jimboiitmac
miami pride
Who are the most unrecognized stars in the league? I mean guys who are All-Star level talents but barely get any recognition. No offense to guys like Shane Battier and Chuck Hayes etc, but I don't mean role players who do little things that aren't recorded in the box score. Most of the guys I'm going to list are either a result of too many talented players at their position, playing for a small-market team, or not being overly marketable/marketed by the league. Have a read and state who you think warrants consideration that I didn't include.
Al Jefferson (2010-11 Stats - 18.6 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 49% FG)
Jefferson has the ability to be a prolific scorer and is one of the few legitimate low-post scorers in the league who boasts an array of moves and fundamentally sound footwork. He averaged over 20-10 for consecutive seasons in Minnesota, but injuries and lack of winning have hindered his popularity and recognition. He is yet to have played in an All-Star game.
Eric Gordon (2010-11 Stats - 22.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.9 3PTM)
Gordon is my wild-card pick for this list. The reason for this is because while his numbers are impressive, he only played in 56 games this season. Despite this he was extremely consistent when healthy and put on some scintillating displays offensively including out-dueling Kobe when the Clippers beat the Lakers in January (Gordon dropped 30 on 65% shooting, Kobe finished with 27 on less than 50%). Any other season there would be buzz about Gordon, but not when Blake Griffin is having his debut season for the team.
Andrew Bogut (2010-11 Stats - 12.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.8 BPG, 49% FG)
The Bucks go as Bogut goes, so when Bogut didn't return to shooting form this year the Bucks offense struggled. The result? They didn't make the playoffs. This speaks volumes about Bogut's overall value to the team, as he not only anchors the defense but creates scoring opportunities for his teammates. He lead the league in blocks and averaged a double-double for the third straight season. He was named All-NBA 3rd last season but still gets no recognition. Hopefully he's healthy next season so he can finally be an All-Star.
Rudy Gay (2010-11 Stats - 19.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG)
Gay is the first of two Grizzlies on this list and gets no attention because he plays for them. He was having an incredible statistical season, contributing in every category, before his season was ended by injury. Regardless he's shown that this is no fluke, and he's also a clutch player who hit a few game-winners this season. Since his rookie season he's never averaged less than 18.9 PPG and has markedly improved his outside shooting and passing. It's scary thinking what the Grizzlies could do with a healthy Rudy.
Monta Ellis (2010-11 Stats - 24.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.1 SPG, 45% FG)
Are any of you surprised? Ellis was a major snub at All-Star weekend this year and he is the most prolific and unstoppable scorer in the league who has yet to be recognized at the mid-season classic. While early in his career he was a selfish scorer, he's matured and become a better play-maker in addition to becoming more efficient. He's also always among the league leaders in steals and he's one of the quickest, most explosive guards in the league. Unfortunately when you play for the Warriors you get jack-squad from the media.
Kevin Martin (2010-11 Stats - 23.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.2 3PTM, 88% FT)
The second most prolific scorer in the league who has yet to be selected for an All-Star game, Martin funnily enough had his breakout season the same year that Ellis did. Both were front-runners for the MIP Award and Martin came up short. Regardless Martin has suffered in the same way that Ellis has, playing for the Kings until recently joining the Rockets. Martin is a lights out shooter and crafty at getting to the rim, but his case is not as strong as Ellis' as he's more of an inefficient volume scorer. Regardless, he deserves recognition and probably won't get it until the Rockets reemerge in the West as a contender.
LaMarcus Aldridge (2010-11 Stats - 21.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 50% FG)
Aldridge was the biggest snub from the ASG. I love Griffin and Love but unlike Aldridge neither of them were actually helping their teams win. Aldridge then proceeded to average a ridiculous 24.9 PPG & 10.4 RPG and 27.8 PPG & 9.3 RPG in the months of January and February to prove he was deserving. He also dropped 40 on the spurs and 42 on the Bulls as the Blazers won both games. Yes, he is valuable. Up until this season he was considered soft, and this season he was massively underrated. Hopefully next season he gets his due.
