The 2021-22 All-NBA teams were announced this past week with a few newcomers and regular faces in the mix. The First Team consisted of back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic, Milwaukee Bucks forward and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. This is the first time both Tatum and Booker have made either of the All-NBA teams and marks the first time that all players named to the First Team are 27 years old or younger since the 1954-55 NBA Season. This is also Doncic’s third selection in his first four years in the NBA. He is the fourth player in NBA history to make the All-NBA First Team at least three times before their 24th birthday. The other three are Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant and Max Zaslofsky.
The Second Team consisted of 2021-22 scoring champion and MVP-runner up, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan. In addition to his first All-NBA selection, Morant also picked up the league Most Improved Player Award after averaging 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists while leading the Grizzlies to a 56-win season and a number two seed in the Western Conference. This also marks Durant’s tenth All-NBA selection of all time.
Rounding out the Third Team were Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, and Toronto Raptors forward Paskal Siakam. With his selection, James now extends his record for most ever All-NBA team selections with 18. Paul also becomes second all-time in selections behind James with 11. There were a few superstars who many pundits deemed “snubbed” from the All-NBA Teams. Those include three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, and Miami Heat duo Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Further controversies with the All-NBA teams lie within the success of the respective teams of the members. For example, James is the only member of the All-NBA teams whose team did not qualify for the NBA Playoffs this season. As of now the only members of the All-NBA teams who are still contending for a title are Tatum and Curry, whose Celtics and Warriors will face off in the NBA Finals this Thursday.
