San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan earned his eighth consecutive selection to the All-NBA First Team when the NBA announced the 2004-05 All-NBA teams today. Duncan is only the fifth player to make the All-NBA First Team in each of his first eight seasons, joining Hall of Famers Larry Bird, George Mikan, Bob Pettit and Oscar Robertson.

*Duncan*

During Duncan’s tenure on the All-NBA First Team the Spurs have enjoyed the success of two NBA titles (1999, 2003), held the NBA’s best record three times (1998-99, 2000-01 and 2002-03) and earned five division titles (1998-99, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05). Duncan averaged 20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists this season in leading the Spurs to their eighth consecutive playoff appearance.

Joining Duncan on the All-NBA First Team are Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks at forward, Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat at center, and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns and Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers at the guard positions.

*Nash*

*O'Neal*

O’Neal led all players in All-NBA first place votes (122) and total points (616) after averaging 22.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.34 blocks per game. His performance this year enabled the Heat to record a 17-win improvement over last season. This season also marked O’Neal’s record 13th consecutive season that he has averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. This is O’Neal’s seventh selection to the All-NBA First Team.

Nash, the 2004-05 NBA Most Valuable Player, averaged 15.5 points (.502 FG%) and an NBA-best 11.5 assists in 34.3 minutes per game. Phoenix enjoyed a 60-15 record when he was in the lineup this season as he helped guide the team to its first division title since 1994-95 and its fourth overall. Nash is appearing on the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career.

*Nowitzki*

*Iverson*

Iverson ranked in the top five in scoring (first, 30.7 ppg), steals (second, 2.40 spg), assists (fifth, 7.9 apg) and minutes per game (second, 42.3). Iverson joined Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and George Gervin as the only players in NBA history to capture four or more scoring titles. This is Iverson’s third selection to the All-NBA First Team.

Nowitzki averaged career-highs this season in scoring (26.2 ppg), assists (3.1 apg) and blocks (1.53 bpg). He was the only player in the NBA to be ranked in the top 10 in both scoring (fourth) and rebounding (tied for ninth with 9.7 rebounds per game). Nowitzki scored 10 or more points in the fourth quarter on 18 occasions this season and 20 or more points in a half 13 times. He makes his first appearance on the All-NBA First Team after twice making the All-NBA Second Team (2002, 2003) and Third Team (2001, 2004).

The All-NBA Second Team consists of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James , Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett , Phoenix Suns center Amaré Stoudemire , Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Allen .

The All-NBA Third Team includes Phoenix Suns forward Shawn Marion , Houston Rockets forward Tracy McGrady , Dtroit Pistons center Ben Wallace , Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas .

The 124-member voting panel of writers and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada consisted of national media members and members from each of the league’s 30 teams who regularly cover the NBA. The media voted for All-NBA First, Second and Third Teams by position with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.

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