Zach Randolph (2010-11 Stats - 20.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 50% FG)
Randolph is an absolute beast on the block and is a rebounding machine too. He's one of the few players who dominates offensively despite not being very explosive. Right now he's showing his worth as he was undoubtedly the MVP of the Grizzlies-Spurs series in which the Grizz just became the second team in history to beat a #1 seed in a 7 game series. Randolph has averaged 20-10 in 6 of his 10 seasons and has only been an All-Star (last season) once (and the only player on this list to be named to any All-Star teams).
Josh Smith (2010-11 Stats - 16.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 47% FG)
J-Smoove has made highlight reels for his shot-blocking and dunks since his rookie season. He falls into the curse of lacking a jump-shot, and for that reason he's a Rajon Rondo or Andre Iguodala type star. The guy who can do everything but gets hated on because he will rarely take over a game offensively. While Smith is a regular Defensive POY candidate, if he was a bit less lazy and worked on his ball-handling and shooting, he could easily be a top 5 player in the league. Despite this, he's still majorly unrecognized as Al Horford continues to make the All-Star team despite Smith contributing more all-around for the team season round.
Luis Scola (2010-11 Stats - 18.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 50% FG)
Before coming to the league Scola was the best player in Europe. Since he's been in the league he's become an impact player and this past season was the best frontcourt scoring option for the Rockets. Last season he averaged 16.2 PPG and 8.6 APG and he upped those numbers this season while continuing to play efficiently. He may be the most unrecognized player on this list because his name NEVER comes up, probably because he's international and also not flashy whatsoever.
Honorable Mention
Andre Iguodala: Close but unfortunately his inability to take over a game offensively seems to keep him from this list. He's not really that underrated as people do appreciate his athleticism and all-around abilities.
David West: Would make most lists like these, but he's never really been a prolific player. He's consistent, and he's been rewarded with two All-Star selections before.
Paul Millsap: Hard-worker and very good player, but unfortunately there's another forward on his own team who is better and receives as little attention.
Deron Williams: A season ago he would have made this list, and it's ridiculous that it took him over three seasons to be named an All-Star. The last two seasons however he's received consecutive All-NBA berths, even if they are a bit overdue.
Luol Deng: Has strung together two great seasons, averaging a few notches under 20 PPG and defending at an elite level. Needs to be closer to a number one option to make this list though.
Al Jefferson (2010-11 Stats - 18.6 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 49% FG)
Jefferson has the ability to be a prolific scorer and is one of the few legitimate low-post scorers in the league who boasts an array of moves and fundamentally sound footwork. He averaged over 20-10 for consecutive seasons in Minnesota, but injuries and lack of winning have hindered his popularity and recognition. He is yet to have played in an All-Star game.
Eric Gordon (2010-11 Stats - 22.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.9 3PTM)
Gordon is my wild-card pick for this list. The reason for this is because while his numbers are impressive, he only played in 56 games this season. Despite this he was extremely consistent when healthy and put on some scintillating displays offensively including out-dueling Kobe when the Clippers beat the Lakers in January (Gordon dropped 30 on 65% shooting, Kobe finished with 27 on less than 50%). Any other season there would be buzz about Gordon, but not when Blake Griffin is having his debut season for the team.
Andrew Bogut (2010-11 Stats - 12.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.8 BPG, 49% FG)
The Bucks go as Bogut goes, so when Bogut didn't return to shooting form this year the Bucks offense struggled. The result? They didn't make the playoffs. This speaks volumes about Bogut's overall value to the team, as he not only anchors the defense but creates scoring opportunities for his teammates. He lead the league in blocks and averaged a double-double for the third straight season. He was named All-NBA 3rd last season but still gets no recognition. Hopefully he's healthy next season so he can finally be an All-Star.
Rudy Gay (2010-11 Stats - 19.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG)
Gay is the first of two Grizzlies on this list and gets no attention because he plays for them. He was having an incredible statistical season, contributing in every category, before his season was ended by injury. Regardless he's shown that this is no fluke, and he's also a clutch player who hit a few game-winners this season. Since his rookie season he's never averaged less than 18.9 PPG and has markedly improved his outside shooting and passing. It's scary thinking what the Grizzlies could do with a healthy Rudy.
