If all goes right in the NBA world, the Golden State Warriors will have three All-NBA selections: Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
There aren’t many teams in the NBA that even get two All-NBA players on their roster. However, the Golden State Warriors aren’t just any other team. They’re one of the best team’s ever assembled.
Their starting lineup has five legitimate stars.
Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins, the two stars that aren’t likely to make the All-NBA team, have still had solid seasons. Coming back from injury, Cousins is now average over 16 points per game. For Green, he’s one of just a few players to average over six points, rebounds and assists per game.
They’re unique stars, but they aren’t on the same level as Durant, Curry and Thompson.
All three were All-Stars this season. While Thompson was only one not named a starter, all three should be able to claim a spot on an All-NBA team. The 15 players selected are of the top-tier in the NBA.
The resume for Curry is one unmatched by any other player in the league. He’s averaging over 27 points per game, one of just five players to do so. He’s also the only qualified player to shoot over 45% from the field, 40% from three and 90% from the line.
Curry’s been as dominant this season as he was during his MVP season in 2015. He deserves an All-NBA first team spot, and I’m pretty confident he’ll be granted it.
For Durant, the story is similar. However, he’s a borderline first-team member due to the depth at the forward position. He’ll have to beat out both Kawhi Leonard and Giannis in order to secure that spot.
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That said, Durant is averaging over 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists per game. He’s also one of the league’s most efficient players, shooting over 50% from the field and 85% from the line. Durant’s been incredible this season and will undoubtedly at least make an All-NBA team.
Klay Thompson is the only question mark of the group. He’s got Utah’s Donovan Mitchell, San Antonio’s DeMar DeRozan, Washington’s Bradley Beal and many other players that have been having career years to beat out. Unlike these three, Klay’s team is actually good.
Only the Jazz will make the postseason out of the three listed, and team success has always been a huge factor for the committee. At the same time, Klay deserves the sport, averaging over 21 points and three threes per game.
One of the league’s best two-way players, Thompson’s unique ability to score off the catch-and-shoot and without the ball in his hands for extended periods of time, could buy him the bid. We truly won’t know about Thompson’s chances until the teams are announced.
However, if all goes right, the Warriors will have three All-NBA players.