Garnett, Bryant on NBA all-defensive team for record-tying 9th time

Celtics forward Kevin Garnett and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant have been selected to the NBA all-defensive first team for a record-tying ninth time.

Garnett and Bryant were joined by Magic center Dwight Howard, who has won the past three Defensive Player of the Year awards and received the most points Monday.

Also selected for the first team were Heat forward LeBron James and Celtics guard Rajon Rondo. Garnett and Bryant tied Michael Jordan and Gary Payton for the most selections in NBA history. The league’s coaches vote on the team.

The second team has Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, Hornets guard Chris Paul, Mavericks center Tyson Chandler, 76ers forward Andre Iguodala and Bulls forward-center Joakim Noah.

Source: The Associated Press

 

Kobe rode that shit off of reputation.

 

Even though I'm a Lakers fan, I'm inclined to agree with you. Bryant, even after 3 knee surgeries and loss of his athleticism, is still an elite defender at his position but Tony Allen is the best perimeter defender in the game today and should be switched with Kobe as far the All-NBA lineups go. Bryant isn't as good a lockdown defender as he once was (think Olympics 2008) and even though he plays that "free safety" role for the Lakers well, he doesn't belong on the 1st team IMO.

Call me nuts, but I also happen to think D Howard is a tad overrated as a defender. Yeah, he blocks shots left and right and is the best defensive rebounder in the NBA, but he actually isn't a good one-on-one defender and his basketball IQ is pretty average for a supposedly elite defender. He's a great weak side defender no doubt, and with his freakish athleticism, ridiculous wingspan and height, there's no doubt he's a tough nut to crack in the paint, but there's a reason he couldnt stay on the floor during the 2009 NBA Finals, when the Lakers had not one, but two elite big men in the post.

 

How about them heat?:smt043