All-NBA Selections Highlighted By Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic And Warriors’ Steph Curry

This year’s NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, along with the Golden State Warriors‘ Steph Curry, the league’s scoring leader, headlined the All-NBA First Team announced on Tuesday.

The Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, Milawuakee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard rounded out the All-NBA First Team.

The All-NBA Second Team consisted of the Trailblazers’ Damian Lillard, the Suns’ Chris Paul, Knicks forward Julius Randle, the Lakers’ LeBron James and the 76ers big man Joel Embiid.

The All-NBA Third Team was made up of the Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving, the Wizards’ Bradley Beal, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, the Clippers’ Paul George and Jazz center Rudy Gobert.

Tuesday’s announcement marked Jokic’s third-straight All-NBA selection and second-straight First Team distinction. After missing almost the entirety of the 2019 season, Curry earned his seventh overall All-NBA selection and fourth First-Team selection. Antetokounmpo and Leonard both earned their third First-Team selection and fifth overall selection. Doncic’s accolade marked his second consecutive First-Team selection.

James earned his 17th overall All-NBA selection and third Second-Team selection. Randle earned his first All-NBA selection. Paul earned his 10th All-NBA honor, making him one of the 26 players who have made the team at least 10 times. Embiid earned his third All-NBA selection. Butler earned his fourth All-NBA selection, yet this is the first time he was voted higher than the Third Team.

Beal made his first All-NBA Team, while Irving earned his third selection. Gobert earned his fourth All-NBA selection, to add to his already impressive accolade of Defensive Player of the Year. George earned his sixth All-NBA selection.

This massive achievement also has financial ramifications for multiple players. For both Embiid and Doncic, their recognition to the All-NBA Teams will qualify them to sign supermax contract extensions with their current teams. Jokic became eligible to sign a supermax contract for next season after he earned the NBA MVP award.

Meanwhile, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell suffer a decrease in contract value due to not earning the All-NBA accolade. Kings guard De’Aaron Fox and Heat center Bam Adebayo also missed out on contractual bonuses. Bulls guard Zach LaVine would have been eligible for a supermax deal as well if he had been voted onto an All-NBA Team, which was not the case.

Article by Gabriel Mangiafico