The All-Star break is looming and there is a clear picture of which players have been living up to their standards and which have not; which players have burst onto the NBA scene in surprise and which have flopped under the pressure.
At the end of each season, the NBA honors the best players by naming them to the All-NBA Teams. There are three teams: First Team, Second Team and Third Team. Each generally consists of five players: two guards, two forwards and one center, voted on by a group of sportswriters and broadcasters.
Below are my All-NBA Team predictions.
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FIRST TEAM
G – Chris Paul
Despite not playing a game in 36 days, the league’s premier point guard is worthy of this accolade. Chris Paul suffered a separated right shoulder on January 3 against the Dallas Mavericks, forcing him to miss more than one month of the season. He returned Sunday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring seven points and picking up eight assists in a 123-78 win.
Playing in the second-largest market in the league, Paul has exceeded expectations with both the New Orleans Hornets and now the Los Angeles Clippers. He is currently averaging 19.6 points and 11.2 assists per game, and is consistently among the top players in PER, at 27.30 this season.
The one blemish Paul has on his resume is the lack of postseason success, but the guidance of Doc Rivers, combined with an improved Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, make the Clippers an attractive team to make some noise come May and June.
G – Stephen Curry
In five seasons, Stephen Curry has elevated himself from Davidson College’s best player to the verge of NBA superstardom. The shooting guard is widely considered to have the best stroke on the planet, producing huge shots in even bigger games to secure wins for his Golden State Warriors squad.
On January 2 against the Miami Heat, Curry dropped 36 points and dished out 12 assists to lead his team past the two-time defending champions 123-114.
In a victory over the Utah Jazz later that month, Curry tallied 44 points, including eight three-pointers to defeat the Utah Jazz 95-90.
In 48 games this season, Curry is averaging 24.6 points and 9.0 assists, knocking down more than three treys per contest while shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc. At 31-21, the Warriors seem poised for the playoffs and with the ball in Curry’s hands, opponents will never feel comfortable.
F – LeBron James
LeBron James will most likely miss out on his fifth Most Valuable Player Award in the last six seasons. Yet, there is little reason to doubt James is still the best player in the world. The Miami Heat mega-star is averaging 26.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 48 games this season, though it is apparent that he is, to some degree, “coasting” through the season. The Heat own the Eastern Conference’s second-best record at 35-14 and although they trail the Indiana Pacers, the two-time defending champions are still the team to beat, and James is still the one player that others will be forced to beat when it matters most.
James is also clutch; in clutch situations (games within five points in the last five minutes), he is shooting 54.4 percent from the field while averaging 4.1 points – third-highest in the league.
F – Kevin Durant
If not LeBron, then who? Well, that’s easy; Kevin Durant. The 25-year-old is leading the MVP race due to his historic season, averaging 31.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists. In his last 13 games, the 6-9 Oklahoma City Thunder forward has four 40-point games – more than any other player throughout the entire season up to this point.
Durant has also played a large portion of the season without partner-in-crime Russell Westbrook, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on December 27. What makes this even more impressive is that Durant has led the Thunder to an NBA-best 41-12 record and looks poised for another run to the Finals after a disappointing second-round exit last May.
C – Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard has finally found a home after a chaotic season with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. The Houston Rockets center is averaging 18.8 points to go along with 12.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 52 contests.
It is also apparent how much Howard means to his new team; the Rockets have yet to win a game in which he has failed to eclipse at least 20 points–as D12 goes, so does Houston.
At 28, Howard is still in search of his first NBA title. Alongside James Harden, the two stars have led their team to the five-seed in the Western Conference with a record of 35-17, just eleven less wins than they had all of last season.
Hit page 2 to check out the Second Team…
SECOND TEAM
G – Russell Westbrook
Though Russell Westbrook is still sidelined while recovering from a knee injury, the Thunder guard is expected back shortly after the All-Star break. In 25 games, the 25-year-old averaged 21.3 points, 7.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds. Not only is he one of the best scorers in the game today, but his athleticism and energy on the court allow Westbrook to sky for rebounds, pulling down more boards than opponents bigger than him. (He averages just 0.9 less rebounds than 6-8 LeBron James.)
