The NBA Finals are approaching quickly. As the playoff field slims down from four teams to two, we must not forget about the stars who separated themselves from the rest. The All-NBA teams are squads established to recognize a player’s performance throughout the regular season. Although players seem to blossom to new heights during the postseason, their performances up to the playoffs matter too. With the All-NBA teams being on the verge of being announced, I give you my outlook as to who should receive All-NBA First-Team honors.
Guard #1: Warriors PG Stephen Curry
Ever since the 2014-15 season, Stephen Curry has been virtually taking over the league. And, even with Kevin Durant on his team, this year is no different. The first team is where we find our most obvious choices. Curry, playing only 69 games this season, definitely made his presence felt. His performance post-All-Star propelled him (in my eyes) past Paul George in the MVP race.
In 69 games, Curry averaged 27.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. He led the Warriors to the first seed in the West with a 57-25 record. And, although this is a regular season honor, Curry also has the Warriors in the NBA Finals despite Durant missing the last five games. More on his regular season campaign, he was sixth in the league in scoring as well as first in three-pointers made.
There isn’t much to say about Stephen Curry and his tremendous regular season. He, once again, showed us why he’s the best point guard in the NBA. Even with a treacherous starting five with players who need the ball, he still got his. Steph’s ongoing season showed us how great he truly is and can be. Whether Kevin Durant is on the court or not, Curry shows up and out as a top-five player in today’s game. And, after missing out on the first-team the past two seasons, there’s no doubt that he should return to this list.
Guard #2: Rockets SG James Harden
Throughout the multitude of NBA articles I’ve written since September, my stance on James Harden’s season has remained unfazed. Believe it or not, James Harden IS the MVP of the league. He, without a doubt, deserves a spot on this list. Beyond that, he was the best player in the league this season. Weeks ago, I gave my stance on why James Harden is the MVP. A more in-depth analysis of one of the greatest individual seasons I’ve ever seen brought me to conclude that Harden is undoubtedly the MVP.
Highlights of Harden’s season included notching 36.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists during the regular season. En route to averaging the most points in a season since Michael Jordon, Harden would go 32 straight games with at least 30 points; 23 different teams, seven games of 45+, and one unstoppable step-back jumper. Harden did it all for the Rockets in a year where many doubted them after losing key defensive players last offseason.
In terms of this season, James Harden was the best player in the NBA. His spot on this First-Team should be unanimous considering the type of regular season campaign he put together. If you’re in the talks surrounding the best individual seasons in the modern era, then you’re a special player.
Forward #1: Bucks SF Giannis Antetokounmpo
If you ask people to name one person that should be on the First-Team, Giannis is most likely the first name said. The Greek Freak had himself a YEAR. In his fifth year with Milwaukee, Giannis led them to a 60-22 record, the best record in the NBA.
Giannis, much like Harden, was unstoppable at many points in the season. He averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. His effort on the offensive end paralleled his effort on the defensive end. Giannis and Oscar Roberton (in the 1961-62 season) are the only two players to put up that type of stat-line. How dominant was Giannis Antetokoumpo? “Big Diesel” himself Shaquille O’Neal dubbed Giannis worthy of the Superman title. Giannis carried a team that had the 16th best record in the league to home-court advantage throughout the entire playoffs.
We haven’t seen a player as physical or dominant as Giannis Antetokounmpo since Shaq himself. He gives players on the court as hard of a time as he does the opposing coaches. Giannis ranks first in both defensive rating and win shares. As a player who’s in consideration for both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards, there’s no doubt that this spot belongs to Giannis. The debate more so should be whether or not his spot is unanimous. But, we all know the answer to that question.
Forward #2: Thunder SF Paul George
Paul George is another player who I’ve written numerous articles on this season. George’s spot on this list was up for debate considering his decline in the second-half of the season. However, looking at what he did throughout the season, he’s earned his spot on this list.
After the departure of Kevin Durant, it was almost certain that Russell Westbrook would be the guy in Oklahoma City in all stat categories. And, that’s what makes George’s season all the more impressive.
George averaged 28 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.2 steals which were all career-highs. He enhanced his game equally on both the offensive and defensive ends which were crucial parts of the Thunder’s (somewhat) success. Although he wasn’t the same player after the All-Star break, George still kept exceeding the expectations set for him. He already notched himself All-Defensive First-Team honors for his tremendous work on the defensive side of the ball.
With the massive improvement George made to his game, he led the Thunder to a 49-33 after a tough second half of the season. Although George struggled with a shoulder injury towards the end of the season and beyond, his numbers stayed consistent. In a tough West, the Thunder wouldn’t have made the playoffs without George’s contributions. He certainly deserves this spot ahead of KD.
Center #1: Sixers C Joel Embiid
This spot is another one that’s up for grabs. After Nuggets’ C Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets to the second seed in the West, some say that he should be in position. However, all year long, Joel Embiid was the best center in basketball.
In 64 games this season, Embiid put up averages of 27.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 blocks. In terms of his performance, Embiid was everything the Sixers needed on both the offensive and defensive ends. He only shot 30% from behind the arc this season but was a threat from there nonetheless. And, when defenders would get caught by that lethal pump-fake, it meant bad news for whoever was in the paint.
Embiid, being the best player on a stacked Sixers team, led them to a 51-31 record. It was good enough for the third seed in the East. Down the stretch of the regular season, he was another player who I saw as possibly overtaking Paul George in the MVP race. In the time following the All-Star Game, while Paul George had a decline in his season, Embiid was fifth in scoring over that time span (28.8).
It’s easy to make the case for Nikola Jokic in this spot. However, if we’re looking at each player’s individual regular season, Embiid separates himself in almost every facet of the game. Although injuries were, once again, a concern for the big man, there’s no doubt that he had an amazing third year in the NBA.
This First-Team displays who I see as the NBA’s elite this season. Although the argument can be made for Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, or even Nikola Jokic, their respective seasons simply didn’t match up with the players above. All of the players separated themselves from the rest in the NBA.
Did anyone get snubbed from my All-NBA First-Team? Let me know.