8 Players Who Deserve More Props
April 5, 2008
These former teammates are playing great & deserve more props.
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 Stojakovic
The 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. J.R. Smith
JR 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 Ellis
Most 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 Billups
Everyone 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 Jamison
When 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 Turkoglu
You’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 Battier
I’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 Miller
Andre 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!
JR Smith is so inconsistent, and doesn’t deserve any props. Try LaMarcus Aldridge, avg 20 and 7 since the allstar break
I hear ya, but maybe he’s inconsistent because his minutes are inconsistent and he doesn’t always get extended looks or a chance at all. JR Smith didn’t even play in crunch time tonight and only got 16 minutes in a 58 minute game! There was one play where Camby passed up an over jumper at the top of the key and Iverson kicked it over to Anthony Carter in the corner…BRICK.
JR shoots threes w/ confidence and he can create for himself as well. I mean, If the Nuggets aren’t going to play any defense in the first place, then why in the world aren’t they playing some dude who is draining threes and scoring points at a superb clip and who ALSO happens to be uber-athletic?
The Sonics had freakin’ Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson playing together in crunch time!!! Watson was guarding Iverson pretty well because you know he can D up like that, but that means someone ELSE needs to be abusing Ridnour, right? Anthony Carter couldn’t do that, he let Ridnour get comfortable and Cool Hand Luke had 19 points (9-14), 8 dimes, 1 block, and no turnovers. That’s probably his best game of the year. But do you think JR Smith would have been scared to play Ridnour? No way!
Seriously. Imagine if JR Smith and Luke Ridnour played a game of 1-on-1. Anyone wanna bet on Cool Hand?
It’s all good tho. I hope Anthony Carter continues to play more minutes because the Nuggets are going to miss the playoffs because of it.
WARR-IORRSSS…Come out to play-yayyy!
Oh yeah Monta, I know you can’t wait for AC. Light that fool up!
Yeah, I’m calling it. When the Nuggets come into town on Thursday, if Anthony Carter plays more minutes than JR Smith, the Nugz are going to lose and the Warriors are going to the playoffs.
But if George Karl wises up like I think he will, JR will play more and the game will be a good one. I expect Smith to play well, but YOU KNOW he can’t eff with Monta!!! Bye bye Nugz. You’re gonna get crushed and blown away.
Oh yeah, re: LaMarcus Aldridge…
I like his game, but I’m still not impressed. Of course he’s gonna rack up stats with Brandon Roy out. Now Przybilla is out for good and Aldridge will have to step up on the boards and in the paint. We’ll see. I think he’s soft. Oden coming back next year will help him out, but I still think he’s soft.
And because of that, I think he’s kind of limited as a player. When I was watching him in the Rookie-Sophomore game this year, I noticed that he’s not that much bigger than Rudy Gay and Kevin Durant. Now, Rudy Gay is skinny and Durant is bonz-skinny, but Aldridge isn’t that much bigger or stronger I don’t think (EVERYONE is stronger than KD). But Rudy and Durant can do SO MUCH MORE. LaMarcus can’t create and finesse it like other forwards who are just as big as him, but he also doesn’t have the power game to match with the top power players in the league, and I don’t see him packing on 20 lbs of pure usable muscle anytime soon.
I dunno, I don’t mean to hate because I think he’s a solid player and he seems like a good dude, but Aldridge as a #2 overall pick just doesn’t really impress me. Safe pick. Ty Thomas was the wild roll the dice pick and a small part of me still thinks he’ll be awesome, but Gay went #8 that year and Memphis is gonna be lovin it in a few years.
That’s actually one of the coolest trades in recent years because it totally helped out both sides. Memphis got a young Gay stud and Houston got my #2 guy who deserves some more props!
I’m a blazer fan, and i gotta respond to a couple things you said.
-”Of course he’s gonna rack up stats with Brandon Roy out.”
