LeBron James Tapped For NBA's All-Defensive First Team - Again
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Miami HEAT forward LeBron James has been named to the NBA's 2012-13 All-Defensive First Team.
This marks the fifth time in James' career that he has earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors, all in consecutive seasons. It also marks James' third All-Defensive First Team honor as a member of the Heat, the most in franchise history. He surpassed Alonzo Mourning who earned First Team honors twice.
James tallied 52 points, the second-most overall. He finished with 25 First Team votes, tying the most in the league, and two Second Team votes. 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 their own players. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.
Joining James on the NBA All-Defensive First Team is Oklahoma City forward Serge Ibaka, New York center Tyson Chandler, Chicago center Joakim Noah, Memphis guard Tony Allen and Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul.
Earning NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors are San Antonio forward Tim Duncan, Indiana forward Paul George, Memphis center Marc Gasol, Boston guard Avery Bradley and Memphis guard Mike Conley.
James finished 12th in the NBA in steals per game (1.70), 12th in total steals (129), 13th in defensive rebounds per game (6.8), 16th in total defensive rebounds (513), 21st in rebounds per games (8.0), 28th in total rebounds (610) and 40th in blocks per game (0.88). He led the Heat in steals, total rebounds and defensive rebounds and finished second in blocks.
His defensive efforts also helped Miami place second in point differential (+7.9), third in steals (8.66), fifth in opponent points allowed (95.0), fifth in forced turnovers per game (15.6) and sixth in opponent field goal percentage (.440). He led the Heat in blocks 19 times and recorded a season-high six steals at Detroit on December 28.
