Derrick Rose and Players From All 30 NBA Teams Who Deserve More Attention
It's the mid point of the NBA season, and we're all excited about this All-Star break. I don't know about you, but I cannot wait for the slam dunk contest. It should be a good show.
The All-Star break is a time to reflect on the first half of the season. The topics can range from which guys are playing great and who is under-performing this year.
Another hot debate is who isn't getting enough attention? Which guys are doing well for their team but are getting some much deserved credit?
Well, here's a list of a player from each team who deserves more love.
Boston Celtics: Glen Davis
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When you think of the Boston Celtics, you automatically think of their big three. One guy who is often overlooked is Glen Davis.
He's a great player off the bench for the Celtics and is averaging 11 points and five rebounds per game. He makes the most of his minutes and is a tough player for Boston.
Davis is a great presence down low with his big body. He's going to be a key player for the Celtics during the playoffs.
New Jersey Nets: Devin Harris
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Harris has been playing some great basketball. He leads the team in assists with 7.6 per game as well as in steals, averaging one per game.
Harris is second on the team in scoring with 15 points per game. He runs the point and controls the show for New Jersey. He is often overlooked in the league at his position; he definitely deserves some love. Now if only he could get some help from his teammates, then the Nets would win more.
New York Knicks: Raymond Felton
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Felton is another guy often overlooked at his position. The NBA is filled with great point guards, and Felton is making his case to be called the best.
Felton is averaging 17 points, nine assists, and one steal per game. He's stepped up his level of play and the Knicks are benefiting. He and Amare Stoudemire are teaming up and taking over games. Felton certainly deserves some more attention.
Philadelphia 76ers: Jrue Holliday
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Holliday is playing some solid hoops for the 76ers. He's started every game for Philadelphia and averages 13 points and six assist per game.
Holliday isn't the most talked about player on his team, but he helps get the job done. If Iguodala would step his game up, then perhaps Philadelphia would be winning more. You certainly can't put any blame on Holliday, as he has been playing strong.
Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan
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DeMar DeRozan is kind of an afterthought for the Raptors. Well technically, the entire team is an afterthought. But when you think Raptors, you either think Chris Bosh leaving or Andrea Bargnani.
However, DeRozan should not be overlooked. He's shooting the ball very well and is averaging 19 points per game in the month of February. He's second on the team in scoring but comes up with some big shots at times.
Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose
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Derrick Rose is playing phenomenal basketball. He gets my vote for first half MVP and is the main reason the Bulls are doing so well.
Chicago is currently third place in the Eastern Conference, and Rose is a big reason why. He leads the team in scoring, averaging just under 25 point per game. He also leads the team in assists with eight per game.
Rose controls the game for Chicago and is exceptionally explosive. He's difficult to stop and can take over any game he wants to. Pay more attention to this guy because come playoff time, he's going to be lighting it up.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Ramon Sessions
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Sessions has been on fire recently. He is averaging 19 points per game in the month of February and is a huge reason why the Cavs beat the Lakers a couple nights ago.
Sessions doesn't start that often for the Cavs but is making his case for the job. He's also averaging eight assists per game in his last 10 contests.
Detroit Pistons: Rodney Stuckey
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Stuckey is the main reason the Pistons are even close in some games. He's averaging just under 15 points a game, which leads the team. Stuckey also leads the team in assists with 4.5 per game.
The Pistons are not a very good team, but Stuckey is a bright spot for Detroit.
Indiana Pacers: Darren Collison
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Collison is second on the team in scoring and first in assists and steals. He averages 13 points and five assists per game.
Collison is one the rising stars at the point guard position. He's in his second season in the NBA and is already turning heads. He has a bright future ahead of him.
Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Bogut
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Bogut is kind of a forgotten player from the 2005 draft. He was taken No. 1 overall, but players from other teams have been more dominant. Derron Williams and Chris Paul are two guys that certainly come to mind.
Bogut is quietly averaging a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds per game. If Bogut were on a better team or had a few more players to help score for Milwaukee, then he would be regarded as a big time player. But keep an eye out for Bogut as the Bucks look to make a playoff run in the second half of the season.
Atlanta Hawks: Al Horford
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Al Horford does not get enough credit for the things that he does. He's playing a position that he really shouldn't, but he's still producing solid numbers.
Horford averages 16 points and just under 10 rebounds per game. He's a great post player that gives the Hawks a great chance to win every night.
I really wanted to put ZaZa here as a joke, but I'm not sure how well that would've gone over.
Charlotte Bobcats: D.J Augustin
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I wanted to put Michael Jordan here as a joke, but decided it wasn't worth all the hate comments I would probably get.
Augustin is definitely overlooked at on his team but he's playing great hoops right now. He averages 14 points and six assists per game. He's developed into a very nice point guard.
Many people look at the Bobcats and think of Gerald Wallace or Stephen Jackson, but Augustin absolutely deserves some credit. Some play better as a collective whole, and the Bobcats could make a push into the playoff hunt. They're only one game back from eighth place.
Miami Heat: Mario Chalmers
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The big three of Miami does not need any more attention. It is all we have talked about for so long now.
Chalmers may not be scoring a ton because, well, there are a couple of ball hogs on the team. Those ball hogs, however, have earned the right to do so because they're extremely good.
Chalmers just does the right things. He runs the point well and sticks to the game plan by making sure LeBron James and Dwyane Wade get their touches and have a good night.
Orlando Magic: Jameer Nelson
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When you think of the Magic the first thing that comes to mind is Dwight Howard and then maybe pudgy Van Gundy.
Nelson should be a thought in your head when referencing the Magic. With the addition of Gilbert Arenas, Nelson took a hit to his minutes. He is still playing well and is a vital part of the team. Nelson manages the game from the point position.
He averages 12 points and six assists per game.
