OKLAHOMA CITY, May 23, 2012 – Thunder forward Serge Ibaka was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the 2011-12 season, the NBA announced earlier today. In his third NBA season, Ibaka led the NBA and set an all-time franchise record with 3.65 blocks per game. Ibaka’s block per game average was the highest for any NBA player in more than a decade. During the 2011-12 season, Ibaka posted 12 double-doubles while also leading the Thunder in rebounding on 21 occasions. With 14 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocked shots on Feb. 19th vs. Denver, Ibaka became the first player in franchise history to record a triple-double which included blocked shots. His 11 blocks in the game set an all-time franchise record. Ibaka registered 10-plus blocks on three separate occasions during the 2011-12 season. Led by Ibaka, the Thunder as a team recorded a league-best 8.17 blocks per game during the past season, which represents the highest total for any NBA team since the 1993-94 season. Earlier this month, Ibaka finished second in the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year balloting. Ibaka received 41 first place votes and finished just 17 points behind Tyson Chandler. The voting panel for the 2011-12 NBA All-Defensive teams 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 players from their own team. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote. Below are the results for the 2011-12 NBA All-Defensive Teams balloting. The balloting was tabulated by the independent accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP:
2011-12 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM
Position Player, Team 1st 2nd Points
Forward LeBron James, Miami 24 5 53
Forward Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City 20 7 47
Center Dwight Howard, Orlando 16 9 41
Guard Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers 13 9 35
Guard Tony Allen, Memphis 13 7 33
2011-12 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM
Position Player, Team 1st 2nd Points
Forward Kevin Garnett, Boston 8 10 26
Forward Luol Deng, Chicago 6 8 20
Center Tyson Chandler, New York 13 10 36
Guard Rajon Rondo, Boston 9 11 29
Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers 7 3 17