Monta Ellis (2010-11 Stats - 24.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.1 SPG, 45% FG)
Are any of you surprised? Ellis was a major snub at All-Star weekend this year and he is the most prolific and unstoppable scorer in the league who has yet to be recognized at the mid-season classic. While early in his career he was a selfish scorer, he's matured and become a better play-maker in addition to becoming more efficient. He's also always among the league leaders in steals and he's one of the quickest, most explosive guards in the league. Unfortunately when you play for the Warriors you get jack-squad from the media.
Kevin Martin (2010-11 Stats - 23.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.2 3PTM, 88% FT)
The second most prolific scorer in the league who has yet to be selected for an All-Star game, Martin funnily enough had his breakout season the same year that Ellis did. Both were front-runners for the MIP Award and Martin came up short. Regardless Martin has suffered in the same way that Ellis has, playing for the Kings until recently joining the Rockets. Martin is a lights out shooter and crafty at getting to the rim, but his case is not as strong as Ellis' as he's more of an inefficient volume scorer. Regardless, he deserves recognition and probably won't get it until the Rockets reemerge in the West as a contender.
LaMarcus Aldridge (2010-11 Stats - 21.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.2 BPG, 50% FG)
Aldridge was the biggest snub from the ASG. I love Griffin and Love but unlike Aldridge neither of them were actually helping their teams win. Aldridge then proceeded to average a ridiculous 24.9 PPG & 10.4 RPG and 27.8 PPG & 9.3 RPG in the months of January and February to prove he was deserving. He also dropped 40 on the spurs and 42 on the Bulls as the Blazers won both games. Yes, he is valuable. Up until this season he was considered soft, and this season he was massively underrated. Hopefully next season he gets his due.
Zach Randolph (2010-11 Stats - 20.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 50% FG)
Randolph is an absolute beast on the block and is a rebounding machine too. He's one of the few players who dominates offensively despite not being very explosive. Right now he's showing his worth as he was undoubtedly the MVP of the Grizzlies-Spurs series in which the Grizz just became the second team in history to beat a #1 seed in a 7 game series. Randolph has averaged 20-10 in 6 of his 10 seasons and has only been an All-Star (last season) once (and the only player on this list to be named to any All-Star teams).
Josh Smith (2010-11 Stats - 16.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 47% FG)
J-Smoove has made highlight reels for his shot-blocking and dunks since his rookie season. He falls into the curse of lacking a jump-shot, and for that reason he's a Rajon Rondo or Andre Iguodala type star. The guy who can do everything but gets hated on because he will rarely take over a game offensively. While Smith is a regular Defensive POY candidate, if he was a bit less lazy and worked on his ball-handling and shooting, he could easily be a top 5 player in the league. Despite this, he's still majorly unrecognized as Al Horford continues to make the All-Star team despite Smith contributing more all-around for the team season round.
Luis Scola (2010-11 Stats - 18.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.5 APG, 50% FG)
Before coming to the league Scola was the best player in Europe. Since he's been in the league he's become an impact player and this past season was the best frontcourt scoring option for the Rockets. Last season he averaged 16.2 PPG and 8.6 APG and he upped those numbers this season while continuing to play efficiently. He may be the most unrecognized player on this list because his name NEVER comes up, probably because he's international and also not flashy whatsoever.
Honorable Mention
Andre Iguodala: Close but unfortunately his inability to take over a game offensively seems to keep him from this list. He's not really that underrated as people do appreciate his athleticism and all-around abilities.
David West: Would make most lists like these, but he's never really been a prolific player. He's consistent, and he's been rewarded with two All-Star selections before.
Paul Millsap: Hard-worker and very good player, but unfortunately there's another forward on his own team who is better and receives as little attention.
Deron Williams: A season ago he would have made this list, and it's ridiculous that it took him over three seasons to be named an All-Star. The last two seasons however he's received consecutive All-NBA berths, even if they are a bit overdue.
Luol Deng: Has strung together two great seasons, averaging a few notches under 20 PPG and defending at an elite level. Needs to be closer to a number one option to make this list though.
