Posted: May 18, 2005
NEW YORK – The Phoenix Suns were well-represented when the NBA announced the 2004-05 All-NBA teams today. MVP Steve Nash was chosen for the All-NBA First Team, Amaré Stoudemire was selected for the Second Team, while Shawn Marion landed on the Third Team of the league's best players for the 2004-05 season.
Joining Nash on the All-NBA First Team are Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers at the guard position, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks at forward, and Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat at center.
Nash, the 2004-05 NBA Most Valuable Player, averaged 15.5 points (.502 FG%) and an NBA-best 11.5 assists in 34.3 minutes per game. Phoenix enjoyed a 60-15 record when he was in the lineup this season as he helped guide the team to its first division title since 1994-95 and its fourth overall. Nash is appearing on the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career.
Duncan earned his eighth consecutive selection to the All-NBA First Team, becoming only the fifth player to make the All-NBA First Team in each of his first eight seasons, joining Hall of Famers Larry Bird, George Mikan, Bob Pettit and Oscar Robertson.
During Duncan’s tenure on the All-NBA First Team the Spurs have enjoyed the success of two NBA titles (1999, 2003), held the NBA’s best record three times (1998-99, 2000-01 and 2002-03) and earned five division titles (1998-99, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05). Duncan averaged 20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists this season in leading the Spurs to their eighth consecutive playoff appearance.
O’Neal led all players in All-NBA first place votes (122) and total points (616) after averaging 22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.34 blocks per game. His performance this year enabled the Heat to record a 17-win improvement over last season. This season also marked O’Neal’s record 13th consecutive season that he has averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. This is O’Neal’s seventh selection to the All-NBA First Team.
Iverson ranked in the top five in scoring (first, 30.7 ppg), steals (second, 2.40 spg), assists (fifth, 7.9 apg) and minutes per game (second, 42.3). Iverson joined Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and George Gervin as the only players in NBA history to capture four or more scoring titles. This is Iverson’s third selection to the All-NBA First Team
Nowitzki averaged career-highs this season in scoring (26.2 ppg), assists (3.1 apg) and blocks (1.53 bpg). He was the only player in the NBA to be ranked in the top 10 in both scoring (fourth) and rebounding (tied for ninth with 9.7 rebounds per game). Nowitzki scored 10 or more points in the fourth quarter on 18 occasions this season and 20 or more points in a half 13 times. He makes his first appearance on the All-NBA First Team after twice making the All-NBA Second Team (2002, 2003) and Third Team (2001, 2004).
The All-NBA Second Team consists of Stoudemire, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Allen.
The All-NBA Third Team includes Marion, Houston Rockets forward Tracy McGrady, Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas.
The 124-member voting panel of writers and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada consisted of national media members and members from each of the league’s 30 teams who regularly cover the NBA. The media voted for All-NBA First, Second and Third Teams by position with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
Attached are the results of the voting for the 2004-05 All-NBA Teams, with First Team votes in parentheses:
2004-05 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM
2004-05 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM
2004-05 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM
Other players receiving votes, with point totals (first team votes in parentheses): Yao Ming, Houston, 82; Vince Carter, New Jersey, 63; Jason Kidd, New Jersey, 16; Paul Pierce, Boston, 15; Marcus Camby, Denver, 14; Rashard Lewis, Seattle, 13; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 12; Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland, 11; Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana, 8; Tony Parker, San Antonio, 7; Mike Bibby, Sacramento, 6; Elton Brand, Los Angeles Clippers, 6; Grant Hill, Orlando, 6; Carmelo Anthony, Denver, 5; Antawn Jamison, Washington, 5; Richard Hamilton, Detroit, 3; Tayshaun Prince, Detroit, 3; Chauncey Billups, Detroit, 2; Chris Bosh, Toronto, 2; Stephon Marbury, New York, 2; Reggie Miller, Indiana, 2; Michael Redd, Milwaukee, 2; Larry Hughes, Washington, 1; Corey Maggette, Los Angeles Clippers, 1; Kenyon Martin, Denver, 1; Brad Miller, Sacramento, 1; Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento, 1.