Nash And Amaré Headline All-NBA First Team

[JoRain]

from suns.realgm.com/

Phoenix guard and two-time defending NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash and Suns center Amaré Stoudemire are the first teammates since the L.A. Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 2003-04 to be named to the First Team, as the NBA announced the 2006-07 All-NBA Teams today.

Joining Nash at guard on the First Team is Bryant, the NBA’s leading scorer during the regular season. San Antonio’s Tim Duncan and Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki join Stoudemire in the frontcourt.

The All-NBA Second Team consists of Washington’s Gilbert Arenas and Houston’s Tracy McGrady at guard; Cleveland’s LeBron James and Toronto’s Chris Bosh, who makes his first career All-NBA team, at forward; and Houston’s Yao at center.

The All-NBA Third Team includes Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Detroit’s Chauncey Billups at guard; Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett, the NBA’s leading rebounder with 12.8 per game, and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, the NBA’s second-leading scorer (28.9 ppg), at forwards; and Orlando’s Dwight Howard at center.

A unanimous selection, Nash, who earns First Team honors for the third straight season, led the NBA in assists during the regular season with a career-high 11.6 per game. He became the first NBA player to average at least 18 points (18.6) and 11 assists since Magic Johnson in 1990-91. Nash recorded 15 or more assists 16 times during the regular season.

Stoudemire averaged 20.4 points and a career-high 9.6 rebounds for the Pacific Division champion Suns. He ranked second among NBA centers in scoring behind only Houston’s Yao Ming and was one of only three NBA players (Utah’s Carlos Boozer, the L.A. Clippers Elton Brand) ranked in the top 20 in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage (.575).

Nowitzki, who also makes his third straight First Team appearance, led the Mavericks to an NBA-best 67-15 regular-season record. He averaged 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, a career-high 3.4 assists, and set a new personal best for three-point percentage (.416). He finished the regular season as the only player in the NBA to shoot 50 percent from the field (.502), 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the free throw line (.904).

For the second straight season, Bryant led the NBA in scoring with 31.6 points per contest, while posting 5.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game to earn his fifth All-NBA First Team selection. He became just the second player in NBA history to score 50 or more points in four straight games when he tallied 65 vs. Portland on March 16, 50 vs. Minnesota on March 18, 60 at Memphis on March 22, and 50 at New Orleans/Oklahoma City on March 23.

Duncan earns his ninth First Team selection, the most of any active player, with averages of 20.0 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists. His 1,599 points this season were the most since he scored 1,884 in 2002-03. He scored in double figures 78 times during the regular season.

 

[Mulli]

Now get out of the second round.

 

[Gaddabout]

For once, they actually put together a first team that would be scary good, not just extremely talented.

PG Steve Nash
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Dirk Nowitzki
PF Tim Duncan
C Amare Stoudemire

Unstoppable. Too bad there are only three Americans there.

 

[CardEd]

All west first team, nice

 

[elindholm]

The first team would have major problems with perimeter defense. Nowitzki at SF?

But anyway, nice to see Stoudemire make it. Of course now we have to go through the whole Marion being snubbed routine again.

 

[arthurracoon]

Of course now we have to go through the whole Marion being snubbed routine again.

which means he should have a monster game on saturday!

 

[Gaddabout]

The first team would have major problems with perimeter defense. Nowitzki at SF?

It wouldn't be a great defensive team, but with Kobe at SG and Duncan at PG, it would be very good. Duncan would make Stoudemire a respectable defender, IMO. KT makes Stoudemire a semi-respectable defender, as far as that goes.

 

[Cheesebeef]

that's just unbelievably impressive. Honestly, if this staff really even considers trading a guy who came back from micro-fracture surgery to make the FIRST TEAM ALL NBA in his first year back, I will seriously have to consider being a fan of the team.

just awesome - Amare is beyond impressive.

and Shawn didn't deserve honors this year. hopefully, that motivates him as well, but I'm pretty sure if we lose, he's gonna make a mjor stink (probably behind closed doors) about recognition and I'm thinking he's gone.

that being said, I PRAY we win the damn thing and don't have to bust this group up. If they can just get over the hump and win, we're looking at a possible mini-dynasty Lakers style before Nash starts to wear down.

 

[jbeecham]

I'm not surprised Shawn was left off the all-nba teams. I don't think he's one of the top 6 forwards in the league (since SF's & PFs are lumped together in the voting). He needs to stop caring so much about individual recognition and focus on the team goal of winning a championship.

