Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul didn't get a great deal of love from a media panel of MVP voters, but NBA coaches thought enough of his play to select Paul to the All-Defensive first team Wednesday.
It's the first time in franchise history a Hornets player has been on the first team. Paul was on the All-Defensive second team last season. Paul joined Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, the Orlando Magic's center, along with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett on the first team.
Paul received 15 first-team votes and six second-team votes for a total of 36 points. Two points were awarded for a first-team vote, one for a second-team vote. Howard led the voting with 55 points (27 first-team votes, one second-team vote), followed by Bryant (24, 5, 53 points), and James had 47 points (22, 3). Garnett had 35 points (13, 9).
Heading the All-Defensive second team are the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan, Houston Rockets forwards Shane Battier and Ron Artest, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Celtics guard Rajon Rondo.
Paul led the league in steals for the second consecutive season, averaging 2.77 per game. He set an NBA record this season for consecutive games with at least one steal (108). No other Hornets players received votes.
FREE SNOBALLS: As part of their weeklong thank you for the fans, the Hornets will be giving away snoballs at Lafayette Square today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Members of the Honeybees, as well as Super Hugo and the Buzz Patrol, will be on hand.
