Mavs Extend Their Perfection: 0 Players on NBA All-Defensive Team

For the first time since 2008, LeBron James wasn’t voted to the NBA’s All-Defensive Team.

For the 34th consecutive year, the Dallas Mavericks weren’t either.

Since their inception in 1980 and especially over the last 14 years with Dirk Nowitzki as their centerpiece, the Mavs have been known for flare over grit, and for scoring points over being stingy in the paint. In turn, the franchise has never had a player be named to the All-Defensive First Team. Never. As in … never.

The Mavericks have only had two players ever named to an All-Defensive Second Team – Derek Harper in ’87 and ’90 and center Tyson Chandler in the championship season of ’11. Want some perspective? Since ’80 while the Mavs have had zero players on the First Team, the Bulls have had 13, Lakers 16 and the Spurs – led by Alvin Robertson, Bruce Bowen, David Robinson and Tim Duncan – have enjoyed a whopping 18.

If defense wins championships, no wonder the Mavs only have one and San Antonio is embarking on a Finals that could land them their fifth. 

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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