NBA Awards Race: Predicting the unpredictable All-NBA teams

All-NBA First Team

Guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Even before Chet Holmegren’s injury, the Thunder were considered a lottery team. Despite missing their second overall pick, OKC has exceeded expectations, currently the 10th seed in the Western Conference. A large portion of their success can be attributed to Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s become a bonafide superstar at only 24 years old. Averaging 31 points on 51% shooting on a team that lacks elite shot-creation or floor-spacing, it would be a crime to not include Gilgeous-Alexander on the first team.

However, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s performance this season has been incredible, it’s telling that it hasn’t translated to an above .500 record. At some point, likely in the near future, the Thunder will need to choose between building a winning roster around Gilgeous-Alexander or continuing to develop the countless young prospects that have and will Luka be added to the roster, a decision they’ve been hesitant to make the past few years.

Guard: Luka Doncic

The Mavericks’ collapse has been painful to watch for anyone who’s a fan of NBA basketball. But the person who’s been hurt the most by it is Luka Doncic, who recently made comments on the situation in Dallas. Regardless of the team’s failure, there is no denying that Doncic is having a historic season. He’s averaged 32 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds per game, and has had some incredible individual performances as well, the most impressive one being his 60-point triple-double against the New York Knicks.

Unfourtnently for Doncic, the Mavs have struggled to build a winning team around him throughout his five years in Dallas. While there was a time when it seemed like Doncic would be a Maverick his entire career like his predecessor, Dirk Nowitzki, the modern NBA is a time where players have more empowerment than ever, and it’s hard to believe a generational talent like Doncic will choose to stick around much longer.

Forward: Jayson Tatum

As previously mentioned, the Celtics have experienced ups and downs throughout the season. Tatum has similarly fluctuated between being an MVP-level player and the 25-year-old he actually is. However, during the majority of the season that the Celtics spent as one of the best teams in basketball, Tatum was also one of the best players in basketball. With averages of 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game on 46% shooting, while having appeared in 70 games so far this year, it’s hard to deny Tatum a spot on the All-NBA first team.

The real question with Tatum will be whether he can evolve his game in the postseason. Obviously, being under such a bright light means that the media will criticize you in any way they can, but it is true that Tatum saw some struggles against the Warriors during last year’s finals. If Boston hopes to even make it back to the final round, it will need Tatum to consistently perform at the level he does in the regular season.

Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo

As always, the Bucks have cruised through the regular season and Giannis has made a case for MVP. While it’s pretty unlikely he wins the award this year, he’s still deserving of a first-team selection. He’s been his usual dominant self, averaging 31 points and 11 rebounds per game on 55% shooting, while being a key component of the NBA’s second-best defense.

Unlike Tatum, Giannis has proven to be even better in the postseason, as he dominated during the Bucks’ 2021 championship run, and was similarly dominant last year, although the absence of Khris Middleton caused them to fall in the second round. Assuming Middleton is at least healthy enough to give Milwaukee a few good games each series, the Bucks should make it out of the East with a chance of winning it all.

Center: Nikola Jokic

As ridiculous as it seems, Nikola Jokic has a good chance of three-peating as MVP this year, and many would argue he’s deserving. With averages of 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists per game, Jokic has been the driving force behind the Nuggets’ success, helping them reach the first seed in the Western Conference.

However, the postseason has always been a different story for Denver. While Jokic has almost always performed up to his usual standards in the playoffs, the Nuggets often get eliminated by teams that simply have more star power. It’s no coincidence that the opponents they’ve lost to in recent years are the Suns, Lakers, and Blazers, all teams that, at least at the time, had multiple all-stars.

Moving forwards, I expect Denver will face the same results unless they are able to bring in another one of the league’s top players alongside Jokic. If they do acquire a second star, however, there’s no stopping the Nuggets in the postseason.