GALLERIES: Best of March | Player of the Week 4/7/14 | Player of the Week 3/17/14 | Big Al Signs in Charlotte
JUNE 4, 2014 - The NBA announced today that Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson has been selected to the All-NBA Third Team. Jefferson received a total of 191 points, including four First Team votes, from a panel of 125 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada who voted for All-NBA First, Second and Third Teams by position with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
This marks the first time earning All-NBA honors for Jefferson, who averaged team highs of 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds during the 2013-14 season while leading the team to a 22-win increase from the previous season. He was the only player in the Eastern Conference and one of only five players in the NBA to average over 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds. He finished the season ranked eighth in the NBA in rebounding, 11th in scoring, 23rd in field goal percentage (.509), 29th in blocks (1.1) and tied for 30th in minutes played (35.0).
Jefferson recorded 29 games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, the second-best single-season total in Charlotte NBA history behind Larry Johnson’s 32 in the 1992-93 season. Jefferson had a career-best seven consecutive such games from April 2-14, tying Johnson for the longest streak.
The All-NBA recognition adds to Jefferson’s haul of awards for the season. He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for both March and April, receiving the award for the first time in his career, and also earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for the weeks ending March 16 and April 6.
Jefferson becomes the fifth player in Charlotte NBA history to earn All-NBA honors. He joins Larry Johnson (1992-93 Second Team), Glen Rice (1996-97 Second Team and 1997-98 Third Team), Anthony Mason (1996-97 Third Team) and Eddie Jones (1999-2000 Third Team).
The All-NBA First Team features Thunder forward Kevin Durant, Heat forward LeBron James, Bulls center Joakim Noah, Clippers guard Chris Paul and Rockets guard James Harden. The Second Team includes Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Clippers forward Blake Griffin, Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, Rockets center Dwight Howard and Spurs guard Tony Parker. Jefferson is joined on the Third Team by Pacers forward Paul George, Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge, Suns guard Goran Dragic and Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.