First-timer to join Antetokoumpo in All-NBA's top team
Star Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will head up the All-NBA first team again, earning top honours for the seventh consecutive year.
There were four repeat performers and one first-timer named in the 2024-25 All-NBA First Team on Friday.
Antetokounmpo will be joined by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, along with first-time honoree guard Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Gilgeous-Alexander, named the NBA's Most Valuable Player earlier this week, earned his third consecutive first-team accolade, while Jokic captured his second in a row.
Tatum was named for the fourth consecutive year, those four players named on all 100 ballots from a global media panel.
Mitchell earned second-team honours in the 2022-23 season.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley earned All-NBA Second Team honours.
James extended his NBA record for most selections to 21, matching his number of seasons played dating back to 2004-05. Curry captured his 11th All-NBA Team accolade.
Brunson and Edwards have now earned back-to-back second-team honours, while Mobley, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, makes his debut.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, Knicks centre Karl-Anthony Towns and Thunder guard-forward Jalen Williams comprised the All-NBA Third Team.
Harden now has eight selections in his career, but was picked for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Towns has earned third-team honours on three occasions, while Haliburton earned his second in a row. Cunningham and Williams are first-time recipients.
The media voting panel made their selections without regard to position. Players earned five points for each vote to the First Team, three points for Second Team votes and one point for every Third Team vote.
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Herald Sun
3 hours ago
- Herald Sun
AFL Carlton v Essendon: Who is closer to a premiership?
They are two of the sport's most esteemed clubs with the richest history, but success is elusive for Carlton and Essendon. In years gone by, the hopes of a breakthrough premiership has appeared on the horizon for both the Blues and the Bombers, but neither side has harnessed their momentum at the pointy end of the season. Now entering the back half of 2025, both sides are out of the top eight and looking more like pretenders than contenders. But which side is closer to a flag? We look at what each side looks like the rest of the season, and who is better placed to contend in the coming years. FOR THE NOW INSIDE THE COACHES BOX The words are written on whiteboards around Ikon Park. 'Pound the Rock'. It's a reminder to Carlton's playing group of the unrelenting contested style of football that Michael Voss wants his side to play. There hasn't been any deflection from that strategy despite the evolution of football and the 17 other teams moving away from that style. While other teams get more explosive from the contest, more daring with movement off half back, and more chaotic with entries inside forward 50, Carlton doubles down. The Blues are league leaders in contested possession differential and pressure rating this season, and are sixth in clearance differential. They want to drag teams into a scrap and beat them there. It's an exhausting style and it costs them in the back half of games. The Blues are the second-best team in first halves this season (+98), but are the fifth-worst side in second halves (-74). Essendon has adopted a different strategy, focusing on possession football. Similarly to Carlton, the Bombers aren't exploding out of contests and focusing on gaining ground at all costs, which is a growing trend in the AFL. They are league leaders in the disposal count, sit fifth in uncontested marks due to their chipping style, and have the fourth-worst percentage of kicks gaining ground. Both coaches are signed beyond this campaign, with Voss locked in until next year and Scott secured until 2027. Who is better placed: Carlton appears ahead, having gone 18-22 against top-eight sides under Voss, while Essendon is 6-19 against top-eight sides under Scott. PLAYING IN THEIR PRIME Carlton should be in a win-now phase, pushing deep into finals and challenging for a premiership. The players in their prime are some of the best in the league. Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay have won three of the past four Coleman Medals between them, Tom De Koning is considered one of the best rucks in the competition, and Jacob Weitering is the All-Australian full-back. George Hewett is enjoying a career-best season, as is Jack Silvagni after recovering from an ACL injury, and Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra are playing consistent footy after some injury-plagued seasons. Essendon does not have the same firepower in the prime, but gun midfielders Jye Caldwell and Nic Martin headline players entering their prime. Sam Draper was in strong form before his achilles injury, and Jordan Ridley has endured a rough run with injury but is an All Australian calibre defender at his best. Who is better placed: Carlton has more A-graders who are hitting their peak. SALARY CAP DRAMAS Carlton has plenty of cash tied up, and it is only going to get tighter if Tom De Koning stays. The ruck is currently being courted by a host of rival clubs, with St Kilda offering an eye-watering $1.7 million to move to Moorabbin. If De Koning opts to stay, he'll join Adam Cerra, Harry McKay (2030) and Jacob Weitering (2031) on expensive long-term deals. Mitch McGovern, Jack Silvagni, Nic Newman, Brodie Kemp and Nick Haynes the priority re-signings coming out of contract. It seems unlikely the Blues can keep De