Global panel, nagkaisa kay Harden; James, markado.
NEW YORK (AP) — Kasaysayan para kay Lebron James ng Cleveland. Patunay sa katayuan ng career para kay James Harden ng Houston Rockets.
Para kina Paul George ng Indiana at Gordon Hayward ng Utah, tuluyang humulagpos sa kanilang kamay ang pagkakataon para makakuha ng kontrata na lalagpas sa US$200 milyon.
Pinangunahan nina James at Harden ang All-NBA first team na inilabas ng liga nitong Huwebes (Biyernes sa Manila).
Goodbye PBA? John Amores, tinanggalan na ng professional license!
Nakamit ni James ang titulo sa ika-11 pagkakataon para pantayan ang record nina Kobe Bryant at Karl Malone.
Nakuha naman ni Harden ang ‘unanimous’ na boto sa gobal panel na binubuo ng mga sportswriters at broadcasters para sa All-Star first team – ikatlo ng Houston star sa apat na season.
Nakasama nina James at Harden sina Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard at New Orleans’ Anthony Davis. Ikalawang pagkakataon ito nina Westbrook, Leonard and Davis bilang first-teamer.
Sa kabila ng naitalang averaged 29 puntos, 7.5 rebound at 6.1 assist sa nakalipas na season, hindi napasama si Harden sa All-NBA first team, dahilan para magbunyi si Rockets general manager Daryl Morey sa ‘social media ngayon.
“Happy @James Harden was able to bounce back from his tough 29/8/6 performance last season to prove again he is one of the 15 best NBA players,” pahayag ni Morey sa kanyang Twitter account.
Parehong nakakauha sina James at Westbrook ng 99 first-team ballots, habang may nakuhang 96 ballots si Leonard.
Nasa second-team naman sina Utah center Rudy Gobert, Golden State’s Stephen Curry at Boston’s Isaiah Thomas bilang guard, at Golden State’s Kevin Durant at Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo bilang forward.
“So many great players, so many players had great seasons,” pahayag ni Durant. “It’s kind of hard to put guys on the first, second, third teams. So many guys played well this year. Just grateful to be a part of the list. Obviously I feel like I should be a first-team player, but it is what it is.”
Napili naman sa third-team sina Washington’s John Wall at Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan sa guard, Golden State’s Draymond Green at Chicago’s Jimmy Butler sa forward, at DeAndre Jordan ng Los Angeles Clippers sa center.
Nakatakda namang ihayag ang mga nagwagi sa mga parangal tulad ng MVP, rookie of the year, defensive player of the year, sixth man, most improved player at coach of the year sa Biyernes.
