10 Feet High

Welcome back to the race for NBA Executive of the Year, Kevin Pritchard!

With all the Tracy McGrady and Amare Stoudemire talk, Portland’s GM just made an excellent move to acquire veteran do-everything center Marcus Camby from the reeling Clippers.

The best part?

Camby has an expiring deal so this won’t hamper any potential free-agent luring come summer time, and furthermore, the Blazers didn’t have to give up any marquee guys. Trading the pesky, albeit starkly average, Steve Blake immediately makes this a better team by allowing last summer’s free agent Andre Miller to assume full point guard responsibilities in lieu of splitting time.

Ridding themselves of chronic black hole Travis Outlaw was another key. Outlaw is a gifted scorer and athlete, but for a kid who came straight of high school, he never really learned how to play the game. Despite his occasional scoring outbursts, he was such a streaky player and enigmatic defender that he really didn’t fit in Nate McMillan’s system. In other words, he will mesh perfectly in dysfunctional Clipperland, playing with the offense-thwarting Al Thornton, Baron Davis and Ricky Davis.

We will get to Camby in a second, but by merely trading away Blake and Outlaw, Portland automatically improves, leaving more touches for All-Star Brandon Roy and the versatile LaMarcus Aldridge both in the paint and at the high post. This team is no longer the eighth seed out west.

Getting Camby was a downright theft. When the Blazers lost Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden to season-ending knee injuries, this team’s title hopes went down the drain. Both provided stellar rebounding and defense, and more importantly, they clogged the paint, a necessity to compete for a title.

The value of Camby is immense in that his presence is felt all over the floor. He can do what Przybilla and Oden can ... and a whole lot more as well.

Perennially one of the game’s best shot blockers (career average of more than 2.5), the two-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection may not be the hefty five-man like a Przybilla, but his superior length in the lane is responsible for several altered shots every game. When Shaq was “the real” Shaq, you’d always hear announcers comment on how guys wouldn’t drive when he was in the game. Camby is near that level.

(Even leaper extraordinaire Josh Smith isn't immune to Camby's interior presence)

His presence alone deters drivers and forces offenses into jump shots, ultimately allowing for long misses and for this athletic Portland team to get out in transition and take advantage of fast break numbers.

Because he runs the floor so well and is so dexterous for a 7-footer, he also becomes a viable scoring option on the break. He certainly doesn’t have the conventional set shot, but Camby is more than capable of knocking down 14-footers, an upgrade from both Przybilla and Oden, two traditional centers who prefer operating on the block and in the paint. And unlike Oden for example, who completely disrupts the flow of the offense with his awkward and delayed post touches, Camby doesn’t need the ball on offensive sets. He doesn’t need to score to be effective. By the end of the game, you will check the box score and see he had 8 points, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 assists.

The other value of Camby is in the pick-and-roll, which will surely to free up Miller and Roy, who will be able to attack the basket more frequently, as well as create open shots for Camby when the defense hedges too high.

Look, we all know the Western Conference runs through the Lakers. They are the champs and have looked every bit the part thus far. All-Star Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum have been stellar this year, proving to be the ultimate twin tower escapade in the league. Portland is talented enough on the perimeter with Miller and Roy, alongside the gifted LaMarcus Aldridge and now a true center in Marcus Camby, that they can challenge LA the way we thought they would when the season began.

The NBA playoffs are all about home court, and LA’s troubles at the Rose Garden (lost nine of ten) cannot be overlooked. I’m still not sold on Dallas, Denver or San Antonio. Caron Butler should help the Mavericks, but this team is too finesse with Dirk, who as great as he is, can’t be the best player on a championship team. George Karl teams never win the big one. And the Spurs are too old, fragile, and slow.

Don’t say you weren’t warned. Watch out, Western Conference. The Portland Trail Blazers just put themselves right back in the contending hunt.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that a massive recruiting scandal awaits Kentucky with freshman sensation John Wall.

