2010-2011 All-NBA First Team: Where Dirk Nowitzki Gets Some (Kevin) Love
This NBA season has been jam-packed with exciting moments and upcoming stars. In my previous article, "Bulls and Thunder are the New Lakers and Celtics," I highlighted the league's transition from the old generation to the new. Here, I think it is appropriate now that the official NBA's First Team has come out, that we take a look at the best the NBA has to offer at each position.
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PG: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
1 of 5
Who Actually Won
Who Should Have Won
Derrick Rose. Easiest selection for this year's All-NBA First Team. He is the MVP, he should have been the most improved player and he is by far the best overall point guard the league has to offer. He went from being a 20 percent three-point shooter to hitting at a 33 percent clip.
That is not very easy to do in only your third season.
Next Two
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
He became the yin to Kevin Durant's yang. Westbrook's ability to both distribute and score make him an extremely tough kid to guard. When it comes to the NBA, the more tools you have, the better the PG you become.
He is the new Steve Nash, even while Nash is still one of the best pure passers in the league. Paul is a pass-first point guard, separating him from Westbrook and Rose. If he stays healthy, he is going to be a top three point guard in the league for the next decade.
SG: Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat
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Who Won
Who Should Have Won
Dwayne Wade. I know he got some tremendous help from LeBron James and Chris Bosh, but he is still one of the best pure scorers in the game.
Also, there is one thing that a lot of people seem to forget: Wade has already won a championship by himself. He is already a proven winner. He doesn't need LeBron and Bosh; he is a top NBA player by himself.
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Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
He is one of the best players in NBA history who is still productive, but the name of his game used to be explosiveness. Now it is his mid-range game he has to rely on.
His knees are hanging on by a thread and his minutes continue to be reduced because of it. Don't get me wrong, Bryant may just be the best shooting guard ever, but not at this stage of his career.
Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
Ellis is completely ignored due to his team's inability to win games, but it isn't his fault. He had a very good year while he continues to thrive alongside developing star Stephen Curry. Averaging 25-4-5 this year, Ellis is my third-best shooting guard in the league.
SF: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Who Won
LeBron James/Kevin Durant (they both did, but they are both small forwards...???)
Who Should Have Won
Kevin Durant. He is the absolute best scorer in the game right now. Coming out of Texas, people doubted his ability to sustain his play in the more physical NBA due to his stature, but he is thriving in his age-22 season.
He has a seemingly endless amount of weapons at his disposal on offense and is even a plus defender. He has size, agility and handles making him the hardest man to guard in the NBA.
Next Two
LeBron James, Miami Heat
This is not the case of me hating on the Heat; I just think that right now, Kevin Durant is a more dominant player. Having said that, James is probably the best overall athlete in the game. As he matures, he is becoming one of the best defenders as well. Look for the Durant-James debate to be prevalent for many years to come.
Gerald Wallace, Charlotte Bobcats/Portland Trailblazers
Wallace gets the nod over Carmelo Anthony becomes of his tenacious defense and superior rebounding skills. Wallace was acquired by the Blazers and helped them make a huge late-season push and made them a serious playoff threat.
PF: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
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Who Won
Kevin Durant/LeBron James
Who Should Have Won
Dirk Nowitzki. He is arguably the best offensive power forward to play the game, and he is definitely the best active PF. He has carried the Dallas Mavericks for an entire decade now and continues to make opposing defenders look like high-schoolers. He can shoot, post up or put the rock on the floor and drive. He is the total package and is Hall of Fame-bound.
Next Two
Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks
In his first season in the Big Apple, Stoudemire did the impossible: exceed the Knicks fans expectations. It wasn't until 'Melo arrived that New York hit a swoon. Stoudemire showed that he didn't need Steve Nash, proving most NBA fans wrong.
However, the most impressive thing about his game this year was the two blocks a game he averaged. Never known for his defense, he truly stepped it up this year.
Zack Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
When Rudy Gay went down, the Grizzlies' hopes of making a playoff push appeared bleak. Randolph refused to give in. He went off, and his team responded. In possibly his best season, Randolph averaged 20 points and 12 boards, four of which came on the offensive end.
This guy is an absolute monster.
C: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
5 of 5
Who Won
Who Should Have Won
Kevin Love. Just because his team was awful doesn't mean he cannot be the best center in the league. Love had one of the best seasons ever recorded by an NBA center, and he should have been appropriately awarded for it. He averaged 20.2 points, 15.2 rebounds and 1.2 threes a game. That was a huge season and nobody really appreciated it.
Next Two
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
He is a beast. He is huge, wide, tall and can jump out of a gym. He is the best defensive big man in the game, and his offensive game is even improving while he matures. The only downside to Howard is foul trouble and technicals.
Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks
He had a very quiet but productive year for the Bucks. He actually recorded career highs in rebounds and blocks. Sure he only played in 65 games, but just look at this elbow injury and if you tell me you didn't wince, I would be shocked.
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