Chapter 779 All-NBA Teams

The Eastern and Western Conference Finals had both ended, and the two teams for the Finals were finally set.

Just like last year, it was still the Cavaliers and the Pelicans.

As fans discussed on social media, there were many talking points for the two teams' second showdown.

Could the Cavaliers complete their revenge? Could James bring Cleveland its first championship like Tang Tian did last year, and reclaim the title of the league's number one player? Could Whiteside prove that he was underestimated by the Pelicans back then? Could the Pelicans achieve back-to-back championships and create a dynasty?

The buzz and hype surrounding the Finals were even greater than the Conference Finals.

Fans couldn't wait.

However, there were still five days until the start of the Finals.

The season was nearing its end, and the intervals between games were getting longer.

The time wasn't short, but there were still plenty of talking points during the off days.

The day after the Western Conference Finals ended, the league announced the eighth and final batch of season awards.

The number of awards in this batch was significantly more than the previous ones.

All-Rookie Team, All-Defensive Team, and All-NBA Team.

The first to be announced was the All-Rookie Team, divided into First Team and Second Team.

All-Rookie Second Team: Yogi Ferrell, Jamal Murray, Jaylen Brown, Marquese Chriss, Domantas Sabonis.

All-Rookie First Team: Brogdon, Buddy Hield, Ingram, Saric, Guillermo Hernangomez.

Brogdon was named Rookie of the Year, and he also made it to the All-Rookie First Team.

In comparison, Siakam, another rookie on the team, didn't get many opportunities to play and missed out on the All-Rookie Team.

But the Pelicans had already gotten a great deal.

Brogdon was the Pelicans' 27th overall pick in the first round!

In terms of accolades alone, this was even better than what Tang Tian had achieved back then!

Of course, the All-Rookie Team was just an appetizer; the All-Defensive Team and All-NBA Team that followed were even more attention-grabbing.

All-Defensive Second Team: Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Danny Green, Tony Allen.

This year's Second Team was very different from previous years, with many old faces.

But this was also a reflection of the league's current changes. The altered officiating standards had allowed many defensive-minded veterans to rejuvenate.

All-Defensive First Team: Rudy Gobert, Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Tang Tian, Paul.

There wasn't much suspense for the Defensive First Team. Gobert, Green, Leonard, and Tang Tian were all contenders for Defensive Player of the Year.

Paul's defensive presence was also stronger under the new officiating standards.

However, it's worth mentioning that this was Tang Tian's fifth All-Defensive First Team selection!

Five All-Defensive First Team selections in the first six years of his career!

Tang Tian had set an unprecedented record in this honor!

The last to be announced was the All-NBA Team, which held the most prestige.

The All-NBA Team had First, Second, and Third Teams.

All-NBA Third Team: Anthony Davis, Draymond Green, Anthony, DeRozan, Kemba Walker.

This year, there were many super teams, and the competition for the All-NBA Team was very fierce.

A large portion of the players selected for the All-NBA Team came from these super teams.

After all, record would be a significant factor when selecting the All-NBA Team.

It's worth mentioning that this was Walker's first All-NBA selection, and Davis' second consecutive year.

The hard-working brothers had reaped great rewards, and Davis, as fans had hoped, was gradually growing into Tang Tian's Pippen.

All-NBA Second Team: Gobert, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Durant, Harden, Curry.

Compared to the Third Team, the Second Team had much more star power.

However, it was somewhat surprising that neither Curry nor Durant made the First Team.

Besides marveling at what kind of monsters were on the First Team, it also had to be said that there were risks to forming super teams.

But the most tragic was Durant. Joining the Warriors not only didn't win him a championship, but his accolades also disappeared.

All-NBA First Team: James, Leonard, Butler, Tang Tian, Westbrook.

James was a perennial First Team selection without any suspense. Leonard was also at the peak of his career this year. If he hadn't been injured, he would have had a good chance of leading his team to the Western Conference Finals.

Butler's performance on the Mavericks this year once again proved that even with relatively ordinary talent, one could still make a name for themselves in the NBA.

Tang Tian and Westbrook's selections were even less surprising. It wouldn't have been appropriate if two players who averaged a triple-double for the season weren't selected.

This was also Tang Tian's third All-NBA First Team selection.

In his six-year NBA career, he had five All-Defensive First Team selections and three All-NBA First Team selections.

Adding the three championships, two Finals MVPs, four All-Star MVPs, and two regular season MVPs he already had.

Before, when fans compared Tang Tian to Jordan on social media, they all said he hadn't accumulated enough accolades.

But upon closer inspection, Tang Tian's accumulation of accolades might even be faster than Jordan's.

It had to be noted that Tang Tian was only 25 years old after playing for six years. For a player, this wasn't even his peak age yet.

The announcement of the All-NBA Team sparked heated discussions among fans.

And just then, TNT also joined in the fun.

They invited both Tang Tian and Jordan to their program before the Finals!

Jordan seemed to have become addicted to appearing on TNT programs after his last appearance, and Tang Tian found it difficult to refuse TNT's enthusiastic invitation.

In reality, he did have time to record a program.

The topic of this episode was naturally the upcoming Finals.

"This is his season. He will succeed, or I can say even further, he has a chance to do what I did back then, a three-peat."

When Barkley asked for his opinion on the Finals, Jordan supported Tang Tian and the Pelicans without even thinking.

He was showing his goodwill towards Tang Tian on various occasions, all for the sake of recruiting Tang Tian in the future.

"Cough cough..."

However, Tang Tian choked and coughed after hearing this.

During the Western Conference Finals, he had deeply experienced Jordan's poison. It was a toxicity that even he couldn't withstand.

He also knew why TNT insisted on him participating in the program.

This was the kind of program effect they wanted!

"I think LeBron and the Cavaliers are also very strong. It will be difficult for us to win."

After Tang Tian finished coughing, he frantically hinted at Jordan.

"No, I know you. You have a fearless heart, very similar to me back then."

Jordan didn't seem to understand Tang Tian's intention at all and continued to praise him.

Tang Tian was about to spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Nikola can't play."

He could only continue.

"That's not important. What's important is that you're there."

Jordan continued, he was now genuinely in love with Tang Tian.

Tang Tian was speechless. Old Jordan was not only poisoning him this time, but also increasing the dosage!

Barkley and the others on the side watched and laughed, gloating.

This was the program effect they wanted. Anyone could tell that the ratings for this episode of TNT were going to explode.