Picking the All-NBA, All-Rookie, and All-Defense teams for the 2023-24 season
By Ben Handler
All-NBA
First Team
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
No frills here. These were the top 5 MVP candidates all season and they’ve been consistently the best players in the league, all leading their teams to winning seasons. Tatum vs Brunson was the hardest decision here, but Tatum has been the best player on the best team all year and I’m not going to knock him for coasting down the stretch because his team so thoroughly dominated the whole season.
Second Team
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
There’s nothing too controversial on this squad either. Brunson had a legitimate MVP case and he’s been incredible for the Knicks. Edwards has emerged as one of the 10 or so best players in the league and led a contending team on both ends of the floor. KD, AD, and Kawhi all keep chugging along and earned these spots with stellar two-way play.
Third Team
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
Here’s where things get very interesting. The Celtics were just too good not to have a second player and Brown was incredible on both ends while sacrificing on offense to make the team better. Sabonis brought it every single night, setting a remarkable record for consecutive double-doubles.
Curry is still Curry and the amount to which he carried the Dubs offense this year was ridiculous. PG-13 had one of his best years as a pro and was absolutely rock solid on both ends. Haliburton wasn’t quite the same player after returning from injury, but he was arguably the best offensive player in the league for the first half of the season.
The toughest players to leave off the list were LeBron James and Devin Booker. Both had great seasons, but I just don’t think their teams were good enough to warrant two of the top 15 players in the NBA.