I spent a lot of time following the league and doing lots of research, too. Here are my picks for the first, second, and third-team All-NBA, plus several guys who almost made my list but didn’t quite make it.
First Team
Denver’s Nikola Jokic (AP Photo/David Zalubowski/Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (DEN): As for the first four on this list, Jokic is a lock for first team and will only fall to at worst second on this list, but his dominance is to a level never seen before. His on-off numbers bring the Nuggets from the 25th worst team (-4.5 net rating without him) to the 4th best (+5.3 net rating with him), which is absurd. While this does not necessarily boost their playoff chances, it reflects very well on him and shows the season-changing value he has brought to them this season. More specifically, they are all-around better offensively as they shoot 6% better on non-heave three-point attempts, 8% better on two-point attempts, 9% better true shooting percent, and 20.41(!!!) more points per 100 possessions. He became the third player to average a triple-double and was in the top three in all categories, averaging 29.6 ppg, 12.7 rpg, and 10.2 apg.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): As one of the two frotwot runners for the MVP race, Gilgeous-Alexander has a robust case to be at the top of this list as he has been nothing short of incredible heading the most dominant team of all-time by overall point differential (12.87 ppg) which is above the ‘95-‘96 Bulls and the 2016-2017 Warriors, but his individual excellencestounding this year. Among guards, as designated by Crafted NBA, he is 3rd in actual shooting percentage(of players playing more than 700 minutes) whilst averaging 32.7 ppg as the two ahead of him (Keon Ellis and Gary Payton II, respectively) combine to average 14.8 ppg less than half of Gilgeous-Alexander’s number. He is also first in Win Shares, EPM (Estimated Plus Minus), and Estimated Wins. This is even more impressive when Jokic usually dominates these states. Still, Gilgeous-Alexander has toppled him in all of these this season to cap off an incredible year for Oklahoma City.
Giannis (photo courtesy NBA.com)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): You would think that someone averaging 30.4 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 6.5 apg on 60% from the field would be talked about for MVP as much as the two above, but Antetokounmpo has been the third wheel in this two-horse race to no fault of his own. One of the main things that derailed Antetokounmpo’s chance at MVP is that he has only played 67 games this year, two below the minimum to qualify for these accolades. Antetokounmpo is arguably the best two-way player in the association, being 2nd in points and 10th among bigs (Power Forwards and Centers) in Defensive Box Plus Minus according to Crafted NBA.
Jayson Tatum (BOS): In his seemingly annual spot on these lists, Tatum slots in easily at number 4 on this team as he led another great Celtics team to seemingly coast to the second seed in a weaker Eastern Conference, but his prowess helped them reach that point again. Averaging 26.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, and a career high six apgsix Tatum is 4th in estimated wins, only behind the three players already listed; he is second in Offensive DARKO, and 11th in Box Plus Minus among players playing over 700 minutes this season. Overall, Tatum has consistently been one of the best players in the association, and that is what gets him on this list.
Donovan Mitchell (CLE): This spot is up for grabs between a handful of guys. However, Mitchell’s sacrifice of his personal counting stats has allowed the Cavaliers to surprise the league and become the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. One stat that particularly points to this fact is his shot quality. He is 11th among primary ball handlers as defined by Crafted NBA in that stat, showing that he has been less reliant on tough shot-making that he is known for; instead, allowing his team to get better shots, helping them reach the top of the East. He is also 7th in EPM, an all-in-one stat to measure impact, showing Mitchell’s impact on this dominant Cleveland team.
Second Team
Courtesy: YouTube.com
Steph Curry (GSW): At his age-36 season, Curry helped the Warriors in the second half of the season, from out of the postseason to the seven-seed, and a Harrison Barnes game-winner from even higher. Curry averaged 24.5 ppg, number 18 in the league, helping them go 23-8 since they acquired Butler. Curry is also number 6 in EPM, 7th in Estimated Wins, and 12th among guards playing at least 800 minutes in True Shooting Percentage.
Anthony Edwards (MIN): Edwards made one of the most shocking developments in his game over the summer, adding a 39.5% three-point shooter on the 4th most attempts per game of players playing at least 800 minutes, an almost Curry-level shooting this year. He is averaging 27.6 ppg, a career high in that stat, with 5.7 rpg and 4.5 apg. He is 6th in Estimated Wins, showing how important he is to this Minnesota team, and his play this year allowed them to finish 6th in an all-time tough, rugged season.
Jalen Brunson (NYK): The engine for this Knicks offense, which ranks 5th in offensive net rating, Brunson has been incredible yet again for this Knicks team. He is 8th in box creation, a stat that measures how many open looks one creates for teammates, and The King of New York has been especially great in that skill this year, averaging a career-high in assists with 7.3 a game. Whilst that has improved, he continues to be a great scorer, putting in 26 a game for New York, ranking him 10th in the league.