Koning and avoid pillaging its already-weak list depth. Essendon has just Andrew McGrath signed to 2030, but will pay up for emerging defender Zach Reid to remain beyond this year and into next decade after his start to the season. Sam Draper and Nick Bryan are priority signings, with Draper a chance to explore his options while Bryan seems locked into the Bombers. Who is better placed: Essendon has more flexibility in its cap and has less starpower coming out of contract at the end of this season. FOR THE FUTURE DRAFT HANDS AND CLUB-TIED PROSPECTS While Carlton and Essendon shared similarities heading into last year's 'Super Draft', list bosses Nick Austin and Matt Rosa had opposing strategies. The Blues had two father-son products in Ben and Lucas Camporeale, while the Bombers had access to talented small forward Isaac Kako through their NGA. Ultimately a bid came for Kako at No.13, but not before the Bombers traded out of the first round to avoid it getting swallowed up by an early bid. When it came to the Blues and their draft strategy, Austin didn't blink and it paid off in the form of O'Farrell at No.40, just three selections ahead of a bid for Ben Camporeale. With Essendon trading out of its No.11 selection last season, Rosa will now have two first-round picks, both shaping to fall inside the top 10. The Bombers will also have two second rounders, which will likely be used on Academy products Hussien El Achkar and Adam Sweid. Meanwhile, the Blues took a different approach, mortgaging their future assets to move up the order and take talented midfielder Jagga Smith. The Oakleigh Chargers ball magnet cost Carlton its first and second rounders in 2025, and there has been no dividends paid yet after Smith ruptured his ACL in a pre-season clash. Promisingly the midfielder is back running laps at Ikon Park in recent weeks. Entering the 2025 draft, Carlton's first selection will fall in the second round, with the pick tied to Brisbane. Austin might have to gamble again in November, with father-son prospect Harry Dean rated by some experts as a second-round talent. The Blues also have access to Jack Ison, who is expected to be drafted, and Tyson Gresham, the brother of Essendon's Jade Gresham, in their Academy. Both sides' draft hands could change wildly in the off-season, with Essendon in the market for West Coast's Harley Reid, who would cost at least both first rounders, while Carlton could have a first-round compensation pick if Tom De Koning defects to St Kilda. Who is better placed: As it stands, Essendon has a much better draft hand. YOUNG TALENT TIME Brad Scott refused to say Essendon was in a rebuild throughout the pre-season, but seven debutants later it's clear where the priorities lie. The Bombers are hitching their cart to second-year forward Nate Caddy, and for good reason. But the talent is there beyond just Caddy. Taken at No.54 in the 2023 draft, Archie Roberts is firming as one of the standout chances in this year's Rising Star award, having averaged 24.1 touches through 11 games this year. Small forward Isaac Kako was a first-round talent and has shone at stages this year, but more excitingly for Essendon fans has been the development of the later picks. Zak Johnson debuted in round 12 after arriving at the club as the No.70 pick last season, while rookie Archer Day-Wicks has been handed several games already in his maiden campaign. Angus Clarke also burst onto the scene with three goals on debut, and Luamon Lual will play his first senior game against the Blues. Ben Camporeale is close to playing and Lucas Camporeale did start the season in the senior side, but he has since been developing in the VFL. Oliver Hollands is just 21 but has played 53 senior games already, while mid-season pick up Cooper Lord has shown plenty of promise. But there's been some misses at Carlton, too. Jesse Motlop entered 2025 after a strong pre-season, but he and the rest of the small forwards have been largely disappointing. Harry Lemmey was once seen as the next key forward in line, but Carlton has preferred to give games to Lewis Young rather than debut the South Australian. Ashton Moir has played three games in two years and hasn't shown much despite starting as the substitute in every match. Who is better placed: Essendon's young star power, and depth, is better. OFF THE FIELD It turned out to be false, but there were mid-season reports of former Essendon chairman Paul Little wanting to stage a coup and take power back. Part of the reported plan was to sack Scott and replace him with former coach James Hird – a plan the pair has denied. But it speaks to the security within the club that demands success. Scott is halfway through his third season as coach, and already he is the second-most experienced Bombers leader since Hird. Essendon has endured 10 different senior coaches since the club last tasted finals success under Kevin Sheedy in 2004. Carlton is a side going through overhaul off the field, with Graham Wright transitioning into the chief executive role in October. The esteemed footy figure will take over from long-serving Brian Cook officially at the end of the season, but his responsibilities will increase from July. Verdict: Carlton's recruitment of Wright has the Blues ahead. FINAL VERDICT The top-end talent is there, and is clearly better than Essendon's elite core. But where Carlton falls down is the salary cap dramas, where its best players are on big money, which limits the ability to retain depth. Whether the Blues opts for a reset remains to be seen. Verdict: Essendon is better placed beyond this year, with better young talent, less salary restraints and more draft capital. Unless Carlton drastically improves and ultimately wins the premiership in 2025, Essendon is closer to a flag.
