Under the Radar: Top 10 Players You Need To Respect
Ever wonder why the guy you think has mad game doesn't get enough press? Ever wonder why overhyped guys with big names get all the attention while consistent guys fly under the radar? Then welcome to Under the Radar? This is by no means an exhaustive list and it's not meant to include everyone. These are the 10 guys I think that have a game that needs to be respected. For one reason or another: bad attitude, failed with prior team, plays in a small market, or just gets eclipsed by a bigger star, these guys don't get their due. Here's an initial crack at the Top 10 NBA Players who may not be on your radar.
Aaron Brooks
1 of 10
This guy started off in the D-League. Now he's runnin' the Rockets. Daryl Morey knows talent and he unearthed another gem in Brooks. He averaged 19.5ppg and 5.3 apg last season. He's a big part of their future.
Carl Landry
2 of 10
Put up 16.1 and 5.5 last year in Houston before being traded in the Kevin Martin deal to Sacramento. After the trade he 18 and 6.5 and nearly a block and a steal per game. He tends to get injured a bit and was on a deep team in Houston. You should here alot more about him on the Kings.
Udonis Haslem
3 of 10
Udonis is one of my favorite players in the NBA. He's one of the classic hard-working guys in the Charles Oakley mold. He grew up in South Florida, played at Florida, and has been with the Heat his entire career. He took less money to come back to the Heat this season and come off the bench. This is a highly underrated move for Miami. Dude is a baller.
J.J. Redick
4 of 10
Even as a Carolina fan, I've been a huge fan of Redick from Day 1. He took more abuse from road fans in college than anyone I've ever season and got better every year. He could have laid down due to lack of playing time and ending up in the SVG doghouse. Instead, he worked and got better. The Bulls recognized the talent and made a solid bid for him over the summer which Orlando matched. With Vince slowing down, we should see more of J.J. this season. Maybe one of the most mentally tough players I've seen in a long time.
George Hill
5 of 10
For those of you who don't know him, George Hill is the backup point guard in San Antonio and Tony Parker's understudy. Pop gave him the reigns last year when TP was injured and he put about about 16 and 4 and 4. He was so impressive in fact that there have been rumors all summer that Tony Parker is, gulp...."expendable". The Spurs have one of the best front offices in basketball. If they let Tony Parker go this year, when he's only 28...that should tell you something.
Kevin Love
6 of 10
Not sure why Kevin Love isn't on the floor more in Minnesota. Al Jefferson was still recovering from his injury and we all know they don't have anybody else. He put up 14ppg and 11rpg while shooting 82% from the free throw line. The T-Wolves are stocked with young talent and after hardly playing with Team USA he should have motivation to show everyone how good he really can be.
Andre Iguodala
7 of 10
I've never been a huge fan of AI 2.0 but this summer he changed my mind. I thought he was terrific for Team USA. He played fantastic defense and looked to be in great shape as always. There are talks he'll be traded in a package for Melo but I think whoever gets him is lucky. It's impossible for him to live up to filling the shoes of Allen Iverson. In a way, I think fans have written him off because he's not AI. That's a big mistake. He's a borderline All-Star and a really good player. Otherwise, he wouldn't be on Team USA. Coach K knows what he's doing folks.
Zach Randolph
8 of 10
He might be a problem but there's no denying the numbers. Zach put up 20.8ppg and 11.7rpg at Memphis last year. He's 17.3ppg and 8.8 rpg for his career. If you drop his rookie season where he didn't play much he's 20 and 10 for his career. Unlike some guys he's put up numbers wherever he's gone: Portland, New York, LAC and Memphis.
Jeff Green
9 of 10
Sometimes the stars pale next to the sun. That's the issue for Jeff Green. Playing on the same team with both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Jeff often gets overlooked as a tweener with no upside. He put up 15 and 6 last year to go along with nearly a block and 1.3 spg. He's a really good all-around player who often has to guard bigger 4's on defense and score on quicker 3's on offense. Definitely worth keeping an eye. Smart player.
Chris Kaman
10 of 10
He looks more like an oversized accountant than a starting NBA center, but Chris Kaman has been a pretty productive player for most of his career. He's gets injured alot and he's played for the Clippers his entire career, that's why no one knows how productive he is.
2010 Stats:
18.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.5bpg, 33 double doubles last year
