The NBA has a new look to their All-NBA teams. The first new rule is that in order to be eligible, a player has to play in a minimum of 65 games, so players like Joel Embiid, Donovan Mitchell, and Kyrie Irving are not eligible. Another new rule is that the days of positions are gone and we now just pick the 15 best players, so without further ado, here are my 2023-24 positionless All-NBA teams.
First Team
Nikola Jokic
Jokic has had a huge season, averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists while leading the Nuggets to at least a top 3 seed in the Western Conference. The Nuggets are also +23.8 points per 100 possessions and expected to win 51 more games when Jokic is on the court versus when he rests. Another MVP seems like the most likely result coming.
Luka Doncic
Averaging a league leading 33.9 points per game, along with 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds, Luka is also having an MVP level season. After last season’s disaster, missing the Play-In Tournament, Doncic, and co-star Kyrie Irving, have the Mavericks looking like a threat to make a run in the Western Conference.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder have been the breakout team this season and SGA’s MVP caliber season is a huge reason why. Averaging 30.3 points, 6.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.1 steals per game, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are a threat in Western Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Yet another monster season from The Greek Freak. Averaging 30.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, Giannis won’t get much love for MVP but he deserves it. However, the Bucks need to figure out their mess and figure it out quickly because something bad is happening there as they have lost 4 in a row.
Jayson Tatum
The last first team spot belongs to Jayson Tatum. Tatum’s numbers are down from a year ago, 27.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, but Tatum has still been excellent for the team with the best record, by a lot, in the NBA.
Second Team
Anthony Davis
AD has been a monster this season, averaging 24.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game and is having one of the best seasons of his career, all while playing in 74 games thus far. Davis should be considered a lock to make his first All-NBA team since 2019-20, when the Lakers won the championship.
Kawhi Leonard
Leonard has played in 68 games, the most he has played in since the 2016-17 season when he finished 3rd in MVP voting. Leonard’s best work has been on defense this season but with averages of 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, he lands on my All-NBA ballot.
Jalen Brunson
Brunson has become one of the best point guards in the NBA and is going to be on the All-NBA team. Averaging 28.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game Brunson has been great and as his usage rate rose, he efficiency remained the same with shooting splits of .48/.39/.84. With Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson missing so much time, the Knicks needed Brunson to keep them afloat and he did more than just that.
Kevin Durant
Durant has played his most games in a season (71) since 2018-19, when he was with Golden State and pre-achilles tear. Another guy who has had a monster defensive season, is averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks on efficiency that is out of this world, his shooting splits are .53/.42/.86.
Anthony Edwards
Minnesota is in the mix with OKC and Denver all season, and Edwards has been the Wolves best player. Averaging 25.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game this season, Edwards has blossomed this season and has given Minnesota their best team since 2003-04.
Third Team
Domantas Sabonis
Sabonis has had a very underrated season for the Kings this year, averaging 19.5 points, a league leading 13.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game on 59.5% shooting percentage from the field this season. One of the most underrated players in the league, Sabonis should be close to an All-NBA lock.
Jaylen Brown
While his numbers might not represent it, Jaylen Brown is having the best season of his career. Averaging 23.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, Brown usually takes on the opposing team’s best wing on defense and has played much more within Boston’s offense this season.
Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton fought through a hamstring injury to become All-NBA eligible and I think he should make it. With the Pacers playing the way they have this season and Haliburton averaging 20 and 10 on a field goal percentage of 47% and an effective field goal percentage of 57%, Tyrese Hailburton cracks my All-NBA team.
Stephen Curry
Curry has done a masterful job at just keeping the Warriors a float this season in what has turned into a mess of a season. His clutch numbers are also incredible scoring 186 clutch time points on shooting splits of .50/.46/.95 in clutch time, which is defined as a game in that last 5 minutes within 5 points or less.
LeBron James
James has had a really good season, averaging 25.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game on 54% from the field and 41% from 3. The Lakers are also 8.4 points per 100 possessions better with James on the court than off of it. Whether the Lakers deserve 2 All-NBA guys or not, both LeBron and AD belong on the All-NBA teams.
With the season winding down and All-NBA ballots being due soon for those that have them, I decided to put mine out. Did I leave anyone out, if so leave a comment of who I left out but remember you also have to take someone off my list.
What about Devin Booker?