Respect Earned: NBA's All-Impressive Squad

There is still a lot to be determined before the playoffs, but everyone can agree this has been one of the single greatest seasons in the NBA for quite some time.

Young players' excellent performances have been some of the brightest spots this year.  Many have taken their games to new levels, and even stepped up when their teams really needed it. 

Certain superstars—such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James—are always expected to have a great season.  But those of whom not much is expected are those who've made the Whittenberg All-Impressive Team, which means they have impressed me.

The list below consists of players who were under the radar before the start of the season.  And yes, even rookies count.  While some guys were known components before this season, the others weren't complete mysteries.

Whether their teams have winning or losing records does not factor into the players' inclusion in this team.  

First Team

• Jordan Farmar, Los Angeles Lakers (Years Pro: 1)

Farmar had his ups and downs his first season in the NBA.

He played briefly in games for the NBA's developmental league while with the Lakers.  But this season, Farmar has impressed.

The Lakers are currently on their magical 10-game winning streak and Farmar has averaged about 11 PPG.  He plays a vital role off the bench and his current performance, believe it or not, will be imperative come playoff time.

• Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers (Years Pro: 1)
  

Fresh off his Rookie of the Year campaign, Roy took another leap forward by making his first All-Star game appearance.

B-Roy has averaged 19.3 PPG this season, and his Blazers have been one of the more surprising teams in the first half.

• Kevin Durant, Seattle Supersonics (Years Pro: Rookie)
  

Yes he's a rookie, but Durant has already blossomed as the Sonics' new franchise player.

A handful of rookies have looked good this season, but KD pretty much had the Rookie of the Year award wrapped up after the first half.

Though Seattle is in atrocious condition, Durant has provided some hope, averaging 19.2 PPG.

• Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks (Years Pro: Rookie)
  

While Durant received most of the preseason rookie hype, Al Horford has been an under-the-radar guy.

His Atlanta Hawks aren't even out of playoff contention in a pretty mediocre conference, sitting ninth in the East.

The team has a bright future ahead, and a solid building block in Horford for years to come.  Horford averages 10 RPG along with nine points. 

• Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves (Years Pro: 3)
  

For those who thought the Timberwolves didn't receive equal value for Kevin Garnett, think again.  This guy has the makings of a franchise player in Minnesota. 

Jefferson has been a freak of nature this season, averaging 21.4 points and 11.8 RPG per game.

Looking for a premier big man not named Dwight Howard?  Then this is the guy to look forward to in upcoming years. 

He is currently fourth in the league in field goals made, and second in the league in offensive rebounding.

Second Team

• Juan Carlos Navarro, Memphis Grizzlies (Years Pro: Rookie)

Unlike Durant and Horford, Navarro was a no-name rookie heading into this season.

He began to recieve recognition after a 28-point performance on November 16th against the New Orleans Hornets.  From that point on, Navarro has gone on to average 10.9 PPG.

• Linas Kleiza, Denver Nuggets (Years Pro: 2)
  

Of course Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson are the main weapons in Denver—but Kleiza has been the guy to step it up whenever Melo or A.I. have bad shooting nights.

We saw a glimpse of his capabilities last season when he scored a then career-high 29 points against the Los Angeles Lakers.  This season, he erupted with a 41-point outburst against Utah on January 17th.

• Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers (Years Pro: Rookie)
  

Thornton was a freakish scorer in his senior season at Florida State, which is why he was selected as a lottery pick.

While starting only 11 games during his rookie campaign, Thornton has averaged 11 PPG.  He also scored double figures in 13 of his last 14 games, while averaging 17 PPG during that span.

• Leon Powe, Boston Celtics (Years Pro: 1)

Be honest, did you know who this guy was before the season began?

Although he is averaging only 6.6 PPG, he has played exceptionally well—especially while Kevin Garnett sat out with an abdominal strain injury.

Powe has been under the radar all season, so an All-Impressive Team mention is only right.

• Sean Williams, New Jersey Nets (Years Pro: Rookie)
  

As inconsistent as New Jersey has been this season, Williams has developed as one of their building blocks.  This is especially important if the Nets plan to move Vince Carter during the offseason.

Williams is an exceptional defender and shot blocker.  He only averages seven PPG, but is an impact player on the defensive end of the floor.

Third Team

•  Mike Conley Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (Years Pro: Rookie)

If you're a fan of the college game, then you remember Conley playing last year at Ohio State alongside Greg Oden.

Conley was considered the best point guard available in the 2007 NBA Draft, and so far he has proved himself worthy of that assessment.

He draws comparisons to Tony Parker, with his quickness and ability to penetrate to the basket.

9.4 PPG isn't that impressive—but for a rookie of his caliber, it's good enough.

Conley is a fellow teammate of Navarro's and both guys will be solid building blocks for a franchise that is clearly in rebuild mode.

• Sasha Vujacic, Los Angeles Lakers (Years Pro: 3)
  

Another Laker headlines a team with stellar play this season.

Vujacic is a good shooter, and is also an important piece for the Laker's deep bench.  He has scored double figures off the bench in his last five games, including 12 against the Miami Heat last night.

• Jamario Moon, Toronto Raptors (Years Pro: Rookie)
  

Moon has finally found his home in the NBA.  He has been everywhere from the CBA to the Harlem Globetrotters to the D-League, and is showing that hard work does pay off.

Because of his length and athleticism, he is a good defender.  Still, his shot selection is sometimes questionable.

• Brandon Bass, Dallas Mavericks (Years Pro: 2)

Bass didn't get the chance to shine in New Orleans—he was one offseason acquisition that went unnoticed.

This season he has been just the spark down low that the Mavericks have been looking for off their bench.  Newly acquired Jason Kidd will help Bass a lot down the line. 

7.9 PPG isn't an eye-popping stat—but watching him, you can see that he plays a vital role for the Mavericks' frontcourt.

• Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers (Years Pro: 2)

The fact that Bynum has missed the last month or so due to injury is the only reason he is on the third team.  Bynum was an original first teamer, but the kneecap injury ruined those chances.

His team is still playing very well without him because of the Pau Gasol trade, but once he returns the Lakers will be that much scarier.

He must return before playoff time in order to acclimate to the new look of the Lakers' frontcourt.

Before the injury, Bynum was averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds per game. 

Michael Whittenberg is a senior writer and NBA Community Leader for BleacherReport.com.  His entire archive can be found here.