LeBron James and Derrick Rose lead All NBA First Team
On Thursday, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced the All NBA First Team for the year 2011. The team is selected by a panel of 119 sportswriters and broadcasters from United States and Canada. Each player voted for
the first team gets 5 points and 3 if voted for the second team. The points are then added up to ascertain the winners.
Here is a look at the players who made it into the first team:
LeBron James: Forward
Named in the All NBA team for the fourth straight year, LeBron James was the only unanimous choice of the voters. James has had a solid season once again, despite playing in a new team with multiple superstars. During the season,
LeBron surpassed the 2,000-point, 500-rebound, 500-assist and 100-steal marks once again, making him the first player in NBA history to repeat the feat for four consecutive seasons.
LeBron James also had the second highest points per game in the league. His numbers for assists (7.0), rebounds (7.5) and steals (1.57) were also very impressive for a forward.
Kevin Durant: Forward
The Oklahoma City Thunder forward made his second appearance on the All NBA First Team after leading the league in scoring for the second year running. Kevin Durant has become an unstoppable offensive force and the increase in
his numbers during the playoffs suggests that he was holding back a bit in the regular season.
Dwight Howard: Centre
Possibly the most dominant player in the league and undoubtedly the best centre around; Dwight Howard was an easy choice. All but one voter put him in their first team. Howard had a more than impressive year again and was recently
named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year for a record third consecutive time. Howard ranks 4th in blocks and 2nd in rebounds in the regular season and his offensive numbers were higher than ever. The big man had an amazing 66 double-doubles
in 80 games this season.
Kobe Bryant: Guard
It’s been 14 years since Kobe came to the league, but he still shows no signs of slowing down. Selected for the 6th consecutive time and ninth overall, the Black Mamba of the league leads his team, takes the big shots
and his all around game is second to none. To top it off he has averaged 25.3 points per game this season. Kobe is now tied with Tim Duncan as the only active players with most selection in the All NBA First Team.
Derrick Rose: Guard
The premier point guard in the league and the second player to miss out on being a unanimous choice by one vote, Derrick Rose has been exceptional this season. Named the league’s MVP, Rose inspired his team to the most wins, 62,
in the season. Rose’s electrifying pace and sensational scoring has become a feature of the Chicago Bulls. What is sometimes underrated though is his ability to spot a pass and play in a teammate.
Derrick has also become a reliable go to guy in crunch time, and his team regularly puts the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. Rose leads his team in scoring as well as creating and is the only player in the league
to be ranked in the top ten for both points and assists.
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