13-05-2009

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LeBron an Unanimous Pick for All-NBA First Team »

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was a unanimous selection to the 2008-09 All-NBA First Team, the NBA announced today. James received a total of 610 points, including first-place votes from the entire panel of 122 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. He was joined on the First Team by Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat. James, the 2008-09 Most Valuable Player, earned All-NBA First Team honors for the third time (2005-06, 2007-08 and 2008-09) after leading the Cavaliers to an NBA and franchise-best 66-16 (.805) record. He becomes just the eighth player since media voting for the All-NBA Teams began in 1981-82 to be a unanimous selection, joining Michael Jordan (4), Larry Bird (3), Karl Malone (2), Magic Johnson (1), Charles Barkley (1), Shaquille O’Neal (1) and Kobe Bryant (1).

He averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.69 steals and a career-best 1.15 blocks in 37.7 minutes per game. The 6-foot-8 forward also posted career highs in games played (81), field goal percentage (.489) and free throw percentage (.780). He was the only player in the NBA to average at least 28.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game this season. Leading the Cavs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, James became just the fourth player since the 1973-74 season (when steals and blocks became official stats) to lead his team in each category.

Photos Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008/2009 NBAE via Getty Images. Source: NBA.com.