Sixers: Joel Embiid Makes First All-NBA First Team

(Photo : Tim Nwachukwu / Staff) PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - Joel Embiid (#21) of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates a basket against the Boston Celtics during overtime in game four of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 07, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joel Embiid, the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), leads the All-NBA first team, announced Wednesday. He is joined by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Dončić.

Nikola Jokić, the MVP runner-up, did not make the first team; instead, he was included in the second team alongside Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry, and Donovan Mitchell.

The third team includes De'Aron Fox, Damian Lillard, Julius Randle, LeBron James, and Domantas Sabonis.

Read More: Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, All-Defensive Team Snub

New CBA Eliminates Positions

All-NBA teams are based on positions, with only one player from each position making the first team.

However, under the new collective bargaining agreement, positions will no longer be a consideration for All-NBA selection, and voters can choose their top five players for each team regardless of position.

These rules will come into effect starting next season. Moreover, the new regulations mandate that players participate in at least 65 games to be eligible for season-long accolades.

Embiid earned his first first-team honor by averaging 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, leading Philadelphia to the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Antetokounmpo earned his fifth first-team All-NBA honor after averaging a career-high 33.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game while leading the Bucks to the NBA's best regular-season record.

Tatum earned his second straight first-team honor after averaging 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, all career highs. Gilgeous-Alexander made his inaugural appearance on any All-NBA team by averaging 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Dončić earned his fourth All-NBA selection, all of them first-team honors, in his fifth season by tallying a career-best 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8 assists per game.

The All-NBA teams are decided by a global panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters, and the first team is considered the league's best five players for the season.

The All-NBA selection is a significant honor for players as it affects their eligibility for supermax contracts and other awards.

Related Article: Sixers: Joel Embiid 2022-23 NBA MVP 

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