1990-91 All-NBA Teams: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson And Charles Barkley Led An Incredible First Team

It is widely known that only 15 players per season have a chance at making one of the three coveted All-NBA Teams. Other than winning one of the major individual awards (MVP or Defensive Player of the Year), making an All-NBA Team is the most impressive end-of-season achievement for a player because it acknowledges individual performances, winning, and dominance on the court on a consistent basis. While a player’s team record could come into play, individual brilliance and statistics are often the major driving factor for being selected to an All-NBA Team. We have seen some legendary All-NBA Teams throughout history, but the 1991 season might have given us one of the best selections of players ever. During the year, we saw the rise of Michael Jordan as the most dominant player in the league after he led the Chicago Bulls to the best record in the East and eventually won the NBA championship.

But we also witnessed the continuing rise of other top stars in the game who impacted the game in their own way. It is fantastic to see how players from the All-NBA Second and Third Team have arguments for making the First Team because their talent and value to their teams were truly exceptional. Without further ado, here are the All-NBA Teams following the 1991 NBA season that saw the Portland Trail Blazers finish with the best record in the NBA and the Chicago Bulls winning the NBA title against the iconic Los Angeles Lakers in a 5-game thriller in the NBA 1991 Finals.

All-NBA Third Team

John Stockton

17.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 14.2 APG, 2.9 SPG, 0.2 BPG

A point guard well established due to his elite playmaking, John Stockton was extremely effective as an offensive star alongside superstar Karl Malone. The former No. 16 overall pick shot 34.5% from three and 83.6% from the free-throw line, elite numbers from an All-Star point guard that formed one of the best duos in the league. Not to mention, Stockton averaged his highest PPG average after repeating his scoring total from the previous year.

By just looking at Stockton’s numbers, it was clear he was an elite point guard and bonafide All-Star. With him at the helm, the Utah Jazz finished with the 5th seed in the West at 54-28 and made it to the second round of the playoffs. During the regular season, Stockton also made his 3rd straight All-Star Team.

Joe Dumars

20.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG

In his second and last All-Star appearance, Joe Dumars was an elite two-way star for a Detroit Pistons team that took on the champion Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. Known as one of the glues of the team alongside Isiah Thomas, the talented guard had one of his best seasons as a passer and scorer, consistently bringing his A-game to opponents throughout the season.

Dumars averaged his then career-high in PPG, nailing 48.1% of his shots from the field and 89.0% of his foul attempts. Joe also helped the Detroit Pistons capture the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference as he looked to place his team in a position to capture its 3rd NBA title.

Bernard King

28.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.3 BPG

An unstoppable scorer at age 34 for the Washington Bullets, Bernard King had a career resurgence just two seasons away from his retirement. The former superstar certainly looked like a superstar during the season, averaging 28.4 PPG on 47.2% shooting from the field.

After suffering injuries that derailed his career with the New York Knicks, Bernard King’s scoring was a welcomed sight for Washington Bullets fans that needed a go-to scorer on the court. Of course, a knee injury would hurt King’s season but the 1991 season was certainly a great goodbye tour in a sense.

James Worthy

21.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG

In his 6th straight All-Star season, James Worthy was at his best during the 1991 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The talented forward played 78 games while contributing 38.6 MPG for his team, leading his side to the playoffs with an impressive 58-24 record which was good for the third seed.

Worthy had his career-high season in scoring, posting 21.4 PPG on 49.2% shooting from the field and 79.7% from the stripe. The talented two-way swingman had to take up more of a scoring role to make up for the retired Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and he led the Lakers in scoring as a result.

Hakeem Olajuwon

21.2 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.2 SPG, 3.9 BPG

Despite missing out on the All-Star Team, Hakeem Olajuwon was certainly an elite-level center during the 1991 season. The Houston Rockets big man posted his usual impressive two-way statistics, and he helped guide Houston into the playoffs with a 52-30 record in the West.

Armed with elite post moves and a consistent mid-range jumper, Hakeem constantly put pressure on opposing bigs which is why he was considered a top-3 center for most of his career when he played. Hakeem also led the league in BPG at 3.9, ahead of the likes of David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and Manute Bol.

All-NBA Second Team

Kevin Johnson

22.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 10.1 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG

One of the best floor generals in the game at the time, Kevin Johnson was simply sensational for the Phoenix Suns as he carried them to a top-4 record in the Western Conference. The dominant all-around point guard was not only an elite playmaker and floor general, but he also rebounded at a high level while scoring the ball at an efficient clip.

Finishing the regular season top-5 in assists, there is no question Johnson deserved to make the All-NBA Second Team at least. Thanks to his elite offensive ability and leadership from the point guard spot, Johnson helped the Phoenix Suns rank 4th in PPG and 3rd in Offensive Rating.

Clyde Drexler

21.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Superstar Clyde Drexler continued his dominance with the Portland Trail Blazers, making his 5th total All-Star Team and putting up over 20 PPG for the 5th straight year. A dominant scorer and exciting athlete, Drexler was once again a driving force behind a Portland team that finished 1st in the league in record.

Even with a host of talented players around him in Portland, it was Drexler that was the leader and driving force behind a dominant Trail Blazers team during the year. The shooting guard was considered a distant rival to Michael Jordan, because of MJ’s greatness, but that should not take away from Drexler’s spectacular season.