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Out with the young and in with the old: A mid-year All-Australian team with a difference
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Dangerfield's impact as an explosive aerial and ground ball mid-forward can't be undersold, and if his hamstrings hold up, he should be headed for his record ninth All-Australian blazer. Riley Thilthorpe, a Tom Lynch-style key forward, is named at centre half-forward, allowing me to pick Cameron as a flanker, which reflects his freaky ground-level abilities. As the AFL's headband act, Bailey Smith has been omnipresent, his every gesture captured by cameras and dissected by pundits and the public. But, much as there is focus on his postings and postures, everyone must have cottoned on, so to speak, to the fact that Bailey's been nearly the AFL's peak midfielder – as the Brownlow odds suggest (he's one of the favourites). He has prospered mightily from Geelong's decision to deploy him in the middle, rather than the wing or as a high half-forward. So, @bazlenka – as he's known by his Instagram idolaters – is in the centre, in every sense, in this mid-year side. 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Bailey Dale, a rare half-back capable of garnering 40 disposals, is the other flanker in defence, edging out Fremantle's Jordan Clark, Collingwood's Josh Daicos, Lion veteran Dayne Zorko and others for that berth. The consistent Lachie Ash of GWS fills the remaining running defender spot (notionally back pocket). Teammate Sam Taylor, whom Matthew Lloyd compared to Glen Jakovich for influence, was picked at centre half-back. The key backs, as with the midfielders this year, haven't been as outstanding as in years past. Jacob Weitering of Carlton has put up respectable numbers – and lord help the Blues if he went down – but hasn't had a terrific season. Possibly the stiffest to miss the defensive spots are St Kilda's interceptor Cal Wilkie and Richmond's perennial gun Nick Vlastuin. I judged that Gold Coast's Collins had been marginally more effective, in a collectively superior defence. North people will wonder why Xerri hasn't made this team, since he is rated statistically better than Gawn (on Champion Data ratings) this year, and might view this as a plot against Shinboners. Loading Here's major difference: Xerri, while heroic in ruck battle and adept at winning clearances, doesn't fulfil one key performance indicator for ruckman and tall players – marking the footy (only 1.7 per game to round 12). Luke Jackson is aerially superior and more versatile – as shown when he played as a tall midfielder against the Suns last weekend. He gets the second ruck slot on the bench. The final interchange berth – there is no sub here – belongs to the spare midfielder, Freo's Andrew Brayshaw, who isn't as skilled as Bontempelli and Daicos, nor as powerful as Dangerfield, or as smooth-moving as McCluggage. But Brayshaw does two essentials exceptionally well – running and getting the footy.
