Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the fourth consecutive season, the NBA announced today. This marks Howard’s fifth overall NBA All-Defensive selection (2007-08 Second Team).
Joining Howard (41 points) on the NBA All-Defensive First Team are forwards LeBron James of the Miami Heat (53 points) and Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder (47 points), and guards Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers (35 points) and Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies (33 points). Ibaka and Allen earn First Team honors for the first time; Allen was an NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection last season.
Howard was the league’s leading rebounder (14.5 rpg) as well as its top defensive rebounder (10.8 drpg).