John Calipari is notorious for bending NCAA rules, especially when it comes to recruiting wars. We all know what happened with Derrick Rose. In a nutshell, Rose had someone take his SAT for him. And let’s not forget the bonanza of Marcus Camby at UMass.

Just think about that for a quick second. Not the bonanza, but the fact that Calipari got Camby - a monumental recruit and future No. 2 overall draft pick - to come to UMass, a cellar-dweller Atlantic 10 school. That alone should have been a red flag.

This was a program at the bottom of the barrel – a program that hadn’t had a winning season in a decade, a team that Jackie Moon would have made.

During Calipari’s tenure, though, they were ranked No. 1 for two seasons, went to two Elite Eights and advanced to the Final Four.

It later came out that Camby took nearly $30,000 from a sports agent along with other benefits, and UMass had to forfeit its 1996 Final Four appearance. Calipari's Memphis team has since forfeited its Final Four appearance as well.

In 1994, the Boston Globe quoted an AAU official in Connecticut as saying, “Another coach says to a kid, ‘If you qualify, we want you.’ Calipari says, ‘If you qualify, we want you. If you don’t, we still want you.’”



(Above: Vintage Coach Cal)

If that isn’t disturbing, then I’m not sure what is.

Let’s go over the facts, shall we? Wall is from Raleigh, North Carolina. Why in the world would he choose Kentucky? The obvious answer for some is because it’s Kentucky! The Wildcats, of course, became synonymous with championships and banner-hanging during the Adolph Rupp days.

But if Wall wanted a name-brand program, why not go to local Duke or North Carolina?

Common sense tells me the three logical places he should have attended were California, Florida or even Arizona – fun, warm and in-the-spotlight states featuring traditional college basketball powerhouses in UCLA, the Gators and the Wildcats, otherwise known as “Point Guard U,” the former home of Jason Terry, Mike Bibby and Gilbert Arenas.

Maybe this article is just a product of my hatred – or at least pessimism - of John Calipari. Seeing him jump up and down barking belligerent orders at his young team during the UConn game was both painful and annoying.

But I just have this gut feeling that he weaseled and snaked his way into landing John Wall in Lexington, the same way he did with Rose.

Calipari has long been known as an unparalleled recruiter. I can just see him sweet-talking innocent parents and kids with his slick-backed hair and natural, boyish charm. And his teams have always been talented and boisterous.

What changed the game for him was the dribble-drive offense, also known as “Princeton on steroids,” as Calipari often calls it, but instead of the backdoor cuts and passes, it relies on penetration and athletes. It is a dynamic attack predicated on driving the ball, making basketball reads and as Calipari says, “being a player.”

He cultivated a dormant Memphis program back onto the national radar by landing one top recruit after another. His ability to ink prized high schoolers is borderline insane. Take a moment and think about some of the guys he’s signed: Marcus Camby, Darius Washington, Jr., Shawne Williams, Dajuan Wagner, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Joey Dorsey, Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, and now DeMarcus Cousins and Wall.

That list is like a century for some schools. It’s not like UMass or Memphis were powerhouses when he got there. He created the Minutemen and completely resurrected Memphis, but at what cost? And how much bending can he continually get away with?

Kentucky is as proud a program as there is with seven national titles and more victories than any other school. Oh, and let’s not forget, our dear super-fan Ashley Judd.

Despite its obvious lure, it has to be one of the toughest jobs in the nation, almost like the Notre Dame of college basketball. During his decade-long tenure as the leader of UK, Tubby Smith won a national championship, maintained a .760 winning percentage and went to four Elite Eights. But he was rumored for years to be on the hot seat in Lexington, before finally leaving two years ago to coach Minnesota.

Seemingly, this job falls under the category of “win at all costs,” so maybe a little (or a lot) of rule breaking isn’t seen as the cardinal sin that it’s viewed as at other programs. Calipari better hope so, because everywhere he’s coached he has been mired in scandals and violations.

There are endless reports of boosters paying players under Head Coach Joe B. Hall, who coached the Wildcats from 1972 to 1985, but that’s nothing compared to what came next.

