Starting next year, players will have to play 65 games to make an All-NBA team. That would have eliminated a third of this year's teams.
5 out of the 15 players named All-NBA would not have been eligible under the new CBA that starts in July:
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) May 10, 2023
Giannis
Steph Curry
Jimmy Butler
Damian Lillard
LeBron James
Jimmy Butler played in 64 games; Giannis Antetokounmpo in 63, Damian Lillard in 58, Steph Curry in 56 and LeBron James in 55. None of them would have been eligible for an All-NBA team under the new guidelines.
Last year, there were four All-NBA players who took the court for fewer than 65 games—Curry, James, Ja Morant and Kevin Durant. The guidelines also extend to other NBA awards, which would have eliminated Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. this season, since he only appeared in 63 games.
Warriors' Draymond Green warned in April that the new playing-time rules will lead to "bums" making All-NBA teams.
"I can appreciate this and everyone will appreciate this until you got bums on the All-NBA team winning awards."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 5, 2023
Draymond Green on the new 65-game minimum for league awards
(via @TheVolumeSports)
pic.twitter.com/iouTxpRnHj
The idea behind the new guidelines is to cut down on "load management" for star players. But Curry missed 22 games with injuries to his leg and shoulder. LeBron has had an injured foot all season. The consequence of the guidelines may well be that otherwise worthy players are kept off the team.
The voters thought 63 games of Antetokounmpo were worthy of first-team status. Clearly, playing time is already a consideration, as seen in Devin Booker and his 53 games played being snubbed.
This wouldn't be as much of an issue if All-NBA selections didn't determine the value of contract extensions. Morant has only himself to blame for missing games this season, but the $38 million he lost by not making an All-NBA team led to filing a lawsuit against a teenager for defamation.
Maybe the new rules will work and we'll see less load management next year. Or Green will be right, and we'll see an All-NBA team full of "bums."
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