Before I get to the All-NBA list, let me update my article about Win Shares. When I weighted players by position, I only considered three positions: Center, Forward, and Guard. However, since then, I have updated my rankings to differentiate between shooting guards and point guards, and between small and power forwards. Here are the different weights for each position:
PG 1.34
SG 1.43
SF 1.04
PF 0.78
C 0.71
At first I was just going to announce this fix and be done with it, but that wouldn't be nearly interesting enough for me. Instead, I decided to put together my personal All-NBA teams, using the new data. Without further ado, here are the teams:
.......First Team - Second Team - Third Team
PG - Jason Kidd - Chris Paul - Steve Nash
SG - Manu Ginobili - Dwyane Wade - Mike Miller
SF - LeBron James - Kevin Durant - Andrei Kirilenko
PF - Marcus Camby - Kevin Love - Tim Duncan
C - Dwight Howard - David Lee - Joakim Noah
Notes: The average age for the first team is 30.4; for the second team, it's 24... Each team has at least one member of the New Heat... Where are those championship Lakers? Pau Gasol narrowly lost out on being a third-team power forward; Tim Duncan was 0.45 points of Win Score better per 48 minutes.
Something that is always interesting is to try to project the "Stars of the Future." Here is a list of players who may not be able to drink yet, but have a bright future in the NBA:
1. Kevin Love, 21, PF (MIN): Love did not have a standout rookie season (he received only 12 votes for Rookie of the Year), but he had a breakout season this year, averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds per game. His real strength is that he holds onto the ball, averaging under 2 turnovers per game. Grade: A+
2. Kevin Durant, 21, SF (OKC): The scoring leader last year, Durant is a durable scorer who carried his team to their first playoff berth since moving from Seattle. While LeBronomania consumed the media, Durant quietly signed a two-year extension, so Thunder fans can expect to see more of the Durantula. The star's only weakness: He averaged 3.3 turnovers per game, 2nd most at the position. Grade: A+
3. Ty Lawson, 22, PG (DEN). The 18th pick in 2009, Lawson instantly settled into Denver's system, and showed he could compete with the likes of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups; the rookie shot 52% on field goals, and 41% on 3 pointers. Unfortunately, when Carmelo Anthony becomes a free agent next year, Lawson may lose his primary target. Grade: A-
4. Tyreke Evans, 20, PG (SAC). The 2009-10 Rookie of the Year instantly became the top performer on his team, averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Turnovers and Fouls seem to be a problem, but this young star has an entire career to work that out. Grade: B+
5. DeJuan Blair, 20, C (SAS). He's no David Robinson, but the Spurs may have found the perfect compliment to Tim Duncan. The second round pick played in all 82 games last year, averaging 8 points and 6 rebounds per game, and only 1.37 turnovers. Grade: A-
(Note: Grades are based on position; Tyreke Evans is a better player, but DeJuan Blair ranks higher among centers.)
Now, let's expand this category from 22-and-up to 25+. Here are the best players in that age group; the players who can drive to the basket, even though they can't rent a car:
PG - Chris Paul. Derrick Rose is the sexy choice at this position, but Paul consistently gets it done with middle-to-poor teammates. The assists and steals leader also averaged a fine 18.69 points per game.
SG - Brandon Roy. Everything you want in a guard. He can score (21.5 ppg), can dish (4.7 apg), can rebound (4.4 rpg), and even steal (0.9 spg). On top of that, he averages under two turnovers per game.
SF - LeBron James. If I have to explain this pick, then you must make a career out of living under rocks. LeBron and CP3 are the brightest stars of the future; they'll shine for at least 10 more years, probably more.
PF - Kevin Love. (see above)
C - Dwight Howard. Every time I look at him, I see a young Shaq. That's a big responsibility to live up to, but that's exactly what Howard has done, leading the NBA in blocks and rebounds, while putting up a respectable 18.3 ppg. Turnovers and foul trouble is still an issue, but hey, he's 24.
Si
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