NBA After-School: The 10 Most Fundamentally Challenged Players in the NBA

They are the basic tenets of any sport, the building blocks you need in order to be the master of your game. Before the dunks, blocks, and highlight reels, you have to learn to play the game.

These are the basic fundamentals, and they are the most important part of sports.

From the moment you pick up a ball you should be taught how to play the game. Fundamentals will save you when all else fails, they are something to fall back on when you're tired and the game is on the line.

It should come as no surprise that the best players in basketball are also the most fundamentally sound. From dribbling, to shooting, to sliding your feet, the stars like Bryant, Duncan, James, and Wade took the time to learn their craft, and hone their skills.

Sadly, some of the best athletes in the game are also some of the most fundamentally challenged. They excite you with their dunks, blocks, and SportsCenter moments, but when you break down their games, you find they really have none.

There are various reasons for this but the most common is because we live in a highlight world. Players today are more concerned with how hard they dunk the ball, forgetting that it's still only two points.

With dollar signs in their eyes, and self-serving people in their ears, they forgo the training they need to be great, and settle for possibly making SportsCenter Top 10.

For these 10 players, who for some reason didn't think that it was important to learn their craft, here is a second chance. I welcome them to NBA after school.

Let me know what you think as we stroll into the world of the fundamentally challenged. You will find no true guards on here, because thankfully an unskilled guard would never last in the NBA, I think?

10- Shawn Marion

"The Matrix" is known as one of the better man to man defenders in the league, but it's not because he took the time to learn the defensive slide.

Shawn Marion was blessed with amazing athletic skill and great size. The 6'9" Marion also is a lot quicker than most people his size and even on par with most guards.

That is what made Marion a great defender, along with his incredible wing-span and his ability to make up ground after getting beat off the dribble, because he gets beat off the dribble a lot.

Those are all points that could very well be argued, his shot is not. For years Marion surprised people by hitting that shot at a decent clip, but the proof is in the pudding.

The last couple of years that shot stopped falling and Marion's shooting percentage went with it. He should benefit playing with the up-tempo Dallas Mavericks this year, and maybe he can learn a thing or two from Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd.

9- Chris Andersen

We should all appreciate the "Bird Man" for what he is, a high-energy, athletic, sub with a very interesting wild side. What he's not sometimes get lost in the hair-do and body art.

Andersen inspired the Nugget faithful with his energy and high flying blocks, but when put in a position where he has had to rely on his skill he has failed.

Case point: In the Laker series Andersen had some good moments, but when the game slowed down, he was constantly beaten off the dribble by Lamar Odom. He was never in defensive position to contain Odom.

He didn't cut off the baseline, and was a victim of numerous up fakes. I won't even discuss his offense which is basically non-existent outside of a transition moment or two.

Andersen is a decent athlete, but his athleticism and energy is about all he brings to the table.

8- Anderson Varejao

With his 6'11" height, and good mobility, Anderson Varejao should be an integral part of the Cavaliers' rotation, instead he is just another energy guy that comes off the bench.

Varejao, if he took the time to learn some post basics, could actually be a very good player in the NBA. He has lateral quickness and a good nose for the ball.

His technique and defensive posture leave a lot to be desired. In the Magic series, Varejao was abused by Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis.

Granted they are quicker than him, but Andy never gave himself a chance. He rarely closed out on the perimeter, and almost never blocked out to get good rebounding position.

Coaches always tell you that you can't play defense standing up, that you have to spread your feet and square your body up. Varejao could benefit from that advice.

7- Greg Oden

Oden's basic fundamental skill set is actually not that bad. On offense he has decent foot work and is learning how to utilize his size in the post. He's a great shot-blocker and is usually in pretty good defensive position.

At 7'2" though, Oden should be a dominant rebounder and he's not because he doesn't block out. Blocking out is one of the most basic parts of basketball and should be one of the easiest things to do.

Oden, if he can remain healthy still has a chance to be a dominant center, but to be a great center he has to improve in one of the most basic areas of the game.

6- Tyrus Thomas

Tyrus Thomas is a true enigma. He is a phenomenal athlete who has decent skills but doesn't excel at any one thing.

He can handle a little, but not well enough to be counted on in pressure situations. He has the height and quickness, but no real idea on how to truly play defense.

His offensive game consists of a high degree of energy plays but no real skill. He is developing a set jump shot but if he takes the time to really learn the game he could be truly special.

Thomas is a spectacular talent, but he is one of the players who could have benefited from staying in school a little longer.

5- Joakim Noah

Noah is one of the players that is hardest to figure out. He is extremely intelligent, and possesses a delightful passion for the game.

His father Yannick Noah, was one of the more technically sound tennis players on the ATP tour, but it didn't translate to Joakim.

Noah is never in good position, rarely blocks out, and the mechanics on his jump shot are terrible. He gets by because he has a motor that never quits, and one of the best attitudes in basketball.

He has to be one of the more likable players in the league, and because of his intelligence I feel that he is well-equipped to possibly gain some of the fundamental training that he is sorely lacking.

4- Michael Beasley

For all of Beasley's offensive prowess, you would think he could never make a list like this, and I agree Michael is offensively gifted, but does he work on any other parts of his game?

In college Beasley was one of the best rebounders in the country but that skill hasn't rolled over to the NBA. That was because of pure talent, but in the big leagues you have to match that talent with skill and that hasn't dawned on Beasley yet.

Beasley has never been a good defensive player and it seems like he doesn't even try. He has the potential and the best possible model in Dwyane Wade.

Beasley could be a special player if he gave some attention to the game that has given so much to him.

3- Tyson Chandler

Chandler could learn a lot from watching Tim Duncan, because although they are similar in size, they are on different ends of the fundamental spectrum.

Tyson gets by on length, quickness, and leaping ability. He is much better at the front of the rim, because his footwork is poor once he's outside the paint.

He has no offensive game in the half-court, and his best move is to set a pick and roll which he does very well. Chandler is one of the most athletic big men in the NBA, to bad he doesn't have any skills to go with it.

2- Dwight Howard

Howard may be the most physically imposing player in the NBA. He overpowers you with his strength, and amazes you with his quickness. He is the ultimate physical specimen.

To bad he has such little fundamental skill. His offensive repertoire consists of dunks and short hooks in the lane. He has no back to the basket game at all.

He was the Defensive Player of The Year and it must be body of work, because Howard is a poor man to man defender. He was exposed in the Finals when isolated on Pau Gasol who constantly abused him off the dribble.

Patrick Ewing is his mentor and I can only hope that some of Ewing's work begins to show in Howard's game, because Ewing learned to play the game the right way at Georgetown.

1- Josh Smith

Josh Smith may be the most athletic player in the NBA, and if timing were greatness he would be the best player in the league.

That's about what Smith's game boils down to, great athleticism and great timing but not much else. Smith would rather make the highlight play instead of the right play.

He excels at blocking shots and is a great leaper but he is poor in all other facets of the game. He should be a great defender, but has no idea how to play defense, and his rebounds are based on talent not skill.

If Smith really worked on his game he has the ability and potential to be mentioned with the best players in basketball.