HoopsHabit 2015-16 All-NBA Teams

Who were the best of the best in 2015-16? HoopsHabit answers that question with its All-NBA Teams!

There are few achievements more prestigious in professional basketball than being named to an All-NBA Team. A selection means you were one of the three-to-six best players at your position, as broken down by the format of two guards, two forwards, and one center per team.

The official 2015-16 selections are soon to arrive, but a panel of HoopsHabit writers have collaborated to make sure the deserving names are honored on this platform.

The All-NBA First Team was exclusively decided by a measure of how many votes a player received to that team. For the Second Team and Third Team, however, players were selected based on a point system.

Three points for an All-NBA First Team vote, two points for an All-NBA Second Team vote, and one point for an All-NBA Third Team vote. This system saved players who received a majority of their votes to a higher team from missing out altogether.

The question is, who were the very best of the very best in 2015-16?

Next: All-NBA First Team: Guard

All-NBA First Team

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Slash Line: .504/.454/.908

Season Averages: 34.2 MPG, 30.1 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.4 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 5.1 3PM

The 2015-16 HoopsHabit NBA MVP award went to Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry. Thus, it comes as no surprise whatsoever that Curry was named to HoopsHabit’s All-NBA First Team.

It was such an easy decision that Curry was the only unanimous selection to the squad—one of just two players to earn that distinction.

Curry won the 2015-16 scoring title with one of the most impressive seasons in NBA history. According to Basketball-Reference.com, he’s the first player to ever average at least 25.0 points on a slash line of .500/.450/.900 or better.

In other words, Curry scored with elite volume and efficiency—the ultimate combination.

Curry also led the league in steals, Win Shares, Win Shares per 48 minutes, and Player Efficiency Rating. He was marvelous on the court, overwhelmingly ahead of the pack in the advanced metrics, and the star player on a team that made NBA history.

Curry was very easily selected to HoopsHabit’s All-NBA First Team.

Next: All-NBA First Team: Guard

All-NBA First Team

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Slash Line: .454/.296/.812

Season Averages: 34.4 MPG, 23.5 PPG, 10.4 APG, 7.8 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.3 3PM

Russell Westbrook was just one vote shy of being a unanimous selection to HoopsHabit’s All-NBA First Team. With one look at his stat sheet, it’s not hard to see why Westbrook was such a popular choice amongst the writers.

Westbrook didn’t just play at a high level in 2015-16; he had one of the greatest individual seasons in NBA history.

Stephen Curry is the clearly deserving winner of the MVP award, but in most other seasons, Westbrook would’ve run away with it. He recorded an obscene 18 triple-doubles, averaged 23.5 points, 10.4 assists, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.0 steals, and helped the Oklahoma City Thunder increase their win total by 10 games.

In the process, Westbrook became the first player with at least 18 triple-doubles in a single season since Magic Johnson in 1981-82.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Westbrook is the first player in NBA history to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 assists, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals.

As purists will understandably note, steals weren’t introduced as an official statistic until 1973-74. Even without the steals, however, Westbrook remains in legendary territory, joining Magic Johnson in 1988-89, and Oscar Robertson—an insane four times—as the only players to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 assists, and 7.5 steals in a full season.

Oklahoma City somehow winning the title would undoubtedly help, but regardless of how the Thunder fare in the playoffs, Westbrook’s season deserves to be recognized as one of the greatest in NBA history.

Next: All-NBA First Team: Forward

All-NBA First Team

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .520/.309/.731

Season Averages: 35.6 MPG, 25.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 3PM

The roster may sparkle more than it did during the 2015 NBA Finals, but the Cleveland Cavaliers will still go as far as LeBron James takes them. Kyrie Irving is a gifted shot-creator, Kevin Love has been underrated this season, Tristan Thompson is dominating the offensive glass, and J.R. Smith is shooting the lights out.

The only statistic that you truly need to know, however, is that Cleveland went 56-20 when James played, and 1-4 when he didn’t.

James finished the season with an average of 25.3 points on 52.0 percent shooting from the field. That absurd combination of volume and efficiency overcame his faulty jump shot, which was off and erratic for a vast majority of the season.

In the process, James set an NBA record.

James has very quietly become one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history.

James seemed to be coasting through most of the 2015-16 season, which is a scary thought considering how well he’s played. He finished 2015-16 at No. 5 in Win Shares, No. 3 in Player Efficiency Rating, and No. 5 in points per game.

James wasn’t a unanimous selection, with XX.X percent of the votes working in his favor, but he’s very deserving of an All-NBA First Team selection.

Next: All-NBA First Team: Forward

All-NBA First Team

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Position: Small Forward

Age: 27

Slash Line: .505/.386/.898

Season Averages: 35.8 MPG, 28.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.6 3PM

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a healthy Kevin Durant again, and that’s pushed them back into the top tier of the Western Conference. The Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs are far ahead in terms of winning percentage, but OKC is always a threat.

