Paul George named to All-NBA First Team

The NBA announced on Thursday that Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George has been selected to the 2018-19 All-NBA First Team.

After posting career-highs in points (28.0), rebounds (8.2) and steals (2.2), George was considered by many to be a lock for the First Team. On Wednesday, George was also named to the All-Defensive First Team.

The honor for George marks the fifth time in his career placing on an All-NBA Team and his first selection to the First Team. He previously was named to the Third Team four times, most recently last season.

George averaged career highs in points (28.0, second in NBA), rebounds (8.2), assists (4.1) and steals (2.21, first in NBA). The only other player to average as many points, rebounds and steals in a season since steals became an official stat was Michael Jordan in 1988-98. Additionally, George recorded seven games with 40 points or more, the Thunder going undefeated when he did so. Among NBA leaders, George ranked first in deflections (3.8) and in loose balls recovered (2.1), second in points off opponent turnovers (4.9) and seventh in fast break points (4.5).

The six-time NBA All-Star made 292 three-point shots on the season, a personal and franchise best as well as the third most of all players this season (Harden, Curry). From Nov. 30 to March 5, he recorded 40-straight games with multiple threes, making him just the second player in NBA history to hold as long of a streak (Stephen Curry, 53).

George earned All-Defensive First Team honors this year after producing a streak of 18 games from Jan. 10 to Feb. 22 with at least one steal, just the second Thunder player to ever do so (Westbrook). He also drained four game-winning shots this season, including the first of his career, good for the most in the NBA this year and tied for the most in Thunder history (Westbrook, 2016-17). In clutch time, George ranked first in steals (13) and fifth in points (145).