End of deer list: The 10 moments and milestones that defined the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2020

Brook Lopez lands on All-Defensive second team

Since his arrival to Milwaukee more than two years ago, Brook Lopez has been an integral piece with the Bucks’ foundation. And while his sharpshooting from long range has been the most palpable development during his Bucks stint, his status as one of the league’s best rim protectors has been gradually cemented over time.

The reputation of being a lumbering defender had long followed the veteran big man, but it’s been in Milwaukee where his size, length and smarts has been fully optimized within the Bucks’ drop-back defensive scheme.

After putting in a career year on that side of the ball, as evidenced by averaging 2.4 blocks per game and allowing 44.1 percent of shots taken within six feet, Lopez earned an All-Defense selection and was named to the second team last season.

Lopez joined his teammates in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Eric Bledsoe in earning All-Defensive selections, all of which shined a light on the Bucks building the league’s best defense for the second straight year.

What turned out to be a bargain signing for the Bucks two summers ago has turned out to be such a consequential addition to the Bucks’ core as they continue to reap the rewards with Lopez being the man in the middle.