Imagine if a representative from each of the six divisions were assigned to put together a roster of ten players, two from each team in the division. The goal is not to simply take the two best players from each team; instead, each All-Division team must be constructed with balance and versatility, as if they were going to play in actual games. Note that all players are presumably healthy, and these rosters are constructed for how good these players are right now, not for the future. Without further ado, let me put my GM skills to the test.
NBA ALL-DIVISION TEAMS
TEAM ATLANTIC
PG – Kyle Lowry
SG – Joe Johnson
SF – DeMar DeRozan
PF – Carmelo Anthony
C – Brook Lopez
BE – Isaiah Thomas
BE – Evan Turner
BE – Nerlens Noel
BE – Robin Lopez
BE – Jahlil Okafor
With three of the worst teams in the NBA, the Nets, Knicks, and 76ers, in the Atlantic Division, this roster is very weak. Carmelo Anthony has historically always been more productive as a stretch four with three other shooters surrounding him, which is what this starting lineup provides. On a bench that lacks the ability to create their own shots, Isaiah Thomas will be relied on to create a scoring punch off the bench. The versatile and underrated Evan Turner is the only swingman off the bench, but with three of them already in the starting lineup, this shouldn’t be an issue. Compared to the other rosters, Team Atlantic has a significant dearth of star power, and this team would never stand a chance against the other All-Division teams. On the bright side, maybe they would block the most shots?
TEAM CENTRAL
PG – Kyrie Irving
SG – Jimmy Butler
SF – Paul George
PF – LeBron James
C – Pau Gasol
BE – Reggie Jackson
BE – Monta Ellis
BE – Giannis Antetokounmpo
BE – Khris Middleton
BE – Andre Drummond
Like Team Atlantic, this team has three swingmen in the starting lineup. On a side note, after seeing the success of versatile small forwards like Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and Harrison Barnes in the NBA Finals, expect to see that trend continue in lineups this season in the NBA. As for Team Central, Butler, George, and James are three of the best two-way wing players in the NBA. Not only are they incredible offensive playmakers, but their defense is elite as well. The dazzling ball handling of Kyrie Irving and the passing ability of Pau Gasol at the center spot should make this team even more exciting to watch. The bench is solid, too, but the the starting lineup of Team Central is filled with top notch talent, and the skillsets of those five players figure to mesh extremely well together.
TEAM SOUTHEAST
PG – John Wall
SG – Goran Dragic
SF – Tobias Harris
PF – Chris Bosh
C – Al Horford
BE – Kemba Walker
BE – Victor Oladipo
BE – Bradley Beal
BE – Paul Millsap
BE – Al Jefferson
Goran Dragic wasn’t a fan of the idea of starting alongside of another point guard in Phoenix, but it’s tough to ignore the fact that it was a strategy that was successful, and it would probably work again here alongside John Wall. Both players are ridiculously quick and could provide matchup nightmares for opposing guards trying to defend them. I desperately tried to get one of the most underrated players in the NBA, Nikola Vucevic, on this team, but there was a surplus of bigs and certainly not enough small forwards, so Tobias Harris made the cut instead. Team Southeast has plenty of young talent on the offensive side of the ball, but I question how good their defense would be.
TEAM NORTHWEST
PG – Damian Lillard
SG – Andrew Wiggins
SF – Gordon Hayward
PF – Kevin Durant
C – Rudy Gobert
BE – Russell Westbrook
BE – Gerald Henderson
BE – Danilo Gallinari
BE – Kenneth Faried
BE – Karl-Anthony Towns
I know, it’s crazy to bring last year’s scoring champion, Russell Westbrook, off the bench. However, I feel that having a more traditional point guard like Lillard would benefit this starting lineup that once again features three small forwards. Also, having a high volume scorer like Westbrook come off the bench would provide a much needed spark plug for an otherwise very weak bench. While there is certainly a huge dropoff from the starters to the reserves (minus Westbrook), this team may have the perfect blend of shooters, defenders, play-makers, and rim protectors. There is also plenty of youth on this team, with 27 year old Gerald Henderson being the oldest player.
TEAM PACIFIC
PG – Chris Paul
SG – Stephen Curry
SF – Kobe Bryant
PF – Blake Griffin
C – DeMarcus Cousins
BE – Eric Bledsoe
BE – Brandon Knight
BE – Klay Thompson
BE – Rudy Gay
BE – Roy Hibbert
With the Splash Brothers, Lob City, Boogie, and the Black Mamba all on board, this team would have no shortage of drama and personality. There are boatloads of talent here, but I’m not sold on Team Pacific having the best chemistry. Between the high volume of threes from Curry and Thompson, the constant isolations of Bryant, and the selfish attitude of Cousins, the rock may struggle to touch everyone’s hands, even with assist master Cliff…I mean Chris Paul at the helm.
TEAM SOUTHWEST
PG – Mike Conley
SG – James Harden
SF – Kawhi Leonard
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Marc Gasol
BE – Deron Williams
BE – Tyreke Evans
BE – Chandler Parsons
BE – LaMarcus Aldridge
BE – Dwight Howard
All five teams from the Southwest Division made the playoffs last year, and this roster shows exactly why. Forget how good this team would be offensively – their defense would be incredible. Gasol, Leonard, and Howard have combined to win 5 of the past 7 Defensive Player of the Year awards, and Davis and Conley are elite defenders, too. Imagine LaMarcus Aldridge coming off the bench? Plus, we haven’t even mentioned MVP runner-up James Harden yet, who often does as he pleases on the basketball court. Adding Deron Williams to this roster may be a stretch, but he could thrive in a minimal role surrounded by this much talent; with four big men already on the team, he is a much better fit than Dirk Nowitzki. Team Southwest is by far and away the best of the group.
Notable Omissions: Dwyane Wade, Tim Duncan, Kevin Love, Dirk Nowitzki, Derrick Rose, DeAndre Jordan, Jeff Teague, Greg Monroe, Joakim Noah, Nikola Vucevic
