{"id":21739,"date":"2025-05-09T19:00:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T19:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/21739\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T19:00:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T19:00:10","slug":"consistently-thoughtful-phoenix-suns-kevin-durant-makes-all-interview-first-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/21739\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Consistently thoughtful’: Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant makes All-Interview first team"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phoenix Suns<\/a> superstar Kevin Durant made the Professional Basketball Writers Association’s All-Interview first team as a top vote-getter, along with Golden State Warriors<\/a> guard Stephen Curry.<\/p>\n

The PBWA is honoring players who are “consistently thoughtful, insightful and engaging with the media.”<\/p>\n

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Durant has developed a strong rapport with journalists over the course of his NBA career that has lasted nearly two decades. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> guard Donovan Mitchell and Warriors forward Draymond Green made the PBWA’s All-Interview first team along with Durant and Curry.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> point guard Mike Conley Jr., Indiana Pacers<\/a> point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Miami Heat<\/a> big Bam Adebayo, New York Knicks<\/a> wing Josh Hart and Bucks guard Damian Lillard were voted second team.<\/p>\n

The PBWA discontinued its All-Interview team after the 2003-04 season, after it was once “a staple” of the NBA\u2019s official slate of awards. The organization decided to reignite it as a way to recognize players “who consistently provide the insights, details and depth that bring our stories to life, while meeting (or exceeding) their mandated media obligations.”<\/p>\n

PBWA members nominated more than four dozen players. An organization subcommittee selected 25 finalists to create an official ballot that the entire PBWA membership voted upon.<\/p>\n

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Players received two points for every first-team vote and one point for every second-team vote.<\/p>\n

The remaining 15 finalists, listed in alphabetical order, were Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), DeMar DeRozan (Sacramento Kings), Donte DiVincenzo (Timberwolves), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves), Al Horford (Boston Celtics), Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks), C.J. McCollum (New Orleans Pelicans<\/a>), Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers<\/a>), Georges Niang (Cavs\/Atlanta Hawks<\/a>), Kristaps Porzingis (Celtics), Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>), Fred VanVleet (Houston Rockets<\/a>) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com<\/a> or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com<\/a> today.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant tops PBWA’s All-Interview team<\/a><\/p>\n