The infamous Eddie Sutton recruiting scandal of the late 80s stained Kentucky for years. During the heavy recruitment of high school star Chris Mills, UK assistant coach Dwane Casey sent $1,000 to Mills’ dad. Okay, not anything out of the norm right? The problem was that the envelope burst open during transit, causing the money to fly out and the delivery service to report it.

Casey and Sutton were both forced to resign, and the Wildcats were then sentenced to five years of NCAA probation, a major blow to any program, but especially to one as prestigious as Kentucky.

Look, I don’t want to discredit Wall, because he seems like a solid and well-grounded kid. But history is always relevant, and both Calipari and Kentucky basketball have had their share of scandals.

The irony of this whole situation is that Calipari was rumored to have wanted the UK job after Smith left, but was apparently "too dirty" for Kentucky's taste.

Desperate times call for desperate measures right?

(For further reading pleasures on anything and everything, check out this site: http://unbiasedwriter.com/)

Apparently the curse of the Clippers never ends. Rookie of the Year candidate Blake Griffin will miss at least six weeks with a broken kneecap, and sadly enough, I wasn’t even surprised. Sure, the guy is an absolute specimen who appears indestructible. But put him on the Clippers, and one day before the season opener, he ends up on the injured list. I cannot help but feel for Clipper fans and more importantly, for Griffin. I’ve been saying for weeks that this is the season the Clips put it all together, and get back to the playoffs. But now what? How will their young star recover?

We’ve seen young big men have injury issues before. Greg Oden still doesn’t look like the dominant force at Ohio State that made him the No. 1 pick in 2007. Amare Stoudemire seems to have recovered fully from a more serious injury. Andrew Bogut – another No. 1 pick – has never had the ceiling of a Griffin or Oden, but he too has struggled staying healthy with a gimpy back. Yao Ming is simply incapable of playing a full season, and some speculate he may not play again. Al Jefferson is coming off knee surgery and appears healthy, but who knows.

This is not meant to scare Clippers fans or to say Griffin won’t be a great player. But knee injuries are always scary, especially for big men, who tax their bodies more. The pounding in the post that a center or power forward takes cannot be understated, and although I fully expect Griffin to come back strong, nothing is for certain.

In the backcourt, the question is the fit between Baron Davis and Eric Gordon. As a rookie last season, Gordon shined as a shot-maker, who could not only come off screens, but also create his own offense. Gordon averaged 16 points, but got to the line a staggering five times per game, converting on 85 percent. With Davis now healthy, he clearly wants to produce the way that made him a two-time NBA All-Star and one of the game’s most respected point guards.

Leading up to the season, I’ve heard the grumblings of concern that Davis might be stunting Gordon's growth. But I think there is no doubt that these two can co-exist in the backcourt. First, Gordon is as emotionally mature of a kid as you’ll find for being just 20. He is a team-first guy who, despite his scoring prowess, doesn’t seem to mind doing less of it so long as the Clippers are winning. But truthfully, he is too talented a player not to score. I’ve mentioned before how impressed I’ve been with Gordon’s ability to get to the cup and finish through contact. We knew he could stroke the three when he left Indiana as a freshman, but what I failed to realize was how dynamic a playmaker he was.

Davis, on the other hand, is at the juncture in his career where he needs to win. He’s 30 -- right in his prime -- and the growth of another guard like Gordon will only help for his quest of a championship. This team is still a couple years away, but Davis is inked through 2013, and the momentum the Clippers can create this season could lead them into title contention down the road.

The improvement of Gordon will ultimately help Davis win. Let’s examine further. Other than his individual ability, what has made Baron so successful in the past? In his final season with Golden State -- where he averaged 21.8 points and 7.6 assists -- he had another killer scorer in Stephen Jackson, as well as the young Monta Ellis. Gordon may lack the sheer explosiveness of Ellis, but is similar too, in that he is a smaller guard who knows how to create offense.

