picks and analysis by Devin Gray (@devingray33) and Pat Choi (@patty_choi)
DG - All-NBA First Team
Center - Dwight Howard, Orlando
Forward - LeBron James, Miami
Forward - Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Guard - Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
Guard - Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers
PC - All-NBA First Team
Center - Dwight Howard, Orlando
Forward - LeBron James, Miami
Forward - Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Guard - Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
Guard - Tony Parker, San Antonio
Chris Paul > Tony Parker?
Do you commend Tony Parker on his career-high 7.7 assists per game while Chris Paul averaged "just" 9.1 assists per game? Do you recognize Parker's leadership role on the 50-win, Conference-leading Spurs, or Paul for his role in making the Clippers respectable and winning 40 games in his first season in LA? Final team record may be the deciding factor.
No Love?
The numbers don't lie for Kevin Love who averaged 26 points and 13.3 rebounds, but how is he supposed to crack the All-NBA First Team at Forward when he has to compete with the two most likely MVP candidates in LeBron James and Kevin Durant? Love's case would be strengthened if the Wolves had made the playoffs, but they finished just 26-40 and Love's season came to an end after 55 games.
DG - All-NBA Second Team
Center - Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers
Forward - Kevin Love, Minnesota
Forward - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
Guard - Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Guard - Tony Parker, San Antonio
PC - All-NBA Second Team
Center - Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers
Forward - Kevin Love, Minnesota
Forward - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
Guard - Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Guard - Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers
Dirk > Carmelo?
Melo played in 55 games this year to Dirk's 62, but averaged 22.6 points to Dirk's 21.6. Percentage-wise, Dirk is more effective from every spot on the floor, though Melo handles the ball more, gets more minutes and assists. Both the Knicks and Mavs were struggling to avoid getting swept in the first round of the playoffs despite these stars. It's a toss-up, but we both go Dirk this time.
Westbrook > Wade?
Westbrook averaged 23.6 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds to Wade's 22.1, 4.6, and 4.8. Wade played in 49 games while Westbrook played in all 66. Both play second bill on their respective teams to MVP candidates, but both are top-10 players in the League. Westbrook simply had a better year, emerging as one of the best players in the NBA.
DG - All-NBA Third Team
Center - Marc Gasol, Memphis
Forward - LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland
Forward - Carmelo Anthony, New York
Guard - Dwyane Wade, Miami
Guard - Rajon Rondo, Boston
PC - All-NBA Third Team
Center - Marc Gasol, Memphis
Forward - LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland
Forward - Carmelo Anthony, New York
Guard - Dwyane Wade, Miami
Guard - Rajon Rondo, Boston
Rondo > Rose?
Last seasons' MVP played in just 39 games this year fighting constant injuries that "limited" him to 21.8 and a career-high 7.9 assists. Rondo though led the league in assists with 11.7 per game, while scoring 11.9 points in 53 games this season. Rondo was the only player to record more than one triple-double and he exploded for six such games this season including a monster 18 point, 17 rebound, 20 assist game.
LaMarcus Aldridge > Blake Griffin?
LA averaged 21.7 and 8 rebounds while Griffin averaged 20.6 and 10.8. Blake played in all 66 games, while Aldridge played in 55. Griffin's free-throw percentage brings him down though as he shot just 52% from the line compared to Aldridge's 81%. Both were All-Stars this year and though Griffin usually gets the shine because of all the highlights, Aldridge should be recognized as an All-NBA player.
Tough luck – Rose, Hibbert, Granger, Harden, Nash, Griffin,
Garnett
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