All-NBA: California Only Edition
The Sacramento Kings are in the midst of a short California stretch of the season. Including Thursday night's win over the Los Angeles Lakers, four the next six games are against the other California teams.
Some end of the year awards include players being named to the All-NBA First, Second, and Third teams. Instead of adding the entire league in on this right now, let's just use the four teams in California and see where each team's players land.
(Based off of stats through this point of the season)
All-California-NBA First Team:
PG: Stephen Curry (GS) - 29.3 ppg, 6.3 ast, 5.3 reb
SG: Klay Thompson (GS) - 20.9 ppg, 2.3 ast, 3.3 reb
SF: Rudy Gay (SAC) - 17.8 ppg, 1.8 ast, 6.7 reb
PF: Draymond Green (GS) - 14.8 ppg, 7.4 ast, 9.5 reb
C: DeMarcus Cousins (SAC) - 25.3 ppg, 2.8 ast, 10.8 reb
One thing that stuck out more than anything when looking at each position is that the California teams are lacking at the small forward position.
It's a real toss up between Rudy Gay, Harrison Barnes, and Andre Iguodala. Barnes has been out for a good portion of the season, and while Iguodala means a whole lot to Golden State, his numbers aren't flashy. Gay was the choice by process of elimination.
All-California-NBA Second Team:
PG: Rajon Rondo (SAC) - 11.9 ppg, 11.6 ast, 6.5 reb
SG: J.J. Redick (LAC) - 16 ppg, 1.6 ast, 1.5 reb
SF: Andre Iguodala (GS) - 7.6 ppg, 3.5 ast, 4.3 reb
PF: Blake Griffin (LAC) - 23.2 ppg, 5 ast, 8.7 reb
C: DeAndre Jordan (LAC) - 11.g ppg, 0.9 ast, 13.4 reb
The hardest pick for the second team was at the point guard position. Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul are both having tremendous seasons. Rondo received the pick because he is averaging a double-double and is a threat for a triple double each night.
Blake Griffin found himself on the second team, not because of his skill, but because how do you not put Draymond Green on the first team with the way he is playing right now.
All-California-NBA Third Team:
PG: Chris Paul (LAC) - 17.7 ppg, 9.5 ast, 3.5 reb
SG: Kobe Bryant (LAL) - 17.6 ppg, 3.4 ast, 4.2 reb
SF: Harrison Barnes (GS) - 12.9 ppg, 1.9 ast, 4.9 reb
PF: Omri Casspi (SAC) - 12.8 ppg, 1.6 ast, 6.6 reb
C: Festus Ezeli (GS) - 8.5 ppg, 0.9 ast, 6.4 reb
It's crazy to think that Kobe Bryant isn't a top shooting guard in the league, or even on this list. Of course, if this was career stats, Bryant would be on the first, second, and third team. That's how incredible his career has been.
Two names made the list on the third team; names you probably wouldn't have guessed before the season started. Omri Casspi and Festus Ezeli are having breakout seasons. They won't receive anything close to all-star recognition, but they have earned every bit of recognition as solid role players for their teams, respectively.
Honorable Mention:
PG - Darren Collison (SAC)
PG - Shaun Livingston (GS)
SG - Jordan Clarkson (LAL)
SG - Lou Williams (LAL)
SG - Jamaal Crawford (LAC)