NBA Award Predictions Roundtable: All-NBA Teams

Feb 19, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Western Conference forward Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans (23) celebrates with Western Conference guard James Harden of the Houston Rockets (13) in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Western Conference forward Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans (23) celebrates with Western Conference guard James Harden of the Houston Rockets (13) in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

One of the more exciting awards given in the NBA every year actually goes to 15 different players, as the league votes on three different “All-NBA” teams comprised of the best of the best. Essentially the three top All-star lineups across the league.

Of all the NBA awards that are given after each season, one of the most interesting ones, in my opinion, is the selection of the three All-NBA teams. The All-NBA teams are one of the few times that the league puts together lineups based on the best players of the year, period. No division by conference, no international separation, and no popularity vote (in a perfect world).

Just strictly about basketball.

The top players in the league have taken a bit of a change this year from last year, but the players that belong on the list are there for the most part. The first team should be comprised of the top 4 MVP candidates plus a center, but a few members of the staff saw things differently. Past those four top players of James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, and LeBron James, there really is quite a bit of variability without branching too far out of the known stars.

Plenty of names from our lists may be a little bit surprising, including appearances from multipl Jazz players, some Clippers, a Heat player, and even a Hawk. Everyone has their own unique view on the league, including all the members of The Smoking Cuban staff. Agree or disagree, either way, everyone has their own opinion.

With that being said, here are the staff picks for the All-NBA First Team, Second Team, and Third Team.

Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) is defended by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Kohl Rast

1st Team: G-James Harden, G- Russell Westbrook, F- LeBron James, F- Kawhi Leonard, C- Anthony Davis

2nd Team: G-Steph Curry, G-Isaiah Thomas, F-Giannis Antetokounmpo, F- Kevin Durant, C-Rudy Gobert

3rd Team: G-John Wall, G-DeMar DeRozan, F-Jimmy Butler, F-Gordon Hayward, C- Karl-Anthony Towns

Isaac Harris

1st Team: G-Russell Westbrook, G-James Harden, F-Kawhi Leonard, F-LeBron James, C-Rudy Gobert

2nd Team: G-Stephen Curry, G-Isaiah Thomas, F-Giannis Antetokounmpo, F-Draymond Green, C-Anthony Davis

3rd Team: G-John Wall, G-DeMar DeRozan, F-Kevin Durant, F-Jimmy Butler, C-Karl-Anthony Towns

Jan 27, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Emmanuel Dixon

1st Team: G-Russell Westbrook, G-James Harden, F-LeBron James, F-Kawhi Leonard, C-Anthony Davis

2nd Team: G-Steph Curry, G-John Wall, F-Kevin Durant, F-Karl-Anthony Towns, C-DeMarcus Cousins

3rd Team: G-Isaiah Thomas, G-Chris Paul, F-Giannis Antetokounmpo, F-Paul George, C-Rudy Gobert

Aaron Reed

1st Team: G-Russell Westbrook, G-Steph Curry, F-Kawhi Leonard, F-Anthony Davis, C-Karl-Anthony Towns

2nd Team: G-James Harden, G-Giannis Antetokounmpo, F-LeBron James, F-Draymond Green, C-DeMarcus Cousins

3rd Team: G-Isaiah Thomas, G-DeMar DeRozan, F-Kevin Durant, F-Paul Millsap, C-DeAndre Jordan

January 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is fouled on a scoring play by Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is fouled on a scoring play by Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Evan Siegel

1st Team: G-Russell Westbrook, G-James Harden, F-LeBron James, F-Draymond Green, C-Hassan Whiteside

2nd Team: G-Steph Curry, G-Isaiah Thomas, F-Kevin Durant, F-Anthony Davis, C-Rudy Gobert

3rd Team: G-Chris Paul, G-Klay Thompson, F-Kawhi Leonard, F-Blake Griffin, C-DeAndre Jordan

Nash Trueblood

1st Team: G-James Harden, G-Russell Westbrook, F-LeBron James, F-Kawhi Leonard, C-Anthony Davis

2nd Team: G-Steph Curry, G-John Wall, F-Giannis Antetokounmpo, F-Kevin Durant, C-Rudy Gobert

3rd Team: G-Isaiah Thomas, G-Klay Thompson, F-Jimmy Butler, F-Gordon Hayward, C-Karl-Anthony Towns

Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) grimaces while dribbling around Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) grimaces while dribbling around Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Blake Heckel

1st Team: G-Russell Westbrook, G-James Harden, F-LeBron James, F-Kawhi Leonard, C-Anthony Davis

2nd Team: G-Steph Curry, G-Isaiah Thomas, F-Kevin Durant, F-Giannis Antetokounmpo, C-Rudy Gobert

3rd Team: G-John Wall, G-Damian Lillard, F-Jimmy Butler, F-Paul George, C-Hassan Whiteside

Next: Could Kyle Lowry Find His Way to the Mavericks

Obviously there is some variation here, but overall, the top players in the league stand out for each staff member. Whether you like them or not, they have made their impact on the league this year and have earned their spots on the All-NBA Teams.