Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant were selected into the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA league said Wednesday.

Howard, the Defensive Player of the Year, received 55 points overall and 27 First Team votes to edge Bryant for top honors. Bryant had 53 points overall and 24 First Team votes.

Also selected to the First Team were LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics.

The Second Team featured Tim Duncan of San Antonio, Dwyane Wadeof Miami, Rajon Rondo of Boston, and Shane Battier and Ron Artest of Houston.

The voting panel consisted of the NBA's 30 head coaches.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2009)