Predictions for the 2014-15 All-NBA first team

Even though the pre-season was going on throughout the summer, the true excitement for the season started in early October. The fans had to endure the long gruelling period of time before the ball hit the court again for competitive contests.So since the beginning of this month, you have being seeing various prediction, expert opinions and analysis of every team but we are going to do something slightly different. Now that the season has started let’s allow it to play out rather than analysing every detail of every team every week.Generally the All-NBA teams are announced at the end of the regular season and rightfully so. The players who deserve to get their names called after an entire season of consistent good performances should get their name called. Although we are at the beginning, we are going to predict the All-NBA team for this current season.

#5 Center: Anthony Davis

Dwight Howard has been the center on the All-NBA’s First team five teams out of the last seven years with Tim Duncan and Joakim Noah being the only exceptions. Although Howard’s athleticism and talent put together is unmatchable but the past couple of years his game has been stagnant, at a level where he has neither risen nor fallen.

WIth Noah nursing a knee injury, this leaves the spot open for young rising superstar Anthony Davis. Two years from his successful Olympic Gold campaign in London where he was the only non-NBA player to feature on the 12 man squad for the USA National Basketball team, Davis has evolved every season and has now reached a point where his performance in the season would determine whether he is a bonafide superstar off the game.

Having the capability to put up monster averages for the season, makes Davis the sleeper candidate for the league MVP award, something like the dark horse. Being young he is logically in his prime to put his athleticism and height to good use against smaller or shorter opposition centers.

#4 Power Forward: Blake Griffin

The power forward position in the All-NBA First team will see a fierce battel between Blake Griffin and Kevin Love. Nonetheless considering contribution to the team and coming up big when its most needed, the Clippers superstar has the edge over the former Timberwolves All-Star.

Every off-season Griffin adds something lethal to his game and this summer it was time for his long range jumper to become more efficient. His game in the post is not the most artistic looking yet he is one of the most dominating power forwards in the paint mainly because of his athleticism for his size.

He has slowly and steadily taking over from Chirs Paul and becoming the go to man for the Clippers on offense. His passing has improved last couple of seasons, helping in the development of the team’s starting center DeAndre Jordan. His game might not be the best among power forwards but he is at the top of the list simply because of how tough he is to defend for any other opposition forward in the league.

#3 Small Forward: LeBron James

Was there ever anybody else contesting for this spot especially after Kevin Durant’s “Jones fracture”?

LeBron James is by a long distance the favorite not only for the Small Forward spot on the All-NBA First Team but also to win the league MVP award this season. His season averages might take a hit given the amount of firepower he has in the Cavaliers around him however being the best player in the world makes the season a mere formality.

James signed with his home state franchise of the Cavaliers this summer in the quest to win a championship for his hometown after winning two rings in the last four years with the Miami Heat. The player who came closest to challenging James for the throne actually snatched it from him last season but with his most recent injury, it is highly unlikely that Durant will come in the way of the King’s fifth MVP award.

There are other candidates to the MVP race but none come close to challenging James at the top. His game is at such a level that he isn’t aiming for the MVP award instead is concentrating on winning the league's Defensive Player of the Year Award.

#2 Shooting Guard: James Harden

The emergence of combo guards (point guards who average 20+ points and 7+ assists) has left made the genuine 2 guards a dying breeds in the league. Very few shooting guards make it to among the elite superstars of the league. Kobe Bryant’s injury and Dwyane Wade’s drop in numbers due to lack of minutes has propelled James Harden to the top of the list of shooting guards in the league.

His career skyrocketed ever since the Oklahoma City Thunder traded him to the Rockets in the off-season of 2012. His offensive reportoire is vast and keeps growing with his development. There are very few players in the league who have perfected the Eurostep and he is one among the non-Europeans who puts it to good use. His jump shot has improved to the extent that he now puts up shots even when great defense is played on him.

A large percentage of his points come off the free throw line, he is the first in successful free throws recorded and third in free throws attempted in the league. He might not be selected as the starting point guard in the All-Star Game as it is votes based (Kobe Bryant will mostly start) but he will surely to secure the shooting guard spot on the All-NBA First team.

#1 Point Guard: Stephen Curry

Going by his performance last season in the regular season and Playoffs, this current season is the year Stephen Curry overtakes Chris Paul as possibly the best point guard currently in the game. His shooting strokes is one of the best ever and his ability to dish dimes and collect rebounds at the same time has made him one of the top offensively effective players in the league.

A huge part of his game his shooting three pointers, ridiculous tough ones are included. He has shot the most three pointers in the last couple of years in the league and not just the most but also most efficiently as well. Curry was chosen as an All-Star starter last season for the first time in his career, hugely because Paul was sidelined with a shoulder injury. He will secure a spot in the All-Star point guard position for the West this season because his games is also one of the most entertaining to watch.