NBA AWARD WINNERS. ALL-NBA TEAM’S.
The Over-Crowded Room.
Rose, just the seventh player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, seven-and-a-half assists and four rebounds per, was a clear-cut lock for All-NBA First Team selection but the other guard spot was a coin toss (between Kobe Bryant and Dywane Wade) with both choices being correct. Same goes for the other forward position (next to LeBron James – who became the first player to ever surpass 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 100 steals in four consecutive seasons). One could’ve easily have made a solid case for both Dirk Nowitzki or Kevin Durant. Again, both are correct choices, with personal bias being the only divider. Words: Brad Graham. Image: courtesy of Nike.
All-NBA First Team.
C – Dwight Howard (Magic) SF – Kevin Durant (Thunder) SF – LeBron James (Heat) SG – Kobe Bryant (Lakers) PG – Derrick Rose (Bulls)
All-NBA Second Team.
C – Amar’e Stoudemire (Knicks) PF – Pau Gasol (Lakers) SF – Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks) SG – Dwyane Wade (Heat) PG – Russell Westbrook (Thunder)
All-NBA Third Team.
C – Al Horford (Hawks) PF – LaMarcus Aldridge (Blazers) PF – Zach Randolph (Grizzlies) SG – Manu Ginobili (Spurs) PG – Chris Paul (Hornets)
Honorable mentions.
Rajon Rondo, Celtics. Paul Pierce, Celtics. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets + Knicks. Kevin Love, Timberwolves. Tim Duncan, Spurs. Blake Griffin, Clippers. Tony Parker, Spurs. Kevin Garnett, Celtics. Deron Williams, Jazz + Nets. Steve Nash, Suns. Andrew Bogut, Bucks. Monta Ellis, Warriors. Nene Hilario, Nuggets.
History Lesson.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the alltime record with 15 All-NBA selections. Karl Malone and Shaquille O’Neal have both been honoured 14 times apiece; with Malone leading the First Team honour roll with 11 nods. Bob Cousy, Bob Pettit, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Michael Jordan (along with Abdul-Jabbar) are all deadlocked at second, recording ten First Team appearances each. Worth noting, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant each have been called up 13 times, with Bryant making his ninth career (and sixth consecutive) All-NBA First Team in 2011. Dolph Schayes, Bob Cousy, Hakeem Olajuwon and Jerry West each have found their names entered into the NBA history books a dozen times with call-ups to the First, Second and Third Teams over the course of their respective campaigns. Dirk Nowitzki now joins Charles Barkley and John Stockton as player’s who have been selected 11 times while David Robinson and Magic Johnson have both registered ten marks next to their iconic careers.