Nice to see Thabo get the credit he earned all season. He made the second team with 14 points (lowest total on the second team) and received three first team and eight second team votes.
Also receiving votes was Russell Westbrook, who got three second team votes, Kevin Durant who received one second team vote and Serge Ibaka who got one second team vote. Kind of cool. Until you see that Earl Watson also got one second team vote. Kind of taints it, you know?
Note from Royce: Bolts are coming a little late this morning. Sorry to all.
Ron Adams has been credited in several NewsOK articles as being the architect of the defense.
@Mark!
Mark Bryant worked heavily with the bigs only. I have to think he specialized with the defense for said bigs, along with Nick lol.
Mo Cheeks probably didn't do too much D with Russ, maybe some help with understanding passing lanes.
Scott and Ron adams probably worked on the scheme in general.
@Crow
I've heard a few times that Scott Brooks and Ron Adams were the main two behind the defensive schemes.
Yeah Clark.
Maybe somebody should have multiple Coaching awards- offense, defense, comeback.
The defensive coach (Head or Assistant) is the most important part of the defense on most teams.
Not sure where the defensive brains resided the most on the Thunder staff. Maybe it was the sum.
larry brown deserves defender of the year
To Wallace's credit, he did lead all SFs in blocks per game (1.09) this season. Seriously, if you look at the top 30 players in BPG, Wallace is only one of two non-PF/non-C on the list (Durant is the other!). He was also 4th among SFs for steals per game.
Wallace is also the best defender on the best defensive team.
I am not taking sides but I assume Wallace got credit for his defensive rebounding. That is an important part of defense and he was better at that part of defense than those other 2 this season.
congrats to Thabo，he had a good season
Is gerald wallace good enough to 1st team?I dont think so.Why not replace him by Artest or Marion
I hope Durant's name pops up on this list during the next few years. To be considered elite, you have play D (see Lebron, Kobe, Wade) and Durant has shown the willingness during the playoffs. Now he just needs to up his defensive abilities to be considered one of the best in the NBA.
As for the hating on Lebron, have you been watching the blocks he's consistently been making during these playoffs?
The most improved discussion next season could include Westbrook, Harden and Ibaka. Green might as well or he could get into the 6th man discussion.
Not that the awards are that important.
btw, congrats to Thabo.
The team did darn well on the award voting front.
I'd be willing to take Nene-Smith because you could move Smith later.
If they'd take Krstic-Green then you could continue talk on the exchange balance.
If they wanted Ibaka, Presti says no.
If they wanted Harden, I'd keep talking but not sure Presti would.
Nene is a great offensive player. He'd be fantastic paired with someone like Ibaka, IMO...
Yeah it would be a long shot.
They'd probably try the if you want Nene you have to take Martin or Smith routine. Very few if any teams could / would take Nene=Martin so they might have to settle for offloading Nene-Smith. And they will ask for a ton.
We'll know more about their general posture on now vs the future when they decide whether to keep their GM.
Looks like he has positive impact on almost all the 4 Factors of offense and defense except own team turnovers. But he is upper-third for centers on assist rate and has a personal assist-turnover ratio not far from 2:1 which is rare for a big man.
I don't think it's likely that Denver would trade Nene within the division, if they choose to at all.
Nene is a bargain if he's healthy, IMO.
Crow :
Nene’s 2 year contract could fit their budget plan. I really doubt Denver trades him though. He slipped in the playoffs but still had one of his best seasons overall and has a strong Adjusted +/-. If he was available I’d bid on him.
I thought Denver was insane when they signed him to the contract in the first place. Now that there are only 2 years left, I agree with you...I'd bid on him, too.
Omar :
Kobe is on the list because people assume he could be a shut down defender if he wanted to be. In a related story, Lebron James was declared the NBA scoring champion.
Thank you, Omar! Because...you know...LeBron could have been scoring champ if he really wanted to be...(unlike Kobe, Durant, or Carmello).
Nene's 2 year contract could fit their budget plan. I really doubt Denver trades him though. He slipped in the playoffs but still had one of his best seasons overall and has a strong Adjusted +/-. If he was available I'd bid on him.
What I don't understand is how Josh Smith can come in runner up for DPOY but not even be named to the first team.
Celebrity voting FTL.
Coming from a Lakers fan, I think Thabo should have made first team over Kobe as well. In a related story, Wade has no business being on the second team (Nic Batum?) and Varejao should have made first team over Lebron.
I wonder ow much of the Kobe, Lebron, and even Durant love on this list is merited. Are they really the best?
I could definitely see Thabo and Serge making All-Defense for years to come. Congrats to Thabo!
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
i dont think anyone has a bigger man crush on nick collison than john hollinger
If any of you have Insider, Hollinger came out with his defensive team. He mentions OKC players at every position except SF.
Hollinger loves Thabo and Nick.
Kobe is on the list because people assume he could be a shut down defender if he wanted to be. In a related story, Lebron James was declared the NBA scoring champion.
There is a big temptation to put superstars on that list, just like any other list, so it's nice to see the voters reward a guy like Thabo. He deserves the notoriety.
LOL earl watson. So glad that we got rid of him. I still have nightmares of earl watson and westbrook on the floor together.
He deserves to be in the first team. Kobe shouldnt be there.
you said taint...