Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Amar'e Stoudemire: All NBA Second Team announced - NBA News
On Thursday, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced the All NBA First Team and All NBA Second Team. The selection process which is carried out through voting has a total of 119 broadcasters and sportswriters from the U.S.A and Canada that make up the pool. While the NBA’s First team had the usual suspects in the shape of LeBron James, Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant, following is a look at the players who made it into the All NBA Second Team:
Forward: Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki was a strong candidate for the first team and it is perhaps harsh on the All-Star to miss out. The German sharp-shooter got 47 first team votes, almost double the amount for Dwyane Wade who had the second most in the All NBA Second Team.
Nowitzki has had a barnstorming season, as defenders around the league yet again failed to figure a way to shut him down for the 13th year running. Nowitzki lived his game all throughout 2010-2011 season, which means he rained down shots from all over the court, he charged the lane, drew fouls and led his team to win after win. In doing so Dirk racked up impressive numbers of 23 points and 7 rebounds per game. He also made the odd assist and blocked half a shot per game.
Forward: Pau Gasol
The Los Angeles Lakers forward Gasol had another impressive season in 2010-2011. Gasol complemented Kobe Bryant pretty well in the regular season and provided contrast from the brutish style of Andrew Bynum. Gasol was his usual self, using his silky skills and stellar shots to great effect as he eased the scoring burden off Kobe. He also improved on the physical side and was more active on the boards grabbing 10.2 boards per game. Put them alongside his 18.8 points per game and you have a player who averaged a double-double for the season.
Centre: Amar’e Stoudemire
Amar’e Stoudemire is an exceptional talent. He stands 6-foot-10, but that’s hard to guess when you see him on court. Amar’e is extremely athletic, agile and very quick for a man his size. The New York Knicks knew they were getting a quality player when they signed him in preseason. Since making the move, Amar’e exploded with 25.3 points per game. He also had 8.2 rebounds and almost 2 blocks a game. With the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony in mid season, the Knicks and Stoudemire are only going to get better.
Guard: Dwyane Wade
It took the thunderous form of the league’s MVP Derrick Rose to force Dwyane Wade, a man who has featured in All NBA First Team for the last two seasons, into the All NBA Second Team this year. But make no mistake about it; Dwyane Wade is a very, very special player. Despite of LeBron James coming into the team and taking over as the leading scorer, Wade still had one of the highest points per game averages in the league with 25.5. Add to that, his 4.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game and we get a picture of the astonishing player that he is. At 6-foot-4, Dwyane Wade was also the shortest player in the league to average more than a block per game.
Guard: Russell Westbrook
In only his third year in the league, Russell Westbrook has established himself as one the best point guards in the league. At 6-foot-3, strong and well built, he is a nightmare for the smaller point guards in the league and his speed and explosive athletic ability mean that the bigger ones can’t catch him. Westbrook averaged a very healthy 21.9 points and 8.2 assists a game during the regular season. He possess quick hands and always puts pressure on the opposition ball carrier, a fact borne out by his 1.9 steals a game. He has elevated his game to another level in the post season and is averaging 24.6 points per game so far.
The All NBA Third Team comprises of the following players:
Forwards: LaMarcus Aldridge, Zach Randolph,
Centre: Al Horford,
Guards: Manu Ginobili, Chris Paul
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