It’s understated how difficult it must have been for Durant to rediscover his form after missing 55 games in 2014-15, but he remains one of the Top 5 players in the NBA.

Durant received XX.X percent of the vote for the final forward spot on the All-NBA First Team. He narrowly beat out San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard, who had an outstanding case for being selected, as well.

What appears to have separated Durant is how influential he was to a massive turnaround by the Thunder—a team that missed the playoffs without him in 2014-15.

Durant has now averaged at least 28.0 points on 50.0 percent shooting or better in three different seasons. Dating back to 1990, only three other players have done what Durant has been able to: Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, and Shaquille O’Neal.

As for the concerns about his defense, Durant’s defensive field goal percentage is 6.3 percentage points lower than his opponents’ average mark—tied for No. 1 amongst players facing at least 10.0 attempts.

Next: All-NBA First Team: Center

All-NBA First Team

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Position: Center

Age: 25

Slash Line: .451/.333/.718

Season Averages: 34.6 MPG, 26.9 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.4 ORPG, 3.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.1 3PM

The Sacramento Kings have missed the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. Upsetting as that fact may be, it’s impossible to look at what starting center DeMarcus Cousins has been able to do in 2015-16 without applauding and heralding his efforts.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Cousins is the first player to average at least 25.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 block since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1995-96.

Even being mentioned in the same breath as The Dream is a sign of how well Cousins performed as an individual player. He’s become one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the NBA, and has become a more respectable defender.

Perhaps the most significant development in Cousins’ game is his average of 1.1 3-point field goals made per contest.

Cousins continues to expand his game every season, and the addition of an efficient 3-point field goal has rounded out his impressive arsenal of skills and moves. The next step is polishing said abilities to the point of being able to attack without turning the ball over or settling for long jump shots.

Missing the playoffs hurts, but Cousins has earned his spot on the All-NBA First Team.

Next: All-NBA Second Team: Guard

All-NBA Second Team

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Position: Point Guard

Age: 30

Slash Line: .462/.371/.896

Season Averages: 32.7 MPG, 19.5 PPG, 10.0 APG, 4.2 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 1.6 3PM

Leading off the All-NBA Second Team is a man who will go down as one of the greatest players in the history of his position. Critics will rush to reference his postseason shortcomings, but strictly as a basketball player—not a paper resume—Chris Paul is a point guard without a weakness.

One could make a very compelling case that his work in 2015-16 was the very best of his 11-year career.

The day after Christmas, the Clippers were 17-13 and coping with news that Blake Griffin had suffered a serious injury. The perennial All-Star would go on to miss 45 games, which would have spelled the end of the average team’s postseason aspirations.

Instead, Paul led the Clippers to a record of 30-15, which has thus enabled Los Angeles to record yet another 50-win season.

Since Christmas Day, Paul is averaging 20.5 points, 10.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.6 3-point field goals made. He’s maintained impressive efficiency for a point guard, let alone one at his size, while posting elite numbers for a point guard.

It didn’t look like he’d make it earlier this season, but Paul has fought back to earn an All-NBA selection.

Next: All-NBA Second Team: Guard

All-NBA Second Team

Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

Position: Point Guard

Age: 30

Slash Line: .427/.388/.811

Season Averages: 37.0 MPG, 21.2 PPG, 6.4 APG, 4.7 RPG, 2.1 SPG, 2.8 3PM

The Toronto Raptors have completed the greatest regular season in franchise history. Behind the leadership of point guard Kyle Lowry, the Raptors won 56 games, which far exceeds the previous franchise record of 49 in 2014-15.

2015-16 marks the third consecutive season during which Lowry has led Toronto to a new franchise record for victories.

Individually, Lowry has put forth the best season of his NBA career. He’s No. 14 in the NBA in scoring, No. 12 in assists, No. 4 in steals per game, and No. 5 in 3-point field goals made—numbers that both display his versatility and only begin to define his value.

Lowry ranked in the Top 10 in offensive win shares, the Top 20 in defensive win shares, and checked in at No. 8 in overall win shares.

Furthermore, Lowry ranked No. 4 amongst point guards in both Player Efficiency Rating and defensive real +/-. Advanced metrics aren’t for everyone, but they accurately display how well Lowry has played in 2015-16, and how valuable he’s been to one of the Top 5 teams in the NBA by record.

Lowry spent a vast majority of his career in the ranks of the mediocre, but he’s worked his way up to the point of receiving an All-NBA nod in 2016.

