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Five Big Questions Concerning The 2016-17 All-NBA Teams

By Jonathan Macri

Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Who is the sixth guard?

You would be hard pressed to find anyone who isn’t going to place James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry (coming on strong of late), John Wall, and Isaiah Thomas on their All-NBA teams in some order. The first two warrant no discussion, while each of Curry, Wall and Thomas could conceivably be voted fifth in this year’s NBA MVP race. The real question comes down to the sixth and final spot.

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If Chris Paul has played something like 75-78 games, this wouldn’t be a question. He leads the entire league in real plus-minus according to ESPN.com, and as fivethirtyeight detailed back in January – right before Paul went out with a torn thumb – the Clippers are a wreck when CP3 isn’t on the floor. 

Unfortunately for the Clips, Chris Paul will finish the season with about 60 games played, and there are plenty of other worthy contenders for the last spot.

When he was on the floor this year, Kyle Lowry’s play warranted All-NBA consideration, but he will finish with less games played than Paul due to his own injury. In his absence, DeMar DeRozan has been the biggest factor in keeping the Raptors afloat, but advanced stats are not his friend, and many voters in 2017 care a lot about such things.

Damian Lillard has quietly had an unbelievable season, but the media may hold his team’s sub-.500 record against him. Klay Thompson will have no such problem, and has put up nearly identical stats as the last two years, each of which saw him make the All-NBA Third team.

Is there room for three – or possibly four – Warriors to fit into just fifteen spots? At this point, Klay seems to be a better bet to make it than at least one, and possibly two of his teammates.

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