. Tucker
  • Kevin Durant
  • Thabo Sefolosha
  • Kirk Hinrich
Obviously, Ariza faced stiff competition for a forward slot, but you'd think least one of the other 121 media voters would have recognized the work he did. Alas.

No other Wizards player received a vote. Nene might have merited consideration if he played more and if his position wasn't so deep.