Victor Oladipo earns his spot on NBA All-Defensive First Team

Indiana Pacers All-Star Victor Oladipo earned his first NBA All-Defensive First Team selection after leading the league in steals.

The NBA just announced that Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo made the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the first of his career.

For anyone who paid attention to the Pacers this year, this wasn’t a surprise. It was expected as Oladipo led the NBA in steals during the regular season with 2.4 a game.

Along with Oladipo, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, and Robert Covington were named to the First Team while Joel Embiid, Draymond Green, Al Horford, Dejounte Murray, and Jimmy Butler earned spots on the Second Team.

It’s hard to quantify defense at times, but Oladipo’s ability to stay in front of his man while also finding ways to pry the ball loose was unmatched by any other guard in the NBA.

The Pacers played some of their best defense when he was on the floor thanks to his ability to pick and choose when it was the right time to attack. More importantly than just getting those steals, he did it while rarely putting his team at risk by chasing the ball.

As seen in the clip above, Oladipo rarely went for steals while sacrificing his position on the floor defensively — unless he was confident he was coming away with the ball. Oladipo put his nearly 6’10 wingspan to good use by lulling opponents into a sense of security before stealing that and the ball away from them.

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And it wasn’t just steals, either. Oladipo was ninth among guards in blocks and those weren’t just help blocks, either. In fact, 38.6% of his blocks were as the primary defender, according to NBA.com. Not too bad for a guard.

Oladipo defined his season by reaching new heights in his career, and his defense as no different. His steals, rebounds, and blocks were all career-highs, as well as points, assists, and field goal percentages on offense.

Oladipo’s evolution as a player is the biggest reason the Indiana Pacers defied expectations and won 48-games. While it was hard to believe this is what they were getting in their trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer, Oladipo made Kevin Pritchard look like a very wise man after he traded for the now All-Star guard and Domantas Sabonis — who stepped up his game this season, too.

Along with this All-Defensive selection, it is all but assured to win the Most Improved Player award. And Oladipo is ready to take it to another level next season.

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It is the Pacers first First Team selection since Paul George in 2013, who also made the Second Team in 2016.