The Age
10 hours ago
- The Age
Out with the young and in with the old: A mid-year All-Australian team with a difference
So, seven players aged 30-plus make this mid-year 22, as the AFL competition follows the trend of tennis – see Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams – and American team sports in which 35 is the new 30, and quarterbacks play until they can't walk. Selecting three of the forwards for this mid-year team – picked inclusive of round 12 performances (not this weekend's games) – was easier than usual. Cameron, Hogan, and Elliott (who has never been All-Australian) pick themselves and while some would push up Ben King, given his goal tally, Gold Coast's key forward hasn't shaped outcomes in the same way as Jezza and Jesse. King's teammate Ben Long, though, is another story. Loading Long, who has jagged 23 goals in his 10 games to round 12, has been a standout in a role that is not dissimilar to Elliott's – as a forward who can lead and mark, but is no mug on the deck and assists others in scoring. Dangerfield's impact as an explosive aerial and ground ball mid-forward can't be undersold, and if his hamstrings hold up, he should be headed for his record ninth All-Australian blazer. Riley Thilthorpe, a Tom Lynch-style key forward, is named at centre half-forward, allowing me to pick Cameron as a flanker, which reflects his freaky ground-level abilities. As the AFL's headband act, Bailey Smith has been omnipresent, his every gesture captured by cameras and dissected by pundits and the public. But, much as there is focus on his postings and postures, everyone must have cottoned on, so to speak, to the fact that Bailey's been nearly the AFL's peak midfielder – as the Brownlow odds suggest (he's one of the favourites). He has prospered mightily from Geelong's decision to deploy him in the middle, rather than the wing or as a high half-forward. So, @bazlenka – as he's known by his Instagram idolaters – is in the centre, in every sense, in this mid-year side. Hugh McCluggage isn't a wingman in 2025, as he enjoys his best season yet, but I've conveniently picked him – and Sidebottom – on the wings that they've vacated this year; no specialist wingman (eg. Ollie Dempsey) has done enough to warrant selection to this point. Gun midfielders, on the whole, have been less than dominant this year. Marcus Bontempelli missed the early games and could yet make the All-Australian side by season's end. Nick Daicos has been paramount to Collingwood winning some games, but has also been relatively subdued in three or four outings, having been more heavily tagged this year. Still, the younger Daicos is so brilliant that he's still up on the midfield leaderboard. I've picked him on the bench, behind Adelaide's super skipper Jordan Dawson – still underrated in Victoria – and his Gold Coast counterpart Noah Anderson. The numbers – in the form of the AFL's official ratings (Champion Data) – would rank Anderson as the competition's third-best performed player to round 12, behind only Bulldog Ed Richards and North's version of 'the Mountain' from Game of Thrones, Tristan Xerri. Richards gets a game in this side, with Nick Daicos, on the bench. It's conceivable that the rise of Ed Richards was a factor in Smith heading to Geelong, given the Dogs found it difficult to fit 'the Bont', Tom Liberatore, Richards and Bailey (plus Adam Treloar when fit) into the same centre square. Loading Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is making noises about re-signing with the Saints, and for their sake, let's hope that transpires. He's a superb play-maker from half-back, with further growth ahead, and was accordingly picked at half-back in my team. Bailey Dale, a rare half-back capable of garnering 40 disposals, is the other flanker in defence, edging out Fremantle's Jordan Clark, Collingwood's Josh Daicos, Lion veteran Dayne Zorko and others for that berth. The consistent Lachie Ash of GWS fills the remaining running defender spot (notionally back pocket). Teammate Sam Taylor, whom Matthew Lloyd compared to Glen Jakovich for influence, was picked at centre half-back. The key backs, as with the midfielders this year, haven't been as outstanding as in years past. Jacob Weitering of Carlton has put up respectable numbers – and lord help the Blues if he went down – but hasn't had a terrific season. Possibly the stiffest to miss the defensive spots are St Kilda's interceptor Cal Wilkie and Richmond's perennial gun Nick Vlastuin. I judged that Gold Coast's Collins had been marginally more effective, in a collectively superior defence. North people will wonder why Xerri hasn't made this team, since he is rated statistically better than Gawn (on Champion Data ratings) this year, and might view this as a plot against Shinboners. Loading Here's major difference: Xerri, while heroic in ruck battle and adept at winning clearances, doesn't fulfil one key performance indicator for ruckman and tall players – marking the footy (only 1.7 per game to round 12). Luke Jackson is aerially superior and more versatile – as shown when he played as a tall midfielder against the Suns last weekend. He gets the second ruck slot on the bench. The final interchange berth – there is no sub here – belongs to the spare midfielder, Freo's Andrew Brayshaw, who isn't as skilled as Bontempelli and Daicos, nor as powerful as Dangerfield, or as smooth-moving as McCluggage. But Brayshaw does two essentials exceptionally well – running and getting the footy.
