More accolades for our San Antonio Spurs. Let’s see if Bowen and Duncan can come through with big defensive efforts tonight in New Orleans. Otherwise, this recognition doesn’t amount to much.
“I’m real happy for Timmy and Bruce,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before boarding the Spurs’ charter jet to New Orleans. “They worked hard, as all the other players on the list did, I’m sure. But to have two on one team is pretty special.
“That’s what helps us win. Without that, we’re just another basketball team, but they make it different for us.”
The 30 NBA head coaches select the All-Defensive teams. They gave 24 first-team votes each to Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics and Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Denver’s Marcus Camby, the 2006-07 Defensive Player of the Year, got 14 first-team votes and was the first-team center for the second consecutive season.
Bowen got 13 first-team votes and 10 second-team votes and was the only player on either the first or second teams listed as a combo player — a guard/forward.
Duncan got 12 first-team votes and nine second-team votes. He has been on the All-Defensive team each of his 11 seasons in the NBA.
No other team had two players on either the first or second teams.
Spurs guard Manu Ginobili was among the other players receiving votes.
Hornets guard Chris Paul was a second-team selection, and center Tyson Chandler also received votes.
