All-NBA Third-Team Predictions
G: James Harden – Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have had so many injuries this year, but when he has been on the court, James Harden has been playing at an MVP-level.
Harden was traded to the Nets in January this year and has only played in 34 games for them, but he has been their most important player, even with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant healthy.
With Brooklyn, Harden has averaged 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 10.9 assists and has shot 46.3% from the floor, 35.8% from three-point range. His 10.9 assist was leading the league at the time of his hamstring injury and while he has missed time, this should not affect what Harden has done this year.
He may not have played in as many games, but he has put up better or equal to numbers as some of the other guys on these All-NBA teams, which is why Harden should be listed as an All-NBA performer this year.
G: Russell Westbrook – Washington Wizards
Mr. Triple-Double himself, Russell Westbrook has been having one of the best seasons of his career and will be averaging a triple-double for the season once again for the fourth time in his career. Only two guys in NBA history have averaged a triple-double over the course of a season: Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 and Russell Westbrook, who has now done it four times!
It is quite remarkable what Westbrook has achieved this season and soon, he will become the NBA’s All-Time Leader in Triple-Doubles, passing Oscar Robertson himself. Westbrook has been sensational and as a result, he has played the Wizards into the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference.
A lot of people tend to talk “smack” about Russ and his leadership abilities, but when he is in the zone, Westbrook is one of the most dominant players in NBA history. He will go down as one of the all-time greats when he retires, but this year, he should absolutely be named an All-NBA performer for the 10th time in his career.
F: LeBron James – Los Angeles Lakers
If he had played a full season, we would likely be having a discussion on whether or not LeBron James deserves to be All-NBA First-Team, but since he has only played in 43 games, he finds himself on the Third-Team this year, much like James Harden.
Before injuring his ankle, LeBron James was having yet another magical season and at one point, was in the discussion to win the league MVP award! Since then, the Lakers have slipped in the standings and are now fighting just to avoid having to play in the play-in game.
Nonetheless, LeBron has still put together another remarkable season, which is why he will be an All-NBA performer for the 17th time in 18 seasons, something that will never be done again in NBA history!
F: Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans
One of the young faces of the league, Zion Williamson has shown everybody that he is one of the most dominant players in the entire league when healthy and the run he has been on this season is very impressive.
This season, Zion became the fastest player to record his 2000th career point since Michael Jordan did so in 73 games. Anytime you are being mentioned with Jordan, you are doing something right!
Zion is averaging 27.0 points per game this season, while shooting 61.1% from the floor, which is something that is rare to see in the NBA. Given his size and stature, Williamson cannot be guarded and is going to be one of the best players in the league over the next decade, assuming he can remain healthy.
It should be a no-brainer that Zion is an All-NBA performer this year and deservingly so given how dominant he has been.
F/C: Julius Randle – New York Knicks
Without Julius Randle, the Knicks would be nowhere close to being in the playoffs, which is why he is the final player on our All-NBA Team Selection list! It was hard to choose between him and some other center eligible players, but Randle definitely deserves this recognition.
On the year, Randle is averaging 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists and is shooting 46.2% from the floor and 41.7% from three-point range. All year long, Randle has been one of the most dominant forwards/centers in the game and every time the Knicks need a big play, he delivers for them.
While this spot is definitely up for discussion with some other frontcourt players in the league, Julius Randle gets the nod from me for being on the All-NBA Third-Team this year!
