Official predictions for all three 2022 All-NBA Teams: All-NBA Third Team
G: Chris Paul – (64-18) 14.7 Pts, 10.8 Ast, 4.4 Reb, 58% TS, 1.9 Stl, 2.4 TO
G: Trae Young – (43-39) 28.4 Pts, 9.7 Ast, 3.7 Reb, 60% TS, 0.9 Stl, 4.0 TO
F: Lebron James – (33-49) 30.3 Pts, 8.2 Reb, 6.2 Ast, 62% TS, 1.3 Stl, 1.1 Blk, 3.5 TO
F: Pascal Siakam – (48-34) 22.8 Pts, 8.5 Reb, 5.3 Ast, 57% TS, 1.3 Stl, 0.6 Blk. 2.7 TO
C: Karl-Anthony Towns – (46-36) 24.6 Pts, 9.8 Reb, 3.6 Ast, 45% TS, 1.1Blk, 1.0 Stl, 3.1 TO
Chris Paul: At age 36, Paul is still an essential part of the best team in the league. Even though his shooting dropped off this year, he is still one of the best orchestrators in the game. For the fifth time in his illustrious career, he led the league in assists per game. He did so while also torching opposing teams in the clutch, whether with his scoring or with his elite decision-making.
Trae Young: After a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals in last year’s playoffs, expectations for the Hawks were considerably high entering the season. The team started off struggling mightily but managed to weather the storm, making the Play-In and earning a chance to make the playoffs. This was thanks to their great young guard, whose offensive prowess guarantees his team an elite offense while he is on the floor.
Lebron James: This Lakers team was arguably the biggest disappointment in NBA history. And while Lebron deserves some blame for it, he did put together a fantastic statistical season. James’ impact on the game wasn’t what we have become accustomed to seeing from him, boasting a record of 25-21 in the games he played. But his individual efforts were enough for him to garner a spot on the third team.
Pascal Siakam: Coming off shoulder surgery in the offseason and being the subject of trade rumors, Siakam entered the year with a lot of questions surrounding his future in Toronto. However, his strong play this year has put those concerns to bed. This was probably Siakam’s best year in the league, as he continued to progress as a playmaker boasting a career-high 5.3 assists, leading the Raptors to the fifth seed of the East.
Karl-Anthony Towns: After dealing with so much adversity off the court last year, Towns has put forth an incredible year for the Wolves. As one of the elite offensive big men in the game, he has shined as the center of the Wolves’ offense. His elite shooting is his most lethal weapon, putting forth a blistering 41 percent from three-point range, which has opened the court for the likes of Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell. His play helped the Wolves make the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-2018 season, (even if he struggled in the Play-In game).