Davis is cerebral enough a player to understand the significance of a player like Gordon, and how much his growth can not only help him, but also help the Clippers as a whole. He may take a couple less shots per game, but lots of those looks can go to driving and dishing to Gordon, who loves to shoot the triple. I expect monstrous years from these two, and furthermore, I think the Clippers have a legitimate opportunity to make the playoffs.

I hope that answers the question.

Another storyline to watch closely is the development of second-year center DeAndre Jordan. The uber-athletic big man came on strong last season – even going 11-12 from the floor in one outing - showing why many had projected him as a lottery pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-11 Jordan is a superb athlete with the potential to become a dominating shot blocker. He is still very green, but shows an uncanny ability to time shots. Once he does this, it’s all a matter of leaping ability and those long arms. Like most young shot blockers, he has a tendency to swat the ball as hard as possible, which often creates an extra possession for the opposition. I’m not saying he has to become Bill Russell and start tipping balls to teammates, but in time, he needs to learn to control certain blocks, and give his guards an opportunity to snatch them. This not only eliminates extra possessions for opponents, but also creates fast break scenarios for Clipper guards, in particular Davis, who is as good in transition as anybody.

Jordan still has no real concept of how to operate down low. Many of his points come from put-backs and feeds. There is no question he has the skills to grown into an effective back-to-the-basket force. His size alone is helpful, but Jordan demonstrates a relatively soft touch for such a young kid, and being left-handed, already has a distinct advantage because of the mismatches he creates.

Just 21, he finds himself in a unique situation playing for LA. Veterans Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman are the clear-cut starters at this point, given that Griffin is out for six weeks. Jordan doesn’t have to come off the bench and necessarily look for offense, but rather can learn the game inside out and contribute on the glass and on the defensive end.

Despite his size, he has very quick feet and oddly good hands. Throw it anywhere around him and he’ll get it. If he is close to a rebound, he’ll corral it away. One of the knocks on the youngster has been his free throw shooting. Last season, he shot a putrid 39 percent, and given his physical nature down low, getting to the line is only a formality. But reports are that he’s steadily improved, and the preseason is a good indicator.

His energy and athleticism will help space the floor for Davis and Eric Gordon, and his shot blocking threat – along with Camby – will seriously clog driving lanes for opposing guards.

The Clippers did the right thing this past summer letting the cancerously selfish Zach Randolph walk in free agency. Despite his 20-10 performances, Randolph will never be the culprit of a winning team. Kaman has three seasons left under contract, while Camby is set to become a free agent after this season.

The opportunity for Jordan to become a star is there. Potential wise, he's scary. Now he must develop his his offensive game, particularly on the block, and of course, improve from the line. He must learn how to pass out of double-teams as well, and stay out of foul trouble. All of this is part of the maturation process for any young player, especially a big man.

Wally Szczerbiak (Miami of Ohio) – I remember sitting in gym class watching “Wally World” torch my UW Huskies for 43 points in the 1999 NCAA Tournament. Ten years later, I still hate the guy ... but I’d love to own this jersey.

Charles Barkley (Auburn) – Have you seen the size of Barkely’s ass?

Antonio McDyess (Alabama) – Classy guy who dresses well – very handsome.

David West (Xavier) – How did West slip so far in the draft? His jersey reminds people that you know your hoops.

Stephon Marbury (Georgia Tech) – Before turning into the New York Knicks anti-Christ, “Starbury” was the truth as a freshman for Bobby Cremons at Tech.

Jalen Rose (Michigan) – My favorite member of the “Fab 5,” Rose was the prototypical smooth scorer for the Blue. He is a main reason why kids today wear baggy shorts and black socks.

Chris Webber (Michigan) – Hey Webber, nice timeout, you jackass!!! If you go back and watch the tape of this game, Webber actually traveled in the backcourt, but it wasn’t called.

Larry Hughes (St. Louis) – Never figured out why he couldn’t just play the 2 spot in the league. So much talent.

Ed O’Bannon (UCLA) – Classic example of a guy making millions during the NCAA Tournament. O’Bannon was the 1995 Final Four MVP, but in reality, was never that great of a player.