Washington Wizards: Andray Blatche
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Blatche is second on the team in scoring and first in rebounds. He averages just under 16 points and eight rebounds per game.
Everyone thinks of John Wall and his dougie when they mention the Wizards. However, Blatche should be getting some attention as a strong power forward.
Golden State Warriors: David Lee
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Lee was a great addition for the Warriors this past summer. Most people think of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry for Golden State, but Lee absolutely deserves some attention.
His numbers were a lot better last year, but that's partially due to the fact that it was a contract year for him. He got his money and now he's settling down a bit. But Lee is still a great player averaging just under 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Los Angeles Clippers: Baron Davis
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Blake Griffin is stealing the show out in LA, but Baron Davis deserves a lot of credit for Griffin's success..
Davis is leading the team in assists and steals. He has found his youthful ways thanks to Blake Griffin. Davis is the one making all the great passes for Griffin to throw it down.
Davis is also scoring 13 points a game. He was kind of forgotten about by some, but all the spotlight on Griffin has made Davis step his game up.
Los Angeles Lakers: Shannon Brown
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Brown has played in every game this season but has never started. He averages nine points and two assists per game. He's getting fewer minutes than Steve Blake and Derek Fisher, but he's outplaying both of them.
Perhaps Brown should get some more playing time or even start every once and awhile. He's playing great, and the rest of the team struggles at times. Maybe a change would do the Lakers some good.
Phoenix Suns: Marcin Gortat
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When you think of the Phoenix Suns, the only thing that really comes to mind is Steve Nash and how he needs to get the heck out of Phoenix.
A guy who deserves a little more attention from that team is Marcin Gortat. He plays great defense and was a good pick up for the Suns in a trade earlier this season.
Gortat is averaging a double-double in the last 10 games, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds per game.
Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans
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Not to many people care that much for the Sacramento Kings, which is why it is such a shame to see a superb player like Tyreke Evans constantly lose games.
Evans is averaging 18 points and five assists per game. That's good enough to lead the team in both of those categories.
He deserves more attention because he is all the Kings have. DeMarcus Cousins is playing well but it is nothing more than a big attitude problem. Evans is a phenomenal player that could really use better players surrounding him.
Dallas Mavericks: Jason Terry
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Terry has been playing great basketball for the Mavericks off the bench for a couple of years now. I have never really understood why Dallas doesn't play that well when he starts. It must be a mental thing.
Terry is second on the team in scoring and assists. He averages just over 15 points and four assists per game. He has the ability to always get Dallas back into the game; you gotta love that about him.
Houston Rockets: Kevin Martin
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Martin is often over looked in the West because Houston just isn't that great of a team. Without Yao Ming, this team suffers.
Martin has picked up the slack and has turned into a scoring machine. He is averaging 23 points per game. There are so many great players in the Western Conference that Martin is forgotten about at times. He's 10th in the league in scoring so far this year and deserves a little more attention from everyone.
Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Randolph
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Randolph has taken over this team. He is a dominant power forward that needs more recognition for his work.
He leads the team in scoring and in rebounds. He averages 20 points and 13 rebounds per game. Randolph is third in the league in boards per game.
New Orleans Hornets: Emeka Okafor
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Some have considered Okafor as a bust in the NBA, but he really isn't. He hasn't lived up to the hype, but he still plays well.
Okafor is quietly averaging a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. He is also second in the league in field goal percentage. He's been injured for the last week or so but is scheduled to make a return following the All-Star break.
Many think Chris Paul is all this team has, but Okafor definitely deserves some love.
San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker
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Tony Parker is a tremendous point guard. He doesn't get enough attention because the Spurs excel as a whole and not one player individually.
Parker is also over looked at his position. Many believe Chris Paul, Derron Williams and Derrick Rose are the top three in the league, but Parker deserves to be mentioned with the likes of those three.
He's averaging 17 points and just under seven assists per game. Parker's dominant play is a big reason the Spurs have the best record in basketball.
Denver Nuggets: Nene Hilario
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Nene doesn't get as much love as he should. Most people just mention Carmelo Anthony or Chauncey Billups, but Nene is playing great.
Nene leads the league in field goal percentage with .637. He's running away with it right now and doesn't appear to be slowing down. Nene averages 15 points and seven rebounds per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love
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Kevin Love has been getting attention this season but not nearly enough. He wasn't voted into the All-Star game, which is pathetic, because those who vote clearly haven't been paying attention to the NBA.
Love is dominating the game right now and is on a streak of 41 games with consecutive double-doubles. He averages 21 points and 15 rebounds per game. He has a couple years left on his contract, and if he keeps this type of play up, he's going to get a big time paycheck, and hopefully with a contending team.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook
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There is no doubt that this is Kevin Durant's team. However, Russell Westbrook is also a large cause of the Thunder's success.
Westbrook is making his case as the best point guard in the league. He averages 22 points and just under nine assists per game. Westbrook controls this team with his play and spreads the wealth to his teammates. The Thunder are one key player away from being very dangerous.
Portland Trail Blazers: LaMarcus Aldridge
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Portland is playing some great basketball despite losing key players to injury. This is mainly due to the play of Aldridge.
Aldridge is leading the team in scoring and is very close to averaging a double double. He scores 22 points and grabs nine rebounds per game. Aldridge has started every game for Portland and is a crucial player for this ball club. He is a huge reason why they are in fifth place in the Western Conference.
Utah Jazz: Paul Millsap
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Deron Williams rules this team. He is the leader and the biggest reason the Jazz are in the playoff hunt.
However, the Jazz have been getting a great performance from Millsap all season. He has the ability to take a game over and score at will.
He averages 17 points and just under eight rebounds per game. Millsap has also scored over 30 points four times this season, including a 46 point game against the Heat.
