Lakers’ Kobe Bryant named to NBA first team

The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant added another award to his collection today when he was the only unanimous choice for the NBA’s first team, the league announced.

Bryant, who won the MVP award for the 2007-08 season, also topped the voting for the league’s first team selections.

New Orleans guard Chris Paul, who finished second to Bryant in the MVP voting, was the other guard named to the first team. Boston forward Kevin Garnett, Cleveland forward LeBron James and Orlando center Dwight Howard completed the first team.

This is the fifth time Bryant, 29, has been selected to the NBA first team in his 12-year career. During the regular season Bryant averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists as the Lakers finished with the best record in the Western Conference.

The players are selected by 127 sportswriters and broadcasters.

The second team had two players from the Phoenix Suns: guard Steve Nash and center Amare Stoudemire. Joining them were Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, Utah guard Deron Williams and San Antonio forward Tim Duncan.

Third team selections were Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady from Houston, Carlos Boozer from Utah, Paul Pierce from Boston and Manu Ginobili from San Antonio.

 barry.stavro@latimes.com