For every player not named Kobe, LeBron or Dwyane, the greatest postseason honor is inclusion on the All-NBA first team.
For most of them, inclusion on even the second or third team is recognition that validates a career. I asked Tony Parker if Tim Duncan's recent endorsement of him for consideration for the No. 4 or No. 5 line on voters' most valuable player ballots was meaningful, and the Spurs point guard's response surprised me.
"I just hope it makes some people think maybe they'll vote for me for All-NBA," Parker said. "That's what I'd like to see."
Parker knows he has no shot at making All-NBA first team, not when Bryant and Wade have had seasons that have put them in the thick of the MVP race.
If the 120 voters are objective, Parker will make second or third team.
Filling out my official ballot for first-team All-NBA is a no-brainer:
Kobe Bryant, reigning MVP, and Wade, who is going to win the league's scoring title, are obvious guard choices for voters in every NBA city but New Orleans. Be assured Chris Paul will get at least one first-team vote from the Big Easy.
Orlando's Dwight Howard, about to become just the fifth player to lead the league in both rebounds and blocked shots, is an overwhelming choice as first-team center.
LeBron James ought to be a unanimous choice for one of the forward positions on the first team.
The other forward spot requires more thought, but I believe Tim Duncan deserves to return to the first team after sliding to second team last season. He gets my first-team vote. Kevin Garnett joined James on the first team last season. The knee injury that will limit him to 57 games disqualifies him this time. Duncan has played with aching knees and still averages nearly 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The second team is tougher, but no coin flips are required, and it is clear that Parker merits a spot on the second unit. So does Paul.
A resurgent Shaquille O'Neal gets my vote as second-team center. The forwards are Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce.
The problem when you get to third team is knowing you have to leave off deserving players. Brandon Roy and Chauncey Billups are on my ballot as guards, so I must omit Ray Allen, Steve Nash and Mo Williams. My forwards are Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge, which means Kevin Durant must wait until the Thunder get more competitive, and Chris Bosh needs to get out of Toronto. Yao Ming is my third-team center, an easy choice.
mikemonroe@express-news.net
