Did They Get The All-NBA Teams Right?

Just last night (June 15th), the All-NBA teams were announced amidst the playoffs. Once the three teams were officially announced, some controversy arose about who was snubbed, or left off the list like every other year. Find out who just missed the cut for the teams, and who made the teams below.

1st Team: Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic

2nd Team: Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Lebron James, Julius Randle, Joel Embiid

3rd Team: Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Rudy Gobert

There wasn't much complaining when it came to the 1st and 2nd team selections, but more of the 3rd team. The top five players that were next in line that missed the cut were (in order): Jayson Tatum, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Zion Williamson, and Bam Adebayo. According to voting numbers, those were the next five out when it came to selections. Although, those were not the only players that got attention from the fans when it came to being snubbed. The other notable players deemed as a snub were: Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, and Kevin Durant. As you can see, the star power was off the charts this year as big names were left in the dust.

With those players not making the teams, there were questions about a few players that did make the teams. Some of these included Paul George, Jimmy Butler, and Kyrie Irving.

Paul George's stats: 54 GP, 23.3 PPG, 6.6 TRB, 5.2 AST, 46.7 FG%

Jimmy Butler's stats: 52 GP, 21.5 PPG, 6.9 TRB, 7.1 AST, 49.7 FG%

Kyrie Irving's stats: 54 GP, 26.9 PPG, 4.8 TRB, 6.0 AST, 50.6 FG% (50-40-90 CLUB)

Many were questioning the amount of games played with these guys missing due to injury. Some of the other players such as Westbrook, Booker, and Tatum played nearly all 72 games this year. That same factor can be applied to Mitchell (53 GP), Harden (44 GP), and Durant (35 GP), who played low games without making the teams. This being one of the many factors that go into the selection of the teams, goes to show how hard it is to choose the right teams.

There were impressive stat-lines, like Westbrook and his triple-double of 22.2 PPG, 11.5 TRB, 11.7 AST. Westbrook also only missed seven games throughout the season playing on an up-and-down Wizards squad. Another guard like Booker with his 25.6 PPG and 67 GP, is also another consideration along with Westbrook for that 3rd team spot. A no-brainer for the forward spot was Tatum, with his 26.4 PPG, 7.4 TRB, 4.3 AST, and 64 GP. All three players were deserving of a spot in potential replacement of Irving, George, or Butler.

Obviously stat-lines can't justify everything, but it can be put into consideration as a big factor. Looking at both sides of the ball, and team play/affecting the team, are both big factors to also key in. There are so many great players in this league that deserve a spot, it gets harder and harder each year to justifiably make each selection right. The outside will continue to chime in with their 'snub' picks year after year, with Tatum rightfully being the headliner this year. With that being said, you can draw your own opinion on the team selections. Did they make the right choices?