With NBA playoffs well under the way, the League announced on Thursday night that All-NBA teams selections for the 2016/2017 season have been made. As we await to see how long will it take for the Cavaliers and the Warriors to go through their respective conferences and meet in the finals, the fans got the opportunity to see who made the cut for the elite company of All-NBA first, second and third team.
The All-NBA Teams were chosen by a global, esteemed panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters. They were asked to select two guards, two forwards and one center for each team, choosing players based on the position they regularly play for their respective teams.
All-NBA First team
Russell Westbrook - Westbrook had a historic season as we all well know for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Amongst his many accomplishments this season, Westbrook set an NBA single-season record with 42 triple-doubles and became just the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season. He led the league in scoring and finished the season averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists.
James Harden - Harden helped his Houston Rockets finish with the third-best record in the league at 55-27. Harden had an amazing season as he recorded a career-high 22 triple-doubles, and finished the season averaging a career-high 29.1 points and 11.2 assists. He led the league with 746 free-throws made.
Harden is the lone player to be a unanimous first-team selection this season.
LeBron James - Even in his 14th season in the league, James continues to get better and to thrill every basketball fan. He led the Cavaliers to the second-best record in the Eastern conference averaging 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists.
James matched an NBA record with his 11th First Team selection tying the marks set by Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone.
Since his rookie season, LeBron has now made an All-NBA selection 13 straight times.
Kawhi Leonard - One of the premier defenders in the NBA elevated his game in the 2016/2017 season as he averaged a career-high 25.5 points per game. He led the San Antonio Spurs to the second-best record in the league at 61-21. Leonard became the first Spurs player to average 25.0 points since Tim Duncan in the 2001-02 season.
Anthony Davis - Although his New Orleans Pelicans didn't make the playoffs, the way that Davis performed during the season was nothing short of spectacular. He ranked fourth in the NBA in scoring with 28 points per game, averaged a career-high 11.8 rebounds and also added 2.23 blocks per game.
Kevin Durant and Isaiah Thomas left out?
After announcing the All-NBA first team, the one thing that sticks out to the fans is that there is no Golden State players on that team. After adding Kevin Durant to their team, the Warriors finished the season with the best record in the league and looked like the favorites to win the championship.
Here's the list of the All-NBA Second team:
Isaiah Thomas - Boston Celtics guard finished the season averaging a career-high 28.9 points and added 5.9 assists per game.
Stephen Curry - Curry led the Warriors in scoring with 25.3 points during the season while shooting 41% from behind the arc.
Kevin Durant - Durant was the second leading scorer for Golden State with 25.1 points per game and added 8.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to the sixth-best record in the Eastern conference. He led his in points(22.9), rebounds(8.8), assists(5.4), blocks(1.9) and steals(1.6) per game.
Rudy Gobert - Gobert was the anchor of Utah's defense this season as they allowed just 96.3 points per game during the regular season. They finished the year with the fifth-best record in the Western conference and made it to the playoffs.
Gobert averaged 14.0 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game for the year.
These are the five players the media chose as this season's All-NBA third team:
John Wall (Washington Wizards) 23.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 10.7 assists per game
DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors) 27.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game
Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls) 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists per game
Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors) 10.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists per game
DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers) 12.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game