All Pro NBA 2nd Team
After seeing who I put in my All Pro NBA 1st Team you may better understand my criteria for picking the best players in the game. My 2nd All Pro team is a combination of players that have put together great seasons both statistically and as a part of their team's success. Keep in mind this season was shortened and the number of games played has a big affect on who I put in this starting five. I am big on players that provided a unique strength to their team and those who offer specific skills that are underrated by most. These players will be more big names but it may not be the usual big names you may have on your 2nd team. There are many players that deserve this honor but only five could make it. Without any further ado here is my All NBA 2nd Team.
Center- Kevin Love Timberwolves
Keeping Kevin Love off my 1st Team was very difficult but I felt that if I had to choose between Howard and Love I would prefer Howard slightly more due to his defensive reputation. Love's defensive numbers were nothing to shake your head at though. He averaged 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per game but the defensive numbers don't tell the whole story. Love's true value can't be shown on the defensive side of the ball as his offensive numbers were spectacular. Love led all power forwards in scoring with 26 points per game which ranked him 4th in the league overall. He hit 37.2% of his 3 pointer this season and added 13.3 rebounds per game second only to Dwight Howard. Love was a big time fantasy player this season as he had arguably the best season of his young career in 2012. Kevin Love finished the season with 48 double doubles which was first in the league by far.
Power Forward- Pau Gasol Lakers
Pau Gasol continued his great career with another efficient season. Gasol averaged a double double this year with 17.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Pau has collected a total of 41 double doubles to this point with two games to go. The Spaniard was third in the league in that category only behind Dwight Howard and Kevin Love. Gasol's style of play has always been considered to be finesse over power but he did show some defensive prowess this season averaging 1.5 blocks per game and combined with Andrew Bynum led a very tall and lengthy front court for the 3rd place Los Angeles Lakers.
Small Forward- Paul Pierce Celtics
Paul Pierce defied age once again as his 34 year old body put up 19.7 points per game this year. Pierce also averaged 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Paul Pierce had great shooting percentages on the court all around and was close to his own career high with a 1.63 assist to turnover ratio. The Celtics small forward led his team to the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs even with his aging teammates not having particularly great years (Ray Allen).
Shooting Guard- Dwayne Wade Heat
Even with playing in a career low number of games and career low in minutes (33.8 per game) Wade still put together a terrific season. Wade averaged 22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Wade also averaged 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game showing why he is still one of the better two guards in the game today. He was extremely efficient when shooting this year, 49.7% from the field and 79.1% from the free throw line. Wade showed that he still has the ability to drive the lane and finish with authority over anyone in the game. He tied a career high with a 0.64 Steal to turnover ratio this season. Dwayne Wade is by far the second best shooting guard, in my opinion, in the game today only behind Kobe Bryant.
Point Guard- Russell Westbrook Thunder
The only thing keeping Westbrook from being on my All Pro NBA 1st Team was his assists numbers. He averaged nearly 3 assists less per match up than the previous two seasons. He still managed 5.3 dimes per game but that's a far cry from his 8.2 last season. Westbrook did shoot a career high from the field hitting 46.3% of his shots. His 23.8 points per game was a career high as well. He not only had a great season statistically but along with his teammate Kevin Durant has put together one of the best season's in the Thunder's short history. They are battling for the number one seed in the Western Playoffs right now after holding the spot for the majority of the season. Westbrook is without a doubt a top ten player in the league today.
There you have it, my All Pro NBA 2nd Team lineup for the 2012 season. If you want to discuss these players or have a different opinion feel free to hit me on twitter @Awies28 i usually respond fairly quickly. Thanks again for stopping by and reading.
Alex Wiesner
After seeing who I put in my All Pro NBA 1st Team you may better understand my criteria for picking the best players in the game. My 2nd All Pro team is a combination of players that have put together great seasons both statistically and as a part of their team's success. Keep in mind this season was shortened and the number of games played has a big affect on who I put in this starting five. I am big on players that provided a unique strength to their team and those who offer specific skills that are underrated by most. These players will be more big names but it may not be the usual big names you may have on your 2nd team. There are many players that deserve this honor but only five could make it. Without any further ado here is my All NBA 2nd Team.
Center- Kevin Love Timberwolves
Keeping Kevin Love off my 1st Team was very difficult but I felt that if I had to choose between Howard and Love I would prefer Howard slightly more due to his defensive reputation. Love's defensive numbers were nothing to shake your head at though. He averaged 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per game but the defensive numbers don't tell the whole story. Love's true value can't be shown on the defensive side of the ball as his offensive numbers were spectacular. Love led all power forwards in scoring with 26 points per game which ranked him 4th in the league overall. He hit 37.2% of his 3 pointer this season and added 13.3 rebounds per game second only to Dwight Howard. Love was a big time fantasy player this season as he had arguably the best season of his young career in 2012. Kevin Love finished the season with 48 double doubles which was first in the league by far.
Power Forward- Pau Gasol Lakers
Pau Gasol continued his great career with another efficient season. Gasol averaged a double double this year with 17.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Pau has collected a total of 41 double doubles to this point with two games to go. The Spaniard was third in the league in that category only behind Dwight Howard and Kevin Love. Gasol's style of play has always been considered to be finesse over power but he did show some defensive prowess this season averaging 1.5 blocks per game and combined with Andrew Bynum led a very tall and lengthy front court for the 3rd place Los Angeles Lakers.
Small Forward- Paul Pierce Celtics
Paul Pierce defied age once again as his 34 year old body put up 19.7 points per game this year. Pierce also averaged 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Paul Pierce had great shooting percentages on the court all around and was close to his own career high with a 1.63 assist to turnover ratio. The Celtics small forward led his team to the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs even with his aging teammates not having particularly great years (Ray Allen).
Shooting Guard- Dwayne Wade Heat
Even with playing in a career low number of games and career low in minutes (33.8 per game) Wade still put together a terrific season. Wade averaged 22.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Wade also averaged 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game showing why he is still one of the better two guards in the game today. He was extremely efficient when shooting this year, 49.7% from the field and 79.1% from the free throw line. Wade showed that he still has the ability to drive the lane and finish with authority over anyone in the game. He tied a career high with a 0.64 Steal to turnover ratio this season. Dwayne Wade is by far the second best shooting guard, in my opinion, in the game today only behind Kobe Bryant.
Point Guard- Russell Westbrook Thunder
The only thing keeping Westbrook from being on my All Pro NBA 1st Team was his assists numbers. He averaged nearly 3 assists less per match up than the previous two seasons. He still managed 5.3 dimes per game but that's a far cry from his 8.2 last season. Westbrook did shoot a career high from the field hitting 46.3% of his shots. His 23.8 points per game was a career high as well. He not only had a great season statistically but along with his teammate Kevin Durant has put together one of the best season's in the Thunder's short history. They are battling for the number one seed in the Western Playoffs right now after holding the spot for the majority of the season. Westbrook is without a doubt a top ten player in the league today.
There you have it, my All Pro NBA 2nd Team lineup for the 2012 season. If you want to discuss these players or have a different opinion feel free to hit me on twitter @Awies28 i usually respond fairly quickly. Thanks again for stopping by and reading.
Alex Wiesner
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