This year, Marcus Smart became the first guard to win Defensive Player of the Year since Gary Payton won the award in 1996. Payton was at the Celtics’ practice facility to deliver the award to Smart.

The only guard other than Smart and Payton to have won the award? Michael Jordan. Not bad company there.

There were other top defensive performers this season, though. The Jazz’s Rudy Gobert, who has won three of the last five Defensive Player of the Year awards, was also a finalist again this year. Miami’s Bam Adebayo is the defensive lynchpin of his team, and Mikal Bridges is one of the best perimeter defenders in the entire league.

There were breakout guys like Toronto’s Fred VanVleet as well. There is always going to be someone who feels slighted or a player who fans feel was cruelly left off, but that’s the way it goes with voting.

Here is the complete list of selections for the All-NBA Defensive First and Second Teams.

MORE: TSN’s Stephen Noh breaks down his unofficial All-NBA ballot

All-Defensive First Team

All-Defensive Second Team

How All-Defensive Teams are selected

Spots on the NBA’s All-Defensive Teams are given to the league’s ten best defensive performers at the conclusion of every season. A player is included in either the First or Second Team lineup, with each team consisting of two guards, two forwards and a center.

The spots in the lineups are voted on by a global group of 100 writers, broadcasters and media members who cover the NBA. Each First Team vote is scored as two points, while each Second Team vote is worth only one point.

The guards, forwards and center with the most points are placed on the First Team. The players at those positions with the second-highest point totals are then put on the Second Team.

Up until the 2014-15 season, the league’s head coaches decided on the All-Defensive Teams before it was opened up to media members from around the world.

NBA award winners 2022

Most Valuable Player finalists

Nikola Jokic, Nuggets (winner) Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks Joel Embiid, 76ers

Rookie of the Year finalists

Scottie Barnes, Raptors (winner) Cade Cunningham, Pistons Evan Mobley, Cavaliers

Defensive Player of the Year finalists

Marcus Smart, Celtics (winner) Mikal Bridges, Suns Rudy Gobert, Jazz 

Sixth Man of the Year finalists

Tyler Herro, Heat (winner) Cam Johnson, Suns Kevin Love, Cavaliers

Most Improved Player finalists

Ja Morant, Grizzlies (winner) Darius Garland, Cavaliers Dejounte Murray, Spurs

Coach of the Year finalists

Monty Williams, Suns (winner) Taylor Jenkins, Grizzlies Erik Spoelstra, Heat