2024 NBA All Dawg Team
Welcome to the first edition of the Biasedly Unbiased Sports All Dawg Team. The NBA has their designated teams like All NBA, All Defense, and All Rookie that they award each year. Yet, there are some players that don’t make these teams but still deserve recognition. With that being said, there is some crossover of players awarded by the NBA that also make the Biasedly Unbiased Sports All Dawg team. Some people will get confused and think this is just an All-Defense team with a different title. Don’t make me laugh. It is true that Dawgs are normally great defenders; however, you can be an elite defender without being a Dawg and you can be a Dawg without being a great defender. One thing I wanted to set straight before I commence is my definition of a Dawg, which is listed below.
Dawg: A player that brings intensity, mental strength, and grit to their game and is unbothered by the situation.
Calling someone a Dawg is the biggest compliment I can provide. Similarly to the NBA All Defensive Teams, I will be naming a first team and a second team. I will do my best to follow a playable lineup of two guards, two forwards, and a center. However, this is indeed Biasedly Unbiased so there is considerable wiggle room. As we start, it is important to note that how good the player is at basketball is of no relevance here. We are simply looking to see which players were the biggest Dawgs of 2024. So you will see a mix of starters, benchwarmers, and everything in between. Please enjoy this list of the players with the most underrated attributes in all of basketball.
2024 First Team All Dawg
Patrick Beverley, Guard, Milwaukee Bucks
There might not be a bigger Dawg in all of the NBA, so it is only right this list commences with Patrick Beverley. The veteran is a hard nosed player that makes his living on the defensive end of the floor. The Chicago native is a polarizing player to say the least. Many do not enjoy Pat Bev’s antics, but I will admit to being a fan. Beverley shows up to the game and his only care is being an absolute menace on the defensive end of the floor. Some of his antics do get hard to defend and he is not someone that can carry the offense as a floor general. This isn’t a list of best floor generals or most sportsmanlike actions, though. Pat Bev does whatever it takes to win and provides an instant spark now that he is coming off the bench. While his main impact comes on the defensive end, Beverley is a skilled offensive player who can hit big shots when needed. We have seen him come up with some big buckets where he has given opposing players the too-small taunt afterwards. Even though Pat Bev is a skilled basketball talent, his Dawg status is what keeps him on rosters and in rotations year after year. I may have placed my definition of a Dawg of at the top of this post, but Patrick Beverley can serve that purpose as well.
Anthony Edwards, Guard, Minnesota Timberwolves
Edwards has been a Dawg his entire career, but really burst onto the scene as an elite Dawg this season. Anthony Edwards brings it on both sides of the court and has “Dawg Hall of Famer” written all over him. For anybody questioning why he made the first team, please rewatch the Timberwolves series against the Suns and Nuggets. Edwards takes over in these series and makes sure everyone knows that he’s taking over. Ant Man does not care if it’s the playoffs, regular season, or pick up basketball. It seems like one of Edward’s main goals each game is to embarrass the opposing team. He will try to dunk on your head with reckless abandon and make your family ashamed of you. His trash talk and confidence are also unmatched by anyone else across the NBA. There is a reason people have been comparing him to Michael Jordan. Edward’s has the talent to make him entertaining to watch, but the Dawg factor makes him must-see TV. The young star has not yet reached his prime so we have years left to enjoy his talents. All we can hope is that as Anthony Edwards continue to rise into true superstardom that he never loses his inner Dawg.
Luguentz Dort, Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder
Lu Dort AKA the Dorture Chamber is mostly known for his defensive prowess. Since entering the NBA he has made life miserable for opposing players. All you have to do is watch what Dort did to Luka Doncic and Brandon Ingram in this year’s playoff. He took two prolific offense players and made their lives a nightmare during those playoff series. In today’s NBA it is nearly impossible to completely shut down an elite offensive player, but if anyone can come close it’s Lu Dort. His Dawg status on the defensive end has really never been questioned. One thing that solidifies his Dawg status is his improvement in shooting from beyond the arc. Early in his career it looked like he might be played off the court as he struggled to shoot from three. Opposing defenses were leaving him wide open, essentially daring him to shoot the ball. This past season, Dort shot 39.4% from deep on five attempts per game. Dort identified where he needed to improve and he turned that weakness into a strength. That, my friends, is what a Dawg does. One of the best defenders in the NBA with the work ethic of Lu Dort is a problem for the NBA. Beware the Dorture Chamber!
