NBA All-Grit Team: Joakim Noah and 12 Players Not Afraid to Get Their Nose Dirty

1 of 14

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 10: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls looks at a referee during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center on December 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 88-84. NOTE TO USER: User express

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The following 12 players will not always have the most beautiful box scores, the most jersey sales or highlights on ESPN. Heck, some of the more casual fans may not even know who some of them are. They often do the little things that go unnoticed at the end of the night but contribute to their team's success all the same.

These players often have to make up for their lack of natural ability with hard work. Drawing charges, boxing out, diving for loose balls, tough defense and timely shooting are some of the ways these gritty players earn their keep.

So, here are the five starters by position and the seven reserve players on the 2011 All-Grit team.

Derek Fisher: Los Angeles Lakers, Starting Point Guard

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers sets up on defense against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on January 11, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 112-57. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledg

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Fisher is the heart and soul of the Lakers. Naturally, his play has dipped a little bit with age, but he offers a toughness the Lakers sorely need sometimes. Not to mention, his playoff heroics are legendary in Los Angeles.

James Posey: Indiana Pacers, Starting Guard

PHOENIX - DECEMBER 03: James Posey #41 of the Indiana Pacers puts up a shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 3, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Posey is one of the true hard hat guys in the NBA. He plays tought defense, hustles, and much like Derek Fisher, has a knack for hitting big shots in big games. He has played huge roles on two championship teams in Miami and Boston.

Joakim Noah: Chicago Bulls, Starting Forward

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 10: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls moves past Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center on December 10, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 88-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Quite possibly the best blue collar guy in the league, Noah is rarely outworked, Sure, he is not the biggest or the most talented, but this guy brings the kind of energy most teams would kill to have. He is the closest thing we have seen to Dennis Rodman since the worm was flourishing in Chicago.

Luis Scola: Houston Rockets, Starting Forward

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Luis Scola #4 of the Houston Rockets heads for the basket as Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics defends on January 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Rockets defeated the Celtics 108-102. NOTE TO USER: Use

Elsa/Getty Images

Possibly the most underrated player in the NBA, Scola often matches his crafty offensive skills with grittiness and energy. The Rockets have been able to keep their head above water the last couple of seasons without Yao Ming, thanks to Luis Scola.

Anderson Varejao: Cleveland Cavaliers, Starting Center

HAMAMATSU, JAPAN - AUGUST 24: Anderson Varejo of Brazil reaches for the ball against Lithuania during the preliminary round of FIBA World Championships 2006 on August 24, 2006 in Hamamatsu, Japan. The Championships take place from August 19 to September 3

Junko Kimura/Getty Images

Things in Cleveland turned even worse this week when news broke that Varejao would miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Varejao rebounds, plays defense and goes after loose balls with reckless abandonment. With King James in Miami, Varejao is easily the Cavs best player.

Goran Dragic: Phoenix Suns, Reserve Guard

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: Eric Gordon #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives against Goran Dragic #2 of the Phoenix Suns at the Staples Center on February 18, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Don't let Dragic's size fool you, he is not afraid to mix it up with some of the baddest players in the league. Just this past week he got in Kenyon Martin's grill without hesitation. Not to mention, he has enough natural talent to be a legitimate heir apparent to Steve Nash.

Francisco Garcia: Sacramento Kings, Reserve Guard

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Francisco Garcia #32 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after making a three pointer basket against the Los Angeles Lakers at ARCO Arena on November 3, 2010 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Sure, everyone knows the Kings are not very good. However, Garcia is one of the true underrated energy guys in the league. He plays hard every night and is crucial to Sacramento's rebuilding process.

Glenn Davis: Boston Celtics, Reserve Forward

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics passes the ball after he knocked it away from Patrick Patterson of he Houston Rockets on January 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

Elsa/Getty Images

Davis has emerged as possibly the best sixth man in the league. Davis has a knack for outplaying bigger players in the paint and has a consistent 15-foot jumper. If Davis continues his rugged play, the Celtics have a good shot to return to the Finals this season.

Dejuan Blair: San Antonio Spurs, Reserve Forward

SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 28: Forward DeJuan Blair #45 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during play against the Los Angeles Lakers at AT&T Center on December 28, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Blair's tough play has made up for the drop we have seen in Tim Duncan's play the last couple of seasons in San Antonio. Blair is a perfect energy player in the Spurs system. In only his second year, Blair has made a name for himself doing the dirty work down low.

Nick Collison: Oklahoma City Thunder, Reserve Forward

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 21: Teammates Kevin Durant #35 and Nick Collison #4 of the Oklahoma Thunder try to stop Stephen Jackson #1 of the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. N

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Collison is the longest tenured member of the franchise, dating back to the Seattle days. Collison has mastered the art of taking a charge in the lane. He is often overshadowed by his teammates, but Collison is just as important to the Thunder as anyone.

Ronny Turiaf: New York Knicks, Reserve Forward

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 22: Ronny Turiaf #14 of the New York Knicks in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on December 22, 2010 in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading a

Al Bello/Getty Images

Since coming into the league with the Lakers, Turiaf has always been about hustle and energy. Any team would love to have a player like Turiaf coming off their bench.

Lou Amundson: Golden State Warriors, Reserve Forward

PHOENIX - MAY 29: Louis Amundson #17 of the Phoenix Suns blocks a shot by Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter of Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at US Airways Center on May 29, 2010 in P

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Amundson was a crucial part of the Suns' high-energy second unit last season that nearly made the NBA Finals. Amundson has been continuing his old ways this season as a member of the Warriors.

Begin Slideshow