The individual awards for this season were actually quite easy to pick. Because All-NBA teams have odd positional restrictions, these picks were agonizingly difficult. Here goes:
First Team All-NBA
G: Stephen Curry
G: James Harden
F: Kawhi Leonard
F: LeBron James
C: DeMarcus Cousins
It pains me to leave Draymond Green and Chris Paul off the first team, replacing Cousins and Harden. But Curry, being the consensus MVP, is obviously for the first team. Leonard is the best two-way player in the league; he deserves the spot as well. LeBron is still putting up 25-7-7 on 52% shooting on the best team in the East. The Cavs without him literally cannot win a game. James Harden, even with his record-breaking season of turnovers and utter lack of defense, is carrying a Houston team without another playmaker scoring 29 points a game. Dwight can no longer provide 8-10 possessions of paint scoring. Putting Boogie on the first team is interesting. The Kings have a terrible team, but imagine replacing the centers on better teams (Horford, Drummond, Gasol) with Cousins. The Hawks, Pistons, and Bulls would probably be contending teams. Boogie, with his anger issues and semi-selfish play, is the best center in the league.
Second Team All-NBA
G: Chris Paul
G: Klay Thompson
F: Kevin Durant
F: Draymond Green
C: Andre Drummond
The case for Paul, Durant, and Green are obvious. Thompson is a better defensive player than Harden, by far. However, I'm in the opinion that replacing the two takes wins away from the Rockets and Warriors, but several more for the Rockets than the Warriors. Klay might not be the best feature creator for a team, but he's the best complementary scorer in the league. And that deserves recognition. Andre Drummond is the best two-way center in the NBA, at least for now. His rebounding, rim running, and rim protection allows the Pistons to run their four around one offense. In addition, before this year, only Elvin Hayes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, and Moses Maloe have averaged 15 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. Figuring in per minute statistics, Andre Drummond stands alone. Stan Van Gundy has found the perfect center to craft his team around, a center who does not want post touches and can still put up 16-18 points a game.
Third Team All-NBA
G: Russell Westbrook
G: DeMar DeRozan
F: Paul George
F: Lamarcus Aldridge
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
There are a couple value considerations that I had to make on this team, but George, Aldridge, and Westbrook are having seasons that deserve first or second team consideration. But the talent before them and positional restrictions cause an issue. Let's talk about DeRozan. I had a hard time deciding between him and Redick for this position. Given the absence of Griffin the entire year and Redick's ability to create space for the Paul-DJ pick and roll just by running around the floor, he makes a strong case for this nod. However, DeRozan, along with his backcourt mate Kyle Lowry, have lead the Raptors to a record 50+ wins. He's a strong defender and his ability to get to the rim edges out Redick's off-ball prowess. Lastly, selecting Towns for the final center position might draw the ire of several basketball purists. His team didn't even achieve 30 wins. But among players 6'9'' and taller, he has the sixth-highest PER. And the five above him include forwards Durant, Anthony Davis, Aldridge, Hassan Whiteside and his mean streak, and Demarcus Cousins (who I've already picked as the first team center). Why not recognize the rookie for his production this year?
First Team All-Defense
G: Chris Paul
G: Klay Thompson
F: Kawhi Leonard
F: Draymond Green
C: Paul Millsap
Leonard and Green need no explanation. Chris Paul is the definitive defensive leader on the Clippers, even though Doc loves crediting DJ for that. Paul blows up pick and rolls by judging exactly when to attack the ball handler and when to shade the roller, which allows the secondary and tertiary help to rotate on time. Thompson on defense is what Curry on offense is to the Warriors. Green's versatility makes the unit tick, but Thompson's ball pressure and length creates problems for any ball handler. Paul Millsap is not technically a center, but since he wasn't able to make it to the All-NBA teams, I think he needed to be recognized in some way. Millsap has a top five defensive rating, and if one of those crazy forwards who can get steals, blocks, and threes (not relevant to All-Defense, but whatever), while, at the same time, rebounding and switching onto point guards and wings.
Second Team All-Defense
G: Kyle Lowry
G: Danny Green
F: Paul George
F: Jae Crowder
C: Lamarcus Aldridge
Paul George could have easily made the first team since he's the spark in the Pacers defense. Lowry does for the Raptors defense exactly what Paul does for the Clippers's. Let's hone in on the other three on this team. Lamarcus Aldridge is the rim protector that Tim Duncan has been for years, providing great one-on-one post defense and amazing rotation. Jae Crowder provide the on-ball ball pressure that, despite Boston's lack of rim protection, gives them the pressure needed to create easy buckets but also is able to switch onto bigger players if need be. He's top twenty in defensive rating Danny Green is having a terrible shooting season, but him, along with Leonard, assure that no wing goes off against them. Green funnels opponents into the paint, only to meet Aldridge, Duncan, West, and Boban, all of whom are among top ten rim protectors, by minute.
