Not surprisingly, defensive oriented squads like Boston, Miami, and Chicago were well represented on the 2012 NBA All Defensive Teams. But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t comment on how some players were added to this year’s list that maybe shouldn’t have, as well as some that were voted a bit too low or overlooked altogether.
Case in point was the 2012 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Tyson Chandler of the NY Knicks, who was voted onto the 2nd Team while Dwight Howard, who missed significant time at the end of the season was selected for the 1st team. Also, defensive stalwart Andre Iguodala of the 76ers, was not given enough votes to even make the 2nd Team. Wasn’t Iggy the the designated defensive stopper on our last Team USA squad? A few other obvious slights have to include Joakim Noah, Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert, Dwyane Wade, and Russell Westbrook. Somehow even Carlos Boozer got a vote……
With that being said, one really can’t argue with the 10 players that did make up the 2012 NBA All Defensive Teams as every player outside of arguably Luol Deng of Chicago are deserving of their selection. The recently announced 2012 NBA MVP Lebron James led all vote getters as the only player to top 50 Points. Serge Ibaka and Tony Allen make their first ever NBA 1st Team Defensive Selections. Ibaka led the league in blocks (3.65) while fellow 1st teamers Chris Paul led in steals (2.53), and Dwight Howard paced the Association in rebounds (14.5).
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.
2012 NBA All Defensive 1st Team
F – Lebron James, Miami Heat – 53 Points(24 1st Place, 5 2nd Place)
F – Serge Ibaka, OKC Thunder – 47 Points(20 1st, 7 2nd)
C – Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic – 41 Points(16 1st, 9 2nd)
G – Chris Paul, LA Clippers – 35 Points(13 1st, 9 2nd)
G – Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies – 33 Points(13 1st, 7 2nd)
2012 NBA All Defensive 2nd Team
F – Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics – 26 Points(8 1st Place, 10 2nd Place)
F – Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls – 20 Points(6 1st, 8 2nd)
C – Tyson Chandler, NY Knicks – 36 Points(13 1st, 10 2nd)
G – Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics – 29 Points(9 1st, 11 2nd)
G – Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers – 17 Points(7 1st, 3 2nd)
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.
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
