A look at the NBA All-Defensive Team for the 2010-2011 season
The NBA has announced the All-Defensive team of the year for 2010-2011 season. The team is selected through voting by the coaches of all the 30 teams in the league. This year has seen one change from last year’s list, with Gerald Wallace being replaced by Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics.
Following are the players in this years’ team:
Center - Dwight Howard
No surprises there. With each passing year, Howard continues to establish himself as one of the greatest defensive players of his era. The three-time consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the year would be the cornerstone of any defence and his presence at the centre keeps the lane clear of any trespassers. The ultimate blocker-rebounder headed the list of potential players with 56 points, 17 points clear of the next player.
Guard - Rajon Rondo
Rondo is the first of two Boston Celtics players on the list. Maturing into the league alongside defensive greats like Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O’ Neal, the Boston Celtics defensive nous have rubbed off on one of the league’s premier point guards. Rondo averaged more than 2 steals per game during the 2010-2011 season, shutting down many top point guards as the Celtics grinded out win after win.
Forward - LeBron James
Earning a point less than Rondo with 38, LeBron James physicality alone makes it hard for attackers to get by. LeBron has been a nightmare for opposing teams with his high flying blocks. James also averaged 1.6 steals in the regular season, a drop from his Cleveland days but still good enough to make it on the All-Defensive team with ease.
Guard - Kobe Bryant
A record equalling 9th appearance for Kobe Bryant on the All Defensive team is testament to his continued commitment to the cause of his team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe is a menace at either end of the court and continues to wow fans all around the world. There have been noises in the media that he is not the same defender, he used to be, back in the Shaquille-Kobe era, but the league’s coaches beg to differ.
Forward - Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett lives for defence. With advancing age players often get slowed down, and although Garnett’s offense has suffered, he just seems to keep getting meaner on the other end. Kevin Garnett’s is still seen hustling, organizing the defence, stealing the ball, blocking shots and willing his team to a put in more and more effort into defence – a facet of the game the Boston Celtics pride themselves on. There’s a reason enough for his nomination on the team for record equalling 9th time.
Facts
The NBA Second All Defensive Team comprises of Chris Paul, Tony Allen, Andre Iguodala, Joakim Noah and Tyson Chandler.
Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett have both made their ninth appearance, equalling the record set by Michael Jordan and Gary Payton. Bryant is also the only player from the Western Conference on the team.
The notable players that missed out, even on the 2nd team, were Gerald Wallace, Dwyane Wade and Serge Ibaka.
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