As the NBA season hits the quarter season mark of the NBA season, I thought I’d check in on how the All NBA teams might look at this point.
G – Steph Curry
What a season Curry and the Warriors are having. Curry is shooting lights out while helping his team to roll through the competition.
He is on the cusp joining the exclusive 50/40/90 club, with only his field goal percentage falling short.
Curry’s unlimited range and quick release have defenders fretting as soon as he crosses midcourt. He is no longer a liability on the defensive end and his assist average is good enough for fifth in the league.
If the season stopped today he would be the likely MVP, given both his play and his team’s league leading record.
PPG 23 APG 7.7 RPG 5.1 PER 26.98
2nd team: Chris Paul
3rd team: Kyle Lowry
G – James Harden
‘The Beard’ has always been professional scorer and this season Harden leads the league in points per game.
Harden has carried much of the load in the absence of Dwight Howard, keeping the wins ticking over for the Rockets who are third in the West.
The most pleasing aspect of Harden’s season has been his defence, which has improved from laughable to good. Applying effort on the defensive end has seen Harden crack the top five in steals and average a career high in blocks.
His two way contribution this season has put to bed any doubt that Harden in the NBA’s premier shooting guard.
PPG 26.4 APG 6.5 RPG 6.2 STLPG 2.05 PER 25.49
2nd team: Klay Thompson
3rd team: Jimmy Butler
F – Lebron James
James is actually having a down season by his standards, however his standards are so ridiculously high that a down year for him still has him as one of the best players in the league.
In his second stint at the Cavs, James is second in the league in scoring and sixth in assists so far this season. Playing more on the wing than his years with Miami has seen his rebounding numbers drop and his assist numbers rise to the second highest rate of his career.
Now in his twelfth season, Lebron knows to pace himself throughout the season and his output should increase as the playoffs draw closer.
PPG 25.5 APG 7.6 RPG 5.5 PER 25.5
2nd team: Kawhi Leonard
3rd team: Rudy Gay
F – Anthony Davis
In a vacuum Davis has been the best player in the league, however his teams’ record is likely to impact on his MVP chances. If the season ended today he would hold the highest player efficiency rating (PER) of all time, ahead of the likes of Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and James.
Davis is so long, fast and bouncy for a big man that he is an unstoppable force in the pick-n-roll. While his improved outside shot forces defenders to pick their poison, either contest the jump shot or hedge back to try stop his drive.
Davis leads the league in blocks and is fourth in scoring, which highlights his impact on both ends of the court. The scary thing for his opponents is the fact he is the improvement left in his game and how quickly he is getting there.
PPG 24.3 RPG 10.2 BLKPG 2.7 PER 33.14
2nd team: Tim Duncan
3rd team: Blake Griffin
C – Marc Gasol
I agonised on this selection between Cousins or Gasol, but in the end I give the nod to Gasol based on team record and games played.
Noticeably slimmer this season, Gasol has long been one of the best defenders in the game with his improvement this season coming on the offensive end.
Memphis have looked to run their offence through Gasol more which has seen him average a career high in points per game and maintain his assist rate which is elite for a big man. The results have been beneficial for both Gasol and the Grizzlies who are second in the loaded West.
PPG 19.5 RPG 7.7 APG 3.8 PER 23.31
2nd team: DeMarcus Cousins
3rd team: Tyson Chandler
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