Golden State Warriors: Who Deserves To Be On All-NBA Teams?

The Golden State Warriors had a disappointing end to their season, falling to the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Many pundits have said they would have beat the Clippers with their man in the middle, Andrew Bogut, possibly the best defender at the center position in the league.  The Warriors are not that far away from where they want to go and they should be well represented when the end of the year awards are announced after the NBA Playoffs.

Stephen Curry is a lock for an All-NBA Team and possibly the first team, and he would be the first Warrior to be named to the All-NBA First Team since Latrell Sprewell in 1994.  Curry transformed his game from being just a three-point shooter to a superstar player that can get to any spot on the floor and get his shot off.  He is the most exciting point guard in the entire NBA, wowing everyone with his handles and passing skills, as well as outstanding shooting prowess.  Curry could get stronger and play better defense but there is no doubt he is the Warriors’ number one option and opponents have to game plan for him.

On defensive end of the court, the Warriors have four elite defenders, any of which could be named to an All-Defensive team.  Bogut is the leader of this elite defense and was badly missed against the Clippers in the playoffs.  He provided the Warriors with a presence in the paint, changing countless shots and intimidating wing players when the defense breaks down.  But he won’t be named to the All-Defensive team because he doesn’t put up the numbers that Dwight Howard, Joakim Noah and DeAndre Jordan do at the center position. However, he is the key to the Warriors’ improvements on defense.

The two guys that should be strongly considered for the All-Defensive Teams are Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson.  Iguodala finished fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year award so just by that logic alone should be named to an All-Defensive team.  Iguodala is a great on the ball defender that makes it tough for anyone to get a good look against him.  He anticipates passes with the best of them, leading to transition baskets for the Warriors.  He should even better on defense next season because he was not healthy for the majority of the season and it showed in the postseason, allowing JJ Redick to go off in multiple games.  However, he is not the best defender on this team; that title goes to Thompson.

Every night, Thompson took the challenge of guarding the best perimeter player on the opposing team and most of time that was the point guard.  He would use his length and quickness to prevent penetration and made it difficult for anyone to get a clean look against him.  He should be considered for the All-Defensive second team because only Tony Allen is a better defender than him at his position.  He will continue to get better at the defensive end of the court, getting stronger and quicker and become an elite defender in this league.  He will develop a reputation in this league, much like Iguodala, and he will be able to be more physical with his opponents.

The last elite defender on his team is Draymond Green and if he was in the starting lineup at the start of the postseason, the Warriors would have beaten the Clippers.  Green played outstanding defense against the most explosive power forward in the league, Blake Griffin, despite lacking the strength and quickness that Griffin has.  He contested every one of his jump shots, making it extremely difficult for him to score.  Green has not only taken on the challenge of Griffin but has also shown his versatility by guarding Chris Paul and LeBron James.  He may be the best defender coming off of anyone’s bench and most Warriors fans agree that he should starting over David Lee because of his defensive prowess.  It is not expected that he will be named to any of the All-Defensive teams but he will a vital key to the Warriors’ defense in the future.

Believe or not, the Golden State Warriors are a defensive team and the end of the year awards should reflect that with as many as three Warriors being strongly considered.  Curry should be named to the All-NBA First Team because he is one of the five best players in this league.  Besides Curry, it is not expected for any player to make an All-NBA team; not even David Lee, who made the third team in 2013.  Thompson and Iguodala should be named to the All-Defensive teams with Iguodala being named to the first team and Thompson to the second with Bogut having an outside shot making the second team.  This is a great sign for the Warriors’ organization and another statement that Golden State is a team on the rise.

My All-NBA Teams:

1st Team

• F Lebron James, Miami Heat
• F Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
• C Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets
• G Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
• G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

2nd Team

• F Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
• F Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
• C Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
• G James Harden, Houston Rockets
• G Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs

3rd Team

• F Paul George, Indiana Pacers
• F LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
• C Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
• G Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
• G Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

All-Defensive Teams:

1st Team:

• F Lebron James, Miami Heat
• F Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
• C Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls
• G Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
• G Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

2nd Team:

• F Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors
• F Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
• C DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
• G Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
• G Mike Conley, Jr., Memphis Grizzlies