Jordan’s Latest Honor: Unanimous First Team

Another day, another award for Michael Jordan.

Jordan, already the league’s MVP, scoring champion and member of the all-defensive team, was a unanimous selection to the all-NBA team Thursday.

He was joined on the first team by Chicago teammate Scottie Pippen, Orlando’s Penny Hardaway, Karl Malone of Utah and San Antonio’s David Robinson.

Jordan was a unanimous pick for the third time, receiving 113 first-team votes from a panel of sports writers and broadcasters. Pippen got 91 first-place votes, followed by Hardaway (90), Malone (89) and Robinson (65). Jordan, Pippen and Malone were named on all 113 ballots.

The second team consisted of Seattle’s Shawn Kemp, Detroit’s Grant Hill, Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon, Seattle’s Gary Payton and Utah’s John Stockton. On the third team were Charles Barkley of Phoenix, Washington’s Juwan Howard, Orlando’s Shaquille O’Neal, Sacramento’s Mitch Richmond and Indiana’s Reggie Miller.

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Dave Cowens will be hired as coach of the Charlotte Hornets next week, according the Charlotte Observer. Cowens, 47, the Hall of Fame center for the Boston Celtics and now an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, confirmed he has been offered the job.

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The New Jersey Nets approved Henry Taub as their new chairman, clearing the way for the hiring of a coach.

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With the Seattle SuperSonics holding a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals, the Utah Jazz faces a crucial game tonight. A victory by the SuperSonics at Salt Lake City would give them a historically insurmountable lead.

“Game 3 is a must for us because if they get it, they come out in Game 4 and play as relaxed as they want,” Malone said.

The Jazz is 6-0 at home during the playoffs and 1-6 on the road.