The NBA has announced the 15 players that made up the three All-NBA teams, and the news is as notable for who isn't there than who is. Pelicans star Anthony Davis did not make any of the three teams, which means he won't trigger a bonus in his next contract that'll be worth around $24 million for the next five years.
Davis' status as one of the 15 best players in the NBA seemed like a shoo-in before the season started, but he suffered for the Pelicans' disappointing season. As such, he won't qualify for the Derrick Rose rule, which allows rookies to earn additional money for making the All-NBA team twice over the course of his rookie contract.
There were surprises elsewhere. DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers surprisingly earned the first-team All-NBA center slot, beating out DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond and possibly Davis and Draymond Green. Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard joined him on the first team.
Here are the full teams:
Curry, LeBron, Westbrook, Kawhi, DeAndre lead All-NBA 1st team picks pic.twitter.com/wsU5N9wnQk
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) May 26, 2016
FIRST TEAM
Stephen Curry: The two-time reigning MVP had a season for the ages, leading the league in scoring for the record-breaking Warriors. Curry broke his own three-point record by pouring in a staggering 402 treys and joined the 50/40/90 club.
Russell Westbrook: The electric point guard averaged over 23 points, 10 assists and nearly eight rebounds for the season, and he racked up 18 triple-doubles in the process. Those 18 triple-doubles tied Magic Johnson for the most in a single season in the last 50 years.
LeBron James: James shook off some three-point shooting woes to put forth another superb campaign. The King averaged 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while shooting 52 percent overall for the Eastern Conference's top squad.
Kawhi Leonard: Leonard not only won Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, but he also blossomed as a star on the offensive end. He scored a career-high 21 points per game and shot over 44 percent from long range, which was good for fourth in the league.
DeAndre Jordan: Like teammate Chris Paul, Jordan stepped up in a big way with Blake Griffin sidelined for half the season. Jordan anchored the Clippers' defense, gobbled up nearly 14 rebounds per game and shot over 70 percent from the field for the second straight season.
SECOND TEAM
Kevin Durant: Durant bounced back from his injury-ravaged 2014-15 campaign to post one of the best seasons of his career. He averaged 28 points, eight rebounds and five assists while posting a 51/39/90 shooting line for the 55-win Thunder.
Draymond Green: Green was the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up for the second straight season, and he also emerged as one of the best all-around players in the league, as evidenced by his 13 triple-doubles. His versatility on both ends is a major reason why the Warriors' small-ball alignments are so dominant.
Chris Paul: Before Paul's year was disappointingly cut short in the postseason thanks to a broken hand, he put forth a magnificent regular season that saw him notch nearly 20 points and 10 assists per game. The point guard's brilliance helped the Clippers thrive despite a lengthy absence for Blake Griffin.
Damian Lillard: The Trail Blazers weren't even supposed to make the playoffs after a mass exodus of talent, but Lillard helped them defy the odds. While he was snubbed from the All-Star Game, he rightfully earns a spot on an All-NBA team after putting up over 25 points per game.
DeMarcus Cousins: It was another tumultuous season in Sacramento, but Cousins once again put up big numbers. The big man scored a career-high 27 points per game and grabbed nearly 12 boards per game as well.
THIRD TEAM
Kyle Lowry: Lowry enjoyed a career season for the 56-win Raptors by notching over 21 points and six assist per game. Not only did he set career highs in scoring and usage, but he also was the most efficient he's ever been and scored the second-most fourth-quarter points in the league.
Paul George: George missed most of last season because of the devastating leg injury he suffered in the summer of 2014, but he bounced back and played in 81 of 82 games this year to lead the Indiana Pacers back to the postseason. He set a career high in scoring with over 23 points per game to go along with seven boards and four dimes per game.
LaMarcus Aldridge: It took some time for last offseason's biggest acquisition to get acclimated with the Spurs, but he quickly figured things out and helped them to 67 victories. Aldridge's scoring was naturally down in San Antonio, but he posted a career-high true shooting percentage.
Klay Thompson: Somewhat lost in the madness of his fellow Splash Brother hitting 402 three-pointers, Thompson nailed the most three-pointers ever in a season by a player not named Stephen Curry. Thompson knocked down 276 treys and scored a career-high 22 points per game.
Andre Drummond: Drummond led the league in total rebounding and offensive rebounding, and he posted five 20/20 games and made his first All-Star Game. His historically bad free throw shooting put a stain on his season, but his overall development helped the Pistons return to the postseason for the first time since 2009.
NOTABLE SNUBS (in order of vote total)
James Harden: There was a lot of focus on Harden's defensive lowlights and lack of leadership throughout the Rockets' disappointing campaign, but he was still an extremely prolific contributor. He finished second in the league in scoring at 29 points per game and also handed out nearly eight assists per contest.
Paul Millsap: Millsap's 17 points and nine rebounds per game don't jump off the page, but his impact on the Hawks is immense. He's also a solid passer and his superb defense is a major reason why Atlanta finished second in the NBA in defensive efficiency.
Anthony Davis: Davis didn't take the leap many hoped and had his season cut short by multiple injuries, but he did still put up 24 points and 10 rebounds per game. Nevertheless, this snub cost him around $24 million.
Al Horford: Horford put up almost identical averages as last year with 15 points and seven rebounds per game, although this season he started to shoot more three-pointers. He teamed with Paul Millsap to form one of the best frontcourts in the league.
Karl-Anthony Towns: Towns had a historic rookie campaign en route to winning Rookie of the Year. The 20-year-old averaged 18 points and nearly 11 rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the field.
DeMar DeRozan: Kyle Lowry wasn't the only Raptor to enjoy a career season, as DeRozan had one as well by putting up nearly 24 points, five rebounds and four assists per game. He also had one of his most efficient seasons ever and shot a career-best 34 percent from long range.
Hassan Whiteside: Whiteside led the league in blocks and was third in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The big man also averaged a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds per game to go with 61 percent shooting.
Isaiah Thomas: Thomas made his first All-Star Game and led the Celtics to 48 wins. He set a career high with over 22 points per game to go along with over six helpers per contest, and he was one of the most prolific fourth-quarter scorers in the league.
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