http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13967270p-14801343c.html
NBA notebook: Superstars on the rise don't always get their just due
By Martin McNeal
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, December 11, 2005
LeBron James, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan are players who deservedly receive all types of hype and media attention.
But who are some of the NBA's most unappreciated and underpublicized performers?
Some already are stars.
Los Angeles Clippers power forward Elton Brand was the first name to come to mind for Kings forward Corliss Williamson and assistant coach Pete Carril.
"He's underrated from the standpoint," Carril said of Brand, "that he's a superstar and a lot of people just think he's a star."
Williamson looked back to one of his former squads, the Detroit Pistons, and selected small forward Tayshaun Prince and center Ben Wallace.
"I know Ben is starting to get more pub," Williamson said, "but I still think he's unappreciated because anytime you can affect a game by boarding and playing great 'D,' then you're not going to get as much love as you should."
Williamson also pointed to Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas because of his offensive skills.
Where are the guards, Williamson was asked.
"I don't mess with guards," he said with laughter. "OK, (Miami's) Dwyane Wade is underrated, definitely. And I don't care what is said about him, it's not enough."
Carril said he thought Utah's Matt Harpring, Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, Washington's Jared Jefferies and Charlotte's Brevin Knight also deserved more appreciation.
Virtually every team has a player who deserves more accolades. Consider:
* Miami's Udonis Haslem doesn't talk a lot or beat his chest, but give him the 15-footer and he makes it. He also hustles for the loose ball and free rebound, and usually gets them.
* Washington's Antonio Daniels always has been a guy who contributed just enough to beat your team. Said Carril: "He was underrated in Seattle last year, definitely. I don't think he's been in Washington long enough to be underrated."
* Golden State center/forward Adonal Foyle has one of the uglier offensive games, but his defensive presence and shot-blocking ability are important factors in the Warriors' success.
* If Bobby Jackson's ability to come off the bench and have an impact were taken for granted in Sacramento - and they were - that's probably no longer the case. Of course, Carril's rule applies to BJax as well as Daniels.
* Clippers center Chris Kaman has impressed Carril in his work against the Kings' frontcourt. Kaman has taken a step back this season with the new backcourt of Cuttino Mobley and Sam Cassell entering the picture, but he's a young post man, who can score with either hand around the basket and also average two blocks a game.
* Boston point guard Delonte West does his thing quietly and efficiently. The Celtics have been looking for a solid backcourt leader for years and may have found one with the 24th pick of the 2004 draft.
USA Basketball
It's former Phoenix all-everything Jerry Colangelo's gig to put together a squad for the 2008 Olympic team that is capable of regaining the gold medal and the USA's title of supremacy in world basketball.
Really, it shouldn't be that difficult, unless there remains this dream of getting three years of summer commitment from the players.
Three summers are a very, very long time. And yes, I know playing for your country is an honor, but for three summers?
Give me the young guys, some who already have international experience. Wade, James, Denver's Carmelo Anthony and Milwaukee's Michael Redd are no-brainers. Get Iguodala to run the floor and lock down defensively. Amare Stoudamire, if healthy, has to be there. Golden State's Jason Richardson and Baron Davis deserve consideration, and underpublicized shooter Mike Miller of Memphis wouldn't be a bad look.
Clearly, a commitment of some sort is necessary, but that three-year deal is going to be a tough one to get.
Brown not bagging it
New York Knicks coach Larry Brown is giving big-time effort, if not patience. Brown, in his first season as Knicks head coach, started 13 different lineups in 19 games. Thirteen.
As a comparison, 13 Knicks are averaging 10 or more minutes per game. Only nine Kings are.
Taking stock of rookies
Remember all the hype that goes along with the annual NBA draft and then look back to see who is doing what even five or six weeks into the season.
One of the most maligned picks, Toronto's Charlie Villanueva (No. 7) has been one of the most productive. Atlanta's Marvin Williams (No. 2 overall) has been one of the least productive. New Orleans/Oklahoma City took point guard Chris Paul with the fourth pick and he's been as good and consistent as any rookie so far.
