Predicting the NBA All Defensive Team for the 2018-19 Season

4) Shooting Guard: Jimmy Butler

Action from Utah Jazz v Philadelphia 76ers game

For decency's sake, we'll leave out Butler's wretched time in Minnesota where he only displayed lacklustre effort on nationally televised games like the Lakers and Warriors matches.

Butler is a phenomenal on ball defender, one who also follows Leonard's inconceivable stat of having more steals than fouls over his career. Last season in Minnesota, he was thrown in the mix, relentlessly defending offensive powerhouses while also contributing in a big way to his own team's offense. Abrasive spirit and hostility aside, this is a guy who would make anyone's defensive team.

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5) Point Guard: Mike Conley

Action from Memphis Grizzlies v Indiana Pacers game

Back from the depths of three injury-riddled seasons, Conley is Memphis' primary top-of-the-key defender. Having been underrated all his career, it isn't surprising that while people fawn over Gasol's rim protection and Jackson Jr's rookie output, Conley's defensive instincts have been grossly overshadowed. On top of that, he's also Memphis' half court offensive kick-starter and regularly puts up good numbers. That's a pretty solid effort from a PG with a laundry list of injuries.

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All Defensive Team: Marc Gasol (C), Draymond Green (PF), Kawhi Leonard (SF), Jimmy Butler (SG), Mike Conley (PG)

Honorable Mentions: Embiid, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Rob Covington, Paul George, Pascal Siakam, Al Horford, Danny Green, Marcus Smart, Trevor Ariza