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks
The Greek Freak is the second star player joining Anthony Edwards. This guy almost started an all ought brawl over a game ball. You heard that right, a game ball. Similar to Edwards, Giannis does not care if it a playoff game or a preseason game. When he is out there, he is going to give it 100% because he cannot contain his inner Dawg. Giannis is relentless on both ends of the court as he attacks downhill offensively and harasses his opposition defensively. It is rare to see an All Star caliber player have the intensity that Giannis has. Off the court, the Greek Freak seems to be a loveable guy. However, that friendly side is not shown on the court under any circumstance. Antetokounmpo is all business and has the approach of a WWI general marching his troops off to war. In an era where players are close and friendly, the Greek Freak is a true throwback. His only concern and purpose is winning. Giannis will chase you down for a game ball, dunk on you in an Allstar game, and/or send your layup attempt into the stands if you’re not careful. All he cares about is hooping which is why he is a must-add to the Dawg list.
Daniel Gafford, Center, Dallas Mavericks
This is probably the biggest surprise on the First Team this year. For anyone that is questioning this selection I challenge you to watch/re-watch a Mavericks game and focus on Daniel Gafford. He shows up to each game with his hard hat and lunch pail. Gafford seems to know that each game will be hard work, but that doesn’t stop him from getting his hands dirty. The Arkansas product doesn’t have the broadest skillset, but he is a master the skills he does possess. Gafford is a tremendous rebounder and rim runner. The combination that Luka and Gafford have developed in a short time period is something to watch in years moving forward. In my eyes, his most valuable skill is his shot blocking. For a relatively undersized center, Gafford takes great pride in his rim protection. This pride was highlighted in the playoffs when he got consistent minutes in the playoffs. Gafford had six games in the playoffs this season where he had 3+ blocks including two games where he had 5. Gafford is not afraid to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor and this certifies him as a straight up Dawg.
2024 Second Team All Dawg
Jrue Holiday, Guard, Boston Celtics
Here we’ve got a Dawg that showed himself off on basketballs biggest stage. Jrue Holiday balled out in the finals and earned himself his 2nd Championship Ring. Jrue was also a Finals MVP favorite through the first three games. Jrue is a Dawg because of his tenacious defensive ability, intensity, and knowledge. One of the best on-ball defenders in the league who remains underrated offensively. Outside of his defensive talent, Jrue is a Dawg because he does whatever it takes to win. Holiday could score 20 points per game but accepted his current role with the Celtics with open arms because he only cares about winning. Once getting to Boston, Jrue locked in defensively, improved his shooting from the corner three, and still stepped up offensively when he was needed. This was on full display when he scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Game 2 of the Finals. Jrue Holiday would shovel dog poop, take out the garbage, run a marathon, or do whatever was needed to win. Jrue is one of the biggest Dawgs alive and is a prime case study for young players on the sacrifices needed to make in order to win. I am unapologetically a Jrue Holiday fan and he will likely remain an All Dawg team member until he retires.
Dillon Brooks, Guard, Houston Rockets
Brooks would have been First Team All Dawg in 2023, but his performances weren’t as notable in 2024. Most of that was due to the Rockets not being as high profile as the Grizzlies were. A lot of Brooks actions went unnoticed, but take my word for it friends, he didn’t lose that Dawg. Brooks reached his apex of notoriety due to his attempted torment of Lebron James in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. He was doing his best Lance Stephenson impression, but ultimately came up short as Los Angeles won that series. Brooks embraces the antagonist role and will be found in the middle of any scuffle his team is apart of. I would compare Brooks’ mentality to that of an NFL cornerback. He will celebrate the most miniscule wins and believes in his abilities no matter how that particular game is going for him. Don’t get me wrong, Brooks can ball. He is a stingy defender and has averaged as many as 18 points per game in his career. Brooks is a difference maker in most of the games he plays, which ultimately can be attributed to his Dawg mentality.