Brandon Roy’s only been out the past five games. Lamarcus has been putting up impressive numbers way before that.
-”LaMarcus can’t create and finesse it like other forwards who are just as big as him, but he also doesn’t have the power game to match with the top power players in the league”
I agree that he’s still a little “soft”, but he’s developed a nice post game in a sense that he has a nice hook shot and fadeaway jumper. He no longer settles for that 15-20 ft jumper. Anyone who really watches the guy play would know that he can create shots for himself. I’d say he gets double teamed more than Brandon Roy.
-”Aldridge as a #2 overall pick just doesn’t really impress me. Safe pick. Ty Thomas was the wild roll the dice pick and a small part of me still thinks he’ll be awesome.”
Reading this made me laugh a little. Lamarcus went from a 9ppg season to 17.7ppg this season. Ty Thomas went from 5.2 to 6.3ppg. And check out his awful fg %. A small part of me still thinks Thomas can turn it around to be a solid player, but a big part of me says that the bulls got raped in this deal, and I don’t know many that would disagree. Oh, and people also said the words “safe pick” with Brandon Roy.
With that said, I don’t disagree with any of those guys on the list. Awesome players.
Hey dexter.
I wasn’t trying to say that Tyrus Thomas is going to be a better player than Aldridge nor that the Bulls got the better end of that trade. Clearly, Aldridge is superior. I was just pointing out the types of forwards that get drafted in the top 5 these days.
Ty Thomas is a guy with major upside but no polish whatsoever. Aldridge’s game is nicely polished, but I don’t think he has the major upside that I would like (and expect) from a top 2 pick. That’s why I mentioned Rudy Gay. He’s got polish AND major upside, and I think he’ll challenge Roy as the top player from that draft class in a few years.
This is coming from a Warriors fan who watched them draft Joe Smith #1 overall in 1995, ahead of Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett. Nice polish to Joe’s game out of college, but little upside. Again, I’m not saying that Aldridge won’t be better than Joe Smith, but I see a resemblance. At least LaMarcus is a little longer, but Joe was never able to dominate in the paint because he wasn’t big enough and strong enough, and I wonder if Aldridge will suffer the same fate. Of course, if Greg Oden turns out to be as good as some people think, that will help LaMarcus out a LOT (Joe Smith had a washed-up Rony Seikaly, Felton Spencer, Andrew DeClerq, and Todd Fuller to play with).
I’m not trying to hate. I like Portland and I like Aldridge, I would just like to see more from him before I give him some props. If I were to shout out a Portland forward right now, it would be Travis Outlaw. I’m curious tho…do you have a comparison for the type of player that you think Aldridge is going to be?
thanks for clarifying, Evil E.
Good point on the upside/polish argument.. I totally agree. One thing I will say though is that Joe Smith was never able to dominate the paint because he never topped 235 lbs throughout his career. Even now, I believe he only weighs 225.
With that said, Lamarcus came in as a rookie weighing around 230. He is playing now at 245. That’s why people who have watched him closely can see a clear improvement in his low post game. His defense in slightly underrated, but I think the most underrated thing about him is his work ethic. I can easily see him getting up to 250-255 lbs. in a couple seasons, if not next season.
Greg will be a tremendous post presence, but it’ll take years before he can fulfull his potential. I think it’s Lamarcus that’s gonna make the game easier for Greg for his first couple of years.
And to answer your question, the closest comparison I have to Lamarcus is former blazer Rasheed Wallace, who by the way weighs 230 lbs. and has no trouble defending premier power forwards. Their fadeaway jumpers are so similar, it’s freaky. Lamarcus doesn’t have the 3 pt range like Sheed’s, but it’s getting there. Actually, I’ve heard a lot of people refer to Lamarcus as a “Rasheed Wallace, minus the headache.”
Oh, by the way…
I’m a huge Biedrins fan, and Brandan Wright’s coming along too. Keep those two guys around, they’ll make for a great front-line in a couple of years.
