As the NBA season winds down, it’s time for awards season. These five players are deserving of All-NBA First Team honors.
G: Stephen Curry
There’s no denying that Curry is a lock for his second consecutive All-NBA First Team honors. Curry is leading the league in scoring with 30.1 points in just 34.1 minutes per game and an astounding 5.1 three-pointers per game.
Curry is likely to be crowned league MVP for the second straight year, giving the Golden State Warriors the chance to break the Chicago Bulls' record of 72 regular season wins. He’s also on pace to join legends Steve Nash, Larry Bird, Mark Price, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant in the rare 50-40-90 club.
G: Russell Westbrook
The Oklahoma City Thunder are finally back to full strength thanks to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Unfortunately, there’s no room for Durant on the All-NBA First Team this season, so Thunder fans will have to settle for just Westbrook.
The point guard notched his 16th triple-double last week, tying Michael Jordan and Fat Lever for the 1oth most triple-doubles in a single season. Westbrook’s stat line of 23.7 points, 10.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game is among elite company. Factoring in Oklahoma City’s 53-24 record, Westbrook is a shoo-in for his first career All-NBA First Team honors.
F: Kawhi Leonard
Curry should be the league’s first unanimous MVP, but San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard will surely draw a few votes. He’s been arguably the league’s best perimeter defender for three years and the only player who can remotely stop LeBron James.
It’s Leonard’s offense, however, that has escalated his game. He’s made huge strides shooting from the outside, averaging a career-high 21.1 points per game on 51 percent shooting in addition to 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Not to mention, the Spurs are also on track to win 70 games this year.
F: Draymond Green
LeBron James’ reign of eight straight All-NBA First Team honors will end this season. As usual, James has had a tremendous season, but winning speaks. Draymond Green’s Warriors are currently 14 wins ahead of James’ Cavaliers, largely because of Green’s gritty play.
Golden State’s backcourt gets the majority of the publicity, but Green is the glue to the Warriors’ excellence. His value on defense is immeasurable, his passing skills resemble those of a point guard and his leadership and tenacity are invaluable.
Without Green, Golden State would collapse.
C: DeMarcus Cousins
It’s no coincidence that there isn’t a standout at the center position. The NBA is moving toward the pace-and-space era, making the traditional center obsolete. DeMarcus Cousins is the exception.
The big man’s 27 points per game ranks fourth in the NBA, while his 11.6 rebounds per game put him slightly behind Hassan Whiteside for fifth. Putting Cousins’ emotions and tendency to be a headcase aside, he’s undoubtedly the best center in the league.