So, in the ongoing interest of delaying the actual MVP presentation until the end of time (or until Katherine Harris finishes validating the ballots), the NBA today announced the 2007 All-NBA teams.
Notable at a glance are the absence of Shaquille O’Neal (for the first time since his rookie season), LeBron’s second-team status, and of course the absence of Shawn Marion—despite the inclusion of both Steve Nash AND Amare Stoudemire on the first team, which may be the final straw that makes Shawn actually fight one of his own teammates in the middle of a playoff game. I wish I could feel sorry for Shawn, I really do, but last I checked he has a max contract (he’s actually the highest-paid Sun) and has been on the All-Star team, so I can’t feel that bad, actually. (I suppose it’s also worth noting that both Nash and Kobe Bryant received more First Team votes than Dirk Nowitzki, but seeing that you have to vote by position, it doesn’t really mean anything.)
Anyway, the teams:
2006-07 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM
Position | Player, Team (1st Team Votes) | Points |
Forward | Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (125) | 634 |
Forward | Tim Duncan, San Antonio (94) | 573 |
Center | Amaré Stoudemire, Phoenix (36) | 494 |
Guard | Steve Nash, Phoenix (129) | 645 |
Guard | Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (128) | 643 |
2006-07 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM
Position | Player, Team (1st Team Votes) | Points |
Forward | LeBron James, Cleveland (64) | 494 |
Forward | Chris Bosh, Toronto (8) | 234 |
Center | Yao Ming, Houston (38) | 333 |
Guard | Gilbert Arenas, Washington | 295 |
Guard | Tracy McGrady, Houston (10) | 278 |
2006-07 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM
Position | Player, Team (1st Team Votes) | Points |
Forward | Kevin Garnett, Minnesota (5) | 225 |
Forward | Carmelo Anthony, Denver (1) | 142 |
Center | Dwight Howard, Orlando (1) | 108 |
Guard | Dwyane Wade, Miami (1) | 241 |
Guard | Chauncey Billups, Detroit | 86 |
Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first team votes in parentheses): Carlos Boozer, Utah, 127; Shaquille O’Neal, Miami, 70 (3); Jason Kidd, New Jersey, 58; Marcus Camby, Denver, 42 (2); Shawn Marion, Phoenix, 41; Allen Iverson, Denver, 39; Tony Parker, San Antonio, 39; Vince Carter, New Jersey, 15; Deron Williams, Utah, 15; Josh Howard, Dallas, 11; Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers, 8; Mehmet Okur, Utah, 7; Baron Davis, Golden State, 6; Michael Redd, Milwaukee, 6; Ray Allen, Seattle, 5; Richard Hamilton, Detroit, 4; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 3; Ben Gordon, Chicago, 3; Chris Paul, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 3; Paul Pierce, Boston, 2; Ben Wallace, Chicago, 2; Jason Terry, Dallas, 2; Eddy Curry, New York, 2; Luol Deng, Chicago, 1; Chris Webber, Detroit, 1; Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana, 1; Pau Gasol, Memphis, 1; Tyson Chandler, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 1; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 1. The 129-member voting panel of writers and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada consisted of national media members and members from each of the league’s 30 teams who regularly cover the NBA. The media voted for All-NBA First, Second and Third Teams by position with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
(I still think voters should lose their rights based on ridiculous votes. Who were the three people who gave Shaq first-team votes?)