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Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday named NBA All-Defensive First Team

By Steven Schauer

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets tries to get past Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first quarter during game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets tries to get past Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks in the first quarter during game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks had two of its stars earn NBA All-Defensive First Team honors, as announced by the association. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday were each recognized for their defensive efforts throughout the season.

The duo becomes the fourth pair of Bucks players to earn such a distinction in the same season., according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Jim Owczarski from MJS also reports that Antetokounmpo’s 107.3 defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) was tied for 11th best in the NBA while and Holiday’s 108.8 defensive rating was 17th.

Giannis and Holiday helped the Milwaukee Bucks rank second in the NBA for defensive 2-point field goal percentage (.507), first in fewest free throw attempts (18.8) and fifth in defensive field goal percentage (.456). Milwaukee was also tied for ninth in defensive rating at 110.7.

It is the fourth time Giannis has been named to the Defensive Team. It is also the third consecutive year he is on the First Team (18-19, 19-20, 20-21).

The seventh-year pro, who was also named 2019-20 NBA Defensive Player of the year, finished the regular season averaging 11.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. He consistently was a presence around the rim and was a force when having to track down the opposing offense on the fast break.

He received 43 first-place votes and 135 total points.

Holiday earned First Team honors for the second time in his career (17-18, 20-21) and third time overall. He finished the season fifth in steals per game at 1.6, grabbed 4.5 rebounds and blocked 0.6 shots. The point guard was a lockdown defender and was able to rotate to different offensive threats when needed.

He received 65 first-place votes and 157 points.

Milwaukee finished the regular season with a 46-26 overall record to earn the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They swept the Miami Heat with ease and are currently in a battle with the Brooklyn Nets and trail 3-2 in the series. Game 6 of the series is Thursday night at 7:30 pm CT in Milwaukee.

The Bucks lost the first two games against the Nets before charging back to take games 3 and 4. They couldn’t slow down Kevin Durant in game 5, who had one of the great NBA playoff performances with a triple-double.

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