Who Made the NBA All 1st Team and How They Earned Their Spots

I still remember watching my first NBA All-Defensive Team announcement back in 2015, thinking how incredible it would be to make that elite group someday. While I never reached those heights myself, having coached at various levels gives me a unique perspective on what separates good players from truly exceptional ones. This year's All-NBA First Team selections tell a fascinating story about dominance, consistency, and basketball evolution. When the league announced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Nikola Jokić as this season's elite five, it wasn't just about raw numbers—though those were spectacular—but about how each player redefined excellence for their position while carrying their teams through grueling campaigns.

Let me start with what might surprise casual observers—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's inclusion over established superstars like Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant. Having watched SGA develop from his Clippers days, what strikes me most isn't just his 30.1 points per game but how he's transformed Oklahoma City's entire offensive ecosystem. The guy led the league in drives per game at 24.7 while maintaining 54% shooting from the field, numbers that remind me of prime Dwyane Wade but with better efficiency. What many fans might not notice is his defensive impact—he averaged 2.0 steals per game, often turning defense into instant offense in ways that analytics can't fully capture. I've always believed the best players make their teammates better, and SGA's Thunder improved by 16 wins from last season while reaching the second round of playoffs. That's not coincidence—that's franchise player impact.

Then there's Luka Dončić, who put up what I consider one of the most statistically dominant seasons in modern history. 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from three-point range—those are video game numbers. But what impressed me more was how he carried Dallas through injuries and roster changes, particularly during Kyrie Irving's 20-game absence where the Mavericks went 14-6. I've coached players who put up big numbers in losing efforts, but Luka's production directly translated to wins. His usage rate of 36.8% led the league, yet he maintained elite efficiency with a 61% true shooting percentage. Having worked with high-usage players before, I can tell you that maintaining efficiency at that volume is nearly impossible, yet Luka made it look routine.

The frontcourt selections reveal how much the game has evolved. Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 29.5 points and 11.2 rebounds while shooting 62% from the field—numbers that would have been unimaginable for a primary scorer a decade ago. What makes Giannis special in my view isn't just his physical dominance but his basketball IQ. I've studied his film extensively, and his understanding of angles and timing separates him from other athletic freaks. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum's inclusion continues his streak of All-NBA selections, but this season he added playmaking to his repertoire with 4.9 assists per game while maintaining 26.9 points and 8.1 rebounds. Having watched his development since Duke, what stands out is how he's expanded his game annually rather than resting on his strengths.

Now, Nikola Jokić—where do I even begin? The Joker put up 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists while leading Denver to the Western Conference's second seed. His player efficiency rating of 32.8 wasn't just the best this season—it's historically great. But statistics don't capture what makes Jokić special. Having tried to coach against players like him, I can tell you his greatest weapon is his unpredictability. He processes the game three passes ahead like a chess grandmaster, and his post game combines old-school fundamentals with revolutionary passing vision. What many casual fans miss is his defensive improvement—he averaged 1.4 steals while anchoring Denver's defense through positioning and intelligence rather than athleticism.

Thinking about these selections reminds me of the coaching dynamics I've observed firsthand. Much like how the young tactician mentioned in the reference material brought championship experience to Charles Tiu's staff after ending University of Santo Tomas' title drought, these All-NBA players have transformed their teams through leadership and proven performance. Gilgeous-Alexander ending Oklahoma City's playoff drought mirrors that championship impact, demonstrating how individual excellence can revive entire franchises. Having been around coaching staffs during rebuilding periods, I've seen how one transformative player can accelerate development timelines by years.

What fascinates me about this particular First Team is how it represents basketball's ongoing evolution. We have two international players in Dončić and Jokić, a Canadian in Gilgeous-Alexander, and only two American-born players. The game has truly globalized, and having coached internationally myself, I appreciate how different basketball cultures produce distinct styles that enrich the NBA product. Jokić's Serbian fundamentals combined with Dončić's Slovenian creativity create a beautiful basketball tapestry that simply didn't exist twenty years ago.

Looking at the voting results, what stood out to me was the consensus around these five players. Each received at least 75 of 100 possible first-team votes, reflecting how clearly they separated themselves from the competition. In my experience, when there's that level of agreement among voters—who include seasoned basketball journalists and analysts—it typically indicates these aren't just statistically great seasons but transformative ones that redefine positional expectations.

If I'm being completely honest, part of me wonders if we're witnessing a changing of the guard. LeBron James made Second Team while Stephen Curry didn't make any All-NBA team—marking the first time since 2019 that neither superstar made First Team. Having competed against both legends during my playing days, their gradual passing of the torch feels both inevitable and bittersweet. Yet what excites me is how this new generation isn't just maintaining standards but elevating them, pushing basketball into new dimensions of skill and versatility.

Reflecting on my own career, both as player and coach, what strikes me about these selections is how each player embodies different paths to excellence. Giannis transformed from raw prospect to polished superstar through relentless work. Jokić revolutionized the center position through unparalleled skill and vision. Dončić combines old-man game with youthful production. Gilgeous-Alexander represents the patient development story, while Tatum shows the value of continuous evolution. Their journeys remind me that there's no single blueprint for greatness—just relentless pursuit of improvement tailored to individual strengths.

As we look toward next season, I'm curious to see how these players build on their achievements. Having been around elite competitors, I know the greatest never rest on their accomplishments. If anything, making First Team often increases motivation rather than satisfying it. The beautiful part of basketball—what keeps me involved decades after my playing days ended—is watching how each generation pushes the next to innovate and excel. This year's All-NBA First Team doesn't just represent the present—it hints at basketball's exciting future.