The 2024-25 NBA season showcased a remarkable emphasis on defensive excellence, culminating in the announcement of the All-Defensive Teams and the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award, with Cleveland Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley and Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green prominently featured. This season’s defensive honors highlight evolving dynamics in defensive roles and player versatility, underscoring the growing importance of multi-dimensional defending in today’s NBA.
Defensive Standouts: Evan Mobley and Draymond Green Headline the Defense Conversation
Evan Mobley emerged as the unequivocal Defensive Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season, marking a milestone for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Mobley, a 6-foot-10 forward-center hybrid, received overwhelming support, securing 99 out of 100 first-team All-Defensive votes and 35 first-place DPOY votes. His achievement is historic, as he becomes the first Cavaliers player to win the award and only the fourth in the franchise’s history to be selected multiple times to the All-Defensive Team. At 23 years old, Mobley is the fifth-youngest to ever claim the Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Mobley’s defensive prowess is multifaceted: he is an elite rim protector, a versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions, and a key disruptor in passing lanes, with over 100 blocks recorded during the regular season. His ability to switch seamlessly in pick-and-roll scenarios and single coverage fortifies the Cavs’ defense, contributing to their status as the league’s eighth-best defensive unit. Mobley’s blend of size, agility, and anticipation strikes fear into opposing offenses, fundamentally altering shot selection and possession outcomes.
Draymond Green, regarded as the “heartbeat” of the Warriors’ defense, also reaffirmed his defensive elite status by earning his fifth All-Defensive first-team selection and ninth overall in his career. Though he did not claim the DPOY for the 2024-25 campaign, Green’s name remained central to the conversation due to his physical, high-IQ style of defense. Coaches and peers recognize his unyielding intensity, ability to wear down offensive players, and leadership in orchestrating team defensive schemes—a vital asset for a championship contender like Golden State.
The Rising Defensive Stars: Dyson Daniels and Others
Another notable figure shaping the defensive landscape is Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks. Daniels, along with Mobley and Green, was a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award, drawing attention for his breakout defensive impact. His commitment to staunch defense advanced discussions around potential recognition beyond traditional frontcourt positions. Notably, Daniels and Amen Thompson emerged as non-frontcourt players making significant defensive contributions, marking a potential shift since Marcus Smart’s guard-centric DPOY in 2022.
Other defenders like Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Rudy Gobert, and Jaren Jackson Jr. featured prominently on the All-Defensive Teams, indicating a diverse spread of defensive strengths from on-ball pressure specialists to shot blockers and rim protectors. Alex Caruso was singled out as the league’s best small forward help defender, mastering the art of doubling and pass disruption without reckless gambles—an example of modern defensive precision.
The Selection Process and Defensive Metrics
The NBA’s All-Defensive Teams and DPOY are voted upon by a panel of media members and coaches, focusing on a player’s overall defensive impact throughout the regular season. Analytical metrics such as block rates, steal percentages, opponent shooting efficiencies, and defensive versatility factor heavily into evaluations. Mobley’s outstanding block tally and ability to guard multiple positions played a decisive role, while Green’s leadership and physicality bolstered his support.
The assembled All-Defensive First Team for 2024-25 comprised Evan Mobley, Draymond Green, Dyson Daniels, Luguentz Dort, and Amen Thompson, while the Second Team included notable defenders such as Toumani Camara, Rudy Gobert, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, and Ivica Zubac. This distribution reflects the NBA’s defensive zeitgeist, valuing agility, positioning, and strategic disruption across varying physical profiles and roles.
Defensive Evolution and Breaking Norms
The 2024-25 season spotlighted a subtle but significant evolution in defensive guard recognition. Dyson Daniels and Amen Thompson’s inclusion signaled the increasing value placed on perimeter defensive specialists who excel beyond traditional metrics like steals, focusing also on containment, switching ability, and disrupting offensive rhythm. Their candidacy for the Defensive Player of the Year alongside typical rim protectors highlighted a more nuanced appreciation for defensive contributions across all court areas.
Draymond Green’s enduring defensive relevance despite advancing age—earning him a place alongside younger defenders like Mobley and Daniels—underscores how intelligence, positioning, and intensity remain crucial. His experience as a former DPOY adds dimension to his defensive leadership, showing that impactful defense transcends sheer physicality alone.
The Impact of Defensive Recognition on Teams and Players
Mobley’s Defensive Player of the Year win not only cements his personal defensive legacy but also raises the profile of the Cavaliers as a defensive force. His role anchors the team’s strategy, enabling them to blend defense with offensive aggression. Similarly, Green’s continued presence on All-Defensive Teams reflects the Warriors’ defensive identity as a cohesive unit prioritizing communication and discipline.
For players like Dyson Daniels and Amen Thompson, their defensive accolades herald a broader shift towards recognizing versatile, multi-positional defenders who may not rack up traditional stats but fundamentally shape game outcomes through effort and anticipation.
Conclusion: Defense as an NBA Cornerstone in 2024-25
The 2024-25 NBA season’s defensive honors exemplify how defense remains a foundational element of championship-caliber basketball. Evan Mobley’s ascendance to Defensive Player of the Year through versatile rim protection and dynamic switching elevates the Cavaliers’ defensive stature. Draymond Green’s sustained excellence represents the critical value of experience and leadership in defense, while Dyson Daniels and his peers redefine guard-oriented defensive impact.
This season’s All-Defensive Teams serve as a tableau of evolving defensive roles—highlighting flexibility, strategic disruption, and physicality across positions. As teams continue to adapt to increasingly versatile offenses, the defenders who can guard multiple positions, orchestrate team defense, and alter shots will be indispensable, shaping the NBA’s defensive narratives for seasons to come.