G – James Harden
James Harden possesses a motor that rarely stops. At 24, the Rockets shooting guard has attempted 370 free throws, the most out of any non-forward or center in the league. On December 26 against the Memphis Grizzlies, Harden shot just 2-of-9 from the field but finished with 27 points. He managed to get to the free throw line 25 times, knocking down 22 of his attempts. Harden made history that night, becoming the first player to ever score at least 27 points while hitting two or fewer shots from the field.
F – Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is a really great player, on a really bad team. The New York Knicks are struggling mightily, but it has nothing to do with the seven-time All-Star. Anthony is putting 27.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, and when the Knicks actually have won this season, it’s largely due to the play of the 29-year-old. With free agency looming, ‘Melo must make the tough decision whether to leave New York and all of the opportunities it allows him to have, to truly have the ability to contend for a ring.
Earlier in the season, Anthony displayed just how good of a scorer he is. On January 24 against the Charlotte Bobcats, the former Syracuse Orange star scored 62 points, breaking both the Knicks franchise record for total points scored in a single game as well as Kobe Bryant‘s Madison Square Garden scoring record.
Here is his (insane) shot chart from the game:
F – Kevin Love
Kevin Love may not be spending much more time in a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey, but wherever the big man ends up after his 2015 free agency, he will continue to put up mind-boggling numbers. In his sixth season in the league, the former No. 5 overall pick is averaging 25.7 points and 13.3 rebounds in 49 games. He is shooting over 45 percent from the field and picks up close to four assists per contest as well.
Despite a 120-113 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on February 1, Love scored 43 and added 19 rebounds, shooting 12-of-22 from the field. He followed that up by recording 31 points and 17 rebounds in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
C – DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins was “snubbed” from the All-Star Game, but he won’t be from the All-NBA Team. Just 23 years old, the Sacramento Kings center has joined the conversation as one of the league’s elite big men. He is averaging 22.7 points on 48.3 percent shooting, 11.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks–all career-highs.
Just as with any other player, there are knocks on Cousins. The Kings are 17-34 and sit at the bottom of the Pacific Division. “How can a player get such recognition if he’s not on a winning team?” many of the critics ask. Well, for starters, Sacramento’s franchise was retooled late last offseason, when new owners and coaches were brought in. Two recent midseason trades were made, changing the roster on the fly and forcing the Kings to cope with it. Also, in the seven games Cousins has missed due to injury, the Kings are winless. 0-7.
Hit page 3 for a look at the Third Team…
THIRD TEAM
G – Damian Lillard
Sophomore slump? The term doesn’t apply for the Reigning Rookie of the Year. Damian Lillard picked up right where his rookie campaign left off, and is averaging 20.8 points and 5.7 assists, leading the surprising Portland Trail Blazers to a record of 36-15, good for the third seed in the Western Conference.
G – Goran Dragic
No, this is not a typo. Goran Dragic is having a career-year, and deserves to be recognized for it. The Phoenix Suns point guard has emerged as one of the NBA’s biggest surprises on arguably the most surprising team. The team was expected to be toward the bottom of the Western Conference, but the young team has come out and played inspired basketball, currently holding the six seed with a 30-20 record.
Similar to Cousins, the 27-year-old can be considered an All-Star “snub.” He may have used this as fuel to his fire when he came out hot against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. Dragic recorded his fifth double-double of the season, pouring in 34 points and pumping out 10 assists to beat the Warriors 122-109. He shot 10-of-13 from the field and 6-of-7 from beyond the arc.
F – Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin is fun to watch. It seems like he posterizes opponents and throws down high-flying dunks every night the Clippers play. What is more impressive about Griffin, however, is how he picked up his game during the absence of his point guard Chris Paul. At 24, Griffin raised the level of his play to prove that he, too, can serve as a franchise-player. He is averaging a career-high 23.9 points and grabbing down 9.8 boards per game.
Although Paul is now back, expect Griffin to continue to play with the same level of confidence. As head coach Doc Rivers told Arash Markazi of ESPN on Friday, “He’s spectacular right now. He’s one of the best players in the league and he’s going to get a lot better still. That’s a scary thought.”
And like I said, he is really fun to watch:
F – LaMarcus Aldridge
It wasn’t too long ago that LaMarcus Aldridge wanted out of Portland. Now, less than one year later, the 28-year-old has emerged as the leader of one the league’s elite teams. The former No. 2 overall pick is averaging a double-double, scoring 24.1 points and grabbing 11.5 rebounds in 51 games this season.
