After so many decades being associated with indifferent defense, the Warriors have become one of the stingiest squads in the NBA.
Andre Iguodala is a big reason for that.
The 6-foot-6 small forward, acquired last July, on Monday received recognition for his work when he was named to the 2013-14 NBA All-Defensive First Team.
Iguodala is the first Warrior named to the first team since center Nate Thurmond in 1970-71. Guard Latrell Sprewell was voted to the second team in 1993-94.
When Iguodala joined the Warriors last July, club officials sang the praises of his selflessness and his effectiveness in transition. Above all, though, they expected him to lift their defense to another level.
He did that. The Warriors finished third in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) and fourth in field-goal percentage defense. Iguodala led the league in plus-minus equation, averaging a plus-9.0 differential.
Iguodala was joined on the first team by Bulls center Joakim Noah (the leafing vote getter), Thunder forward Serge Ibaka, Pacers forward Paul George and Clippers guard Chris Paul.
Other Warriors receiving votes: Klay Thompson (5), Andrew Bogut (4), Stephen Curry (3, including one first-team vote), Draymond Green (1) and David Lee (1).
2013-14 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
Position Player, Team 1st-Team Votes 2nd Team Votes Total Points
Center Joakim Noah, Chicago 105 13 223
Forward Paul George, Indiana 65 31 161
Guard Chris Paul, LA Clippers 64 28 156
Forward Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City 54 44 152
Guard/Forward Andre Iguodala, Golden State 57 34 148
2013-14 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
Forward LeBron James, Miami 57 20 134
Guard Patrick Beverley, Houston 44 24 112
Guard Jimmy Butler, Chicago 29 45 103
Forward Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio 16 57 89
Center Roy Hibbert, Indiana 15 46 76
Note: Players receive 2 points for a 1st place vote, and 1 point for a 2nd place vote
Other players receiving votes, with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers 63 (14); Anthony Davis, New Orleans, 62 (18); Tony Allen, Memphis, 60 (17); Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 45 (12); Dwight Howard, Houston, 26 (6); Taj Gibson, Chicago, 21 (2); Mike Conley, Memphis, 21 (5); Ricky Rubio, Minnesota, 19 (5); Lance Stephenson, Indiana, 14 (3); P.J. Tucker, Phoenix, 13 (2); Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City, 10 (2); Kyle Lowry, Toronto, 10 (3); Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix, 9 (1); Marc Gasol, Memphis, 8; John Wall, Washington, 8 (1); Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City, 8 (1); Kirk Hinrich, Chicago, 7 (2); Trevor Ariza, Washington, 5 (2); Avery Bradley, Boston, 5 (1); Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City, 5 (1); Klay Thompson, Golden State, 5; Andrew Bogut, Golden State, 4; Chris Bosh, Miami, 4 (1); Luol Deng, Cleveland, 4 (1); Wesley Matthews, Portland, 4 (1); Tony Parker, San Antonio, 4 (1); Nicolas Batum, Portland, 3 (1); Stephen Curry, Golden State, 3 (1); Danny Green, San Antonio, 3 (1); Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte, 3; Shaun Livingston, Brooklyn, 3 (1); Victor Oladipo, Orlando, 3 (1); DeMarre Carroll, Atlanta, 2; Matt Barnes, L.A. Clippers, 2 (1); James Harden, Houston, 2; George Hill, Indiana, 2; Jeff Teague, Atlanta, 2; Dwyane Wade, Miami, 2 (1); Kemba Walker, Charlotte, 2; David West, Indiana, 2; Arron Afflalo, Orlando, 1; Corey Brewer, Minnesota, 1; Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia,1; Darren Collison, L.A. Clippers, 1; DeMar DeRozan, Toronto, 1; Andre Drummond, Detroit, 1; Monta Ellis, Dallas, 1; Danny Granger, L.A. Clippers, 1; Draymond Green, Golden State, 1; Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City, 1; David Lee, Golden State, 1; Paul Millsap, Atlanta, 1; Rajon Rondo, Boston, 1.
NBA media services contributed to this story