Chris Mullin

25.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.8 BPG

One of the greatest shooters ever, Chris Mullin was on his third straight All-Star season while putting up his third straight year of averaging at least 25 PPG. Mullin showcased his elite scoring ability and floor-spacing, nailing 53.6% from the field, 30.1% from the three-point line, and 88.4% from the free-throw line.

The Golden State Warriors knew they had an offensive star on their hands, and their success would continue to build as Mullin led the offense on the court. Thanks to the sharpshooter’s offensive consistency, the Warriors finished the season ranked 2nd in pace and 2nd in PPG. No doubt about it, Mullin had one of his best seasons yet in the 1991 season.

Dominique Wilkins

25.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG

One of the most talented forwards of his era, Dominique Wilkins was one of the most exciting players during the 1991 season. A capable scorer and elite athlete, Wilkins was given free rein to handle the rock and make plays with his elite skill set. The All-Star forward averaged 25.9 PPG on 47.0% from the field, 34.1% from the three, and 82.9% from the line.

Dominique also made his 6th straight All-Star Team as a member of the Atlanta Hawks, playing 81 games at 38.0 MPG and guiding the team to the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. Wilkins never had a shot at actually competing for the NBA title during the year, but he certainly made a ton of highlights when he competed on the court.

Patrick Ewing

26.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.2 BPG

Superstar center Patrick Ewing was at his peak in 1991, putting up 26.6 PPG and a then career-high 11.2 RPG while blocking 3.2 shots per game. Making his fifth All-Star Team, Ewing was also the key cog behind the New York Knicks making the playoffs despite a rather turbulent season.

The dominant star was not only an elite offensive force, but he completely owned the defensive side of the game in the paint. Patrick was yet to contend for a title with the Knicks because Michael Jordan’s Bulls swept them in the first round of the playoffs. But in terms of stats and value, Ewing was a top-3 center in the game.

All-NBA First Team

Magic Johnson

19.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 12.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Headlining the first guard spot, Magic Johnson was at his best level during the 1991 season. In his twelfth season with the Los Angeles Lakers and one year after retiring due to the HIV illness, Magic continued his dominance as one of the best leaders on the court for the Lakers. Thanks to Magic’s playmaking and all-around game, the Lakers finished 3rd in the West.

An unstoppable player on the fastbreak and a leader in the half-court, Magic was easily one of the top two guards in the game alongside Michael Jordan. We also got to see the final year where Magic was at his absolute apex, and he would make the NBA Finals in one final showdown against Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Capping off the season with his 12th All-Star Team was also a great way to remember Johnson’s final superstar season.

Michael Jordan

31.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG

The premier guard in the NBA, Bulls superstar Michael Jordan dominated the league with his 31.5 PPG scoring average as part of an all-time great duo with Scottie Pippen. No surprise, Jordan would also make the All-NBA First Team and capture his 7th straight All-Star Team selection and 5th scoring title. Jordan also led the Chicago Bulls to the best seed in the Eastern Conference.

Even when dominating the scoring charts and locking down opposing guards during the regular season, MJ finally won his first NBA title at the end of the year in an iconic showdown against Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. Jordan was the undisputed best player in the league, and that was by all metrics.

Karl Malone

29.0 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG

The Mailman himself, Karl Malone was simply outstanding for the Utah Jazz during the year. A dominant offensive player and double-double machine, Karl Malone put up monster numbers while consistently coming through for the Jazz when it mattered most. One of the leading MVP candidates, Malone continued to solidify himself as one of the game’s top-5 players after marking the 5th straight season of averaging a double-double.

Malone would also make his 4th straight All-Star Team as a member of the Jazz, and finished 2nd in the league in scoring behind Michael Jordan. The Mailman was terrorizing defenses alongside his All-NBA teammate John Stockton, and together they led the Jazz to the 5th seed in the West.

Charles Barkley

27.6 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Charles Barkley was easily one of the best power forwards in the NBA, after putting up 6 straight seasons averaging a double-double, and making his 5th All-Star Team by the end of the 1991 season. A legendary scorer and presence in the paint, Barkley was at his best in 1991 by shooting a very impressive 57.0% from the field including 61.4% of his 2-point attempts.

The Philadelphia 76ers were a difficult team to defend against with Barkley on the floor, and they finished with the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. The powerhouse was certainly undersized at 6’6”, but the way he dominated his opponents by putting up monster statistics was truly the stuff of legends. Philadelphia also made it to the second round of the playoffs, but they ran into Jordan and the Bulls as well, losing in 5 games.

David Robinson

25.6 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 3.9 BPG

One of the most dominant physical forces in the league, David Robinson was already one of the most dominant players in the game during the 1991 season with the Spurs. In only his second season, The Admiral was supremely dominant in the paint, using raw force and power to dominate any defender in his path. Robinson not only posted ridiculous scoring numbers, but he was extremely dominant defensively by finishing 2nd in blocks per game and 1st in rebounds per game.

Thanks to Robinson’s elite two-way play, the San Antonio Spurs finished 2nd in the Western Conference behind the Portland Trail Blazers. It was amazing how quickly Robinson influenced the game so early because he was built like a statue and had natural leadership abilities under head coach Larry Brown.

Next

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1997-98 All-NBA Teams: Michael Jordan Leads The All-NBA First Team For The Last Time In His Career

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