2018 NBA All-Playoff Teams: Who stood out in the postseason?

NBA Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
NBA Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets reacts against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 24, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 24: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets reacts against the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of Game Five of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on May 24, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Third Team

Guard: Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

Playoff stats (10 games): 17.4 points, 8.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals

It’s easy to forget how solid Lowry was throughout the playoffs. As the Raptors once again collapsed against LeBron and the Cavaliers, his performance was almost immediately swept aside.

Despite how it ended, Lowry had the most efficient postseason of his career, shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from 3. His typically robust defense and playmaking rounded out a solid performance for a player with a reputation as a shrinking violet.

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Guard: Chris Paul, Houston Rocket

Playoff stats (15 games): 21.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals

Paul’s value to the Rockets was most obvious in his absence. After pushing the Warriors to a deciding Game 7, Paul sat out of the final showdown with a hamstring injury and could only watch his team’s elimination.

Before that, though, he was a huge factor in Houston’s playoff push, and was a calming influence on the team in the big moments. As his numbers suggest, contributions in almost every area made Paul the perfect compliment for likely MVP James Harden.

Forward: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

Playoff stats (21 games): 10.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.5 blocks

In the All-Star frenzy that is the Golden State Warriors, Green has somehow become underrated by fans. He went under the radar throughout the playoffs, but his consistency was remarkable.

Aside from scoring, he improved in every major statistic from the regular season – and let’s be honest, with the teammates he has scoring isn’t really a problem. Defensive versatility and secondary playmaking are Green’s calling, and he delivered in spades during another championship run.

Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Playoff stats (7 games): 25.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.9 blocks

He loses points for a first-round elimination, but the Greek Freak gave another tantalising glimpse of what is still to come. With (much, much, much) better teammates and coaching, performances like this could one day net Antetokounmpo a Bill Russell Trophy or two.

Playing 40-plus minutes in all but one game (a blowout win), he had three games of more than 30 points and dragged the Bucks to Game 7 against Boston. Considering the Celtics were later one game away from the Finals, that was no mean feat.

Center: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Playoff stats (8 games): 21.4 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks

After improving on his whirlwind rookie season with a more consistent sophomore year, Embiid’s postseason was a curious one. He led Philadelphia in scoring and was the lynchpin of the team, but his efficiency dipped significantly under the brighter lights.

Overall, though, he still had a strong playoff debut. After his return from injury the Sixers won three straight games to advance past Miami, which underlined his importance to a rising squad that should feature in the playoffs for years to come.