Third Team All NBA Players Who Deserved More Recognition This Season
As I was reviewing this season's All-NBA selections, I found myself particularly drawn to the Third Team members who flew under the radar despite delivering exceptional performances. Having followed the league closely for over a decade, I've developed a keen eye for players whose contributions extend beyond traditional statistics, and this year's Third Team featured several such talents who deserved far more recognition than they received. What fascinates me about these selections is how they mirror certain undervalued transactions in team building - much like Converge's recent acquisition of Phoenix's No. 2 pick in exchange for Bryan Santos and their own first-round pick at No. 8, which represents the kind of under-the-radar move that can dramatically reshape a franchise's future.
When we examine players like Jalen Brunson and Domantas Sabonis, both Third Team selections, their impact transcends basic box score numbers. Brunson averaged 24.6 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field - numbers that somehow felt more impactful than the raw statistics suggest. Having watched nearly every Knicks game this season, I can confidently say Brunson's leadership and clutch performance in fourth quarters was arguably more valuable than what several Second Team guards provided. Similarly, Sabonis's league-leading 18.3 rebounds per game and his incredible 68 double-doubles somehow didn't generate the buzz they deserved, perhaps because he plays in Sacramento rather than a major market. These players remind me of that Converge trade scenario - where acquiring the No. 2 pick might not generate headlines like keeping a known quantity, but represents tremendous value that casual observers might miss.
What really stood out to me this season was how certain Third Team members demonstrated growth that went largely unnoticed. Take Lauri Markkanen, for instance - his transformation into a primary scoring option while maintaining elite efficiency (49.5% FG, 39.1% 3PT) was nothing short of remarkable. Having analyzed player development patterns for years, I've rarely seen someone improve their scoring average by 10.8 points while actually increasing their shooting percentages across the board. Yet the narrative around his season remained relatively quiet compared to other All-NBA selections. This reminds me of how Converge's decision to trade down from No. 8 while acquiring additional assets represents the kind of savvy team-building that doesn't generate immediate buzz but pays dividends long-term.
The defensive contributions of Third Team selections particularly caught my attention this season. Jrue Holiday's perimeter defense, which I'd argue was the best in the league, somehow became an afterthought in most discussions despite his crucial role in Milwaukee's system. Having charted defensive metrics for several teams this season, I can confirm Holiday's defensive rating of 104.3 was significantly better than several guards who made higher All-NBA teams. Similarly, Evan Mobley's rim protection and switchability provided Cleveland with defensive flexibility that statistics alone can't capture - I counted at least 12 games where his late-game defensive stops directly secured victories. These players represent the equivalent of that second-round pick Converge acquired - not the flashiest asset, but potentially game-changing in the right context.
As I reflect on this season's Third Team, I'm struck by how these selections often represent the most interesting value propositions in basketball. While First Team members receive deserved accolades and Second Team players get their share of recognition, it's frequently the Third Team that contains the most compelling stories of growth, adaptation, and underappreciated impact. Much like how Converge's acquisition of additional draft capital represents strategic thinking beyond immediate gratification, these players embody the nuanced excellence that truly knowledgeable basketball fans appreciate. They may not dominate headlines today, but their contributions form the foundation upon which championship teams are built - and in my professional opinion, that's worth far more recognition than they typically receive.