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.
More from Sir Charles In Charge
- LeBron James working to assemble super team for USA Basketball in 2024
- Dillon Brooks proved his value to Houston Rockets in the 2023 FIBA World Cup
- NBA Trade Rumors: 1 Player from each team most likely to be traded in-season
- Golden State Warriors: Buy or sell Chris Paul being a day 1 starter
- Does Christian Wood make the Los Angeles Lakers a legit contender?
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.