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NBA 2015-16 ‘All-Entertainment’ Teams: A Look At The League’s Flashiest Players

By Jon Shames

January 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) look on during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 117-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) look on during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 117-91. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) meets with Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) following the 91-80 victory at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) meets with Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) following the 91-80 victory at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mentions:

Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers

Irving would easily make this list if he were healthy. With a combination elite ball-handling skills, the ability to finish acrobatically, and a deadly shooting stroke, the Cavs’ guard is one of the NBA’s top highlight machines. Irving is known for his tendency to embarrass opponents, too.

Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Thompson isn’t quite the highlight reel that backcourt mate Stephen Curry is, but the former is one of the best shooters in the NBA and an excellent athlete as well. Thompson is an explosive scorer who can stuff the box score in the blink of an eye. He’s starting to round back into form after a slow start to the year, so be on the lookout for Klay.

Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

Kyle Lowry takes a lot of really bad shots.

Normally, this would be concerning, but the Raptors’ guard has become one of the league’s best bad-shot makers, and as long as he’s producing, it’s tough to complain. Lowry is averaging 22 points per game this year, but he loves to step up, even beyond that, in big games.

Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns

Bledsoe has gotten more recognition since coming to the Phoenix Suns two seasons ago, and has solidified himself as the team’s primary scorer, averaging 21.9 points per game this season. Ironically, Bledsoe was expected to be out of Phoenix well before former backcourt mates Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas, but the team stuck with him, and he hasn’t disappointed as a go-to guy.

Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves

LaVine isn’t a star, but he’s arguably the best dunker in the NBA and one of the Association’s promising young talents. He is also having a solid season this year, behind averages of 14.1 points, 3.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, while playing just 24.1 minutes a contest. At just 20 years old, the sky is the limit for the champ of last year’s Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

What a journey it’s been for Kristaps Porzingis. Nobody had too much to say about Porzingis when he declared for the last year’s NBA draft, but the Knicks took a gamble on him and it’s started to pay early dividends. After being booed by Knicks fans on draft night, Kristaps has won over a tough New York crowd with strong all-around play through the season’s first quarter.

Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Drummond is playing exceptionally in his first season without Greg Monroe. Through 23 games, he’s averaging 18 points, 16.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.4 blocks a contest. Standing at 6-foot-11 and weighing in at 279 pounds, Drummond may be the most physically dominant specimen since Shaquille O’Neal.

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Few consider him the league’s best point guard at this point, but Paul, a fundamental wizard, still ranks among the top floor generals. CP3 is the full package for a point guard: he’s got the handles, the shooting touch, the vision, the quickness, plus the leadership and IQ.

Paul doesn’t have a specific area of strength, necessarily, but as a jack of all trades, he’s a threat to burn his opponents in a multitude of different ways.

Next: Third Team