Artest Named to NBA All-Defensive First Team

#1
Could this possibly not have been posted?

http://www.nba.com/news/alldefensive_060511.html

NEW YORK, May 11, 2006 – Four-time Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons highlights the 2005-06 NBA All-Defensive Teams, the NBA announced today. Making his fifth consecutive appearance on the All-Defensive First Team, Wallace is joined by leading vote-getter Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs, named to the All-Defensive Team for the sixth consecutive season. Also selected to the First Team are forwards Andrei Kirilenko of the Utah Jazz, making his third All-Defensive Team appearance, and 2003-04 Defensive Player of the Year Ron Artest of the Sacramento Kings, named to the All-Defensive Team for the second time. Tying in votes received and rounding out the First Team are guards Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets, receiving their sixth and seventh All-Defensive honors, respectively.
Wallace was the only player in the league to finish in the Top 10 in rebounding (11.3 rpg, fourth), blocks (2.2 bpg, ninth) and steals (1.8 spg, 10th). Usually assigned to the opposing team’s biggest offensive threat, Bowen’s stellar one-on-one defense helped the Spurs hold opponents to 88.8 points per game, second in the league. Kirilenko tallied an NBA-best 220 blocks this season and finished second in blocks per game (3.2). Since joining the Kings on Jan. 25, Artest posted three or more steals in 14 outings and led the squad to a 25-14 run to capture their eighth straight playoff berth. Bryant ranked ninth in the NBA in steals with 1.8 per game, while Kidd finished eighth with 1.9 steals per game while averaging 7.3 rebounds.
The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of Denver’s Marcus Camby, Detroit’s Chauncey Billupsand Tayshaun Prince, Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett and San Antonio’s Tim Duncan.
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.
 
#2
Congratulations Artest for your infinite intensity and relentless defense. The league better watch out when he gets in better shape for the next season.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#4
Nice recognition for the job Ron did for us. I think the whole team will ultimately play better defense because of his presence. Of course, any improvement will more than likely be laid at the feet of the new coach and not to the guy who puts it all out there every single night.
 
#9
To tell you the truth, this is kind of surprising to me. Maybe its like a reward for him being "good". He deserves to be on there thats for sure.
 
#10
Camby got on the 2nd team, and played in 56 games as well. 15 more than half the year, and also I think for both (ron and camby), the reputation and consistency through their careers and this season got them on there.
 
#12
kingkung said:
Kind of crazy that the man made it despite missing 20+ games... crazy in a good way, though.
Yeah totally, and a few people were talking about him for MVP, actually...but that really didnt go anywhere, but still was good to hear. Congrats to Ron Ron!! May he shut everyone down the WHOLE year next year...damn, cant wait, already!
 
#13
I don't really thing that Ron's past won him this award. Simply because as all of us saw he single handedly gave this team a 180 turn on the defensive end of the court.
 
#16
Circa_1985_Fan said:
Just out of curiousity...did you consider going back 'on strike' after the events of the last couple days?? lol
No, I have nothing to "strike" against. I'll give the Maloofs and Petrie the credit due, and see what they come up with. If we come out next season 28th in the leauge in defense, I will promptly go on strike. :)