2011 End of Season Awards: Part 2, All-Defensive Team

Next up in this three part segment is the All-Defensive Team. I'll admit this was pretty difficult. Traditionally there is no All-Defensive Third Team, but I am adding one because I felt this season warranted one as there were many defensive standouts.

Click here for Part 1, All NBA-Team

First Team


Guard: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
2011 Defensive Stats: 5.2rpg, 1.2spg
Bryant is arguably the best perimeter defender of this era. He has made the All-Defensive Team 10 times, making first team for 8 consecutive seasons. Last I checked, Kobe is still Kobe so expect a 9th consecutive first team selection, if for nothing other than continuity.


Guard: Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat
2011 Defensive Stats: 6.6rpg, 1.5spg, 1.1bpg
Wade is becoming a staple in the All-Defensive Team. Statistically, Wade has had his best defensive season yet. The fact that he can put up these numbers in the rebounding and shot blocking categories despite being just 6'4 is a true testament to his athletic prowess.


Center: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
2011 Defensive Stats: 14.3rpg, 1.3spg, 2.4bpg
Move over, Russell. Dwight Howard could eventually go down as the greatest defensive player ever. As long as he maintains those staggering defensive numbers he has a firm grasp on DPOY for years to come.


Forward: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
2011 Defensive Stats: 9rpg, 1.4spg
The last DPOY not named Dwight Howard has bounced back after two injury plagued seasons and continues to anchor one of the greatest defensive teams of all-time.


Forward: Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
2011 Stats: 8.7rpg, 1.3spg, 1.6bpg
Last season's DPOY runner-up continues to fill the defensive stat columns and is one of the most dynamic power forwards in the league. His second consecutive all-star snub still bothers me.

Second Team
Guard: Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
Guard: Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
Center: Andew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks
Forward: Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
Forward: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

Third Team
Guard: Andre Iguodala, Philidelphia 76ers
Guard: Thabo Sefolosha, Okalhoma City Thunder
Center: Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks
Forward: LeBron James, Miami Heat
Forward: Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

Honorable Mention
Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
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