Harden again at top of the heap
Antetokounmpo, Rockets star only unanimous picks
Guard James Harden on Thursday was named a unanimous first-team AllNBA selection for a third consecutive season, earning his fifth spot on the AllNBA first team in his seven seasons with the Rockets.
Harden’s latest unanimous selection, however, did not offer a clue about the MVP voting as it did last season, with fellow finalist Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks also a first-team selection on all 100 ballots.
Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the other MVP finalist, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors round out the first team.
Harden led the NBA in scoring for a second straight season, with his lead over George of 8.09 points per game the largest differential between the NBA’s top two qualified scorers since Wilt Chamberlain outscored Elgin Baylor by 10.84 points per game in 1962-63.
Harden became the only player in NBA history to average 35 points and seven assists in a season and joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average at least 30 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals in a season.
Harden’s 32-game streak scoring at least 30 points per game was the second longest in NBA history, with the 6-5 guard averaging 41.1 points in that run and the Rockets going 21-11 to turn around a season that saw them fall to 14th place in the Western Conference.
Harden topped 40 points 28 times, 50 points nine times and 60 points twice.
Harden has been an AllDamian
NBA selection in six of his seven seasons with the Rockets, ranking second in team history behind only Hakeem Olajuwon’s 12 selections.
The second team included 76ers center Joel Embiid, Warriors forward Kevin Durant, Trail Blazers guard
Lillard, Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard and Celtics guard Kyrie Irving.
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Pistons forward Blake Griffin, Lakers forward LeBron, James, Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Hornets guard Kemba
Walker were third-team selections.
Walker’s All-NBA selection makes him eligible for a supermax contract with Bradley Beal and Klay Thompson, who also will be free agents, eligible for max contracts, but not the larger maximum.
Antetokounmpo’s second All-NBA selection, his first as a first-team pick, will make him eligible for a supermax in 2020, which could be the largest contract in NBA history.