On Thursday, the first, second, and third All-NBA Team selections were officially revealed. Among the players being named to the first team were "The King" LeBron James, as well as the top two NBA MVP candidates this past season, Houston's James Harden, and Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook. Rounding out the five players who were named to the first team were San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard and New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis. Here's the latest on these selections, as well as the selections making the other two All-NBA Teams.
First team notes
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has already put his name in the history books for multiple reasons, including his stats and All-Star appearances over the course of his superstar career. Today, he joined some exclusive company with former Utah Jazz player Karl Malone and Lakers star Kobe Bryant. These three players have been selected 11 times each for All-NBA first teams, the most in the history of the league.
Of today's players named to the first All-NBA team, only James Harden was a unanimous selection. Some fans and analysts might feel that this could be pointing toward Harden claiming the NBA MVP Award next month, rather than Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook. The OKC guard averaged a triple-double for the season, broke Oscar Robertson's single-season record for triple-doubles, and led his team to the NBA Playoffs.
Harden has been named to the first team for the third time, while Westbrook has been named for his second-straight time.
2016-17 All-NBA teams are in. James Harden was the only unanimous player named to the First Team. pic.twitter.com/TtnJoySWx6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 18, 2017
Kawhi Leonard has also been mentioned as a potential NBA MVP candidate, along with LeBron James.
Both players are still part of the NBA postseason, although Leonard had to miss Game 2 of the Spurs' series against the Warriors due to an ankle injury. His condition is unknown as far as Game 3 goes. Leonard's selection for the first team marks his second-straight season receiving that accolade.
For the Pelicans' Anthony Davis, this marks his second selection to the first team, with his previous appearance back in 2015.
It's likely the talented young center will add a few more to his resume before his career is finished.
Second & third teams
While the All-NBA First team seems tough to argue against, fans will begin the debate over the second and third teams. The second team was revealed to include Boston Celtics' guard Isaiah Thomas, Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well as Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
On the third team, fans will find another Golden State Warriors player, Draymond Green, along with John Wall of the Washington Wizards, DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors, the Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler, and Los Angeles Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan.
Two players who are up for contract negotiations or possibly free agency in the near future that did not make the team are Utah's top scorer Gordon Hayward, and the Indiana Pacers' All-Star Paul George. There have been growing rumors that George could be headed for a new team, with Hayward's name also popping up in NBA trade rumors.