GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO AND James Harden led the voting for the NBA’s First Team of the Year but LeBron James missed out on a spot for the first time since 2007, results showed Thursday.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Antetokounmpo and Houston Rockets guard James Harden advanced to the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award along with Oklahoma City Thunder’s Paul George.
The 24-year-old Antetokounmpo, Harden and George were joined in the first team by Golden State star Stephen Curry and Denver’s Nikola Jokic.
Antetokounmpo, who is nearly seven-foot tall and known as the ‘Greek Freak’, and Harden were both unanimous first team selections.
However there was no place in the first team selection for Los Angeles Lakers’ James.
James missed out on the NBA playoffs this year for the first time since 2005 after a disappointing, injury-hit first season with the Lakers.
The second All-NBA team meanwhile comprised Damian Lillard and Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard at forward and Joel Embiid at center.
James however did earn a place on the third team, extending his streak of 15 consecutive All-NBA selections. He is now tied with Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most selections in history.
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Kemba Walker getting All NBA 3rd really puts Hornets in a tough spot whether to offer him the supermax possibly jeopardising building a team around him or risking giving him less money. On the other hand the warriors must be delighted that Klay missed out.
@Sean Leisk: The supermax could have been the reason why Klay stays in Golden State
Could easily join the Clippers and Lakers for marginally less money
@Gary: True but I think the deciding factor in Klay staying is Kevin Durant. If KD goes I think Klay will stay, if he stays Klay might apply his trade somewhere else.
Not a surprise at all really… Barring long term injury next year he’ll make one of them next year too…