Building the All-NBA Overhyped Team

The Kardashians. Justin Bieber. One Direction. The cast of Jersey Shore. Anyone associated with something that has “Real Housewives” in its title.

(How’s that for maximizing search engine hits?)

Okay, wait! Before you click away from this page in disgust (at least those of you expecting a basketball column in this space), here's why I mention these polarizing celebrities: They get far more exposure and, in some cases inexplicably, far more credit than they deserve.

The NBA may not be churning out songs or shows that people shamefully listen to or watch behind closed doors, but it also has its share of big names that have begun to make people wonder: “Why are we still talking about them?”

Even the casual hoops observer knows their names. They’ve received more than their fair share of praise. The spotlight has shone in their direction quite a bit, but the output on the court lately doesn’t add up against the number of times they get referenced in conversation.

And it’s all undeserved.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, we’re talking about the most overhyped players in the NBA. The following players make up a squad that would probably get its share of accolades by the talking heads and water cooler pundits alike…until, perhaps, they step onto the court and actually play together.

(Disclaimer: Before the hate comments inevitably come pouring in, let me say that these are all talented athletes who either have been or will be bona fide stars in this league. Simply enough, however, their name is currently getting more production than their game.)

So, without further ado, put the gym, tans and laundry aside and take a peek at the first installment of the All-Overhyped Team…

Jeremy Lin, Houston Rockets

Key Stats: 11.3 PPG, .407 field-goal percentage

The Linsanity epidemic came out of nowhere and ran rampant throughout the greater New York City metropolitan area during the first half of this year, and has now spread to large segments of Texas and even into the continent of Asia. (For the record, he was born and raised in California.)

I know, I know. It’s not every day that an undrafted point guard released by two other teams eventually becomes a starter in the NBA. Or a Harvard graduate. Or a Taiwanese-American. Or all three.

But let’s rein it in a little: Should he really be currently running third amongst Western Conference guards in the NBA All-Star voting?

Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets

Key Stats: .389 field-goal percentage, .292 three-point percentage

Well, Deron Williams got everything he wanted: A lavish new contract, an equally high-priced supporting cast and the chance to be the centerpiece of a newly transplanted, big-market team. So what’s the problem?

The problem is he seems to be shrinking under the lens of the microscope over Brooklyn.

Deron is shooting at a career-low mark and averaging the fewest assists since his rookie year and fewest points since his sophomore campaign. Right now Jay-Z has 99 problems…and his franchise point guard is one of them.

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

Key Stats: 12.4 PPG, .414 field-goal percentage

Like Williams and contrary to Lin, Pau Gasol has been a perennial All-Star. He’s helped guide his team to multiple championships. 

Now, he’s just helping them lose games.

And yet he remains a hot topic in trade discussions. Why? Is anyone really pining right now for a gimpy big man on the wrong side of 30 who is averaging career lows, by far, in most major categories?

The adjustment to the Dwight Howard Era in Los Angeles hasn’t gone as planned thus far, and Gasol’s contributions—or lack thereof—have been a big reason why.

There is still time for Gasol and the Lakers to right the ship (paging Steve Nash), but the leaks, they are a-springing…

Andre Iguodala, Denver Nuggets

Key Stats: .688 free-throw percentage, 3.1 turnovers per game

As recently as February, Andre Iguodala made his first All-Star game. As recently as this summer, he was a member of the gold-medal-winning Olympic squad.

And as recently as Dec. 12, as the new centerpiece in Denver, he put up a whopping two points on 1-of-9 shooting with five turnovers.

Iggy does several things well, but nothing great.  Truth be told, the cracks in his game were already showing back when he was anointed the main man in Philly.

However, that's the Nuggets’ problem now.

Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors

Key Stats: .398 field-goal percentage, 4.3 rebounds per game

This is how bad it’s getting for Andrea Bargnani: He’s been out for the last four games, and the lowly Raptors are 3-1 during that span.

Coincidence? Maybe. But the former No. 1 overall pick, now in his sixth year with Toronto, has never really lived up to the hype. And I don’t care how “European” you play, averaging just over four rebounds in 33 minutes on the court per game—as a seven-footer—is not just soft, it’s Charmin soft…

(Insert "Andrea" joke here.)

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

Key Stat: 3.3 assists per game

You’re not supposed to peak your rookie year, but that’s exactly what Tyreke Evans has done. Now in Year Four, he has seen both his assist and point totals dip every year he’s been in the league.

Like Gasol, Evans has been at the forefront of many trade rumors even though his value is at an all-time low.

And like his team, his future doesn’t look nearly as promising these days.

Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz

Key Stats: 9.1 points per game in 21.9 minutes

Now in his third season, people are still waiting for Derrick Favors to finally blow up.

They’re going to have to wait a while longer.

The highly touted forward from Georgia Tech is still only 21 years old, but patience is wearing thin in Salt Lake City for the former lottery pick to finally blossom.

Monta Ellis, Milwaukee Bucks

Key Stats: .398 field-goal percentage, .213 three-point percentage

On the surface, the numbers don’t look all that bad: 19 points and 5.5 assists per game. But then you dig a little deeper and see that it’s being accomplished purely on shot volume. And when a 6’3’’ guard hoists up close to 18 shots a night, including over three from beyond the arc, but can’t break the 40-percent mark in either category, that’s not very efficient.

Not even a year into his new dwelling, following a trade from Golden State, his looks-good-on-paper stats might be wearing thin already in Milwaukee. Especially when he's paired with similarly low-percentage shooter Brandon Jennings.

Michael Beasley, Phoenix Suns

Key Stats: 10.9 PPG, .373 field-goal percentage

Was it really just two years ago that this anomaly averaged 19.2 points per game for the Timberwolves, and seemed poised to become the star so many expected when he was drafted second overall?

Is he really on his third team in five seasons and perhaps about to wear out his welcome here, too?

Is there anything else to say about a guy with all the potential in the world who doesn’t seem to want to use it?

Am I finished writing in questions?

(Yes.)

Kendrick Perkins, Oklahoma City Thunder

Key Stats: 5.1 PPG, .625 free-throw percentage

I’m a big movie fan and I must confess: I love most films with Kevin Costner. If I’m flipping channels and stumble upon Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, The Untouchables, Dances With Wolves or JFK, I’m kicking back and strapping in for the ride.

But, strangely enough, I’m really not a fan of Kevin Costner as an actor. It seems like a contradiction, but his performances aren’t what make the movies great. He’s just apparently blessed when it comes to choosing the right scripts.

That’s how I feel about Kendrick Perkins. He always seems to find himself on great teams—as a starter, no less—but not really to any credit of his own. He’s just been blessed to have a great “script,” or, in this case, an incredible supporting cast of players around him.