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Halftime Heroes: Picking All-NBA Teams At The Season’s Halfway Point

By Josh Cornelissen

January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 20, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) drives against Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) in the second half at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Sacramento 107-91. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) drives against Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) in the second half at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Sacramento 107-91. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

First One Out

The most difficult cut for the All-NBA teams came at the center position as well. Four Western Conference centers deserve a spot on the team, which means one had to be on the outside looking in. The problem in deciding is that each player brings a different sort of resume to the table.

Rudy Gobert is a defensive tower, but only scores 12.8 points per game. DeMarcus Cousins fills up the stat sheet but is inconsistent at best on defense, while Anthony Davis is elite at both ends of the court but plays for a team with the worst record of the group.

Marc Gasol has a resume to be first-team All-NBA, leading a surefire playoff team in scoring while adding three-point range to his game (38.8 percent from beyond the arc). His 4.3 assists per game are first among full-time centers (Al Horford and Draymond Green both start at the 4), and he anchors Memphis’ fourth-ranked defense.

But regardless of his value to the Grizzlies on both ends of the court, Gasol is not posting the raw numbers to beat out his competitors. His 19.8 points fall well behind both Cousins and Davis, and he adds only 6.1 rebounds to his resume. In Player Efficiency Rating, Real Plus-Minus, and true shooting percentage he comes in last among the group.

In another season Gasol would make a team, and potentially even the First Team. But a strong season from some of the league’s pivots – and the Pelicans finally moving Davis to center in their starting lineup – squeezes out one of the league’s most respected big men. Once again, Gasol may get his revenge by advancing further into the playoffs than his center peers.