 

[Mulli]

I'm not surprised Shawn was left off the all-nba teams. I don't think he's one of the top 6 forwards in the league (since SF's & PFs are lumped together in the voting). He needs to stop caring so much about individual recognition and focus on the team goal of winning a championship.

Wourd.

 

[kps0001]

I agree that Marion is not worthy of all nba 1, 2, or 3rd teams. Will he feel snubbed, I doubt.

I know I am a big Marion supporter and there are some haters on here. Does anyone have any articles or proof where Marion seems to consistenly talk about this individual recognition? I would like to see some and please don't tell me to go read 7 Seconds......

 

[az1965]

For once, they actually put together a first team that would be scary good, not just extremely talented.

PG Steve Nash
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Dirk Nowitzki
PF Tim Duncan
C Amare Stoudemire

Unstoppable. Too bad there are only three Americans there.

Strictly speaking, only two Americans. Isn't Duncan from Virgin Islands?

 

[msdundee]

I agree that Marion is not worthy of all nba 1, 2, or 3rd teams. Will he feel snubbed, I doubt.

I know I am a big Marion supporter and there are some haters on here. Does anyone have any articles or proof where Marion seems to consistenly talk about this individual recognition? I would like to see some and please don't tell me to go read 7 Seconds......

One they will rush to bring up was when they asked him about his chances for DPOY, that's been harped on ad nauseum. His response was something like "DPOY, no doubt about it!" Sounds egotistical in print but I saw the interview and he was laughing when he said it. When they ask those leading questions about how he feels, he tells them. He hasn't learned yet to stick to the stock tired old responses in interviews, and I hope he never does.

Nobody's mentioned his post-game comments over the past month, probably because they were totally team-oriented and he couldn't be blasted for anything. Last game against the Spurs Shawn did get some grudging credit from some, but not from the hard core haters even then. Normally, he can't do much right and whatever he does do isn't enough -- if he scores, he didn't get enough rebounds. If he rebounds, he didn't score enough. If he scores and rebounds, he didn't play defense. If he concentrates on defense, he sucks at that and he didn't put up any points and slacked off on the boards. They're happy when he has an off game and quiet when he plays well. Took me a while to realize it's not worth worrying about.

 

[sunsfn]

One they will rush to bring up was when they asked him about his chances for DPOY, that's been harped on ad nauseum. His response was something like "DPOY, no doubt about it!" Sounds egotistical in print but I saw the interview and he was laughing when he said it. When they ask those leading questions about how he feels, he tells them. He hasn't learned yet to stick to the stock tired old responses in interviews, and I hope he never does.

Nobody's mentioned his post-game comments over the past month, probably because they were totally team-oriented and he couldn't be blasted for anything. Last game against the Spurs Shawn did get some grudging credit from some, but not from the hard core haters even then. Normally, he can't do much right and whatever he does do isn't enough -- if he scores, he didn't get enough rebounds. If he rebounds, he didn't score enough. If he scores and rebounds, he didn't play defense. If he concentrates on defense, he sucks at that and he didn't put up any points and slacked off on the boards. They're happy when he has an off game and quiet when he plays well. Took me a while to realize it's not worth worrying about.

I wanted to say it, but you are much better at it than me.
So, I need to support you for saying it...........Thanks!

WHOOPS!
I almost forgot to say congrats to Nash and Amare!!

 

[Griffin]

I agree that Marion is not worthy of all nba 1, 2, or 3rd teams. Will he feel snubbed, I doubt.

I know I am a big Marion supporter and there are some haters on here. Does anyone have any articles or proof where Marion seems to consistenly talk about this individual recognition? I would like to see some and please don't tell me to go read 7 Seconds......

The reporters know that Marion has a tendency to say things without thinking, and they know that he has a big ego. So they tend to ask him questions in order to provoke a certain response. If they don't get the response they want, they'll ask again and again until Marion gives them something around which they can write their stupid article.

I do wish Marion didn't care so much about individual accolades, but that's just who he is. Fortunately for us, his perceived lack of recognition tends to make him play even harder in order to prove all the "doubters" wrong. And aside from his comments during regular season about lack of shots, he normally appears to be a good team player willing to sacrifice his own numbers for the good of the team. I think his effort in game 2 was a good example of that.

 

[kps0001]

The reporters know that Marion has a tendency to say things without thinking, and they know that he has a big ego. So they tend to ask him questions in order to provoke a certain response. If they don't get the response they want, they'll ask again and again until Marion gives them something around which they can write their stupid article.

