LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo highlight NBA’s list of All-NBA selections

The NBA announced what players made the 2019-20 All-NBA teams on Wednesday. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo stood out as the only two players to get unanimous first-team selections. The two stars are the frontrunners to win the MVP this year, so it’s not surprising to see that they are considered to be the cream of the crop.

Antetokounmpo has made an All-NBA team for four straight years, and this is the second time in a row he’s made the first team. The reigning league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year was one of the most impactful players in the NBA this season. He led all players in PER (31.94) and was the anchor on both sides of the ball for a Bucks team that posted the best record in the NBA for a second straight season. While the Eastern Conference favorites were bounced by the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs, he remains one of the most dominant regular season players in recent memory. He led Milwaukee in points, rebounds, and assists in the regular season.

James has 15 career All-NBA selections and missed snapped his 11-year streak of first-team selections in 2019 when he suffered a groin injury in his first season with the Lakers. James bounced back in a big way in 2019-20 by leading the NBA in assists while averaging 25.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He thrived alongside his co-star Anthony Davis and helped Los Angeles secure the best record in the Western Conference.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden made the first team for his sixth time in seven years. Many questioned whether he could keep scoring at a high level after Houston acquired a ball dominant guard in Russell Westbrook, but he went on to claim his third straight scoring title by averaging 34.3 points per game. He also buckled down on the defensive end and led the NBA steals. Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson are the only other players in NBA history who have accomplished that feat. Harden only trailed Antetokounmpo in PER (29.11).

Anthony Davis proved that he is a true superstar in his first season with the Lakers. He led Los Angeles in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks while finishing second to Antetokounmpo in DPOY voting. Davis has now has four first-team selections under his belt. He and James are the first teammates to make the first team in the same season since Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire did with the Phoenix Suns in 2006-2007.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is the youngest player to make the first team this year at 21 years old. The second-year star had one of the best sophomore seasons ever. He led the NBA in triple-doubles with 17 and nearly averaged one for the entire season. He ranked sixth in the NBA in points and finished fourth in assists for the regular season. This could be the first of many first-team selections to come for Doncic.

Here’s the full list of All-NBA selections.