Predicting All-NBA Teams: Where does Anthony Edwards land?
By Austin McGee
Predicting the All-NBA Third Team
To kick things off, we have the All-NBA Third Team. Of this squad, one player narrowly made it over the honorable mentions while two players were last-second omissions from the second team.
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
Three-time All-Star and perennial Defensive Player of the Year favorite Rudy Gobert narrowly squeezes by the "All-NBA Snubs" to make the third team. Despite the least impressive counting stats of the bunch, Gobert made perhaps the biggest impact of any player in the league.
On the season, Gobert averaged 14.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. Per CraftedNBA, Gobert was by far and away the best defender in the league. His rim deterrence was elite. The "Stifle Tower" forced opponents to shoot, on average, 13.9 percent worse than at the rim.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Part of the Phoenix Suns' terrific trio, Devin Booker has solidified himself as a top-15 player in the NBA. Although Phoenix added former All-Star Bradley Beal and Booker suited up alongside Kevin Durant for an entire season, his point production remained similar while drastically increasing his assist percentage from 27.3, a season ago, to a career-high mark of 31.2 percent.
Booker was one of the best all-around offensive players this season. He ranked top-11 in points and assists per game. The Suns' guard also shot 49.2 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from beyond the arc, and ranked 10th in the NBA—shooting 88.6 percent from the charity stripe.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
The best shooter of all time hasn't lost a step in his age-35 season. Now in his mid-30s, his production remains reminiscent of his late 20s. The 10-time All-Star remains an elite sniper from deep. The Golden State Warriors guard was the only player to knock down more than 300 triples this season.
Although his squad won't participate in the postseason, the Golden State Warriors would be closer to the bottom of the league's standings without Curry. The sharpshooting guard positively impacted the Warriors' offense. He led the team in offensive win shares, offensive box plus/minus, and value over replacement player (VORP).
Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
Still one of the best defenders in the NBA, LA Clippers' Kawhi Leonard remains as efficient as ever on the other end of the court. Leonard appeared in 68 games, his most in seven years, and held averages of 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game while nearing a 50/40/90 season.
Of Leonard's most common matchups in the regular season, three appear on this list and all three differ in position—demonstrating the forward's incredible versatility. On a star-heavy team like the Clippers, Leonard edges out George as the focal point.
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Perhaps Anthony Davis' most prestigious accomplishment is appearing in the most games in his 12-year career. The Los Angeles Lakers big man appeared in 76 games this season and remained consistent throughout the entirety of the season.
On the season, "AD" averaged 24.7 points, a career-high 12.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. If not Gobert or Victor Wembanyama, the Kentucky product may have come away with Defensive Player of the Year honors on top of an All-NBA team selection.