The NBA defensive awards were fairly accurate. I do, however, have some changes I wish to make to that team.
This is what actually happened in 2008:
2007-08 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
| Position | Player, Team | 1st | 2nd | Points |
| Forward | Kevin Garnett, Boston | 24 | 4 | 52 |
| Guard | Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers | 24 | 4 | 52 |
| Center | Marcus Camby, Denver | 14 | 9 | 37 |
| Guard/F. | Bruce Bowen, San Antonio | 13 | 10 | 36 |
| Forward | Tim Duncan, San Antonio | 12 | 9 | 33 |
2007-08 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
| Position | Player, Team | 1st | 2nd | Points |
| Forward | Shane Battier, Houston | 9 | 11 | 29 |
| Guard | Chris Paul, New Orleans | 10 | 6 | 26 |
| Center | Dwight Howard, Orlando | 8 | 9 | 25 |
| Forward | Tayshaun Prince, Detroit | 3 | 14 | 20 |
| Guard | Raja Bell, Phoenix | 4 | 10 | 1 |
Not bad, I agree with most of it but in my opinion there need to be some changes:
TJ's 2007-08 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
Forward, Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics: 9.2 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 1.4 SPG
Forward/Center, Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic: 14.2 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 1 SPG
Center, Marcus Camby, Denver Nuggets: 13.1 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 3.6 BPG
Guard, Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers: 6.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 0.5 SPG (Defensive stats aren't fantastic, but we all know the MVP is a lock-downer)
Guard, Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets: 4 RPG, 2.77 SPG
Justifying Points:
- Garnett, defensive player of the year, obviously deserves to be here.
- Howard is an absolute beast. He times his blocks perfectly, and there is no player scarier to drive against, you know someone deserves to be on this list when they have some 8+ block games.
- Camby is a must, leading the league in blocks and winning the award last year.
- Bryant is a great defensive player, not to mention he is so good on offense, which you would think would take away from his defense.
- Chris Paul is one of the best defensive point guard in the league and led the NBA in steals.
TJ's 2007-08 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
Forward, Bruce Bowen, San Antonio Spurs: 3 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG (Stats aren't everything; we all know what a lock-down defender Bowen is.)
Forward/Center, Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: 11.3 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 2 BPG
Center, Tyson Chandler, New Orleans Hornets: 11.7 RPG, 0.6 SPG, 1.3 BPG
Guard, Shane Battier, Houston Rockets: 5.1 RPG, 1 SPG, 1.1 BPG
Guard, Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons: 2.7 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Justifying Points:
- Bowen, Battier and Duncan easily could have been on the first team. It was just difficult to fit them in.
- Chandler was one of the most improved players this year and one of the scariest players to drive at.
- Billups maybe shouldn't have made this list, but he is the best defensive stopper on one of the top defensive teams in the league. Also, he is the best lock-down point guard since Gary Payton.
People say defense wins championships. Is it odd that all these players made it past the second round of the playoffs, except for Battier and Camby? No. Defense DOES win championships, and these guys are living proof.
*Honourable Mentions* Dikimbe Mutumbo, Tayshaun Prince, Deron Williams, Raja Bell, Josh Howard, Jason Kidd and Chris Bosh
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5 months ago
I am satisfied with the way it went down
5 months ago
Just look at Kobe's achievements this year guys. Kobe Bryant won 57 games. Took Lakers to the top spot in the toughest conference in the history of the NBA. Won the Most Valuable Player Award. Made all NBA first team, made all nba first defensive team. Now If he can win the championship, along with Finals MVP, and then during summer the Gold Medal. Imagine that. The only thing leftout of this year would be scoring champion and MVP of the AllStar game.
But first we have got to take care of these stpid Utah Jazz man.
5 months ago
lol come on man, no love for Raja?
5 months ago
Nice article, TJ. I've never really cared about the defensive team, but this article was solid.
5 months ago
I'm not sure that Chris Paul was the best deffensive PG in the league. He's a smallish guard and sometimes really struggles when guarding bigger opponents. 2nd team for Paul is just fine!
P.S. Steals don't always mean tha someone is a lock-down defender, it may just mean that they are good at reading passing lanes on occasion. Look at Bruce bowen...not a big steals guy but is a lock-down defender.
All in all good article!!!!
5 months ago
Shane was robbed. He was the only player on the Rockets to play consistent defense all year. His defense was the reason for 14 wins in the 22 game win streak.
4 months ago
Where's Deron Williams in this conversation.
from 4 months ago
He was the next point guard there...but there is no defensive 3rd team
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