The All-NBA Team has a trio of repeat performers and a pair of
newcomers in Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki.
The former teammates joined mainstay Tim Duncan and regulars Shaquille
O'Neal and Allen Iverson as those receiving one of the league's highest
individual honors Wednesday.
Nash, the star point guard of the Phoenix Suns who was named NBA MVP
last week, made the First Team for the first time in his career. He led
the league with 11.5 assists per game and quarterbacked the Suns to the NBA's
best record.
Nash received 118 first-place votes and 606 points from a panel of 124
writers and broadcasters who cover the NBA. He twice made the Third Team
as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, whom he left as a free agent last
summer.
Ironically, Nowitkzi enjoyed his finest season following the departure
of Nash, his point guard and good friend. The 7-foot forward was the only
player in the NBA in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding.
Nowitzki, who had two Second Team and two Third Team selections,
received 75 first-place votes and 510 points.
Duncan, the superstar forward of the San Antonio Spurs, extended his
career-long streak of First Team selection to eight with 95 first-place
votes and 553 points.
After averaging 20.3 points and 11.1 rebounds, Duncan is just the fifth
player to make the First Team in his first eight years, joining Hall of
Famers Larry Bird, George Mikan, Bob Pettit and Oscar Robertson.
In his first season with the Miami Heat, the 7-1, 330-pound O'Neal
received his seventh First Team selection after averaging 22.9 points and
10.4 rebounds, his 13th straight 20-10 season.
Edged by Nash for MVP honors, O'Neal received the most first-place
votes (122) and points (616).
Iverson, the electric point guard of the Philadelphia 76ers, led the
NBA in scoring at 30.7 points and also was in the top five in assists and
steals as he collected his third First Team selection. He received 69
first-place votes and 498 points.
Legendary stars such as Patrick Ewing, Willis Reed, Dominique Wilkins
and Clyde Drexler received just one First Team selection in their illustrious careers. Hal Greer, Dave
Cowens, Robert Parish, Dave DeBusschere and James Worthy - all members of
the 50 Greatest Players - never were honored.
Voters selected three teams and points were awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
The Second Team was forwards LeBron James of Cleveland and Kevin
Garnett of Minnesota, center Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix and guards Dwyane
Wade of Miami and Ray Allen of Seattle. A three-time First Team selection,
Garnett led the NBA in rebounding.
The Third Team was forwards Tracy McGrady of Houston and Shawn Marion
of Phoenix, center Ben Wallace of Detroit and guards Kobe Bryant of the
Los Angeles Lakers and Gilbert Arenas of Washington. McGrady and Bryant
have been First Team selections in the past.
The NBA began selecting a Third Team in 1989. Former Utah Jazz standout
Karl Malone holds the record with 11 First Team
selections.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-19 15:37
