This season has been truly exceptional in countless ways. From beginning to end, each team gave the fans something to be excited about, and now that it’s all over, it’s time for the best performers of this season to get their recognition.
Coming at the end of a line of accolade winner reveals, Shams Charania finally gave dropped the bombshell we’ve all been waiting for with the All-NBA team selections.
1st: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo2nd: Stephen Curry, Donovan Mitchell, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jokic, Jaylen Brown3rd: Damian Lillard, De’Aaron Fox, LeBron James, Julius Randle, Domantas Sabonis
Right away, we can see some familiar names. For dudes like Embiid, Tatum, Giannis, Butler, Jokic, and LeBron, it’s pretty much a yearly tradition to make at least one of the All-NBA teams, and the fans were happy to see them there again.
For guys like Jaylen Brown and De’Aaron Fox, there was much debate on if they’d make the final cut, but it seems they played well enough to get the nod.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was probably the most controversial pick, as he was named to the All-NBA first team despite playing for a Thunder team that missed the postseason.
There’s never going to be an All-NBA list that fans are going to completely agree with, so the NBA media did a pretty good job compiling each of the teams and giving each player the recognition they deserve. That’s not to say there weren’t players who got snubbed, but maybe it will serve as motivation for some of them to step up their game next season.
How Will All-NBA Teams Impact Upcoming Offseason?
Making the All-NBA roster is not just for bragging rights. For many players, making any of the three teams means more money in their pocket, and that was the case for guys like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who secured millions for making the cut.
In the case of Brown, it allows him to negotiate a supermax contract with the Celtics this summer.
“If Jaylen gets voted All-NBA he’s going to stay a Celtic. If Jaylen doesn’t get voted All-NBA he’s going to be a free agent…”
It’s impossible to say how the All-NBA rosters will impact decision-making for teams and free agents this offseason, but there is no mistaking who the best players in the game are right now, and it will be interesting to see if that changes anytime soon.
