The NBA announced Wednesday that Los Angeles Clippers' All-Star point guard Chris Paul has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Paul garnered a total of 33 points (13 first place votes, seven second place votes) and becomes the first player in franchise history to be named to the team.
Joining Paul on the NBA All-Defensive First Team are forward LeBron James of the Miami Heat (53 points), forward Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder (47 points), guard Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies (33 points), and center Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic (41 points). Ibaka and Allen earn First Team honors for the first time; Allen was an NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection last season.
Paul led the NBA in steals per game (2.53 spg) and total steals (152) during the 2011-12 NBA season. This marks the second time Paul has been named to the All-Defensive First Team (2009). Paul was also named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2011 and 2008.
The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of guards Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, center Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks, and forwards Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics.
The voting panel consisted of the NBA's 30 head coaches, who were asked to select NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams by position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.
| POSITION | PLAYER, TEAM | 1st | 2nd | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | LeBron James, Miami | 24 | 5 | 53 |
| Forward | Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City | 20 | 7 | 47 |
| Center | Dwight Howard, Orlando | 16 | 9 | 41 |
| Guard | Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers | 13 | 9 | 35 |
| Guard | Tony Allen, Memphis | 13 | 7 | 33 |
|
2011-12 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM |
| POSITION | PLAYER, TEAM | 1st | 2nd | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Kevin Garnett, Boston | 8 | 10 | 26 |
| Forward | Luol Deng, Chicago | 6 | 8 | 20 |
| Center | Tyson Chandler, New York | 13 | 10 | 36 |
| Guard | Rajon Rondo, Boston | 9 | 11 | 29 |
| Guard | Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers | 7 | 3 | 17 |
Other players receiving votes, with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia, 19 (4); Joakim Noah, Chicago, 14; Iman Shumpert, New York, 13 (4); Paul George, Indiana, 10 (2); Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City, 9 (2); Josh Smith, Atlanta, 8 (2); Dwyane Wade, Miami, 5 (1); Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City, 5 (1); Grant Hill, Phoenix, 5 (1); Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 5 (1); Avery Bradley, Boston, 3 (1); Marc Gasol, Memphis, 3 (1); Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers, 3; Shawn Marion, Dallas, 3; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 2, (1); Mike Conley, Memphis, 2; Derrick Rose, Chicago, 1; Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia, 1; Carlos Boozer, Chicago, 1; Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee, 1.
