All-NBA Third Team
Guard: Kyrie Irving – Brooklyn Nets (Total Voting Points: 61)
Kyrie Irving missed the All-NBA last year after playing in just 20 games for the Nets, but this year, he found himself back on the list after averaging 26.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists and shooting 50.6% from the floor, 40.2% from three-point range.
Irving was the only member of the Brooklyn Nets’ “Big 3” to make the All-NBA teams this year, as he also played the most games during the regular season out of the Nets’ superstars with 54 regular season appearances this year. James Harden played in 36 games for the Nets and Kevin Durant played in 35 games due to injuries.
For years, Kyrie Irving has been known to be one of the most highly skilled ball-handlers in the league and since leaving the Cavaliers in 2017, he has evolved into being one of the best scoring guards in the entire league.
Guard: Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards (Total Voting Points: 71)
Bradley Beal finally broke through in the voting this year and was recognized as an All-NBA selection for the first-time in his career. Beal finished second in the league in scoring this season, averaging 31.3 points and shooting 48.5% from the floor.
During the regular season, Bradley Beal had 34 games with 30+ points, third-most in the league, he had 8 games with 40+ points, second-most in the league, and he had 2 games with 50+ points, tied for the second-most in the league.
There is no denying that Beal is one of the best scorers in the entire league and in his 9th season in the NBA, he was finally recognized as being one of the 15 best players in the league.
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Forward: Paul George – Los Angeles Clippers (Total Voting Points: 89)
In his second season in Los Angeles, Paul George joins his superstar teammate Kawhi Leonard on this year’s All-NBA list. This is George’s sixth All-NBA selection and the fifth time that he has made the Third Team.
In 54 games for the Clippers this year, Paul George averaged 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and shot 41.1% from three-point range. From being a factor defensively to continue to be a high-level scorer, George has continued to cement his legacy in the NBA.
While he may be less consistent than other members on this All-NBA list, Paul George is still one of the premier two-way players in the entire league and was a big reason why the Clippers were one of the best teams in the league during the regular season.
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Forward: Jimmy Butler – Miami Heat (Total Voting Points: 131)
Jimmy Butler missed 20 games during the regular season this year, but he still finds himself being recognized as one of the Top-15 players in the league, making an appearance on the All-NBA list for the 4th time in his career.
Butler averaged 21.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 7.1 assists and led the league in steals per game with 2.1 steals during the regular season. The Heat wing was also named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team this year, the 4th time in his career that he made the All-Defensive Team.
While the Heat had a down year after making the NBA Finals last season, Jimmy Butler continued to prove that he is one of the best two-way players in the entire league and as a result, found himself on the All-NBA Third Team this year.
Center: Rudy Gobert – Utah Jazz (Total Voting Points: 148)
This season’s Defensive Player of the Year finds himself voted in as the third best center in the league this year, averaging 14.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and shooting a league-high 67.5% from the floor during the regular season.
This is the third consecutive year that Rudy Gobert has made the All-NBA Third Team and he has solidified himself as one of the best centers of this generation.
Gobert was the engine of the Jazz defense this year and is a big reason why they ended up having the best record in the NBA. The All-NBA and All-Defensive center has turned himself into a regular on the end of season awards list and this trend has continued this year, as he won Defensive Player of the Year and made both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.
