What would an NBA All-Defensive Team nod mean to Chet Holmgren?

A second-place finish is basically a lock that Holmgren will be named to the NBA All-Defensive Team. Anchoring OKC's league-best defense, it feels inevitable he'll receive that honor as he's enjoyed a career year that featured a first-time All-Star berth.

How much would it mean to Holmgren to get the special recognition? A lot, but he won't let it define him.

"Individual awards are great. I think they're around to reward players for the hard work that they put in," Holmgren said. "Anytime I'm able to be honored for something like that, I never take it for granted. I always appreciate it and hopefully."

The Thunder have had the NBA's clear-cut best defense over the last two seasons. They rode that side of the ball on their way to a Larry O'Brien trophy last year. While the offense went through its ups and downs, OKC's chaotic nature of lockdown defense was always there. It's the one variable they could've counted on.

Holmgren has been the face of that. He's been one of the best shot blockers since he joined the NBA. Injuries are the only reason why he hasn't had an All-Defensive Team honor yet. But that will change soon — and possibly for his teammate Cason Wallace, too, who led the league in steals.

"I’d be lying if I said I didn't want to earn something like that. But at the end of the day, my focus is on our team and what we have coming up in the playoffs," Holmgren said. "We got this First Round coming up, so that's where my focus is. Me sitting here and thinking about it isn't going to change things one way or the other."

Just like last year, the Thunder will get a lot of love among the NBA's awards. Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren — OKC's All-Star duo — will be at the forefront of it. They've helped them navigate through an injury-riddled year for the rest of the squad.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: What would an NBA All-Defensive Team nod mean to Chet Holmgren?