Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant: Bettor.com’s 2011-2012 All NBA 1st Team (Part 1) – NBA Feature
The NBA lockout had reduced number of games this season which gave comparatively weaker teams a chance of exhibiting an improved performance. However, the final 16 teams in the postseason were more of the same, and the only difference
from the previous season was in the seeding of the teams in the playoffs.
This season, the playoff positions were decided on the final week of the regular season with 4 teams fighting for the last three spots in the Western Conference. The Eastern Conference was also very close, with the New York Knicks
and the Philadelphia 76ers just making it over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The season has also seen stars suffer from injuries. Derrick Rose, LaMarcus Aldridge, Dwight Howard, Jeremy Lin, Amare Stoudemire and many others had their season shortened due to injuries suffered because of the hectic and rough
schedule of this season. Picking an all NBA first team in a season like this, thus become quite a difficult job, because you have to consider the fitness of the top contenders as well.
All positions have a great deal of competition and in the end, the decision is made not just on the statistics, but how that individual has helped the team in its overall performance for the season. After careful deliberation,
the all NBA first team for the 2011-2012 season in my personal opinion is as follows:
Point guard: Chris Paul
There is no way one can deny the magnificent season Chris Paul has had with the Los Angeles Clippers. Put it in simple words, this same Clippers team without Paul was a below .50 winning team last season. This season, just with
the addition of Chris Paul, they are in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
Paul has continued to shock and stun the basketball world. The turnaround of the Clippers team, the improved play of Blake Griffin, Paul’s personal stats and the fact that they managed to architect the defeat the Memphis Grizzles
– the side which nobody wanted to play - in the first round when many were betting against them shows what this man is made of.
With Derrick Rose missing a large chunk of the season, the only competition for Paul is Tony Parker and Rajon Rondo. Paul averages 19.8 points per game this season, higher than Parker and Rondo. He has 9.1 assists, much higher
than Parker although he loses to Rondo in that category. Then, his 2.5 steals per game are way higher than the other two.
In addition to that, he is also averaging 3.6 rebounds per game. But more than his statistics, it is the way, he has carried his team on his back and led them straight into the playoffs. The Clippers were an average team before
Paul joined them and today, they are staring down at the Spurs in the West Semi finals. Paul deserves a spot on the first team more than anyone else.
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant
For as long as Kobe Bryant remains in the NBA, it will be very difficult for anyone to take the place of shooting guard in the all NBA 1st team. This slot is reserved for Bryant because there is, simply put, no other
shooting guard that can even come close to his magnificence.
Bryant averages 25.4 points per game in his NBA career, including three seasons where he had 30 or more points per game. This season, he is averaging 27.9 points per game, second in the league only to Kevin Durant. He has a field
goal percentage of 43%, and 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game to go with it. But it is much more than just his statistics.
Kobe is one of the greatest finishers of the game in NBA history, certainly the greatest among active players. His mental strength and ability to come big in close situations is something no other current player can match. In his
17th NBA season, Kobe has seen stars come and go but he still stands at the top of the ladder.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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