First Team All-Rookie
Karl-Anthony Towns
Kristaps Porzingis
Devon Booker
Nikola Jokic
Justise Winslow
I've made my case for the top four here. They're all sure-fire long term veterans, if not stars. Here's where I provide my paragraph long ode to Winslow. He's already the best perimeter defender in the 2015 rookie class, with length and strength; that allows him to guard three positions. His offense, obviously need work, but as we've seen with Jimmy Butler and Paul George, wings can learn to lead offense as they mature. His shooting is trending upward, shooting over 39% from the three since the beginning of March. He already has the athleticism to be a great finisher. His ball-handling needs a lot of work, but it'll get there - just like it did with Butler and George. The one thing that sets him apart is his tenacity. At barely 6'6'' he averages around 7 rebounds per 36 minutes and nearly a steal and a half. He fights for loose balls and is more competitive than every rookie in this class. To top it all off, he's the only rookie of import on a team that can make it past the first round in the playoffs. That experience will help him develop. I'm expecting big things from Winslow, potentially a perennial All-Star and, at his very peak, perhaps an MVP candidate in the future.
First Team All-Rookie
Willie Cauley-Stein
Myles Turner
Josh Richardson
Trey Lyles
Jahlil Okafor
The 2015 draft class is probably going to be known as one of the deepest classes ever, especially after Emmanuel Mudiay and Russell develop. But the depth at the forward and center position will define this class. Willie Cauley-Stein will develop into an amazing defensive center and, given Boogie's shooting development, a great complementary piece. Myles Turner has shown the ability to develop into a rim-protecting stretch-five, a piece that will allow Indiana to transition to their up-tempo style. Josh Richardson is a revelation, a brilliant shooter and amazing athlete. If the trajectory he's shown so far continues, him and Winslow can be a great wing combo to succeed Wade. Trey Lyles is already a productive stretch four who's developing defensively. He's part of the reason of the Jazz's late season surge. Okafor's sheer offensive production earns him the last rookie honor. Kaminsky may be a better defensive presence, but Okafor has a chance to be a perennial 20-10 guy. He needs to learn some discipline to improve his defense, defensive rebounding, and off-court presence.
First Team All-NBA
G: Stephen Curry
G: James Harden
F: Kawhi Leonard
F: LeBron James
C: DeMarcus Cousins
It pains me to leave Draymond Green and Chris Paul off the first team, replacing Cousins and Harden. But Curry, being the consensus MVP, is obviously for the first team. Leonard is the best two-way player in the league; he deserves the spot as well. LeBron is still putting up 25-7-7 on 52% shooting on the best team in the East. The Cavs without him literally cannot win a game. James Harden, even with his record-breaking season of turnovers and utter lack of defense, is carrying a Houston team without another playmaker scoring 29 points a game. Dwight can no longer provide 8-10 possessions of paint scoring. Putting Boogie on the first team is interesting. The Kings have a terrible team, but imagine replacing the centers on better teams (Horford, Drummond, Gasol) with Cousins. The Hawks, Pistons, and Bulls would probably be contending teams. Boogie, with his anger issues and semi-selfish play, is the best center in the league.
Second Team All-NBA
G: Chris Paul
G: Klay Thompson
F: Kevin Durant
F: Draymond Green
C: Andre Drummond
The case for Paul, Durant, and Green are obvious. Thompson is a better defensive player than Harden, by far. However, I'm in the opinion that replacing the two takes wins away from the Rockets and Warriors, but several more for the Rockets than the Warriors. Klay might not be the best feature creator for a team, but he's the best complementary scorer in the league. And that deserves recognition. Andre Drummond is the best two-way center in the NBA, at least for now. His rebounding, rim running, and rim protection allows the Pistons to run their four around one offense. In addition, before this year, only Elvin Hayes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, and Moses Maloe have averaged 15 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. Figuring in per minute statistics, Andre Drummond stands alone. Stan Van Gundy has found the perfect center to craft his team around, a center who does not want post touches and can still put up 16-18 points a game.