Aldridge also comes through in the clutch when his team is counting on him. On January 23, the Blazers pulled out a tight 110-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Aldridge led the way with 44 points on 15-of-29 shooting, while pulling down 17 rebounds.
C – Roy Hibbert
Roy Hibbert may not put up jaw-dropping numbers, but he is one of the best all-around centers in the game, who does what needs doing to propel the Indiana Pacers to success. His team currently boasts the Eastern Conference’s best record (39-11) and is a legitimate title contender.
At 27, Hibbert has found his role with the Pacers. He plays defense. He rebounds the basketball. And when he needs to, he scores. In 49 games this season, the former Georgetown standout is averaging 12 points and 7.7 rebounds, adding 2.4 blocks per game.
He’s also a really good guy:
Hit page 4 to check out the honorable mentions…
HONORABLE MENTION
G – John Wall
Just over one year ago, there was worry among John Wall and the Washington Wizards organization that a stress fracture in the young star’s left knee could potentially cost him his third season in the NBA and set him back even further. Now, Wall has only the up-coming All-Star Game and Slam Dunk Contest to worry about.
He will be playing in his first ever All-Star Game later this month, and has finally begun to receive the acknowledgment he deserves. While he is inching closer to joining an All-NBA Team, that may have to wait until next season.
The 6-4 point guard out of the University of Kentucky is averaging career-highs in points (20.1) and assists (8.5), but has yet to take the leap in the shooting department. Wall has a field goal percentage of 42.5 percent, a downgrade from last season. Here is his shot chart from the season so far:
G – Dwyane Wade
While many critics have already written off Dwyane Wade among the game’s top players, the Miami Heat-lifer still has some gas left in the tank. It’s tough to give Wade an All-NBA Team nod because he frequently sits out games to rest his knees and keep him healthy for the playoffs, but when he does hit the court, he performs.
In 36 games this season, D-Wade is averaging 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists. His most impressive performance of the season came early this month on February 3. In a tightly-contested game against the Detroit Pistons, Wade recorded his first double-double of the season. He scored 30 points and added 10 rebounds as the Heat sunk the Pistons 102-96.
F – Paul George
Yes. Paul George is a two-time All-Star starter who is just 23 years of age, and yes, he was voted Third Team All-NBA last season. But no, he is not worthy of the All-NBA honor this season. On the surface, he is surely deserving of it; heck, some may even argue he should’ve moved up to Second Team, or at least remain at Third. The Pacers are the best team in the East and George is the best player on the team; it makes sense, doesn’t it? It is a common argument, and a fair one. But George has fallen off in the last month or so. He just isn’t the same player who was in the MVP discussion with LeBron and KD just a few months ago.
If they decide to consider him a guard, however, then he makes–at least–the Third Team, possibly the Second Team.
George will certainly be back, but this season just isn’t his year for individual accolades. No matter how many awesome dunks he throws down:
F – Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis is an emerging superstar. At just 20 years of age, the Brow can flat-out ball. In his second year in the league, Davis is averaging 20.7 points and 10.3 rebounds, not to mention 3.1 blocks per game. On multiple occasions, he has filled up the stat sheets for the injury-stricken New Orleans Pelicans. In 43 games, he has picked up 23 double-doubles–12th in the league.
His play has not gone unnoticed; since Kobe Bryant‘s injury will force him to sit out the All-Star Game, Davis has been named his replacement. He is deserving of the honor, but he must serve his rights of passage before being named as an All-NBA’er.
C – Al Jefferson
Maybe it’s because he’s quiet. Or maybe it’s because he’s not as flashy as others. But Al Jefferson is one of the most underrated and under-appreciated players in recent memory. In his ten-plus seasons in the NBA, the former No. 15 overall pick holds career averages of 16.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and over one block and steal per game. This season, he is the catalyst on the Charlotte Bobcats, which have a realistic chance of making the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history. Without Jefferson, they wouldn’t be in the conversation.
Though he isn’t elite, he’s just about as close as it gets. While averaging more than a double-double on the season, Jefferson consistently puts up impressive numbers. On January 29 in a three-point victory over the Denver Nuggets, the 29-year-old scored 35 points and added 11 rebounds. Two days later, in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Jefferson scored 40 points in less than 39 minutes and grabbed down 18 rebounds. The guy is, and has been, for real.
What do you think?
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