We are now halfway through the 2021-2022 NSL season, so it’s the perfect time to see, if the season ended today, who might make the All-NSL, All-Defensive and All-Rookie teams.

This was no easy task, I agonised over these selections for almost an hour, with many worthy players missing out. I tried to reward a combination of solid numbers and team success and fit them into 5 man units that wouldn’t be out of place on an NSL basketball court.

I hope you enjoy and that this can spark some healthy discussion and debate in the comments!

All-NSL 1^st Team

C - Nikola Jokic - HOU

PF - Kevin Durant - DAL

SF - Lebron James - SAS

SG - Luka Doncic - CHA

PG - Stephen Curry - DEN

The top 5 candidates in the MVP race also complete a very nice All-NSL starting 5.

Nikola Jokic almost single-handedly has the Rockets currently in the playoffs, averaging 22 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists.

Kevin Durant averages 34 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists and has the most impressive numbers of anyone in the league, despite playing for the lowly Dallas Mavericks, he still makes this team.

Lebron James is the current favourite to take out the MVP award and plays for the Western Conference’s 2^nd best team. He averages 32 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

Luca Doncic plays for the Eastern Conference’s best team and averages 30 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

Stephen Curry averages 34 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds, is currently the leading scorer in the NSL and has kept his Nuggets in the playoff’s while awaiting the return of Klay Thompson.

 
All-NSL 2^nd Team

C – Joel Embiid - WAS

PF - Giannis Antetokounmpo - LAC

SF - Paul George - TOR

SG - Zach LaVine - GSW

PG - James Harden - POR

Joel Embiid was almost overlooked completely in these teams before sanity prevailed. He is averaging 21 points, 17 rebounds and 3 assists for the now 4^th placed Wizards.

Giannis Antetokounmpo gets pigeonholed into power forward here, despite playing point guard in the NSL. He averages 22 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists and is carrying the Clippers into the playoffs.

Paul George averages 29 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists for the second best team in the Eastern Conference. Sadly, he may not play in the second half of the season, putting his spot in the final team in doubt.

Zach LaVine averages 29 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, is currently 4^th in the NSL for points per game and has the Warriors burning up the standings in the West.

James Harden plays for the Western Conference’s best team and averages 28 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

All-NSL 3^rd Team

C - Rudy Gobert – DET

PF – Anthony Davis - CHI

SF - Jaylen Brown - MEM

SG - Jimmy Butler – SAS

PG – Trae Young – ORL

Rudy Gobert will very likely feature in the defensive team also, but he gets here for two-way play for the Pistons. Averaging 16 points, 17 rebounds and 1 assist.

Anthony Davis has been injured recently, and his absence has been really felt by the Bulls. He is averaging 22 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists. His return soon will see the Bulls rise in the East again.

Jaylen Brown proudly represents the 3^rd placed Grizzlies here, averaging 24 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. What an achievement for the young wing.

Jimmy Butler is the Robin to Lebron’s batman for the West’s second-best team. Despite this he is averaging 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Trae Young almost single-handedly has the Magic currently in the playoffs, averaging 28 points, 6 assists and 2 rebounds. He is also the 5^th leading scorer in the NSL.

All-Defensive 1^st Team

C - Rudy Gobert - DET

PF - Jaren Jackson Jnr - MEM

SF - Matisse Thybulle - PHI

SG - Jimmy Butler - SAS

PG - Chris Paul - CHA

Rudy Gobert is the most dominant defender in the league and plays for the leagues best defence, a real no brainer. Gobert averages 3.3 blocks and 1.4 steals per game.

Jaren Jackson Jnr was a welcome surprise. Playing for the leagues 5^th best defence, Jackson Jnr averages 3.5 blocks and 1.0 steals per game.

Mattise Thybule is probably the most disruptive defender in the league and plays for the leagues 3^rd best defence. He averages 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.

Jimmy Butler is elite on either side of the ball and plays for the leagues 4^th best defence. Jimmy is averaging 2.1 steals and 0.2 blocks per game.

Chris Paul is showing no signs of slowing down. Playing for the league’s 2^nd best defence Chris is averaging 1.6 steals and 0.1 blocks per game.

All-Defensive 2^nd Team

C - Hassan Whiteside - CHI

PF – Anthony Davis - CHI

SF - Lebron James - SAS

SG - Giannis Antetokounmpo - LAC

PG - LaMelo Ball - MIN

Hassan Whiteside has been using is insane size and athleticism to full effect, averaging 3.3 blocks and 0.7 steals as one half of an incredible defensive front court for the Chicago Bulls.

Anthony Davis makes up the other half of the Chicago Bulls defensive front court, using his size and smarts to average 2.8 blocks and 1.0 steals.

Lebron James is defying father time on the defensive end, at least in the NSL. For the leagues 3^rd best defence, he is averaging 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been defending point guards all season in the NSL, usually with a speed advantage and height advantage of about 6 to 9 inches. It’s no surprise he averages 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals.

LaMelo Ball was a big surprise here, not known for his defensive prowess, he leads the league in steals per game, averaging 1.9 steals and 0.5 blocks.

All-Rookie 1^st Team

C - Alperen Sengun - BOS

PF - Evan Mobley - MIL

SF - Scottie Barnes - MIN

SG - Jalen Green - ATL

PG - Cade Cunningham - LAL

Alperen Sengun was pick 9 by Boston and has shown an ability to block shots, rebound and score when required. In 21 minutes per game he is averaging 8 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist.

Evan Mobley was pick 3 by Milwaukee and has shown he can do almost everything on the basketball court. The current favourite for Rookie of the year is averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist in 32 minutes per game.

Scottie Barnes was pick 5 by Minnesota and has shown great defence, athleticism, and energy so far in the NSL. In 24 minutes per game, he is averaging 11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

Jalen Green was pick 2 by Atlanta and has shown growing confidence in his ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways. In 27 minutes per game, he is averaging 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Cade Cunningham was pick 1 by the Los Angeles Lakers and has shown that he has all the tools to carry an NSL offense. In 23 minutes per game, he is averaging 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

 
All-Rookie 2^nd Team

C - Omer Yurtseven - PHI

PF - Kai Jones - UTA

SF - Corey Kispert - LAC

SG - Chris Duarte - UTA

PG - NahShon Hyland - DEN

Omer Yurtseven was undrafted but signed by Philadelphia and has shown an ability to block shots, rebound and score when required. In 18 minutes per game he is averaging 7 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist.

Kai Jones was pick 17 by Utah and has shown great athleticism for a big man, blocking shots and rebounding. In 23 minutes per game, he is averaging 7 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block.

Corey Kispert was pick 13 by the Los Angeles Clippers and has shown real chops as a 3 and D wing in the NSL. In 28 minutes per game, he is averaging 13 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

Chris Duarte was pick 23 by Utah and has shown a sweet stroke and ability to get to the rim on offense. In 22 minutes per game, he is averaging 10 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.

NaShon Hyland was pick 21 by Denver and has shown that he can be a really solid backup for Stephen Curry for years to come. In 19 minutes per game, he is averaging 9 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound.