What Does It Take to Make the 1st Team All NBA This Season?
As I scroll through my social media feed this morning, I come across a series of photos shared by Sean Chambers, the former Alaska import turned Gilas Pilipinas deputy coach. There's 50-year-old Davis, surrounded by his former coach and teammates, all smiling like they just won another championship. It strikes me how these athletes, decades removed from their prime, still carry that competitive fire in their eyes. That same fire burns in today's NBA stars vying for the ultimate individual regular-season honor: making the All-NBA First Team. Having followed basketball religiously for over twenty years, I've developed my own framework for evaluating what separates First Team caliber players from the rest of the pack. It's not just about putting up big numbers—though that certainly helps—but about impact, consistency, and that intangible quality of making everyone around you better.
The conversation has to start with the absolute no-brainers, the players who could miss fifteen games and still make the First Team. This season, that list begins and ends with Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić. Jokić is just operating on a different plane of existence. I've never seen a big man who can orchestrate an offense like he does while still putting up 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists per game. His player efficiency rating is consistently hovering around a ridiculous 32, which is territory only occupied by the all-time greats. What I love about Jokić is his utter unpredictability—he might score 40 points one night, then take only eight shots the next while dishing out 15 assists. He makes the game look effortless in a way that reminds me of those old Larry Bird highlights. Then there's Luka, who's basically putting up video game numbers night after night. I've had arguments with friends who claim his defensive limitations should keep him off the First Team, but when you're averaging 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists while carrying your team to a top-four seed in the brutal Western Conference, you're a lock. His step-back three has become one of the most unstoppable moves in the league, even if the aesthetics sometimes make purists cringe.
The wing positions present the most fascinating debates this season. We've got Shai Gilgeous-Alexander making the leap from All-Star to legitimate MVP candidate. His numbers—31 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists on 54% shooting—are spectacular, but what impresses me most is his transformation into a two-way force. He's averaging over 2 steals per game and has become that rare guard who can single-handedly disrupt opposing offenses. I've watched him completely take over fourth quarters with a combination of mid-range mastery and defensive stops that reminds me of a young Kobe Bryant. Then there's Jayson Tatum, who might be the most polarizing superstar in the league. Critics point to his occasional shooting slumps, but I've come to appreciate his incredible consistency and durability. He's on pace to play 75+ games for the third straight season while putting up 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists on a team that's dominated the regular season. The Celtics' net rating with him on the court versus off tells the real story—they're 11 points better per 100 possessions when he's playing. That's First Team impact, plain and simple.
The final spot inevitably sparks the most heated discussions among basketball nerds like myself. Giannis Antetokounmpo is putting up his usual monstrous numbers—31 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists—but the Bucks' relative struggles might hurt his case. Then there's Kevin Durant, who at 35 is still averaging 28 points on 52/42/85 shooting splits, which is just absurd. But if I'm being honest, the player who's captured my attention most is Anthony Edwards. He's taken his game to another level this season, averaging 26 points while showing dramatic improvement as a playmaker and defender. The Timberwolves have the best defense in the league, and Edwards is a huge part of that. His athleticism is otherworldly—I've seen him make plays that literally make me jump out of my seat. There's an argument that his two-way impact and leadership on the best team in the West give him the edge over more established names.
Looking at these candidates, I keep thinking about what separates First Team selections from other All-NBA honors. It's not just statistical production—it's narrative, team success, and that magical combination of individual brilliance and tangible impact on winning. The voters tend to reward players who elevate their teams beyond expectations, which is why I believe Gilgeous-Alexander has a real shot despite playing in a smaller market. His transformation of the Thunder from rebuilding team to legitimate contender mirrors what Derrick Rose accomplished during his MVP season. Meanwhile, seeing those photos of Davis with his former teammates reminds me that legacies are built on these kinds of accolades. Decades from now, when today's stars are posing for reunion photos, being a multiple-time First Team selection will mean something. It represents being among the very best in the world during your era, a distinction that time can never erase. Based on what we've seen through 65 games, my picks would be Jokić, Dončić, Gilgeous-Alexander, Tatum, and Antetokounmpo, though I wouldn't be shocked if Edwards sneaks in. Whatever the final selections, this season has provided us with one of the most competitive races in recent memory, showcasing the incredible depth of talent across the league today.
