Latest news with #AllDefensiveTeam
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alanna Smith Finds Her 'Home and 'Family' with Minnesota Lynx
Alanna Smith Finds Her 'Home and 'Family' with Minnesota Lynx originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Alanna Smith has worn many hats throughout her WNBA career—spot starter, stretch forward, defensive specialist. But in Minnesota, she's found something more: a clearly defined role on a championship contender, anchored by trust from the coaching staff and a genuine sense of belonging. Advertisement 'It just felt like coming back home to family,' Smith told RG. 'Playing with people that care about you as a player on and off the court. And that you genuinely get along with, too. Every single person involved with the Lynx is great. I've had no issues, and I genuinely enjoy being around the team and staff. And it's great basketball as well—you can't really ask for much more.' Smith joined the Lynx on a two-year, fully guaranteed deal before the 2024 season. Since then, she's emerged as one of the league's most versatile and reliable two-way forwards, earning All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2024 while helping Minnesota reach the WNBA Finals. Now, in her second season, she's taken another leap. Beginning the 2025 season, Smith is averaging 13.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 59.6% from the field and 47.8% from beyond the arc. Notably, she's taking 4.6 threes per game—up from 3.0 last season—and converting them at an elite rate. 'Cheryl told me at the start of the year she wanted me to shoot more threes,' Smith said. 'And a player never doesn't want to hear that.' Advertisement Smith's ability to stretch the floor has complemented All-WNBA forward Napheesa Collier, who's averaging 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.4 steals, solidifying herself as a serious MVP candidate once again. 'When you're playing with someone like Phee, she's the reason you're able to get open shots,' Smith said. 'Everyone's so focused on her… But she's unselfish too. She'll give it up and pitch it out, which is what we need as a team.' Defensively, Smith remains a foundational piece of the Lynx's identity. Whether switching onto guards, protecting the paint, or rotating from the weak side, she's become one of the league's most consistent help defenders. 'There's a couple of us that are the anchors of our defense, especially in help-side,' she explained. 'That's usually me. We're a team that helps a lot, and being able to provide that every single game without fail is what's most important.' Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Following a 30–10 campaign and a Finals appearance in 2024, Minnesota appears poised for another deep postseason push. Smith, who averaged 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and shot nearly 40% from deep last season, is now playing the most efficient basketball of her career. Advertisement She'll be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, but her role and connection to the Lynx suggest there's little desire to part ways. 'As a player, you always want to be in a position where your game speaks for itself,' she said. 'That's all I've tried to do.' And it's speaking loudly. From rim protection to timely three-point shooting to veteran leadership, Smith is doing everything the Lynx need—consistently and quietly—while reinforcing her value as a core piece of a team built on trust. Related: WNBA Head Coach Feels 'Weird' Playing Mercury Without Diana Taurasi This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rockets' Amen Thompson Makes Rockets History After Recent NBA News
The NBA season is drawing to a close as the league narrows down to just four teams still eligible to win the 2025 NBA Championship. With the season nearing its end, awards are rolling in, and players are hitting major career milestones. Advertisement The NBA All-Defensive teams are out, and they highlight some of the league's top defenders. There were five players named on the first team, from Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, to other elite defensemen like the Atlanta Hawks' Dyson Daniels, the Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green, and the Oklahoma City Thunder's Lu Dort. The very last player on the list was Houston Rockets' forward Amen Thompson. Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) reacts during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Amen Thompson makes Rockets history after being named to All-Defensive team This was his first time earning All-Defensive Team honors, and at just 22 years old, he made Rockets history. Advertisement He became the youngest Rockets player to make an All-Defensive First Team. In just his second season in the NBA, Thompson made the team and averaged 5.4 defensive rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals a game for Houston. His jump in play in the 2024-25 season was a large contributing factor to his ability to reach this milestone. In his rookie season, he only averaged 22.4 minutes per game, but in his sophomore campaign, he averaged 32.2 minutes for head coach Ime Udoka and the Rockets. It's worth to note that the All-Defensive First Team had another young stud – Dyson Daniels was another player that made it and he is also just 22 years old. Rockets' Amen Thompson Makes Rockets History After Recent NBA News first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025
Reuters
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Cavs' Evan Mobley leads vote-getting for NBA All-Defensive teams
May 22 - Cleveland Cavaliers forward-center Evan Mobley, the 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, headlined the league's All-Defensive First Team, announced Thursday. He is joined by Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, Golden State Warriors forward-center Draymond Green and guard-forward Amen Thompson of the Houston Rockets. This was the second first-team selection for Mobley, the fifth for Green, and the first for Daniels, Dort and Thompson. Green also has been named to the second team four times. This season's All-Defensive Second Team is made up of Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara, Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, Memphis Grizzlies forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr., Thunder guard-forward Jalen Williams and Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac. This is the eighth All-Defensive Team selection for Gobert and the third for Jackson, with the other three making their first appearance on the list. Mobley was the leading vote-getter, being named to the first team on 99 of 100 ballots. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lu Dort, Jalen Williams named to NBA's 2024-25 All-Defensive Teams
Apr 8, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrate with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) after he made a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Pulling a LeBron James, it's about time. It's been a busy last few days for the Oklahoma City Thunder. As the NBA awards were fully handed out after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named the 2024-25 MVP winner, the title contender also saw Lu Dort and Jalen Williams be named on the All-Defensive Teams. The NBA announced the two All-Defensive Team members on Thursday. Dort was named to the All-Defensive First Team with Dyson Daniels, Amen Thompson, Draymond Green and Evan Mobley. Williams was named to the All-Defensive Second Team with Toumani Camara, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ivica Zubac and Rudy Gobert. Advertisement Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace also received votes. The full All-Defensive Team voting results can be viewed below: It shouldn't be shocking to see Dort earn his first career nod. The 26-year-old has been known as one of the league's best perimeter defenders for years. He was the face of the league's best defense in OKC. Meanwhile, Williams has ascended into one of the best wing defenders. He can defend all five positions with solid rim protection and the ability to guard at the perimeter. The Thunder had the NBA's best defense across the board. Look up any team defensive stat and they'll likely sit atop it. They're a turnover machine with signature avalanche runs fueled by steal-and-score sequences. This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Lu Dort, Jalen Williams named to NBA's 2024-25 All-Defensive Teams
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dyson Daniels, Draymond Green and Amen Thompson headline NBA All-Defensive first team
Dyson Daniels, Draymond Green, Amen Thompson, Luguentz Dort and Evan Mobley were named to the NBA's All-Defensive First Team on Thursday, the league announced. It's the ninth time in Green's career that he's received the honor. Toumani Camara, Rudy Gobert, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams and Ivica Zubac were named to the second team, the league announced Thursday. Advertisement It marks the eighth time in his career Gobert has made the NBA's All-Defensive team, but the first team he's been named as a member of the second team. This story will be updated.
