All-NBA

by Timothy Varner

Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are All-NBA. From Spurs.com:

Duncan was named to the All-NBA Second Team, making him the only player in NBA history to be named to an All-NBA Team in each of his first 12 seasons (First Team – 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007; Second Team – 2006, 2008, 2009). He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15), Shaquille O’Neal (14), Karl Malone (14), Dolph Schayes (12) Bob Cousy (12), Jerry West (12) and Hakeem Olajuwon (12) as one of just eight players to have been named to an All-NBA Team 12 or more times…

…Duncan posted 19.3 points, a team-high 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.68 blocks in 75 games. He ranked fourth in the NBA in rebounding, fourth in double-doubles with 49, and 11th in blocks. During the season he surpassed David Robinson on the Spurs all-time career rebounding list and now ranks 28th on the NBA’s all-time list. He finished the season in 40th place on the league’s all-time scoring list with 19,226 points and 12th on the NBA’s all-time blocked shots list with 2,117. He is just one of three active players (Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Garnett are the others) to rank in the Top 50 on the NBA’s all-time scoring, rebounding and blocks list.

This is Tony Parker’s first selection. Once again from Spurs.com:

Parker enjoyed the best season of his career, averaging a team-best 22.0 points, a career-best 6.9 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 71 games. He was one of only two players (joining Chris Paul) in the NBA to shoot better than .500 (.506 (639-1,236)) from the field and average more than 5.0 assists per game. Parker scored a career-high 55 points while handing out 10 assists and grabbing seven rebounds at Minnesota on Nov. 5, to become just the second player in NBA history to record at least 55 points, 10-plus assists and 5-plus rebounds in a game joining Oscar Robertson.

Congratulations to Duncan and Parker.

A few comments.

• Tim Duncan’s second straight appearance on the 2nd team is, I think, more a matter of the league getting better and not necessarily a comment on decline. It’s hard to argue against Nowitzki, James, and Howard. Duncan will continue to have tough competition, something that makes his appearances on these lists all the more remarkable. Tim Duncan has crossed the border into the land of sports cliche-he has nothing left to prove. Still, as a fan, I’d like to see him come back next season and do something fresh. Another championship is always in view. And he’s never won Defensive Player of the Year, which doesn’t seem right to me. Maybe there is still time left for him to make that right.
• I doubt that any sober-minded observer would dispute Tony Parker’s recognition. Most of the 2nd and 3rd teams are interchangeable, and one could easily see him next to Chris Paul on the 2nd team. But Roy was no less deserving than Parker, and it’s good to see everyone get their due. The challenge for Parker is becoming a repeat offender. If the Spurs are able to chase another championship, Parker must maintain or exceed his current level of play.
• Manu Ginobili has never made the list, and he obviously wasn’t going to buck the trend with this injury-riddled campaign. Manu Ginobili made the list last season, and I hold out hope that he’s got at least one more remarkable season in him. It would be great if Parker, Duncan and Ginobili would each earn recognition next year.

From NBA.com: