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Kurt Helin: NBA Announces All-Defensive team. First Team: LeBron James & Serge Ibaka at forward, Dwight Howard at center, Chris Paul & Tony Allen guards Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Tony Allen, Serge Ibaka 

Oklahoma City center Kendrick Perkins will be on the court and his usual scowling, fouling self for Game 3. There are no penalties forthcoming against the Thunder big man who got into a dust-up with Dirk Nowitzki , the Mavericks have been told. The incident in question was the first-quarter run-in that started with Serge Ibaka poking Nowitzki in the left eye after he canned a jump shot. He got irritated and after another jumper, he and Perkins got tangled up under the basket. Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dirk Nowitzki, Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka 

Early Monday afternoon, Carlisle insisted he is not posturing for more calls from game officials. Then with 5:04 left in the first quarter of Game 2 on Monday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena, there was an altercation between Nowitzki and Thunder center Kendrick Perkins following a 3-point basket by Kevin Durant. Nowitzki and Perkins exchanged expletives while being separated by teammates. Carlisle stormed onto the court, pointing and shouting at Perkins and the officiating crew. At one point, Perkins swatted Carlisle's hand away. Perkins was assessed a loose-ball foul. Perkins and Nowitzki were given double-technicals for shoving each other. Oklahoman

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dirk Nowitzki, Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka 

It took less than seven minutes for the physical play of Game 2 to get out of hand. Dirk Nowitzki took a shot in the eye after making a jump shot with six minutes to go. On the way downcourt, Nowitzki gave Serge Ibaka a not-too-subtle elbow to the rib cage. After an exchange of possessions, Nowitzki hit another jumper. When he went down to play defense against Kendrick Perkins, the two got tangled up underneath and they squared off. It appeared that Nowitzki gave Perkins a hard shove and Perkins responded with a swing of his right arm, although it was difficult to tell if it was a punch or not. Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dirk Nowitzki, Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka 

How has your defense on Dirk improved so fast? Ibaka: “First of all, he's a great player. He's one of the top guys to play defense (against). You need to be focused. Just be focus. Just play your game. Most of the time, he's so great on offense, you can get in foul trouble. Also, it's not just one guy. It's a team. He's tough. I want to try to make him drive to the basket, because I know Perk will be down to help me. It's not just one guy. It's about team.” Oklahoman

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dirk Nowitzki, Serge Ibaka 

Serge Ibaka: "There's when I'm blocking a lot of shots, I feel superior. I can feel how rivals are afraid me, they don't drive to the basket. Sometimes I even get bored [laughs], because I have no work to do. 'Damn, nobody is penetrating now,' I think. That motivates me because that forces the other team to only take outside shots." El Mundo

Oklahoma City Thunder, Serge Ibaka 

One Western Conference GM wrote that he'd favor keeping Ibaka because he suspects Harden's agent, Rob Pelinka, will demand a max deal for Harden, "and he's easier to replace," the GM wrote. "I would keep Ibaka," an Eastern Conference exec said. ".....so hard to find frontcourt players with presence in the paint ....love Harden, but I would rather have to replace a scorer off the bench, than search for a big like Ibaka." NBA.com

Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden, Serge Ibaka 

Kaleb Canales on where Serge Ibaka ranks league-wide in terms of defensive impact on a game: "Top 5, top 10. He's top tier for sure. His ability to block shots, even though he doesn't get to some, him and [Kendrick] Perkins defensively as a tandem are one of the best." Barring any unforeseen setbacks or missteps, Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon — the team’s leading scorer despite playing two games this season — could be back on the court in a matter of days. New Orleans Times-Picayune

Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Kaleb Canales, Serge Ibaka 

Chris Haynes: Jamal Crawford on incident w/S. Ibaka: "I don't know what he said, but his expression was enough. I've never backed down from a challenge." Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Jamal Crawford, Serge Ibaka 

Chris Mannix: Oklahoma City is not in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. Not giving up Harden/Ibaka. Not happening. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Serge Ibaka 

Chris Mannix: Oklahoma City is not in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. Not giving up Harden/Ibaka. Not happening. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Serge Ibaka 

Brian Schmitz: Magic have talked to OKC but Thunder balks at giving up Ibaka and Harden to rent Dwight Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Serge Ibaka 

Kobe Bryant to Serge Ibaka during the Sprite Uncontainable Game ad shooting at the All-Star Game: "Spain does not have a chance [to win the gold medal] even if they sign you." TuBasket.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant, USA Basketball, Spain, Serge Ibaka 

A few thoughts before you dive into this multi-page gallery from Muscle Prodigy: 1) Serge Ibaka should have been first. Yeah, yeah, Ben Wallace is beastly, but Ibaka is cut up. Wallace took top honors based on his rep, which stretches back a decade. 2) Greg Oden checking in at No. 19 is laughable. The Big Lead

Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Ben Wallace, Greg Oden, Serge Ibaka 

Serge Ibaka: After watching the Dunk Contest I would like to be in the next one, I hope the @NBA invites me. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Serge Ibaka 

Nazr Mohammed: I'm pissed!!! @Russell Westbrook & @Serge Ibaka should be out there in the #DunkContest #AllStarWeekend Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Nazr Mohammed, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka 

OKC built a huge lead on the Boston Celtics, then held on for a 119-104 victory before another sellout crowd of 18,203 at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Garnett finished with 23 points (8 for 11 from the field), 13 rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Ibaka finished with four points (1 for 5 from the field), five rebounds, one block and a healthy dose of humility. “I always loved the energy he brings to his team,” Ibaka explained of why he adores Garnett's game. “He is strong, athletic and I loved his post moves when I was young.” Oklahoman

Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Garnett, Serge Ibaka 

Garnett learned Wednesday that Ibaka had idolized him growing up, which drew a chuckle. “Really?” Garnett said, hustling to catch a team bus. “I haven't watched enough of Serge to really know his game. I know he's a big man who has range. He plays hard and has great athletic ability. Serge is going to be as good as Serge wants to be, and it's all up to him.” Oklahoman

Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Garnett, Serge Ibaka 

It was Ibaka's third game this season with at least 10 blocked shots — the third time in 11 games that Ibaka's had double-digit rejections. The last player to record three games of at least 10 blocked shots was Shawn Bradley, who had five during the 1996-97 season. “He's been phenomenal, man,” said Durant, who scored a career-high 51 points. “It's just fun to watch.” Ibaka recorded eight of his 11 blocked shots in the second half and overtime. But he earned his triple double in regulation, rejecting his 10th shot, a layup by Ty Lawson, with 2:32 to play in the fourth quarter. All told, Ibaka blocked at least one shot of six Nuggets players. He got Afflalo, Corey Brewer and Andre Miller twice apiece and lightening quick point guard Ty Lawson three times. “Serge cleaned up a lot of our mistakes,” said Brooks. “That's what he does…Serge is protecting the basket as well as I've seen. To have three games of double-digit blocked shots…It's pretty impressive. He has a desire to help his teammates out, and that's what he does. He has great instincts.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Serge Ibaka 

Jorge Sierra: Thunder forward Serge Ibaka jumped the gun a little bit when saying he was entering the dunk contest. We're told Ibaka is indeed thrilled about the possibility of taking part in the contest, but there's no confirmation from the NBA about it. Actually, Ibaka has not been reached out about the dunk contest this year yet. He was last year way before the All-Star Weekend. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Serge Ibaka