Mid-Season All-NBA First Team

This team was constructed at the mid-way point of the 2015–16 season based on ESPN’s real plus-minus (RPM) data, as of 24th January 2016.

RPM is one of the best metrics available to assess a player’s productivity on the floor. It reflects the impact of a player on his team’s performance on both offensive and defensive ends. RPM does this by adjusting for the effects of each teammate and every opponent during each minute the player is on the court.

For the mid-season All-NBA First Team, at 39, Tim Duncan amazingly makes an appearance in the center spot, primarily based on his strong showing as the anchor of the best defensive team in the league, San Antonio Spurs. In fact, Duncan’s defensive RPM is the best in the league for any player.

At the power forward position — the Swiss knife of the league — Draymond Green, is playing the best all-round basketball of his career. Green is leading the league in triple doubles and he is the only non-guard in the top 10 of the assists per game list.

Unsurprisingly, LeBron James continues his near a decade long reign as the best small forward in the league.

The rising Bulls star Jimmy Butler grabs the shooting guard position from James Harden. He is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league while shouldering the offensive burden of his team, which is a no small feat.

The surprising omission from the team is the reigning MVP Stephen Curry. He is edged out by Russell Westbrook as the best point guard in the league. Although Curry is by far the better shooter and a plus defender, his rather average assist and rebound numbers hurt his RPM. Westbrook is registering over 3 ASP and 2 RPG more than Curry is. Simply put, Westbrook is a better overall point guard and deserves his position in The All-NBA First Team.