Tyus Edney (UCLA) – Edney was like the college version of Mugsy Bogues. Seriously, the guy is like 3’9”. His game-winner over Missouri in the 1995 tourney was one of the most impressive arrays of speed and grace on a basketball court I’ve ever seen.



Marcus Camby (UMass) – How Calipari got Camby to go to UMass still astounds me (although I guess we now know), but their Final Four run was sensational.

Dan Dickau (Washington) – Before he gained stardom at Gonzaga, little Dan Dickau was a reserve for UW. Okay so he hasn’t been a great pro, but un-athletic 6’ point guards who make the league get my vote.

Morris Almond (Rice) – How cool would it be to have a Rice jersey? Plus, Almond is a D-League All-Star.

Vin Baker (Hartford) – Vin, Vin, Vin, what did you do to yourself? Before he discovered fast food and became the original version of “Supersize Me,” Vin was quite a player.

Danny Manning (Kansas) – 1987 National Champs ... 7 seed.

Antonio Gates (Kent State) – Before Gates decided to become an All-Pro tight end, he helped lead Kent State – yes Kent State – to the 2000 Elite 8.

Tony Gonzalez (Cal) – Gonzalez single-handedly catapulted me to third place in fantasy football last season. Also a tremendous dresser.

McNabb Syracuse – Before getting booed on draft day, McNabb played averaged about 1.2 points per game for the ‘Cuse. Ongoing poll I’m researching – “Could Donovan McNabb dunk a basketball ... today? 81 percent say no, 16 percent say yes, and 3 percent say “That fat ass?” No way.

Richard Hamilton (UConn) – Hamilton provided perhaps the worst moment of my youth with his game-winner against UW in the 1998 Sweet 16. I might regret admitting this, but I literally cried for three days straight. It got so bad, that my mom asked me if I needed psychiatric therapy. I still curse RIP, but oddly enough have a desire to own this jersey ... probably to burn it.



Khalid El Amin (UConn) – Best clinically obese point guard in college basketball history.

Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State) – Wait, wait a minute. That distinct honor belongs to Mateen Cleaves. Also had the most publicized ankle injury ever.

Mike Krzyzewski (Army) – Before he was Coach K, the coaching legend was a scrawny guard for Bob Knight at West Point.

TJ Sorrentine (Vermont) - Sorrentine single handedly ruined my 2005 bracket by hitting a parking lot shot on the ‘Cuse in one of the bigger tournament upsets in recent history. Plus, I like the way Vermont Catamounts sounds.

Eric Maynor (VCU) – Who will ever forget Maynor’s game winner over Duke in the 2008 Big Dance? The best was seeing the look on Krzyzewski and Chris Collins’ faces. I would pay to see that any day. Maynor will be a surprisingly good pro in Utah.



Kermit Washington (Lakers) – He literally ruined the career of Rudy Tomjanovich with a punch that might have even knocked out Manny Paciuao.

Kenny Anderson (Georgia Tech) – Another one of the legendary Brooklyn point guards . . . What the hell happens to these guys once they reach the league?

Buzz Peterson (North Carolina) – Deemed by many as a bigger recruit than MJ out of high school when he signed with Carolina. Where is Bob Gibbons when you really need him?

Denzel Washington (Fordham) – Did you know the Jesus-Jake one-on-one match-up in “He Got Game” was NOT scripted? Yes, Denzel banked in several jump shots over Ray Allen. I hate to do it, but how bad is Ray Ray on defense? Okay, that is the most you’ll ever hear me criticize the best shooter in the history of the league. Sorry, Walter.



Percy Miller, aka “Master P” (Charlotte Hornets Summer League) – Awful rapper, even worse basketball player, yet somehow got a tryout with the old Charlotte Hornets. Side note: his son is apparently going to play ball for USC, yet I heard he barely averaged double digits in high school. Hmmmmm.

Marco Belinelli (Summer League Warriors roster) – I love this dude. Just shoots 3’s and plays no “D,” yet he still can’t find his way into Nellie’s line-up. His one solace? I do think he’s on pace for the all-time Summer League scoring record.