I do wish Marion didn't care so much about individual accolades, but that's just who he is. Fortunately for us, his perceived lack of recognition tends to make him play even harder in order to prove all the "doubters" wrong. And aside from his comments during regular season about lack of shots, he normally appears to be a good team player willing to sacrifice his own numbers for the good of the team. I think his effort in game 2 was a good example of that.

I keep hearing this rhetoric but still have nothing in the way of proof. I know all this hearsay already.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Strictly speaking, only two Americans. Isn't Duncan from Virgin Islands?

The Virgin Islands is an American territory. Close enough.

 

[azirish]

It's rather interesting thinking of these teams as starting rosters. I hate the way forwards are picked because you get things like Dirk at SF, which makes no sense.

Overall, I think the third team would beat the second team. I like Howard a lot more than Yao and KG over Bosh. James is better than Anthony, but not by a huge amount and Wade/Billups are certainly a match to Arenas and T-Mac.

 

[Gaddabout]

If Marion made between $8 and $10 million, he would be the board hero. I don't think anything else needs to be said about that.

 

[kps0001]

If Marion made between $8 and $10 million, he would be the board hero. I don't think anything else needs to be said about that.

Lame argument.

As I said in a previous thread about Marion being the weakest link. This is the quote from me which isn't directed personally at you gaddabout just my feelings.



He has been great for the Suns and we rewarded him with a max contract a few years ago. Did we know we would acquire Nash again when we did this? Did we even know about Leandro Barbosa at the time or even Amare? If all the hate is because Marion is the highest paid player on the team but yet is our third option you obviously don't understand the history of the Suns since we drafted Marion nor the game of basketball.


it is too bad we blame Shawn for the contract the Suns FO thought was warranted.

 

[azirish]

If there is a problem with Marion it is that he's not a consistent outside shooter. It's funny how a lot of other teams have starters who are not great one on one scorers who do just fine.

If anything, the problem may be more with the other forwards of the Suns who are not major offensive threats.

KT - Good mid range shot and a few back door plays, but not effective if covered.

Jones - Inconsistent three point shooter who rarely drives the basket. Teams are beginning to play off of him and he has not responded with better shooting.

Diaw - Can be a real offensive force but can also disappear. Not much of a catch and shoot guy.

If Boris played like he did a year ago, the issues with Marion would be moot. But since Marion gets a lot of money, he is only measured by what he doesn't do rather than what he does.

 

[az1965]

The Virgin Islands is an American territory. Close enough.

Yeah, I know. Just wanted to nitpick.

 

[cly2tw]

If Marion made between $8 and $10 million, he would be the board hero. I don't think anything else needs to be said about that.

So true!

 

[Gaddabout]

He has been great for the Suns and we rewarded him with a max contract a few years ago. Did we know we would acquire Nash again when we did this? Did we even know about Leandro Barbosa at the time or even Amare? If all the hate is because Marion is the highest paid player on the team but yet is our third option you obviously don't understand the history of the Suns since we drafted Marion nor the game of basketball.

it is too bad we blame Shawn for the contract the Suns FO thought was warranted.

I have to give credit to the salary capmeisters and honored contributors to this board, some of whom I recall all the way back when I launched the azcentral.com sports boards: It has long been held signing Marion to max contract was a mistake, long before Nash or Stoudemire. They saw his weaknesses and never felt he deserved the money.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I have to give credit to the salary capmeisters and honored contributors to this board, some of whom I recall all the way back when I launched the azcentral.com sports boards: It has long been held signing Marion to max contract was a mistake, long before Nash or Stoudemire. They saw his weaknesses and never felt he deserved the money.

the most frustrating thing about Marion is this: he's got SICK, SICK, SICK athleticism and came into the league and within 3 years became a 20 and 10ish player - and that was awesome, but it seems like he just stopped working on his game at that point. I remember watching Finley as a rookie and thinking, man, if he ever developed handles or a turnaround jumper, he'd be a freaking stud offensively and what happened? I expected the same from Marion watching him as a rook and his first couple years, but he never developed any kind of handles and has ZERO post game. For a guy with his natural athleticism, IMO, that's just pathetic and a sign of laziness over the summer and ultimately what keeps Shawn from being an all-timer. I mean, just a little jump-hook or turn-around jumper on pick and roll switches and Marion could have been a top-five player in this league. I just don't understand how he never worked on his game enough to develop something like that.