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2021-22 NBA Awards: S-and-S Staff Roundtable

By Dylan Jackson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets argues with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after he is fouled by him in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets argues with Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks after he is fouled by him in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 06: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks walks off the court after the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 111-101 in a preseason NBA game at American Airlines Center on October 06, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 06: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks walks off the court after the Dallas Mavericks beat the Utah Jazz 111-101 in a preseason NBA game at American Airlines Center on October 06, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

2021-22 NBA Awards Predictions: All-NBA First Team

DJ: Damian Lillard (POR), Steph Curry (GS), Kevin Durant (BKN), Luka Doncic (DAL), Joel Embiid (PHI)

So, I guess the more notable thing with my lineup is who was left out (LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo) – but I guess I’m just extremely high on all of the players picked over them. I will defend Damian Lillard to the death, and Steph is aging incredibly gracefully. I think Embiid, as well, will have the storyline on his side.

SS: Luka Doncic (DAL), Steph Curry (GSW), Kevin Durant (BKN), Giannis Antetotkounmpo (MIL), Joel Embiid (PHI)

Nothing crazy here. Just the superstars of today being superstars. LeBron James will likely make it, but that’s too easy.

JP: Luka Doncic (DAL), Steph Curry (GSW), LeBron James (LAL), Kevin Durant (BKN), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL)

For all NBA first team, I asked myself who the five best players in the league are.. Durant and Antetokounmpo were easy choices. LeBron James will continue being LeBron James, meaning he’ll carry his team to the top of the conference. Curry will have his partner in crime back, preventing the defense from guarding him with five players at once. Dončić will continue to be a spectacle and carry his team into the playoffs while proving he is a top player in the league.

GM: Steph Curry (GS) , Luka Doncic (DAL), Kevin Durant (BKN), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Anthony Davis (LAL)

No real surprises here, I went KD over LeBron because it feels like the Westbrook move was made to take a lot of the load of the regular season off of LeBron to keep him more fresh for their playoff run, so that means KD will probably have the better statline and a similar if not better team record. Other than that, voters preferred AD over Jokic in 2020 so I think they would again and the others were on the team in 2021 and seem obvious choices if healthy.

EB: Luka Doncic (DAL), James Harden (BKN), Paul George (LAC), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Joel Embiid (PHI)

The recurring theme here is the level of regular-season responsibility being placed on these players. James Harden projects to carry an even larger load for the Brooklyn Nets with Kyrie Irving’s uncertain availability, while Paul George will have to carry the Clippers in the absence of Kawhi Leonard. Luka Doncic could be primed for a big year with a new coaching staff and the lack of a true co-star, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid are clearly the best players on their teams and will have to perform as such.

JH: Steph Curry (GS), Luka Doncic (DAL), Kevin Durant (BKN), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Joel Embiid (PHI)

The only debatable player left off of the first-team is LeBron James and for the second-straight year, I expected him to miss out. Stephen Curry is bound for another great season with Klay Thompson returning, Luka is Luka, Kevin Durant will put up his usual stats, Giannis will continue to dominate and Joel Embiid might be ever better without Ben Simmons.

MW: Luka Doncic (DAL), Stephen Curry (GSW), Nikola Jokic (DEN), Kevin Durant (BKN), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL)

QE: Steph Curry (GS), Luka Doncic (DAL), Kevin Durant (BKN), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Nikola Jokic (DEN)

No surprises here. I switched Jokic and Joel Embiid about five times before deciding on the reigning MVP, but Embiid having a monster year would not be a shock.

JF: Steph Curry (GS), Luka Doncic (DAL), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Kevin Durant (BKN), Nikola Jokic (DEN)

I don’t think this needs much explaining. Durant is a wild card depending on how many games he plays, but I think they’ll need him more this year, and that’ll be enough to get him in.

Final tally: Luka Doncic (DAL) unanimous, Steph Curry (GS) 8, Kevin Durant (BKN) 8, Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 8, Joel Embiid (PHI) 4, Nikola Jokic (DEN) 3, Damian Lillard (POR) 1, LeBron James (LAL) 1, Anthony Davis (LAL) 1, Paul George (LAC) 1

Takeaways: There was only one unanimous selection, Luka Doncic. Interestingly enough, LeBron James was only picked once. Paul George, though, is the most intriguing name on this list – as he will have to carry the load for a Clippers team that will be without Kawhi Leonard for most (if not all) of the season.

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