1. Matt Harpring
Not even Ron Artest plays more aggressively than Harpring does — both with and without the ball. Harpring is a spot-up shooter in transition and can drive both ways (although he prefers going left) with a surprisingly quick first step. He's been venturing into the low post more than he used to, favoring the left block for right-handed jump hooks or turnaround jumpers. Does Jerry Sloan want him to bust his tail on defense? To pick his spots and jump on the offensive boards? To run, cut, and slash with all his might? And to do all these things while playing under control?
Mission accomplished.
Although he's not blessed with Mach speed, Harpring routinely leads the league in a category that isn't officially recorded — running down and capturing loose balls.
2. Steven Hunter
Hunter is the perfect role player, i.e., one who doesn't need the ball to be an impact player. OK, he can't shoot beyond the shadow of the rim, he doesn't pass well, and at a leansome 7-0, 240, if Hunter walks past a table lamp a keen observer can see his heart beating. But he's very long, very fast, and very athletic. He can run like a guard, bounce all over both boards, and he's a threat to block every shot in the neighborhood. All he lacks is one go-to move, a counter-move, and plenty of gym time. If Hunter keeps working on his total game, don't be surprised if he becomes a borderline All-Star in another three or four years.
3. Raja Bell
Bell is quick, active and athletic at both ends. On defense, he delights in pressuring the ball, and playing ball denial on the weak side (which often makes him vulnerable to reversal passes and backdoor cuts). On offense, he can ride the crest of a fastbreak as well as any of his peers, and finishing in rush-hour traffic is no problem. He has worked hard to become a better shooter and, as a result, Bell is extremely dangerous from beyond the arc.
Although Bell is not an outstanding passer or ball-handler, his extraordinary work ethic enables him to outhustle any opponents who might foolishly underestimate his abilities and fail to show up with their "A" game.
4. Brendan Haywood
This guy is ready to move into the big time. He needs to extend the range on his jumper, see the floor better, stay out of early foul trouble, and become more consistent both at the free-throw line and in his readiness to play night after night. He also needs to slightly step up his ability to snag missed shots, especially on the defensive end. Haywood averages one rebound every four minutes, which is OK for a power forward, but not quite up to snuff for a center — 1 in 3 is the standard. All of these shortcomings can be improved through effort and mindfulness.
At the moment, however, Haywood still brings plenty of game. He's a powerful, high (and quick) leaping big man who is a dynamic scorer inside. Shot blocking is his forte on defense. But the biggest indication that Haywood has the goods is that, so far in his brief career, he's been a better player in the playoffs than in the regular season.
Watch the middle of the Wizards' gameplan for further developments.
5. Trenton Hassell
While the T-Wolves spent most of last season chasing their own tails, Hassell's focus never wavered. He played excellent on-the-ball defense, made precise rotations, and was always on the lookout to gobble up a stray pass. Although he stands only 6-5, Hassell's long arms also make him a dynamic shot blocker.
On offense, Hassell can take either hand to the hoop. If he has some difficulty creating his own shots, he's a steady mid-range shooter with legit 3-ball capabilities whenever he's temporarily unguarded. His first few shots are critical — if he starts off with a hot hand, then Hassell will be a viable threat all game long.
The most notable of Hassell's attributes is that he plays big in big games.
6. Kevin Ollie
Ollie has nearly the whole package to be a premier point guard: Terrific speed and quickness. A willingness to push the ball. Outstanding ability to penetrate into the guts of any defense — he can go both ways but prefers attacking his defender with a left-to-right crossover and then taking his right hand into the paint. Great court vision which manifests in impeccable decision-making. A desire to pass first and shoot only when necessary. An effective stop-and-pop move. An aggressive, dribble-hawking mindset on defense. As well as the determination to play all out all of the time.
What can't he do? Shoot consistently beyond mid-range.
Ollie would be a potent backup on any team that believes it can seriously challenge for a championship. Unfortunately, Philadelphia is not at that level.
7. Aaron McKie
The biggest hindrance to McKie's being universally accepted as being among the NBA's truly elite players is that he's essentially a facilitator who's spent all of his career with teams that mostly focused on one-on-one confrontations. (Portland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.)
Sure, McKie has lost a step on defense, but he still knows what to do and when to do it. On offense, he can still bury treys with anybody, drive both ways (preferring to go left), and finish in a crowd. McKie's versatility is demonstrated by his ability to score in the pivot as well as from the outskirts, and to play effectively in the frontcourt. Also prominent in his curriculum vitae is his penchant for making clutch shots.
Even in his dotage, look for McKie to thrive as never before in the triangle offense.
8. Shane Battier
If Battier isn't the smartest player in the league he's right up there. And nobody — nobody! — plays harder than he does. Not a bad parlay right there.
Once his feet are set, Battier is a deadeye 3-point shooter. He can take the ball to the rim with either hand (he prefers to drive right) and shoots best on the move going left. At 6-8, 220, Battier can also score in the pivot — he can seal his defender almost as well as Shaq can — and after affecting one of his tricky pump fakes, he's liable to shoot a turnaround jumper or a jump hook. Battier's handle is good enough for him to be employed in screen/roll situations.
His defense is rock solid and he never backs down from a challenge. When playing defense in the low post, Battier wants to strip the ball from his man before the shot mechanism can be initiated. Drawing charges is another specialty — although he will flop on occasion.
Battier can also run, rebound, and win games with do-or-die shots. Whatever it takes to get his team to the finish line, that's what Battier will do.
Honorable mention
Forget about his numbers, Bob Sura is both the grit and the soul of the Rockets.
Kareem Rush has the shots and the court vision — some day soon this kid's game is going to pop!
Des Mason can do everything except routinely knock down 3-pointers, but got lost in the shadow of Michael Redd. Maybe he'll find his niche with the Hornets.
Darius Songalia makes open shots, throws his body into the game, and makes very few mistakes.
Kenny Thomas plays adequate defense, but is a monster scorer (inside and outside), a dynamic rebounder, and moves extremely well without the ball.
And every ball club needs an athletic banger like Eduardo Najera.
Note: Both Jeff Foster and Andrei Kirilenko have graduated from last season's underrated list and have attained authentic star power.
Ich dachte, das wär ein Scherz gewesen, weil Du noch einen Smiley angesteckt hast und auch hier angmeldet bist.
