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Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris robbed of All Defensive honors

By Mathew Huff

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 13: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets during the game between the two teams on March 13, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 13: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets during the game between the two teams on March 13, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Recently, the All NBA Defensive teams were announced. A certain Denver Nuggets shooting guard was a notable omission.

Gary Harris of the Denver Nuggets has become their best perimeter defender. Before he became an offensive assassin, Harris was known as a defensive specialist.

He is more times than not, asked to guard the best perimeter player on the opposing team. It was not a stretch to think Harris could have gotten on his first All Defensive team this season.

However, he was robbed of even All Defensive Second team honors. If there is a consolation, Harris did get at least three votes from the voting panel. What is more surprising is that Will Barton of all people got one vote. However, that is a story for another day.

I am not trying to take anything away from the recipients of these honors, but it is a little puzzling all the players who made the teams were on playoff teams. Especially since Dejounte Murray even made a team.

For those who are wondering, the All Defensive First Team consisted of Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holliday, Victor Oladipo and Robert Covington. Covington was a bit of a surprise.

The All Defensive Second team consisted of Joel Embiid, Draymond Green, Al Horford and as mentioned already, Murray.

Gary Harris was crucial to the Nuggets’ success this season and not just at the offensive end. Harris came up clutch in key defensive situations as well including a do or die game against the Portland Trail Blazers where Harris took the ball from C.J. McCollum to solidify the win.

Gary averaged nearly two steals per game averaging 1.8 per basketball reference. Not to mention, he improved his defensive rating to 112 and had a steal percentage of 2.6%. Harris also tallied a defensive win share total of 1.5.

Gary was perhaps the second most important player to this Denver Nuggets squad this past season. Not just from an offensive standpoint, but from a defensive standpoint as well.

Next: Assigning the Nuggets as Infinity War characters

No disrespect intended to those who received these honors, but Gary Harris deserved a spot on at least the NBA All Defensive Second team.

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