Andrei Kirilenko, nuff said.
I think you’re right on with most of these guys - it’s too bad you have to cut the list to 8, because there are twenty or thirty guys that don’t get the recognition/props they deserve.
As for JR Smith, I have to disagree. Looking at his stats is only part of the picture. He’s been a selfish and immature player for most of his career. In the last 3 months, he’s improved immensely. However, it’s hard to take it too seriously considering he’s playing for a contract.
I think he’s a decent player, and I think he has the potential to develop into something special. But Byron Scott and George Karl, two decent coaches, have both talked about JR’s many issues. It’s going to take more than a half a season of good play to overcome his history - at least for me to give him props.
No Blood - Yeah, there’s no doubt that JR still has some maturing to do. I’m just really intrigued by his potential. There are a lot more guys I’d love to give props to. Perhaps I’ll add to the list at some point.
Dexter - Is LaMArcus really at 245 right now? He doesnt look it to me. I even went to the game the last time the Blazers came into town, but I was pretty far away heh. Obviously, if he turns into a Sheed minus the headache the Blazers will be something special.
Brandan Wright’s length is ridiculous. He’s one of the few guys I’ve seen who can meet Josh Smith at his apex. And he’s got a surprisingly good feel for the game. Biedrins & Kirilenko? I would LOVE to see those 2 guys play together!
Well, did I call that about Carter vs. Smith or what (except for the Warriors winning part)?
A. Carter = 23 minutes, 9 points, 3 assists, 3 turnovers, -9 while on the floor
JR Smith = 26 minutes, 24 points, 4 threes, 3 boards, +18 while on the floor
I know that some people didn’t want to give JR Smith any props, but he and Najera (who deserves plenty of props as well) were HUGE last night and Denver wouldn’t have won without them.
I’m not counting the Warriors out yet, but it’s gonna be tough…
Jose Calderon probably has gotten his props but I’ll mention him here just in case. The guy has stepped up this season with some nice numbers:
FG%: 52.4%, FT%: 91.4%, 11.5 PPG, 8.3 AST, 1.1 STLS, 2.9 REB, and 78 made 3 PTRS on the season…ALL career bests. This being his 3rd year, is there much upside to this guy with Ford around?
Even though the Raptors have a WL record of 7-14 there’s no denying that Calderon’s performance over the entire season has been instrumental in getting his team to the playoffs, albeit inside of a weak conference.
Speaking of the playoffs, I’m curious if home-court advantage really is significant. With regards to Lebron, media reports that he’s playing despite battling back spasms/back pain so that his team can secure home court advantage. I don’t buy that gimmick…I think the guy was aiming for an MVP award. I’m not a medical expert, but playing a Lebron with a messed up back significantly raises the risk of him suffering further injury. I’m also not a statistician, but weighing the relative importance of home-court advantage to a healthy Lebron for the Cavs seems like a no-brainer. Personally, if I were the coach, now that Lebron is pretty much out of the MVP race, I would rest him BIG time, make sure he’s healthy and ready to perform come playoff time (in 9 days), take out the Wiz in the 1st round 4-1 and prepare the Celtics in the 2nd round.
Andrew Bogut, Devin Harris, and Rudy Gay. probably not competing for NBA titles anytime soon, but hopefully at least one of them makes the playoffs. All are solid fantasy picks. Gay round 3 or 4, Harris and Bogut 5 or 6.
I love Monta’s game and his inclusion on this list. I’d stay away from BD next year in early rounds of fantasy drafts.
Regarding JR Smith’s immaturity, I’m watching NBA TV’s top 25 plays of the year, and JR Smith had a nice dunk, but they showed him grabbing a bunch of candy and saying, “junk food, that’s all I eat.”
Million dollar athletes with poor eating habits disgust me. I mean, you have an excuse as a rookie, but this is JR’s 4th year in the league!