Hawks center Al Horford received 31 points, including two first-team votes, in balloting for All-NBA teams, the league announced Thursday. Forward Josh Smith received seven points.
Heat forward LeBron James led the All-NBA first team with 595 points, including 119 first-team votes. The All-NBA teams were chosen by a panel of 119 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The media voted for All-NBA first, second and third teams by position, with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
James was joined by Thunder forward Kevin Durant with (555 points, 102 first-team votes), Spurs center Tim Duncan (392, 45), Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (521, 91) and Clippers guard Chris Paul (537, 97).
The second team consisted of forwards Carmelo Anthony (397, 24) and Blake Griffin (132), center Marc Gasol (295, 38) and guards Tony Parker (273, 16) and Russell Westbrook (306, 20).
The third team consisted of forwards David Lee (79) and Paul George (73), center Dwight Howard (203, 17) and guards Dwyane Wade (145, 3) and James Harden (253, 5).
Horford and Smith were the Hawks’ leading scorers this season. Smith averaged 17.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 76 regular-season games. Horford averaged 17.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 74 games.
Drew interested in Clippers: Hawks coach Larry Drew told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he would be interested in the vacant Clippers job. The Hawks are allowing Drew to speak to other NBA teams even though he is under contract until June 30. General manager Danny Ferry is speaking to candidates for the position as he determines the direction of the franchise. Drew remains a candidate to stay with the Hawks.
Drew, who lives in Los Angeles, has interviewed with the Bucks. There is another team interested in speaking to him about its open position.
The Clippers announced Wednesday that they would not offer Vinny Del Negro a new contract when his deal expires at the end of June.
There are six vacancies in the league — the Bucks, Pistons, Bobcats, 76ers, Nets and Clippers.
Trainer recognized: Hawks head athletic trainer Wally Blase received the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association's (NBATA) Ed Lacerte Service Award last week in Chicago.
Named for the Celtics’ longtime head athletic trainer, the award is given every other year in recognition of the individual who embodies the level of commitment and service that Lacerte has given the NBATA.
Blase has served as the Hawks’ head athletic trainer for the past 13 seasons. He came to the Hawks in 2000 after four years as an assistant athletic trainer with the Bulls. Blase is responsible for the day-to-day health of the team, the rehabilitation of injuries and helps on the bench during games.
Blase has been a member of the NBATA for 13 years. He has served on the executive committee the past 10 and also served a two-year term as the organization’s chairman.