Marco Jaric (Clippers) – What is a more asinine statement? Jaric pulling Adriana Lima or a Chinese man being 7-7? Hard choice, but given the absurdness of the first statement, I have to go with the former.

All-Hickory Hoosiers (Underrated):

Ramon Sessions: I’m not going to say I told you so. Oh wait, I am. Sessions is one of those guys no one ever seems to talk about. Maybe it’s because he plays in Milwaukee or that he inexplicably played behind Luke Ridnour for much of the season, but Sessions is quickly becoming one of the best young point guards in the NBA. At 6-3, he has the size to defend other one's, surprising lateral quickness and a really good first step. The second-year man out of Nevada gets to the line (354 attempts this season at 79 percent) and shoots a decent percentage for a point guard at nearly 45 percent. During a ten-game stretch in April 2008, Sessions averaged an impressive 12 points, 11 assists and two steals. He was very efficient this season, averaging 12 points and six assists in 28 minutes a night. Just 23, Sessions will only get better and is one of the best values with a salary barely over the league minimum.

Delonte West: I loved West at St. Joe's and even more now that he’s a pro. West has a smooth left-handed stroke (40 percent from three) and is a terrific finisher on the break. He is a capable passer as well, averaging nearly four dimes for his career despite not even playing 30 minutes a night. But Delonte’s true value is an excellent defender who is frequently assigned the other team’s best guard. Other than LeBron, he is the best defender on one of the NBA’s best defensive teams but still fails to get that type of recognition.

LaMarcus Aldridge: I’m not sure what this kid has to do to make an All-Star team. All he’s done so far is become the best young power forward in basketball not named Al Jefferson, who may deserve to be on here as well. At 6-11, the former Longhorn has incredible range out to 18 feet with his jumper, and he can play with his back to the basket, block shots and actually likes contact. I once read an article saying that opposing coaches and scouts actually worry and prepare more for Aldridge than they do for Brandon Roy. I’m sorry but that’s just scary. In just his third NBA season, he averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds as the second best player on a much-improved Blazers team. And you gotta love a big man who can shoot free throws! This season, Aldridge hit 78 percent from the line.

Kelenna Azubuike: A former D-Leaguer, Mr. Azubuike has developed into one of the better wings off the bench. He can score (14 points) and is very active around the basket. Undrafted out of Kentucky, Azubuike reminds me of Ryan Gomes. He matches up well against most twos and threes, and has vastly improved a once mediocre shooting stroke. He is a very good athlete with solid upside who should be starting within the next couple of years.

Brandon Bass: How good has he become? Coming out of LSU, Bass was a raw athlete drafted in the second round. Now he is an integral component of the Mavs second unit. Bass can guard most threes and fours, and has vastly expanded his shooting range to 16 feet. Playing just 19 minutes a game, Bass averaged nine points and five rebounds, while getting to the line 210 times (87 percent). He too could be starting within a year or two.

Joel Przybilla: Przybilla has become one of the best offensive rebounders in the game and has been a crucial component to the Blazers newfound success. In just 24 minutes of play, Przybilla averaged almost nine rebounds but for whatever reason doesn’t get the love he deserves. He is an underrated shot blocker (nearly two a game for his career) and has become more comfortable with his back to the basket.

Jeff Green: This dude is going to be special. He is still raw but Green has already immensely improved his jumper and has the potential to be an excellent defensive stopper. He reminds a bit of Josh Howard in that he is just so versatile, but I think he has much more potential given his rare athletic ability. In just his second season, the former Hoyas star became a starter and his numbers jumped from 12 points and 5 rebounds to 17 and 7. Within a year or two, I think he can make the leap and become one of the game’s elite three men.

