While we might not have an official vote for any of the NBA awards, we still want to provide you all the proper attention these awards deserve.
Last week we brought you the NBA awards including the MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and more. Now we bring you the All-NBA teams. The best of the the best that the NBA has to offer.
Let’s jump right into to it with some of newest members of the Def Pen family starting things off!
2015 All-NBA 1st Team
Cody
G- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
G- James Harden, Houston Rockets
F- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
C- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
The first team seemed fairly obvious to me. The Guard spots go to the two runaway MVP candidates in Curry and Harden. The Forward spots go to the current best player in the NBA and his future replacement. The only selection that was a little difficult was the Center spot, but Marc Gasol is the best all around Center in the NBA. Even though he cooled off after the all-star break, his scorching start was enough for me to put him on the first team.
Trey
G- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
G- James Harden, Houston Rockets
F- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
C- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Stephen Curry, James Harden, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis are the obvious picks here. Curry and Harden have been dueling for the MVP during most of the 2014-2015 season. Either of them not making the first team would be criminal by the voters. Especially keeping with continuity as the two are poised to be the MVP and the runner-up to the MVP. James and Davis are also somewhat obvious choices. James did take two weeks off and has endured one of his worst personal seasons. However, there have not been two forwards with a better resume this season than James himself. Of course the “LeBatical” has been used as a reason to discredit James from the MVP conversation there is no way that its should be cited as a reason for him to not make the All-NBA first team.
On to Davis, aka “The Brow”, where he has emerged as the best power forward in the league. This was an expected outcome for the season and Brow did not disappoint. Only 21 years old and posting the highest PER of the season, 30.8, and joining a limited fraternity of players posting a season of 30+ PER. Davis has joined the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson, and Dwyane Wade posting a PER north of 30 while playing at least 60 games. The decision on the center spot is a bit tougher to make but Marc Gasol gets the nod. Arguably the best center in the league Gasol posts numbers which do not jump out at you as a witness. Nonetheless, Gasol may make the biggest impact on both the offensive and defensive ends for his Memphis team than any other center. Accounting for 17 points per game for the Grizzlies, around 7 rebounds, and just a shade below 4 assists for a center is very good. Add in some of the best defense in the league from a center position and he secures the center spot of the first team.
Cam
G- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
G- James Harden, Houston Rockets
F- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
C- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Steph Curry was a no brainer; he’s arguably been the best player in the NBA this year and led his team to the best record in the league with 67 wins. Paul or Westbrook could replace James Harden but since the consensus is Harden vs Curry for MVP he gets the nod. LeBron is LeBron, he’ll have a spot on the 1st team for at least another three years. Davis finished the season with a PER of 30.89, that’s up there with the some of the best scores of all time. He’s been extremely dominant this year and is heading towards best player in the world status. Gasol was a player that could have been replaced but he got the nod for having one of the best overall seasons of his career with helping the Grizz finish as well as they did despite the injuries.
Es
G- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
G- James Harden, Houston Rockets
F- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
C- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
All NBA MVP candidates as the starting five for the ALL NBA team. The best in all ways both offensively and defensively at their position. All teams made it to the playoffs. What’s there not to like about this lineup ?
Dylan
G- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
G- James Harden, Houston Rockets
F- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
C- DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
All five of these guys were not only the first option on their team this year, but all of their teams would have been severely worse without them. Many will say Steph Curry should be here because he is the best player on the best team, but Westbrook literally was his whole team. They may have not made the playoffs, but he was the best point guard in the league this year. Everybody here had huge impacts on their team, and were the best at their respective positions.
Rob
G- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
G- James Harden, Houston Rockets
F- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
C- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
2015 All-NBA 2nd Team
Cody
G- Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
G- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
F- Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
F- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
C- Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
The second team had a few players that were no-brainers; I don’t think many people will disagree with the guard picks of Westbrook and Paul. Westbrook while missing 15 games was still able to have a historically great season. Aside from winning the scoring title he was a triple-double machine. Chris Paul excelled on both sides of the court once again, and carried the Clippers through a successful stretch of the season without Blake Griffin. The Forward spots were a bit more difficult.