Demar Derozan, Forward, Chicago Bulls
Derozan is most likely one of the more surprising people on this list for many of you - however, he is one of players I am most confident has achieved Dawg status. He is not, and has never been, an elite defender, which makes him an anomaly on this list. If he isn’t a Dawg defensively, can he truly be a Dawg? The answer here is yes, due to his intensity, consistency, and will to win, he is without a doubt a Dawg. Demar Derozan goes into every game with the same demeanor, no matter the circumstance, with one goal in mind. That goal is to get buckets. You will never catch the 6-time All Star overlooking a game or disappointing. He is also from Compton, California and still has that edge to him. While he is one of the most liked players in the NBA, Derozan is not afraid to get into an altercation when provoked. Another reason Derozan is a Dawg is because he continues to dominant from the midrange. Analytics is telling us that the midrange jumpshot is not efficient and that players should either take it to the rim or shoot a three. That however, does not change how Derozan approaches the game. He knows what he’s good at and continues to excel this late into his NBA career because of it.
Draymond Green, Forward, Golden State Warriors
Everyone should have known Draymond Green’s name was going to appear on this list. This season he put Rudy Gobert in a headlock mid-game and dragged him to the ground. That may have been early in the season, but it solidified his place on one of the All Dawg teams for 2024. It also has been cemented as an iconic moment of both the 2024 NBA season and Green’s career. This was almost enough to lock him up with a first team spot; however, Draymond took a leave of absence from the team and was suspended. Here at Biasedly Unbiased Sports we are all for getting your mental health right, so props to Draymond for doing that. Unfortunately, it did drop him to the second team. Draymond has a similar mentality of two other players on this list. He has the mentality of doing whatever it takes to win (doesn’t care about stats) like Jrue Holiday mixed with the menace mentality of Dillon Brooks. Draymond is a focal point of both Golden State’s offense and defense and he has been for years. The Warriors dynasty is spectacular, but it doesn’t happen without the performance and consistency of Draymond Green. Few times do Dawgs see their performance turn into championships rings year after year, but Draymond has been the exception. For that, I tip my hat to you sir.
Bobby Portis, Center, Milwaukee Bucks
Bobby Portis - part Dawg part psychopath. Just look at Portis’ eyes when he’s playing. It looks partially insane, but it is the definition of pure intensity. If you get in a street fight and you see that look in your opponents eyes, you are losing. In all seriousness though, Bobby is a Dawg without question. Similar to Demar Derozan, Portis does not excel defensively but he brings pure energy off the bench for Milwaukee. When the Bucks are playing at home, the chants of “Bobby, Bobby, Bobby” fills the arena whenever he gets an and-one or comes up with a big play. A stretch big man who plays the tough guy role along with the Bucks. Bobby is a fan favorite who came up big in the 2021 NBA Finals and has continued to do so ever since. I was disappointed to see Portis get ejected after an altercation in the opening round against the Pacers. With Milwaukee being down Giannis and Lillard, I thought Bobby would play smarter and keep a level head. That didn’t happen and that’s partially because Bobby couldn’t contain his inner Dawg. Portis has shown a mentality where he doesn’t let anyone step to him or disrespect him. That mentality is part of why he’s created a career and is creating generational wealth for his family. It is also why he has developed into a Dawg in the NBA.
Honorable Mentions
While not everyone can make the All Dawg team, there are a handful of players that deserve to have their name brought up. These players either had fantastic 2024 seasons or have shown that they are Dawgs in past seasons. I won’t go into each individual Honorable Mention but they all deserved to be on one of the first or second teams. Unfortunately we had a deep year of Dawgs and some people had to be left off the list. Some of these players also had injuries that de-railed their All Dawg campaigns or their teams struggled to grab national attention. They will have every chance to head into the 2025 season and capture and elusive spot on one of our All Dawg teams. While they didn’t have quite what it takes, in my humble opinion, these guys still deserve our recognition and respect.
Alex Caruso
TJ McConnell
Marcus Smart
Marcus Morris Sr.
Jimmy Butler
Josh Hart
Robert Covington
Future All Dawg Team Watchlist
Honorable mention is filled with players that most likely have had Dawg status for years or are later on in their career. The Future All Dawg Watchlist is for players that I believe will earn some All Dawg Team recognition before their career is over. The future is bright for these young players and their respective teams should be happy to have players of their skillset and mentality.
Jalen Suggs
Aaron Nesmith
Christian Braun
Davion Mitchell
Herb Jones
Mo Wagner
Jaylin Williams