Next: All-NBA Second Team: Forward

All-NBA Second Team

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Position: Small Forward

Age: 24

Slash Line: .506/.443/.874

Season Averages: 33.1 MPG, 21.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.8 3PM

The San Antonio Spurs have put forth one of the greatest seasons in the illustrious history of the organization. San Antonio set a franchise record for wins at 67-15, which is an unbelievable truth unto itself given the Spurs’ 17 consecutive seasons with 50-plus wins.

On both ends of the floor, the catalyst for the Spurs’ success was small forward Kawhi Leonard.

Statistically, Leonard has made tremendous progress as an offensive player. He’s No. 14 in the NBA in points per game on an obscenely efficient slash line of .506/.443/.874, and that comes with the expansion of his game—not the systematic limitations that the Spurs are known to impose.

Leonard is playing through the post, spacing the floor with an elite level of efficiency, and attacking the rack with fearlessness that wasn’t present in previous seasons.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Leonard is the first perimeter player to average at least 20.0 points, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 block since LeBron James in 2009-10. By the advanced metrics, he finished the 2015-16 at No. 2 in the NBA in win shares per 48 minutes.

Coupled with his being the NBA’s premier perimeter defender, Leonard was as easy a selection as they come.

Next: All-NBA Second Team: Forward

All-NBA Second Team

Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Position: Power Forward

Age: 26

Slash Line: .490/.388/.696

Season Averages: 34.7 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.2 3PM

Golden State Warriors big man Draymond Green is one of the most versatile power forwards in NBA history. His status as an elite on-ball defender and true interior anchor has been established for the better part of two seasons, but his development on offense is what’s made Green a national sensation.

Not only is Green producing in every phase of the game, but he’s become one of the most awe-inspiring triple-double threats in NBA history—a complementary point to the fact that he was No. 1 in the NBA in net rating.

Green, a power forward, finished the 2015-16 NBA regular season with 13 triple-doubles. That’s the highest triple-double tally by any forward since Grant Hill had 13 in 1996-97—almost 20 years ago.

Hill, of course, was a small forward—yet another testament to Green’s remarkable versatility.

Statistically, Green is No. 7 in the NBA in assists per game and No. 13 in rebounding. He has the second-best defensive field goal percentage of any player facing at least 10 shots per game, and is widely regarded as the most versatile defensive player in the game today.

Stephen Curry deserves the headlines he’s made, but without Green, the Warriors would not be the dominant force they are.

Next: All-NBA Second Team: Center

All-NBA Second Team

Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Position: Center

Age: 22

Slash Line: .521/.333/.355

Season Averages: 32.9 MPG, 16.2 PPG, 14.8 RPG, 4.9 ORPG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG

Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond has firmly solidified his place as the most dominant rebounder in the NBA. He led the league in rebounds and offensive rebounds per game by a solid margin, and was comfortably ahead of the pack at No. 1 in rebound percentage—a measure of how many available rebounds a player corrals.

Leading the Pistons back to the playoffs is just the icing on the cake.

Drummond emerged as a genuine offensive threat in 2015-16, scoring as both an on and off-ball finisher. He’s a monster in the pick-and-roll, an elite finisher around the rim, and has developed a face-up game that includes a killer drop step.

In turn, Drummond became the first player to average at least 16.0 points and 14.0 rebounds since Dwight Howard in 2010-11.

With a minimum of 60 games played, Drummond is the first player to average at least 15.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 block since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1989-90. That’s quite the company to keep for a player who’s only 22 years of age.

The numbers are impressive, and the postseason appearance validates their legitimacy. Thus, Drummond is All-NBA.

Next: All-NBA Third Team: Guard

All-NBA Third Team

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Position: Point Guard

Age: 25

Slash Line: .419/.375/.892

Season Averages: 35.7 MPG, 25.1 PPG, 6.8 APG, 4.0 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 3.1 3PM

The general consensus entering the 2015-16 NBA regular season was that the Portland Trail Blazers would miss the playoffs. That was an understandable belief given the fact that Portland lost LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, Wesley Matthews and Arron Afflalo—five starters—during the summer of 2015.

Rather than giving in to the low expectations that were sung in unison by critics across the NBA community, Damian Lillard broke through the alleged glass ceiling.

Lillard had a season to remember, averaging 25.1 points and 6.8 assists per game—both numbers that ranked in the Top 10 in the NBA. He also made 229 3-point field goals, which was No. 4 in the Association.

Lillard’s scoring exploits are comparable to the franchise’s all-time greats.

Lillard has a very strong complementary scorer in HoopsHabit’s pick for Most Improved Player: shooting guard C.J. McCollum. The rest of the team is filled out by career role players, however, including Al-Farouq Aminu, Allen Crabbe, Ed Davis, and Mason Plumlee.

With all due respect to the splendid efforts of his teammates, Lillard is the reason Portland is the overachieving No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.

