Bell named to NBA all-defensive second team

Suns guard Raja Bell was recognized for his defensive work for a second straight season, earning a second-team selection on the league’s All-NBA team, as voted by the league’s 30 head coaches.

Bell, who was a first-team pick last year, lost out to Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs (who usually plays the small forward but was listed as a guard). Bell and Chris Paul of New Orleans formed the second-team backcourt, with Bell’s 18 points accounting for the fewest points – outdistancing Chauncey Billups (14) and Jason Kidd (13).

Bell was surprised with the selection.

“Someone asked me a couple of weeks ago and I said ‘no way,’ but I’m very pleased that I was wrong,” Bell said. “It’s always pretty lofty praise to be considered with people like Kobe and Chris Paul and others that I respect.

“I went through some difficult times this season (with injuries) and had to work through it, and this is a nice reward.”

Bryant and Bowen were joined on the first team by Boston’s Kevin Garnett of Boston, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan and Denver’s Marcus Camby.

Garnett, the NBA defensive player of the year, was named to his ninth all-defensive team selection, and Bryant his eighth. Each received 52 points overall, including 24 first-place nods. Duncan earned his 11th consecutive selection, while Bowen earned his eighth and Camby his second.

The second team features Bell, Paul, Shane Battier of Houston, Tayshaun Prince of Detroit and Dwight Howard of Orlando.

Bell’s selection to the team makes him only the fifth players in Suns history to earn such honors in consecutive seasons, joining Paul Silas (1970-72), Don Buse (1977-80), Dennis Johnson (1980-83) and Jason Kidd (1999-01).

No other Suns received any votes from the coaches. Shawn Marion, who didn’t receive a single vote for the All-NBA team this season, didn’t get a single vote for the All-Defensive team.

2007-08 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM

Position Player, Team 1st 2nd Points

Forward Kevin Garnett, Boston 24 4 52

Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers 24 4 52

Center Marcus Camby, Denver 14 9 37

Guard/Forward Bruce Bowen, San Antonio 13 10 36

Forward Tim Duncan, San Antonio 12 9 33

2007-08 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM

Position Player, Team 1st 2nd Points

Forward Shane Battier, Houston 9 11 29

Guard Chris Paul, New Orleans 10 6 26

Center Dwight Howard, Orlando 8 9 25

Forward Tayshaun Prince, Detroit 3 14 20

Guard Raja Bell, Phoenix 4 10 18

Other players receiving votes, with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): Chauncey Billups, Detroit, 14 (5); Jason Kidd, Dallas, 13 (4); Rasheed Wallace, Detroit, 13 (3); Rajon Rondo, Boston, 11 (3); Deron Williams, Utah, 8, (3); Josh Smith, Atlanta, 8, (3); Ron Artest, Sacramento, 8 (2); Tyson Chandler, New Orleans, 8 (1); Andrei Kirilenko, Utah, 6; Derek Fisher, Los Angeles Lakers, 4 (1); LeBron James, Cleveland, 4 (1); Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 4 (1); Kirk Hinrich, Chicago, 3 (1); Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia, 3 (1); Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia, 1 (2); Brandon Roy, Portland, 2; Paul Pierce, Boston, 2; Andre Miller, Philadelphia, 1; Andres Nocioni, Chicago, 1; Baron Davis, Golden State, 1; Caron Butler, Washington, 1; Chris Bosh, Toronto, 1; Dikembe Mutombo, Houston, 1; Josh Howard, Dallas, 1; Richard Hamilton, Detroit, 1; Ronnie Brewer, Utah, 1.