David Lee: Lee is the like the human version of the movie "Proof of Life." He is widely regarded as good, but still remains an afterthought. How does "Proof of Life" not get more pub? An enthralling performance from Russell Crowe, solid outing by David Morse, and best of all, nearly two hours of Meg Ryan! This film not getting respect remains an enigma to me. No matter how well Lee performs though, no one (other than quality fantasy owners) seems to take notice. In just his fourth season out of Florida, the former McDonald’s All-American dunk champion averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds. Okay, I know these numbers are slightly tainted due to "D’Antoniball," but still, 16 and 12? Lee is 6-9, runs the floor exceptionally well, can shoot out to 15 feet, and only makes $1.8 million. How can you not love this guy?

Shane Battier: If Battier showed up at a random open gym, he might be the sixth guy taken out of ten. I’m not even sure he can dunk. But don’t let his lack of leaping ability or flashiness fool you. It seems trite, but I’m not sure there’s a more cerebral player in the entire league. I could run down the list of statistics for this guy, but they would hardly wow you. With this former Dukie, it’s all about his ability to consistently knock down the three and be a lock-down defender. His basketball IQ is through the roof, and Houston is not nearly the same team without his services. Battier is like the anti-video game player, but I’ll take him on my squad any day of the week. He is the perfect example of the "No-Stats All-Star."

Brandon Roy: Yes, my man B-Roy is underrated. I know he is already a two-time All-Star, but every time I hear talk of the premier players in the league, Brandon never gets mentioned. Other than Kobe, Bron, Flash, and Chris Paul, and maybe Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, Roy is one of the best players in the NBA. Maybe its because he’s from the West Coast (my hometown of Seattle to be exact), or maybe it's because he plays in Portland, and not LA or Miami, but even though he continues to improve, Brandon doesn’t get even close to the love of the other stars in the league. Take it for what it's worth, but through January, Roy wasn't even in the top 15 of NBA jersey sales. Bottom line is with the exception of the five or six players mentioned, is there anyone else you’d rather build around than the 24-year-old Roy?

Marcus Camby: Camby is one of the more unique big men in basketball. He seems to have been forgotten ever since he signed with the Clippers but remains one of the better centers around. All you fantasy owners out there know precisely what I’m talking about. What other five man can get you 10 points, 11 rebounds, more than 2 blocks and shoot over 50 percent from the floor? Yet since coming into the league from UMass, Camby has never made the All-Star team, even though he was the NBA Defensive Player of the year two seasons ago.

Kirk Hinrich: I’ve always loved Hinrich’s game. He can handle the ball, score and really pass. But the best part about his game is probably his defense. He’s already been a second team All-NBA defender, but has found himself pigeon-holed behind the very talented trio of guards in John Salmons, Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose. As a result of this and some injuries, his minutes have gone down (34 career to 26 this year), but he has been great in the playoffs hounding Rajon Rondo, as well as making clutch shots. Hinrich clearly isn’t your typical reserve guard. This guy could easily start on many teams (Houston, Charlotte, and Orlando to name a few) and certainly deserves mention as one of the best defenders in the NBA.

Ryan Gomes: Count Gomes as a member of Elmer’s crew. Similar to Battier, Gomes is not underrated in the sense that he puts up huge numbers, but rather in that he is a superb glue guy. On a quality team, Gomes could be the type of player to put them over the top. And like Bass, Gomes can defend multiple positions. He can also put it on the floor and score the ball.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute: The former UCLA Bruin proved to be an outstanding defensive weapon this season for the Bucks. Using his long arms, strength, intelligence, and quickness, "The Prince" effectively defended twos, threes and even fours, and developed into a reliable help defender. Not bad for an undrafted rook.

(Honorable Mention: Carl Landry, Aaron Brooks, Chuck Hayes – notice a theme here? - Marquis Daniels, Earl Watson, Lamar Odom).

All-Keanu Reeves (Overrated):

Caron Butler: He used to be underrated but now everybody talks about this guy like he’s a bonafide All-Star. Butler is a nice player and effective third option, but should not be featured on any playoff team. I’ve always liked Butler's game, but he is become overly hyped to the point where he is far overvalued.