To me, despite Kawhi Leonard missing 18 games, he earned a spot on the second team by becoming, in my opinion, the best perimeter defender since Scottie Pippen. He also is much improved offensively. Blake Griffin earned a spot here over LaMarcus Aldridge because of his unique ability to run the offense from the top of the key as well as his much improved mid-range game to add to his countless offensive abilities. He takes a lot of pressure off of Paul and allows the Clippers to throw different looks at defenses, which helped them on their way to being the best offense in the NBA this year. Duncan was my choice for 2nd team center because of his terrific defensive season, as well as his efficient as per usual offensive year. Not many Centers affect both sides of the court as Duncan, even at his age.
Trey
G- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
G- Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
F- LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
F- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
C- DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
The NBA is currently experiencing a surge of quality guards. The point guard position is now deeper than any time in the history of the league. Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul are the easy choices here for the All-NBA second team. Westbrook has been a one-man wrecking crew this season. Posting triple doubles as if they are some easy feat. Likewise, Paul delivered yet another one of his patented seasons. Going unnoticed for the majority of it, Paul lead the Clippers without Blake Griffin for a stretch of time. Both guards in any other year may have been on the first team. Breaking it down, Westbrook was able to lead the league in usage rating, winning the scoring title, and manage to amass career highs in assists and rebounds per game. Paul was a maestro with the basketball for another season. Leading the league in assists and once again averaging over a steal per game. Leading the NBA in offensive win shares and finishing second to James Harden in overall win shares.
Although missing games is a detriment to his case, Blake Griffin has to make the second team. The other forward spot goes to LaMarcus Aldridge and he has been one of the four best forwards in the league. Playing through injury and leading his Portland Trailblazers to a division title in the West helps his case. Aldridge averaged above twenty-three points, highest of any of my second or third team forwards, and averaged ten rebounds. In Los Angeles, Griffin has been superb as well. Rebounding numbers have been down but Griffin’s assist numbers have improved. In a tight race for the second forward spot Griffin maintains his accolade for a second year in a row. The center race is tight this year and DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins represents the center position for the second All-NBA team. Boogie has statistically produced the best season for NBA centers this year and that is no easy accomplishment. A lack of team success keeps him from making the first team but Cousins has been magnificent. By next season fully expect DeMarcus Cousins to emerge as perhaps the best center in the league.
Cam
G- Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
G- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
F- Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
F- LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
C- DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Can I call this the ALL NBA 1st Team B-Squad? Excluding Aldridge all these players could have been put in the 1st team slot but ended up on this squad thanks to team success. Westbrook put up some of the greatest post all star numbers of all time, Chris Paul and Cousins had one of their best seasons, Paul played 81 games, upped his stats in almost every category from last season and led his Clippers to a #3 seed without Blake Griffin for much of the 2nd half of the season. Leonard goes here because he’s a main factor behind surging Spurs.
Es
G- Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
G- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
F- Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
F- Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
C- DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan really turned it up when Blake Griffin went out with an elbow injury, leading to the clippers having a great finish to the end of the season. Russell Westbrook was putting up numbers only legends have and Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard are making the San Antonio spurs another “surprise” team again.
Dylan
G- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
G- Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
F- Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
F- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
C- Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
No matter what is said, there will be people who say Steph Curry should be on the first team, and I have no problem with that. Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard improve so much from year to year, and will have their opportunities to be on the first team in the near future. Gasol really held down the Grizzlies season as it was crumbling towards the end, and was a huge part as to why the Grizzlies were one of the best teams in the league during earlier parts of the season. Blake Griffin is in a tough position just becuase of how he will be competing with Anthony Davis at the power forward position in the coming years and dude to the fact that Davis has less around him and will have more opportunities.
Rob
G- Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
G- Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
F- LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
F- Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls
C- DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
2015 All-NBA 3rd Team
Cody
G- John Wall, Washington Wizards
G- Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
F- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
F- LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
C- DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
The third All-NBA team is definitely up for debate. Aldridge is an easy choice as was Wall, both has stellar years, and was one of the best at their respective positions. Demarcus Cousins, while by all accounts is an absolute head-case, is still one of the most productive offensive bigs that I have ever seen. He dominates the offensive side of the ball when his head is in it, and definitely shows flashes of being an above average defender. Jimmy Butler had a year I did not think he was capable of having and while the decision between him and Klay Thompson was tough, Butler showed me more this year carrying that Bulls offense for stretches and still providing his expected terrific perimeter defense. My last forward spot goes to Draymond Green. I picked him for Defensive Player of the Year, and somebody so good defensively; packaged with the stability he offers the leagues best team on offense, earns him a spot on an All-NBA team.
