James equals record for All-NBA picks
Harden unanimous, no Warriors in first team
>> NEW YORK: Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James matched a record with his 11th All-NBA First Team selection while Houston guard James Harden was a unanimous choice, the NBA announced on Thursday.
Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook, San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard and New Orleans centre Anthony Davis were other selections to the select squad, chosen in a global media vote.
None of the Golden State Warriors roster were included in the first team.
James joined Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone as the only players in NBA history to make the First Team 11 times.
Harden was selected to the First Team on all 100 ballots while Westbrook, who joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to average a triple double for a full season, and James, who set career highs in rebounds and assists and led the league in minutes played, were chosen on 99 ballots with Leonard on 96.
Davis had the narrowest call with 45 First Team votes to 43 for Utah’s Rudy Gobert, edging him 343-339 in total points with five for first team votes, three for second and one for third team selections.
Harden made the First team for the third time in four years while Davis, Westbrook and Leonard each made their second appearance on the list.
Harden averaged career highs of 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds a game, leading the NBA in assists and finishing second in scoring to propel the Rockets to the NBA’s third-best record at 55-27. Harden led the NBA by making 746 free throws and hit 262 three-pointers, third in the league.
James, in his 14th NBA campaign, ranked eighth in the NBA with 26.4 points a game and averaged career highs of 8.7 assists and 8.6 rebounds.
The All-NBA Second Team included Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece, Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, Gobert and two members of the Warriors, guard Stephen Curry and forward Kevin Durant.
The All-NBA Third Team consisted of Chicago forward Jimmy Butler and Golden State forward Draymond Green, centre DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto guard DeMar DeRozan and Washington guard John Wall.
Other NBA awards, including Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year, will be revealed June 26 at the new NBA Awards Show in New York.
SPURS VOW FIGHTBACK
Despite forward Kawhi Leonard being uncertain with a sprained left ankle and two disheartening NBA play-off losses at Golden State, the San Antonio Spurs vowed on Thursday to fight back aggressively.
“You’ve got to be the aggressor. You’ve got to be sharp for 48 minutes and you’ve got to take it to them,” Spurs centre Pau Gasol said. “You’ve got to be the most physical team, the team that wants it the most and play with that edge and that feeling the entire game.”
The Spurs are reeling after squandering a 25-point lead to lose the bestof-seven Western Conference final opener 113-111, top scorer Leonard going out in the process, and then being routed 136-100 by the Warriors in Game Two on Tuesday.
Golden State won 67 games this season, the only team to do better than San Antonio’s 61, and the Warriors were the NBA’s top-scoring club. They are 10-0 in the play-offs this year and could match the best start in NBA play-off history with a victory in Game Three tomorrow morning (Thai time) at San Antonio.
The Spurs were the NBA’s top defensive squad, powered by twotime NBA Defensive Player of the Year Leonard, who also averaged a career-high 25.5 points.
While the scene shifts from California to Texas, the Spurs realise that another loss likely spells doom for their title dreams.
“In a way it’s a game that you should be the most energised and ready to play, focused and with that edge, because you’re in a desperate position,” Gasol said.
“You’re a wounded animal and you should come out with everything you’ve got. It’s the easier game to prepare for if you’re down. It’s a difficult position to be in because if you lose then you know you’re pretty much out.”
Spurs playmaker LaMarcus Aldridge was prodded by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to score more, although he has faced two and three defenders at times with Leonard and star guard Tony Parker both out injured.
“They have never really doubled like that and triple-teamed at times. It was definitely something different that I’ve seen,” Aldridge said. “But I have to play through it. Take my shot or try to find an open guy.”
Aldridge made it clear there would be no collapse from the Spurs despite their latest drubbing.
“After a tough loss, guys want to play,” he said. “Every guy on the team is competitive and is ready to play now.”