Allen Iverson: "We talking bout practice?" These days, Iverson is merely going off his name basis. "The Answer" has been more like "The Question." First of all, Iverson has never won anything, in college or in the NBA. He’s never been a high percentage shooter but has made up for it with his scoring ability and high-octane style of play. This past season in Detroit, Iverson proved to be a complete cancer and at 17 points, his scoring was by far the lowest of his career. But it’s the volume of shots it took for him to get those points that’s most troubling. Iverson was abysmal from the field, shooting just 27 percent from three and 41 percent overall. All of this and he still made the All-Star team! One last thing about AI. There is a common misconception that has bothered me for some time now. Fans think that because he consistently is at the top of the league in steals, that he is one of the best defensive players. MEMO TO ALL THESE PEOPLE: THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Iverson frequently gambles on passes he has no business doing so on, leaving his team in vulnerable 4-on-5 half-court situations. Of course he gets to some, but this does not make him a defensive stopper in the slightest bit.

Rasheed Wallace: Why does everyone still love this guy? Despite his size, Wallace has never been a very good rebounder, but his ability to stretch the defense with his shooting range has made him valuable. However, the former Tar Heel has not averaged 17 a game since the 2003-04 season, and is coming off his worst shooting percentage of his 14-year career. For a guy generally regarded as an All-Star caliber player, look at his scoring and rebounding average over the past five seasons: 12/7, 13/7, 12/7, 15/7, 15/8. Hardly overwhelming, right? Wallace is no longer one of the game’s best four men and hasn’t been for quite some time.

Michael Redd: My general rule for a guy who gets a max contract is that he has to put his team over the top. He has to take them from the cellar to the playoffs, or from first-round exit to title contender. Redd has done neither. He doesn’t make anyone better (less than three assists). He is a one- dimensional player who reminds me of a poor man’s, left-handed version of Ray Allen. He is supposed to be a knockdown three-point shooter, but Redd is coming off another sub-40 percent year from beyond the arc. Furthermore, he is atrocious defensively, often guarding the opposition’s worst guard, and has become overly injury prone (an average of 53 games played the past three years) as he’s aged. Redd is nowhere close to the All-Star two guard he once was.

Carmelo Anthony: Okay, here’s the thing. "Melo" is often compared to LeBron or D-Wade, because they were drafted the same year, but in reality, Anthony is nowhere near his counterparts --- and never will be. I think what we need to realize is that he may not have the ability to lead a team to a title. The addition of Chauncey Billups has transformed the Nuggets into one of the best teams in the West and taken the load off of Carmelo. We need to just accept him for what he is. Melo is a star but not a superstar; he is more of a “1B” option.

Tracy McGrady: I was hesitant to even include him on this list because he has fallen so far off the radar. McGrady has become a real life version of the movie "Waterworld," a ton of money spent with not much to show for it. The fact remains that McGrady is still viewed as an All-Star when in truth, he hasn’t performed like one in a couple years. Not since 2006-07 did T-Mac average over 24 points, 5 assists, shoot 41 percent and 75 percent from the line. For all his praise, McGrady has never been to the second round of the playoffs. Given Houston’s success this year without him, one could easily say the Rockets are indeed better off without No. 1.

Jason Kidd: This one’s tough for me because I’ve always respected Kidd’s overall floor game and ability to control an entire game without scoring. Kidd is unquestionably a first ballot Hall of Famer, but is now a shell of his old self. He struggles mightily against quicker guards. Just look at how Tony Parker lit him up in the first round. It’s hard not to notice the drop-off. He has not averaged more than 11 points in three seasons, and his inability to break guys off the dribble has become a glaring problem, yet Kidd is still mentioned among the top five points in the game.

Bruce Bowen: Bowen is nowhere near the defensive stopper he was three or four years ago for the Spurs. The 37-year-old can no longer keep up with rangy shooting guards like a Rip Hamilton, let alone bother Kobe or Ray Allen like he used to. On top of that, Bowen has seen his minutes decline to 19 and his scoring average dip below three points. He seems to tire easily and at this point his career has become a completely one-dimensional stop-up three-point shooter (only in the two corners), and above average defender at best.

(Honorable Mention: Ben Gordon, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Martin)