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8 Players Who Deserve More Propsby Eric Wong AKA Roto EvilApril 6th, 2008
Peja Stojakovic, JR Smith, Monta Ellis, Chauncey Billups, Antawn Jamison, Hedo Turkoglu, Shane Battier, and Andre Miller are having spectacular seasons. It's time to show them some love! 
8. Peja StojakovicThe Hornets have the best record in the West and they clearly deserve to have someone on this list. Chris Paul is a leading MVP candidate and is getting plenty of props around the league, and David West was named to the All-Star team and is routinely called one of the most underrated players in the game (which means he's no longer underrated).Meanwhile, Peja has had a great comeback season. After missing 69 games in '06-07 due to a back injury, he's missed just 5 in '07-08 (Hornets were 3-2 in those games). He was a giant question mark coming into this season, and his slow start was rather worrisome: 13.6 ppg and 39.7% FG in November. He wasn't much better in December, but has been lights out in 2008. Since January 1st, Peja is averaging 36.8 minutes, 17.4 points, 4.8 boards, and 3.3 threes per game on 45% FG shooting. He currently leads the league in FT% (92.8) and ranks 4th in 3P% (45.5), both career-high marks. Granted, he doesn't have to do much besides shoot the ball, but the Hornets' offense would struggle mightily without him. A lot of people wanted to write him off in recent years, but Peja can still play and it's time to give him some props. 
7. JR SmithJR Smith can shoot the three ball too. His season stats aren't that impressive, but check out his post All-Star numbers:16 points (49.6% FG), 2.7 threes (42.6% 3P), 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in just 22 minutes per game! Those stats translate to 26.2 points, 4.4 threes, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per 36 minutes, suggesting that he could be a top tier fantasy player if he ever gets more playing time. His production has been so impressive, that his +4.0 Roland Rating is actually better than both Carmelo Anthony's and Marcus Camby's. JR has spent a lot of time in George Karl's doghouse over the years, but he's persevered and is now a major force for Denver off the bench. I'll hold it against him if the Nuggets knock the Warriors out of the playoffs, but I've still got to give him some props. 
6. Monta EllisMost people know that Monta is having an incredible season, but I'm not sure if people know just how much he's improved (since winning the Most Improved award last year).Let's start with his 4.9 boards per game, which makes him the leading rebounder under 6'5, 200 pounds. The dude has soared for 8+ boards on 13 occasions. And while he's averaging fewer assists this season, he's actually a much better playmaker. Ellis has also improved on the defensive end. Of course, his ability to blow by defenders, get to the basket, and finish at a 53% clip is what makes Monta so impressive. As the season has progressed, opponents have thrown more defenders at him and been more physical with him, but that hasn't slowed him down at all. Monta is the man, and he's only going to get better. 
5. Chauncey BillupsEveryone talks about Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams, but you better not forget about Chauncey Billups. Year in and year out, Mr. Big Shot just gets the job done.This season he's shooting a career-best 44.8% from the field and 91.5% from the line. He's still a lockdown defender, and his 1.32 steals per game are his highest mark since his rookie year. He's starting to rest more, and you get the feeling that the regular season doesn't really matter to him anymore. 2007-08 has been a remarkable season, but most of the talk has centered around LeBron, the Celtics, and the wild, wild West. Of course, it wouldn't surprise me at all if the Pistons win the title and Billups is the Finals MVP. Maybe then people will start talking about him. 
4. Antawn JamisonWhen Jamison was on the Warriors I was a certified hater, but now it's time to give him some props. Despite Gilbert Arenas missing 67 games and Caron Butler missing 21, the Wizards still have the 5th best record in the East. Credit Jamison for holding the fort down and making the playoffs for the 5th straight season.Jamo currently ranks 10th in rebounds (a career-high 10.2 rpg), 11th in minutes, 18th in scoring, and 20th in steals. Antonio Daniels is a capable veteran PG, but he's been hurt this season and hasn't played that great. DeShawn Stevenson is solid, but he's no LeBron James. Haywood has his moments, but he's not very consistent. Blatche and Nick Young have serious talent, but both are still very young. Sure it's the Leastern Conference, but you have to give Jamison and the Wizards props for outplaying teams with fewer injuries and arguably more talent. 
3. Hedo TurkogluYou've got to give Turkoglu a lot of credit for several reasons. First of all, he's outplayed the $118 million man (Rashard Lewis) all season long. The point guard position has also been very shaky this season, forcing Hedo to handle a lot of the ballhandling and playmaking duties.As a result, he's averaging career-highs in minutes (37.3), points (19.6), rebounds (5.9), assists (4.9), threes (2.1), and free throws made (4.0) per game, and has even recorded 2 triple-doubles. Hedo has also been extremely clutch this season. He's hit several game-winning shots and ranks 5th in 4th quarter scoring, behind LeBron, Wade, Kobe, and Amare. That's pretty good company. 
2. Shane BattierI've mentioned Battier several times this season, but he still deserves more recognition. If you just look at his stats, they aren't that impressive. In fact, his '07-08 points, steals, FG%, FT%, and 3P% are all below his career averages.Yet the Rockets still have one of the top records in the NBA and have survived and thrived without Yao Ming. There's no doubt that Tracy McGrady is an incredible offensive player, but Houston is a defensive team and Battier is their leader on D. You see Battier's hand all up in Kobe's face? Kobe shot just 11-33 that day and the Lakers lost. On Friday, the Rockets scored just 79 points and still won. How did they do it? Well, Battier frustrated Kevin Durant to the tune of 4 points (a season-low) on 2-17 shooting and Seattle scored just 66 points, their 3rd-lowest point total in franchise history. T-Mac's offense is nice, but the Rockets would be under .500 if it wasn't for Shane Battier's defense. 
1. Andre MillerAndre Miller leads my list of guys who deserve more props. The 76ers are over .500 and have already clinched a playoff berth, something few people (if any) expected at the beginning of the season. Personally, I thought Philly was going to stink up the joint and Miller was going to be traded by midseason. But 'Dre hung in there, didn't demand a trade, and now says that, "It's one of the better moments of my career."Miller's post All-Star stats have been spectacular: 37.7 minutes, 18.5 points (49.4% FG, 82.1% FT), 3.9 boards, 7.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and just 2.2 turnovers per game. He is also shutting opposing point guards down. On Saturday, Mike Bibby shot just 4-13 and had 6 turnovers. On Friday, Bibby scored just 3 points on 1-11 shooting. Last week, Steve Nash scored just 5 points on 2-8 shooting, plus 4 turnovers. Miller is a rugged defender, and the veteran knows how to frustrate opponents. If you ask me, 'Dre deserves an extra round of props for coming into the league as a below average 3-point shooter (72-308 over his first 4 seasons, 23.4% 3P), becoming even worse (31-199 in 6 seasons since, 15.6% 3P), and still excelling. Keep doin' your thang Andre! |
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