Trey
G- John Wall, Washington Wizards
G- Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
F- Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
F- Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks
C- Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Wall emerged as one of the best distributors in the league and continued his very good defensive play over the season. Wall is a slightly inefficient scorer but his assist numbers make up for any inefficiency he represents as a scorer. Meanwhile in the Bay the other “Splash Brother” continued to develop into a threat on offense. Butler has been the better defender but Thompson the better offensive player. The difference is marginal on both ends and due to that, Thompson being a cog in a historically great regular season team gives him the slightest of advantages. The lack of defense is what hurt Kyrie Irving the most here. Irving’s offense is versatile and he is one of the best scoring point guards in the league. The forward spots are equally challenging. Kawhi Leonard and Paul Millsap achieve the third-team accolade here but it is clearly a close contest.
Leonard makes the team over potential defensive player of the year, Draymond Green, because of his offense. Leonard has become the best perimeter defender in the league while Green is the most versatile. Millsap makes the team over Green for a couple reasons. Millsap is the better offensive player and is the best player on the best team in the East. Those points are arbitrary, as Green is an important piece of the best team in the league, but Millsap’s no slouch on defense. The gap between Millsap’s offense and Green’s offense is ever so slightly larger than the gap between Green’s defense and Millsap’s offense. Both are deserving, but only one can make it. On to the center spot where Tim Duncan makes yet another appearance on an All-NBA team.
The Spurs have had yet another Spursian season and Duncan has remained the biggest constant. A defensive anchor and being a fine offensive player marginally gives him the spot over Clippers’ center DeAndre Jordan. Jordan’s reputation as a potential defensive player of the year has given legitimacy to any case of him making an All-NBA team. Duncan also makes the team over first year Bull Pau Gasol. Duncan is the best defender of the trio, Gasol is the best offensive player, and Jordan is the best rebounder of the three. Both Gasol and Duncan have usage ratings that easily trump Jordan’s, it’s a close race between the three. No qualms about whichever makes the team but Duncan has the slightest edge here and is the third team All-NBA center.
Cam
G- Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
G- Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
F- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
F- Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls
C- Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Sorry confused Klay fans but he’s not better than Jimmy Butler. Thompson got all the spotlight but Jimmy not only had the better season (Klay’s was just more flashy) but is on his way to winning the MIP award unless his 3rd team teammate Draymond Green takes it by surprise. Pau Gasol was probably the healthiest starter for the Bulls all season and although he’s clearly not the Gasol from the Lakers days you can look pass the impact he’s had for the Bulls with all their injuries. Irving goes here instead of Wall and Lillard because of his consistency all year compared to the other two who tailed off as the year progressed.
Es
G- Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
G- Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
F- Kyle Korver, Atlanta Hawks
F- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
C- Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Kyle Lowry and Kyle Korver lead their teams mentally throughout the season and proved, on the court, that they can lead a team. Klay Thompson is one of the most improved players this year along with his should be DPOY Teammate Draymond Green. Both Thompson and Green have helped curry cement the Warriors into the history books. Rudy GOBERT has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the Utah Jazz and has cantered himself as one of the best defensive Centers in the NBA.
Dylan
G- John Wall, Washington Wizards
G- Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
F- Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz
F- Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls
C- Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
John Wall is a first team point guard, but has to be behind Westbrook due to his insane scoring performances and Steph Curry for being the best player on the best team. Beal and Hayward are going to miss out on a lot of All-NBA teams being created by sports writers. Beal dealt with injuries throughout the season, performed admirably when called upon. Hayward made a team that was terrible actually seem relevant in certain games by putting the team on his back. Pau had the best season he has had in a long time and really is interchangeable with Blake Griffin on the second team. Tim Duncan once again continued to be the beast that has kept the Spurs franchise competing ever since he got there.
Rob
G- John Wall, Washington Wizards
G- Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
F- Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
F- Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks
C- Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