Third Team All-NBA
G: Russell Westbrook
G: DeMar DeRozan
F: Paul George
F: Lamarcus Aldridge
C: Karl-Anthony Towns
There are a couple value considerations that I had to make on this team, but George, Aldridge, and Westbrook are having seasons that deserve first or second team consideration. But the talent before them and positional restrictions cause an issue. Let's talk about DeRozan. I had a hard time deciding between him and Redick for this position. Given the absence of Griffin the entire year and Redick's ability to create space for the Paul-DJ pick and roll just by running around the floor, he makes a strong case for this nod. However, DeRozan, along with his backcourt mate Kyle Lowry, have lead the Raptors to a record 50+ wins. He's a strong defender and his ability to get to the rim edges out Redick's off-ball prowess. Lastly, selecting Towns for the final center position might draw the ire of several basketball purists. His team didn't even achieve 30 wins. But among players 6'9'' and taller, he has the sixth-highest PER. And the five above him include forwards Durant, Anthony Davis, Aldridge, Hassan Whiteside and his mean streak, and Demarcus Cousins (who I've already picked as the first team center). Why not recognize the rookie for his production this year?
First Team All-Defense
G: Chris Paul
G: Klay Thompson
F: Kawhi Leonard
F: Draymond Green
C: Paul Millsap
Leonard and Green need no explanation. Chris Paul is the definitive defensive leader on the Clippers, even though Doc loves crediting DJ for that. Paul blows up pick and rolls by judging exactly when to attack the ball handler and when to shade the roller, which allows the secondary and tertiary help to rotate on time. Thompson on defense is what Curry on offense is to the Warriors. Green's versatility makes the unit tick, but Thompson's ball pressure and length creates problems for any ball handler. Paul Millsap is not technically a center, but since he wasn't able to make it to the All-NBA teams, I think he needed to be recognized in some way. Millsap has a top five defensive rating, and if one of those crazy forwards who can get steals, blocks, and threes (not relevant to All-Defense, but whatever), while, at the same time, rebounding and switching onto point guards and wings.
Second Team All-Defense
G: Kyle Lowry
G: Danny Green
F: Paul George
F: Jae Crowder
C: Lamarcus Aldridge
Paul George could have easily made the first team since he's the spark in the Pacers defense. Lowry does for the Raptors defense exactly what Paul does for the Clippers's. Let's hone in on the other three on this team. Lamarcus Aldridge is the rim protector that Tim Duncan has been for years, providing great one-on-one post defense and amazing rotation. Jae Crowder provide the on-ball ball pressure that, despite Boston's lack of rim protection, gives them the pressure needed to create easy buckets but also is able to switch onto bigger players if need be. He's top twenty in defensive rating Danny Green is having a terrible shooting season, but him, along with Leonard, assure that no wing goes off against them. Green funnels opponents into the paint, only to meet Aldridge, Duncan, West, and Boban, all of whom are among top ten rim protectors, by minute.
First Team All-Rookie
Karl-Anthony Towns
Kristaps Porzingis
Devon Booker
Nikola Jokic
Justise Winslow
I've made my case for the top four here. They're all sure-fire long term veterans, if not stars. Here's where I provide my paragraph long ode to Winslow. He's already the best perimeter defender in the 2015 rookie class, with length and strength; that allows him to guard three positions. His offense, obviously need work, but as we've seen with Jimmy Butler and Paul George, wings can learn to lead offense as they mature. His shooting is trending upward, shooting over 39% from the three since the beginning of March. He already has the athleticism to be a great finisher. His ball-handling needs a lot of work, but it'll get there - just like it did with Butler and George. The one thing that sets him apart is his tenacity. At barely 6'6'' he averages around 7 rebounds per 36 minutes and nearly a steal and a half. He fights for loose balls and is more competitive than every rookie in this class. To top it all off, he's the only rookie of import on a team that can make it past the first round in the playoffs. That experience will help him develop. I'm expecting big things from Winslow, potentially a perennial All-Star and, at his very peak, perhaps an MVP candidate in the future.
First Team All-Rookie
Willie Cauley-Stein
Myles Turner
Josh Richardson
Trey Lyles
Jahlil Okafor
The 2015 draft class is probably going to be known as one of the deepest classes ever, especially after Emmanuel Mudiay and Russell develop. But the depth at the forward and center position will define this class. Willie Cauley-Stein will develop into an amazing defensive center and, given Boogie's shooting development, a great complementary piece. Myles Turner has shown the ability to develop into a rim-protecting stretch-five, a piece that will allow Indiana to transition to their up-tempo style. Josh Richardson is a revelation, a brilliant shooter and amazing athlete. If the trajectory he's shown so far continues, him and Winslow can be a great wing combo to succeed Wade. Trey Lyles is already a productive stretch four who's developing defensively. He's part of the reason of the Jazz's late season surge. Okafor's sheer offensive production earns him the last rookie honor. Kaminsky may be a better defensive presence, but Okafor has a chance to be a perennial 20-10 guy. He needs to learn some discipline to improve his defense, defensive rebounding, and off-court presence.
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