"So far" are key words when dealing with any first-year players, because there are times when they can disappear like a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
NBA notebook: Superstars on the rise don't always get their just due
By Martin McNeal
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, December 11, 2005
LeBron James, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan are players who deservedly receive all types of hype and media attention.
But who are some of the NBA's most unappreciated and underpublicized performers?
Some already are stars.
Los Angeles Clippers power forward Elton Brand was the first name to come to mind for Kings forward Corliss Williamson and assistant coach Pete Carril.
"He's underrated from the standpoint," Carril said of Brand, "that he's a superstar and a lot of people just think he's a star."
Williamson looked back to one of his former squads, the Detroit Pistons, and selected small forward Tayshaun Prince and center Ben Wallace.
"I know Ben is starting to get more pub," Williamson said, "but I still think he's unappreciated because anytime you can affect a game by boarding and playing great 'D,' then you're not going to get as much love as you should."
Williamson also pointed to Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas because of his offensive skills.
Where are the guards, Williamson was asked.
"I don't mess with guards," he said with laughter. "OK, (Miami's) Dwyane Wade is underrated, definitely. And I don't care what is said about him, it's not enough."
Carril said he thought Utah's Matt Harpring, Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, Washington's Jared Jefferies and Charlotte's Brevin Knight also deserved more appreciation.
Virtually every team has a player who deserves more accolades. Consider:
* Miami's Udonis Haslem doesn't talk a lot or beat his chest, but give him the 15-footer and he makes it. He also hustles for the loose ball and free rebound, and usually gets them.
* Washington's Antonio Daniels always has been a guy who contributed just enough to beat your team. Said Carril: "He was underrated in Seattle last year, definitely. I don't think he's been in Washington long enough to be underrated."
* Golden State center/forward Adonal Foyle has one of the uglier offensive games, but his defensive presence and shot-blocking ability are important factors in the Warriors' success.
* If Bobby Jackson's ability to come off the bench and have an impact were taken for granted in Sacramento - and they were - that's probably no longer the case. Of course, Carril's rule applies to BJax as well as Daniels.
* Clippers center Chris Kaman has impressed Carril in his work against the Kings' frontcourt. Kaman has taken a step back this season with the new backcourt of Cuttino Mobley and Sam Cassell entering the picture, but he's a young post man, who can score with either hand around the basket and also average two blocks a game.
* Boston point guard Delonte West does his thing quietly and efficiently. The Celtics have been looking for a solid backcourt leader for years and may have found one with the 24th pick of the 2004 draft.
USA Basketball
It's former Phoenix all-everything Jerry Colangelo's gig to put together a squad for the 2008 Olympic team that is capable of regaining the gold medal and the USA's title of supremacy in world basketball.
Really, it shouldn't be that difficult, unless there remains this dream of getting three years of summer commitment from the players.
Three summers are a very, very long time. And yes, I know playing for your country is an honor, but for three summers?
Give me the young guys, some who already have international experience. Wade, James, Denver's Carmelo Anthony and Milwaukee's Michael Redd are no-brainers. Get Iguodala to run the floor and lock down defensively. Amare Stoudamire, if healthy, has to be there. Golden State's Jason Richardson and Baron Davis deserve consideration, and underpublicized shooter Mike Miller of Memphis wouldn't be a bad look.
Clearly, a commitment of some sort is necessary, but that three-year deal is going to be a tough one to get.
Brown not bagging it
New York Knicks coach Larry Brown is giving big-time effort, if not patience. Brown, in his first season as Knicks head coach, started 13 different lineups in 19 games. Thirteen.
As a comparison, 13 Knicks are averaging 10 or more minutes per game. Only nine Kings are.
Taking stock of rookies
Remember all the hype that goes along with the annual NBA draft and then look back to see who is doing what even five or six weeks into the season.
One of the most maligned picks, Toronto's Charlie Villanueva (No. 7) has been one of the most productive. Atlanta's Marvin Williams (No. 2 overall) has been one of the least productive. New Orleans/Oklahoma City took point guard Chris Paul with the fourth pick and he's been as good and consistent as any rookie so far.
"So far" are key words when dealing with any first-year players, because there are times when they can disappear like a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