Evan Mobley (photo courtesy of Cavalier Nation)
Evan Mobley (CLE): A top candidate for Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year, Mobley has evolved his game to fit alongside another big player, Jarrett Allen. Mobley averaged a career-high in points, and his actual shooting is accurate, showing his ability to improve his efficiency even with his increase in scoring. His defense is still incredible as opponents shoot 8.9 percent worse at the rim when he is defending it vs their normal percent. He is also 12th in EPM, again showing his overall impact on the top-seeded Cavs.
Tyrese Haliburton (IND): While not being named an All-Star, Haliburton looks to become the second player this decade (Jimmy Butler, 2020-2021) to be named All-NBA without being named an All-Star, but this recognition is well deserved. While he started slowly, averaging 15.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, and 8.5 apg in his first 15 games, he turned it around, averaging 19.1 ppg, 9.6 apg, and 3.6 rpg in his last 50. Another thing that separates Haliburton from the rest of the pack is his low turnover rate and high assist rate. Ranking 5th in passer rating, whilst having a significantly higher usage rate than those ahead of him, Halliburton makes a case to be one of the most efficient passers of all time. Even with his funky-looking jump shot, he ranks 12th among players who take at least seven three-point attempts a game in percentage and is 13th among guards in accurate shooting percentage.
Third Team
Ivica Zubac (LAC): The top 4 players in Estimated Wins are: Shai Gilgious-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum. The 5th place person on that list is Ivica Zubac. Zubac has been incredible for a surprisingly great Clippers team this season. As with Halliburton, Zubac was not an All-Star this year, but his way of earning this spot is more similar to Mobley’s. Zubac is also in the running for both DPOY and MIP. In his 9th NBA season, Zubac is averaging career highs in PPPG(16.8), RPG (12.6), APG (2.7), and Spg (0.7). Zubac’s impact on the defensive end is sensational, the anchor of the third-ranked Clippers’ defense, who has been incredible defending the rim this season as opponents shoot 9.2% worse than their normal percent when he meets them there and leads the league in total offensive and defensive rebounds, not only showing his amazing rebounding ability, but also his availability playing 80/82 possible games for Los Angeles this season.
Cade Cunningham (photo courtesy Detroit Bad Boys)
Cade Cunningham (DET): The first-time All-Star carried the Pistons to over triple their prior season win total, going from 14 wins to 42 wins this year, but his excellence needs to be recognized, and it most likely will as it is here. Another candidate for MIP, averaging his mostPPGg (26.1) and Apg (9.1, ranks 4th in NBA), Cunningham has been essential to Motor City’s immense success this year. With those 9.1 assists a game, Cade has been one of the best playmakers this year, being 3rd in Box Creation and 4th in offensive load, showing that he can keep up this ability even with this much opportunity.
Jalen Williams (OKC): One of the most versatile two-way players in the NBA, J-Dub averaged 21.7 Points Per Game, a career high, whilst being in the 100% percentile in defensive versatility according to Crafted NBA, as for most of the Thunder team, he is one of the best defenders in the league, and also has people shoot 10.9% worse vs their average. He’s also in the 94th % percentile in box creation, showing his improvement as a playmaker. His overall value is also immense, finishing 14th in EPM, but among award-eligible players(at least 65 games played), he finished 10th.
LeBron James (LAL): Looking for his 21st All-NBA appearance, James continues to show his excellence on the court, helping propel the Lakers (along with Nico Harrison) to the third seed in the loaded Western Conference. Even at age 40, LeBron averages 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 8.2 APG. He is still one of the actors, in the 99th percentile of box creation and the 96th percentile of passer rating. His overall impact is also shown as he is 10th among award-eligible players in Crafted Plus Minus.
Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK): After being traded to the Knicks in an off-season blockbuster, Towns has been nothing short of sensational for New York in the 72 games he played this year. He averaged a career high in RPG (12.8) and put up 24.4PPG, leading him to an All-Star starter nod and most likely an All-NBA one. Even with those crazy scoring numbers, he was in the 96th percentile of shot quality, as his duo with Brunson has generated plenty of great looks for them and others. This has helped lead the Knicks to a top-5 offense and the third seed in the East.
First few out: James Harden (LAC), Alperen Sengun (HOU), Jaren Jackson Jr. (MEM), Domantas Sabonis (SAC), Darius Garland (CLE), Pascal Siakam (IND), Trae Young (ATL), Bam Adebayo (MIA)
