The 2015-2016 NBA regular season gave the fans some of the greatest all-time statistical performances in the past forty years of the league. When you start comparing today’s players with those of the past, include Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as examples, statistical milestones must be put into perspective, as the game today is different than the one, say in 1985, 1975, and even farther back, to the 1960’s and 1950’s. The stats of Wilt and Oscar in their time were astronomical, and many records they own will never be broken unless the game changes dramatically. And that is not happening. With that, my NBA team this year will focus on two things. First, statistically, how do the numbers match up with those in the recent past? Second, how significant was the player to his team’s success? To be fair, a player on a second tier team would have to have had a season that was cause for their wins and success. In picking the fifteen players on my three teams, I will not be traditional, with a center, two guards, and two forwards. I have chosen by the criteria above, regardless of position. Players are listed in a ranking order, with #1 the best player of the year, and #5 on the third team the 15th ranked player of the year.
First Team
- Stephan Curry-Golden State
- Kevin Durant-Oklahoma City
- Russell Westbrook-Oklahoma City
- Kwai Leonard-San Antonio
- Lebron James- Cleveland
Second Team
- Dramond Green-Golden State
- Damian Lillard-Portland
- Chris Paul-Los Angeles Clippers
- DeMarcus Cousins-Sacramento
- DeMar DeRosan-Toronto
Third Team
- James Harden-Houston
- Andre Drummond-Detroit
- Anthony Davis-New Orleans
- Klay Thompson-Golden State
- Paul George-Indiana
The season that Stephan Curry and Russell Westbrook have had are remarkable. Curry led the best team in the regular season and is a three point machine. He has become the most deadly scorer in the league with the game on the line. Westbrook is the Association’s stat king as his 18 triple doubles is historic since Michael Jordan. Add the comeback of Kevin Durant off injury and you have the three best players in the NBA this year. Kwai Leonard, the best defensive stopper in the league and quite possibility the best player in the league that doesn’t hog the stat line is the cog that makes San Antonio the second best team in the league. And Lebron James continues to run the Eastern Conference with his superior play. James might not be the best player in the league in 2015-2016 but he is a consistent all-world player.
Most Valuable Player: Stephan Curry, Golden State
Offensive Player of the Year: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Defensive Player of he Year: Kwai Leonard, San Antonio
Rookie of the Year: Karl-Anthony-Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Sixth Man of the Year: Enes Kanter, Oklahoma City
Come Back Player of the Year: Paul George, Indiana
Coach of the Year: Terry Stotts, Portland
Twenty-five years in the future, the ranking of the players listed will be remembered as:
Russell Westbrook-one of the greatest twenty players ever-the most athletic guard to play in the NBA
Stephan Curry-one of greatest twenty-five players ever-the greatest three point shooter in the history of the NBA
Kevin Durant- the all-time leading scoring in NBA history and a top fifteen player in the history of the NBA
Lebron James-one of the top ten players in NBA history (career cut short by wear and tear on the body)
Kwai Leonard-one of the top fifty players in NBA history and remembered for his all-around game. A top twenty defender of all-time in the Association. A three time World Champion
Chris Paul-a top twenty-five player and considered in the group of all-time point guards in NBA history. Could be the greatest if he can lead a team to an NBA championship.
Credit for 2nd Photo: SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 speaks with head coach, Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 12, 2016 at AT&T in San Antonio, Texas. Kawhi Leonard and Gregg Popovich (Photo Credit: Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)
