All-Defensive First Team: Li Fei, New York Knicks — 4.2 blocks and 1.8 steals per game, with a defensive rating of 91.3. Gary Payton, Seattle SuperSonics — 1.9 steals per game; opponents' field-goal percentage dropped by 6.2% when defended by him. Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat — 3.2 blocks per game, with a defensive rating of 92.8. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs — 2.2 blocks per game, with a defensive rating of 93.5. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers — 1.6 steals per game; opponents' field-goal percentage dropped by 5.1% when defended by him.
All-Defensive Second Team: Jason Kidd, Phoenix Suns — 2.0 steals per game, with a defensive rating of 94.2. Scottie Pippen, Houston Rockets — 1.4 steals per game; opponents' field-goal percentage dropped by 4.8% when defended by him. Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers — 3.0 blocks per game, with a defensive rating of 92.1. David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs — 2.0 blocks per game, with a defensive rating of 93.8. Eddie Jones, Charlotte Hornets — 2.2 steals per game, with a defensive rating of 94.5.
All-Rookie First Team: Steve Francis, Houston Rockets — 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. Elton Brand, Chicago Bulls — 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Clippers — 16.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Wally Szczerbiak, Minnesota Timberwolves — 11.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Andre Miller, Cleveland Cavaliers — 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.
ESPN's column went online shortly after the lists were announced, titled: <All-NBA Teams Announced: Li Fei Leads First Team, Sprewell Makes Third Team>.
The article wrote: "There was no suspense over the All-NBA First Team. Li Fei, O'Neal, Duncan, Payton, Kidd—these five were the best players this season, without any