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PF Kevin Love Cleveland (UCLA) - This starting five needs to budge and Love’s strange hold on this spot each year on my team shows that the Pac-12 has struggled to produce front court talent in recent years. Love is still a great player though and the second-best player on a team that made the finals.
F DeMar DeRozan Toronto (USC) - DeRozan had one of the best years of his career as he led the Raptors to the best regular season record in the East and the second round of the Playoffs. He still an all around great player and we’ll play him as a hybrid forward to get the five best players on the floor.
SF Klay Thompson Golden State (Washington State) - Thompson just keeps rolling as one of the best players one of the best teams in NBA history. He’s not only a scary scorer, but one of the best defenders in the league as well.
SG James Harden Houston (Arizona State) - Harden had a career year, and that’s saying a lot given how good his career has been. He led the Rockets to the best record in the West and nearly got them past the Warriors and to the NBA Finals.
PG Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City (UCLA) - Just another year of big scoring and leading his team to the Playoffs for Westbrook. He’s still one of the best players in the league and could lead just about any team to a Playoff spot all on his own.
Bench
PG Jrue Holiday New Orleans (UCLA) - Holiday had the best year of his career as he led the Pelicans back to the Playoffs. He averaged 19 points per-game and made the All-Defensive Team.
SF Trevor Arizona Houston (UCLA) - Veteran Arizona helped Harden and the Rockets reach great heights this year with great defense and three-point shooting.
SG Jaylen Brown Boston (Cal) - The second year player emerged as a major playmaker. He was especially impressive in the Playoffs as he averaged 18 points per-game and helped get the Celtics a game away from the Finals.
PG Isaiah Thomas Lakers (Washington) - It was a weird year for Thomas as he left Cleveland and landed on the Lakers, but he’s still one of the best scorers in the league and would be an killer bench player on this team.
PF Aaron Gordon Orlando (Arizona) - Gordon made a major step forward in his career this year. He averaged 17 points, nearly 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a block per-game.
C Nikola Vucevic Orlando (USC) - The seven footer is still a good scorer and rebounder for a bad team. He averaged 16 points and nine points per-game this year.
PG Dejounte Murray San Antonio (Washington) - The second year player emerged as one of the league’s best defensive players this season. He finished on the second team All-Defensive Team.
IR
SF Andre Roberson Oklahoma City (Colorado) - A great defender. Roberson is the kind of tough and versatile player every team wants to have.
PG Zach LaVine Chicago (UCLA) - Moved to the Bulls and continued to be one of the best young point guards in the league.