National Basketball Association player of the year Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett were selected to the league's All-Defensive Team yesterday, along with Marcus Camby, Bruce Bowen and Tim Duncan.

Garnett, who helped the Boston Celtics to the NBA's best record, was chosen for the ninth time. The forward was chosen Defensive Player of the Year last month.

Bryant, who earned his eighth selection, and Garnett each received 24 first-place votes from the league's 30 coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.

Garnett led a defense that held opponents to 90.3 points per game and a league best .418 field goal shooting percentage.

Camby had a league-leading 3.61 blocked shots per game for the Denver Nuggets and was second in rebounds (13.1 per game). Duncan, on the team for the 11th time, and Bowen, making the team for the eighth time, play for the San Antonio Spurs.

The second team is Shane Battier of the Houston Rockets, Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, Tayshaun Prince of the Detroit Pistons and Raja Bell of the Phoenix Suns.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily May 13, 2008)