Hoops Habit
Fansided

All NBA Teams: Way too early picks for the league’s elite 15

By Ronald Moody

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 24: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates a basket during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at American Airlines Center on May 24, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 24: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates a basket during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at American Airlines Center on May 24, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

All NBA Second Team

Zion Williamson
Nikola Jokic
Paul George
Steph Curry
Jayson Tatum

Zion Williamson

A slimmed-down, chiseled  Zion makes All-NBA second team after missing all last season. The Pelicans were a play-in team last season, coupled with the former number-one pick, and New Orleans will make noise with a strong starting lineup, including Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. Playing with unadulterated awe and joy, the lefty dominates the competition and reminds everyone he is a generational talent.

Nikola Jokic

The reigning two-time Most Valuable Player award winner regains a healthy Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. to push for an NBA championship. After signing the largest contract in NBA history (five years, $270 million), Jokic will not disappoint. His numbers from a year ago (27.1ppg/13.8 rpg/7.9 apg) may slip because of the return of Murray and Porter, but he is still the best player on the team and a key to a championship run.

Paul George

After being out last season, George is the engine behind this revamped Clippers team. With Kawhi returning from an ACL injury, his return to “the Claw” may take more time as he will see limited minutes. George has always been one of the NBA’s premier two-way players, and with his flashy style, he will lead the Clippers to the NBA Finals.

Steph Curry

Curry is the star of the Golden State Warriors for a reason. His minutes may dwindle, with future stars Jordan Poole and Mose Moody grabbing some of his minutes, but when March rolls around, Curry will push the Warriors into the playoffs and play at an MVP level.

Jayson Tatum

The letdown from the loss in the NBA Finals reinvigorated Tatum to continue getting better. His hard work pays off as he and Jaylen Brown lead the Celtics back to the Eastern Conference Finals. He is the league’s leading scorer throughout the first three games of the season with a 34.7 ppg average.