MVP Stephen Curry and LeBron James headline All-NBA First Team
All-NBA First Team
The first ever unanimous MVP Stephen Curry was the only unanimous pick for the All-NBA First Team, the NBA announced on Thursday afternoon. He received first place votes on all of the 129 ballots. This is Curry’s second straight selection to the All-NBA First Team.
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Curry (645 points) was joined by Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James (637 points), who received 125 of a possible 129 first place votes. The three remaining players on the team make their All-NBA First Team debuts : San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (575 points, 94 first place votes), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (627 points, 120 first place votes) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (317 points, 39 first place votes).
This is James’ 10th selection in 13 years, tied for second most in league history. Recently retired Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and Hall of Famer Karl Malone are tied for most with 11 selections.
All-NBA Second Team
The All-NBA Second Team consists of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors’ forward Draymond Green, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, Portland Trailblazers’ guard Damian Lillard and Sacramento Kings’ center DeMarcus Cousins.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the All-NBA Second Team nod helps Lillard become eligible to earn an estimated 13 million dollars extra over the course of the 5 years of his recent contract extension, that he signed with the team last year, courtesy of the “Rose Rule”.
Damian Lillard's berth on the All-NBA Second Team makes his extension from last summer more than $20 million richer thanks to the Rose Rule.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) May 26, 2016
All-NBA Third Team
The All-NBA Third Team consists of Toronto Raptors’ guard Kyle Lowry, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge and Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond.
Via the same “Rose Rule” that applied to Lillard, New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis misses out on an extra 25 million dollars on a recent contract extension he signed last summer. His new contract which begins from the 2016-17 season stipulates him to have one of the following criteria’s: MVP honors, All-Star starter selection or All-NBA Team selection, in order to unlock more money on his contract.
Another star player who missed on the All-Star selections this season is Houston Rockets’ All-Star James Harden. It’s a huge snub, given that Harden averaged 29 points (2nd in the league), 7.5 assists and 6.1 rebounds, and led his team to a Playoff appearance despite all odds.