SUMMARY
- The All-NBA teams were recently announced by the league with the MVP finalists leading the league in votes.
- Players like Tyrese Maxey, Victor Wembanyama, and a few others certainly deserves a spot.
The NBA recently released this year’s list of players who made All-NBA teams. An All-NBA team selection is bestowed upon fifteen of the best players in the league and these players are voted into either the first, second, or third team. Being selected as an All-NBA player has its own perks such as bonuses above their expected salary for the season or even eligibility for max contracts as well.
2023-24 All-NBA:
1st: Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum
2nd: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard
3rd: Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, LeBron James, Domantas Sabonis
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 22, 2024
This year, there were a bunch of obvious and deserving athletes who were voted in for. Here is the list of athletes that received All-NBA honors.
All-NBA First Team:
- Nikola Jokic
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Luka Doncic
- Jayson Tatum
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
All-NBA Second Team:
- Jalen Brunson
- Anthony Davis
- Kevin Durant
- Kawhi Leonard
- Anthony Davis
All-NBA Third Team:
- LeBron James
- Stephen Curry
- Domantas Sabonis
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Devin Booker
While each of these players was definitely deserving of being selected, there were a few others who could’ve been on this list as well. Such individuals are referred to as snubs. Here are the top five individuals who should make either one of these teams.
Tyrese Maxey
The Philadelphia 76ers had a fairly good start to the season until Joel Embiid’s injury exit. After the former MVP went down with a torn meniscus, Tyrese Maxey was left to steer the ship averaging 25.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and a steal per game. He somehow managed to keep his team afloat and into the Play-In Tournament.
Tyrese Maxey was not named to any of the three All-NBA teams. Now, his max extension will start at $35.5M per year, instead of $42.6M per year if he made an All-NBA team.
(h/t @KyleNeubeck) pic.twitter.com/gHDZ0dVEKR
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) May 23, 2024
Maxey should’ve been given recognition for carrying a team single-handedly while someone like Kawhi Leonard was injured during many matchups and averaged fewer points than Maxey. He’s probably the biggest snub on this list.
De’Aaron Fox
This year, the competition in the Western Conference was extremely tight. The Sacramento Kings were a playoff team for the most part. However, they faced elimination and secured the ninth seed in the West. Regardless, if Sabonis managed to secure an All-NBA selection, how did De’Aaron Fox get snubbed?
“I’m f—ing nice!”
DE’AARON FOX FOR THE WIN 🦊❄️ pic.twitter.com/5bNbg73prl
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 16, 2023
Fox was the Kings’ best scorer and a major defensive asset averaging 26.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2 steals. One can agree that Sabonis was consistent, and appeared in all 82 games. However, when you talk about who the Kings’ leader is, Fox is immediately a name that comes up.
Victor Wembanyama
The reigning Rookie of the Year had everything good going on for him. Victor Wembanyama wasn’t necessarily on the best team out there but All-NBA players are players who happen to be the best in the league. Wembanyama? He was possibly one of the top five centers in the league this season.
Victor Wembanyama really did all this in his first NBA season 🤯
🔹Rookie of the Year
🔹All-Rookie 1st Team
🔹NBA blocks leader
🔹All-Defensive 1st Team (first rookie ever)
🔹DPOY Runner-Up pic.twitter.com/xfeOcQCk5q— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 22, 2024
He led the league in blocks averaging 3.6 per game and he was also a favorite to win this year’s Defensive Player of the Year. However, Rudy Gobert happened to be the best defensive player on the best defensive team. Overall, Wembanyama is a threat regardless of which team he’s on. He can easily pass off as one of the best players in the league as well.
Paolo Banchero
Paolo Banchero has improved tremendously since his rookie season. The Orlando Magic were also one of the biggest surprises out of the Eastern Conference this year. Even though they finished fifth in the East, they did briefly crack the top two in the conference right before the post-season.
Paolo Banchero lost Lebron with the crossover 👀 pic.twitter.com/kONXZEShV6
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 5, 2023
He averaged 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game during the regular season. He fared 27 points per game in seven appearances in the playoffs. Banchero helped push a dominant Cleveland Cavaliers team to Game 7 but lost on the road. Banchero certainly deserves more recognition than he gets.
Rudy Gobert
Even though Gobert didn’t make it to an All-NBA team, he has been included in an All-Defensive team. But is it quite upsetting that no player from the Minnesota Timberwolves organization made it to an All-NBA team? Gobert anchored the best defense in the league.
Rudy Gobert has the highest +/- in the 2024 NBA playoffs 😮 pic.twitter.com/Rpz4IQb8Q7
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) May 21, 2024
And it was because of his presence that the team got to widen their skillset with different players taking on different roles. Anthony Edwards shockingly missed out on an All-NBA selection as well.