Four of last year's All-Defensive First Team players again found themselves among the NBA's best defenders in 2013. LeBron James, Chris Paul, Serge Ibaka and Tony Allen returned to the first-team list that included six players this year, the league announced Monday. They were joined by centers Tyson Chandler and Joakim Noah, who made their first appearances on the first team tied for the center spot with 24 total points.
2013 NBA All-Defensive Team: LeBron James, Tony Allen highlight list
Tony Allen and LeBron James highlighted the 2013 NBA All-Defensive Team, but the Defensive Player of the Year again got snubbed.
USA TODAY Sports
Allen led all vote-getters with 53 points, one more than James. They were followed by Ibaka (46 points), Paul (37), Paul George (27) and Avery Bradley (25).
Tim Duncan, Mike Conley, George, Bradley and Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol made the second team.
It is the second year in the row that the winner of the league’s individual award didn’t make the first team. Last year, Chandler won the Defensive Player of the Year honor voted on by media members but only made the second team on the list voted upon by NBA coaches.
Surprisingly, Gasol had the fewest amount of total points with 12.
For James, 2013 marks the fifth year in a row he's been part of the All-Defensive First Team. And aside from the four returning players on the first team, the two-deep list has numerous changes compared to last year. Falling off the list from last year's second team were Kevin Garnett, Luol Deng, Rajon Rondo and Kobe Bryant. Additionally, Dwight Howard from the 2012 first team failed to make the list.
2012-13 NBA All-Defensive First Team
Position Player, Team (1st votes, 2nd votes, total points)
Forward LeBron James, Miami (25, 2, 52)
Forward Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City (17, 12, 46)
Center Tyson Chandler, New York (9, 6, 24)
Center Joakim Noah, Chicago (8, 8, 24)
Guard Tony Allen, Memphis (25, 3, 53)
Guard Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers (15, 7, 37)
2012-13 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
Position Player, Team (1st votes, 2nd votes, total points)
Forward Tim Duncan, San Antonio (3, 14, 20)
Forward Paul George, Indiana (7, 13, 27)
Center Marc Gasol, Memphis (5, 2, 12)
Guard Avery Bradley, Boston (10, 5, 25)
Guard Mike Conley, Memphis (4, 11, 19)
All other vote-getters with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): Andre Iguodala, Denver, 16 (2); Larry Sanders, Milwaukee, 16 (4); Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City, 15 (2); Luol Deng, Chicago, 11 (1); Dwight Howard, L.A. Lakers, 9 (3); Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (6 (1); Roy Hibbert, Indiana, 6 (2); Kenneth Faried, Denver, 4 (1); Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City, 4 (1); Shane Battier, Miami, 2; Nicolas Batum, Portland, 2 (1); Corey Brewer, Denver, 2; George Hill, Indiana, 2; Mike James, Dallas, 2 (1); Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio, 2, (1); Tony Parker, San Antonio, 2 (1); Dwyane Wade, Miami, 2; Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers, 2 (1); Eric Bledsoe, L.A. Clippers, 1; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City, 1; Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia, 1; Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota, 1; Iman Shumpert, New York, 1; David West, Indiana, 1.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