Next: All-NBA Third Team: Guard

All-NBA Third Team

James Harden, Houston Rockets

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .439/.359/.860

Season Averages: 38.1 MPG, 29.0 PPG, 7.5 APG, 6.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 2.9 3PM

Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no way around the fact that James Harden deserves to be on an All-NBA Team. He saved the Houston Rockets from missing the playoffs, had one of the greatest statistical seasons of all-time, and has as high of a ceiling as any player in the game.

Defense seems to be Harden’s worst enemy, but how exactly can one overlook 29.0 points and 7.5 assists per game?

Harden joins LeBron James in 2009-10, Dwyane Wade in 2008-09, and Allen Iverson in 2004-05 as the only players to average at least 29.0 points and 7.5 assists since the turn of the century. For what it’s worth, those three of those men will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

Love Harden or hate him, stat lines like this help to build that same trajectory.

Houston made it into the playoffs by the skin of its teeth, but a postseason appearance is worth appreciating—no matter how it’s attained. It helps bring additional value to Harden’s production, which likely would’ve been enough to earn him an appearance on this list on its own.

Harden is a polarizing player, but he deserves this selection.

Next: All-NBA Third Team: Forward

All-NBA Third Team

Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Position: Small Forward

Age: 25

Slash Line: .418/.371/.860

Season Averages: 34.8 MPG, 23.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.9 SPG, 2.6 3PM

In his first full season back from a gruesome compound fracture in his right leg, Paul George has been selected to HoopsHabit’s All-NBA Third Team. His season was flush with its fair share of highs and lows, but overall, George earned his spot on this list.

Between the Indiana Pacers’ return to the postseason, and his individual production, George was nearly a unanimous selection to the All-NBA Third Team.

George finished the 2015-16 regular season at No. 10 in the NBA in scoring average, which is better than what most expected of him. He recorded three 40-point games, 21 30-point outings, and exceeded the 20-point plateau in 51 different appearances.

Not only did George play well, but he set a new career-high in scoring average.

While his shooting percentages often wavered, George steadily remained one of the most feared on-ball defenders in the NBA. Routinely matched up against the opposition’s best scorer, George held opponents to 40.7 percent shooting from the floor.

George played multiple positions in 2015-16, but regardless of where he was on the floor, he did everything to ensure the Pacers would make the playoffs.

Next: All-NBA Third Team: Forward

All-NBA Third Team

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Position: Power Forward

Age: 23

Slash Line: .493/.324/.758

Season Averages: 35.5 MPG, 24.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.1 ORPG, 1.9 APG, 2.0 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 3PM

Three players fell within three voting points of one another in the race for the final All-NBA Third Team forward spot. Those three men were LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, and Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks.

By just one voting point, Davis beat out Millsap for the final spot and a well-deserved HoopsHabit All-NBA Third Team nod.

Davis had yet another season of statistical mastery, contributing positively in, literally, every phase of the game. He scored, rebounded, and blocked shots at Top 10 levels, ranked No. 7 amongst big men in steals, and even developed a solid 3-point shot.

At 23 years old, Davis has already become one of the most complete players in the NBA.

Davis has recorded at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in three consecutive seasons. That puts him on a very exclusive list, as the only other players with at least three of such seasons since 2000 are Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Missing 21 games due to injury hurts his case, but Davis has already placed himself in all-time territory.

Next: All-NBA Third Team: Center

All-NBA Third Team

DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

Position: Center

Age: 27

Slash Line: .703/.000/.430

Season Averages: 33.7 MPG, 12.7 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 3.5 ORPG, 1.2 APG, 2.3 BPG

If you’re like me, you’re probably puzzled as to why DeAndre Jordan is on an All-NBA Team. Evaluating his impact on the Los Angeles Clippers goes deeper than reputation, however, and once that process has been completed, only one rational decision can be made.

Jordan had All-NBA value to the Clippers in 2015-16.

Jordan was up to his usual tricks, shooting at an obscenely efficient rate while dominating the boards and blocking shots. He led the league in field goal percentage at an absurd 70.3 percent, and ranked No. 2 in rebounds, offensive rebounds, and blocks per game.

Jordan is now the only player in NBA history to have at least two seasons above 70.0 percent shooting from the field.

Beyond the overall numbers is the fact that Jordan was outstanding in Blake Griffin’s 45-game absence, averaging 14.2 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. Jordan even upped his free throw percentage to 47.7 percent during that run—a dreadful number, but one that’s 8.0 percentage points higher than his 2014-15 mark.

More hoops habit: The 2015-16 HoopsHabit NBA Awards?

At No. 9 in the NBA in Win Shares and No. 10 in Win Shares per 48 minutes, Jordan’s hard work has paid off and earned him an All-NBA Third Team nod. Respect to Hassan Whiteside.