Fans Question Giannis, Bam, OG, Derrick White NBA All-Defensive Team Snubs on Twitter

The NBA recognized the best defenders in the league during the 2024-25 season Thursday when it released its All-Defensive teams, but that naturally led to some fans questioning why certain candidates were snubbed.

First, a look at the teams, which where headlined by Draymond Green, Evan Mobley and Rudy Gobert, among others:

However, there were some notable names who were not included on the teams such as OG Anunoby, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Derrick White, which led to reaction from fans:

Pointing out who was snubbed is almost a right of passage for NBA fans when it comes to All-Star teams and All-NBA teams, but it's not often that there is this much star power on the list of those who just missed the cut. 

As the NBA shared, Anunoby, Adebayo, White and Antetokounmpo were the top four finishers in the other players receiving votes category. As if that wasn't enough star power, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished in fifth place in that group.

It is a testament to the two-way abilities of players in the modern NBA that so many of the league's best playmakers are elite on both ends of the floor.

But there are still defensive specialists, as the All-Defensive teams indicate.

Nobody is going to mistake Luguentz Dort, Dyson Daniels, Ivica Zubac, Toumani Camara or Draymond Green as game-changing scorers who are going to bury opponents with their offensive prowess. Yet they are all on the All-Defensive teams because of their abilities on that end of the floor.

Unsurprisingly, Evan Mobley was also on the First Team.

The Cleveland Cavaliers forward took home the 2024-25 Defensive Player of the Year award and was a major reason his team finished with the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. While Cleveland lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs, it was still an excellent campaign for one of the league's best young players.

Even those who believe players like Anunoby, Adebayo, White and Antetokounmpo were snubbed wouldn't question Mobley's inclusion on this team after an excellent defensive season separated him from the rest of the contenders.