ORLANDO — Jalen Suggs was the focal point of the Orlando Magic defense, which ranked second in the NBA in defensive rating, fourth in points allowed and fifth in steals per game.
Now, Suggs is getting recognition that attests to his growing impact with the Magic and his status as one of the best defenders in the NBA.
Suggs was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, which was announced on Tuesday. He is the first Magic guard to be named to the All-Defensive team and the third Magic guard to earn the honor in 35 years. The others are Dwight Howard and Horace Grant.
Suggs' defensive effort was part of the former Gonzaga big guard's career season. He also posted career highs in points average (12.6), field goal percentage (47.1), 3-point percentage (39.7) and offensive rating (112.9).
Entering last season, Suggs' role was unclear. In his first two seasons, he appeared in just 101 games, 64 of which were starts. With Orlando's roster loaded with guards, Suggs, a former No. 5 overall pick, was under pressure to live up to expectations.
The 22-year-old Suggs was instrumental in driving the Magic to their best season since 2010-11, led by his excellent defense.
Suggs finished with a career-best 1.4 steals per game, tied for seventh in the NBA. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard recorded at least two steals in 31 games, including one game with six steals, three games with four steals and eight games with three steals. Orlando was 20-11 in games in which Suggs recorded multiple steals.
Suggs' defensive rating was a career-high 110.4, 12th best among players who played at least 2,000 minutes this season.
“We enjoy playing defense,” Suggs said on Dec. 11. “We enjoy getting excited and energized down the stretch with our defensive plays. We all do it, we all buy into it. We all have a common mindset that it's hard to score. We are very versatile, very passionate and very strong-willed.”
“This team has Jalen and [Suggs] And J.I. [Jonathan Isaac], I like to call him the snakehead of a defensive end,” Magic guard Cole Anthony said on Nov. 22. When you watch Jalen on the bench and see how hard he plays defensively, it makes him want to go out there and guard because that energy is contagious. ”
Suggs was joined on the All-Defensive Second Team by Boston Celtics guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels.
All-Defensive First Team honorees are Minnesota Timberwolves rim protector and Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones, Miami – Heat forward Bam Adebayo and Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis.
