He's Doing WHAT This Year!?!?

As i flipped through the sports channels the other day, I heard about the Big 3 in Boston, Wade and Shaq thinking of switching to baseball next year, Kobe Kobe Kobe, and some more Kobe (don't get me wrong, i'm his biggest fan). However, i didn't hear one thing about the magical seasons that hard work has earned some of the less appreciated players this NBA season. For example, I'm willing to bet that not one of you out there knew that the Magic's Hedo Turkoglu is averaging more Points Per Game than the likes of... oh say.... Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, and Steve Nash. Or here's a good one: Who out there knew that Chris Kaman was pulling down more boards each game than KG, Shawn Marion, Duncan, Okafor, and Yao? This is why I'm dedicating this next blog to the players that have been left unappreciated this season. They're all having great years, and some of you out there may have never heard of them. Last year, no one knew who the hell Kevin Martin was, and was shocked to hear he was scoring close to 25 a game. How about back in 02-03 when people were walking around asking their friends if that Arenas dude was really doing what the TV said he was... No way has a guy I've never heard of scoring 27 a game! Not a chance. Well, be prepared to be amazed when you find out what these guys have done the first third of this season....

Young Andrew Bynum has become the better option than that old guy they had a few years ago on the low block. He's dropping 13 ppg and pulling down 10 boards, not to mention the 2 blocks and high shooting percentage. Did anyone else see the flash of greatness last week when he scored 28 and grabbed 12 boards against Phoenix's own Amare Stoudamire?

Who is Jose Calderon you ask? Only the 7th best assist man in the L this season. He's currently getting those up and coming Raptors 12 ppg, and 8 apg, and has looked like the PG of the future during many points of this season. He gave his best Nash impersonation a few weeks ago against Indi while going for 18 pts, 16 assist. The numbers don't lie: He's for real.

Chris Kaman is a monster! Who knew that he was averaging 18 and 14 a game? Be honest. He's had 11 sixteen plus rebound games this year, and has replaced Brand as the scorer for the struggling Clippers.

Rebounds and defense are your forte? I'll do you one better than Kaman this year. Marcus Camby has been the BEST defensive player in the world this year, and his name still is the third, sometimes fourth one brought up... ON HIS OWN TEAM! He's averaging 9 ppg, 14 rpg and get this... 4 blocks per game. FOUR! Let's go over his last seven games as far as blocks go: 3,7,7,4,6,2,10. Did you happen to read the last one? 10 blocks in one game! AI, Carmelo?? How about Camby as team MVP this far into the season.

Has anyone outside of New Orleans ever heard of David West? No? That's understandable... They've got CP3 and theres gotta be 50 better PF's than some guy you've never heard of before this blog. Oh wait, did i mention that he was averaging 20 and 10 a game? Or that he dropped 40 in the post on Pau Gasol and the Grizz back in November? And you wondered how they were tied with Dallas and San Antonio in the Southwest this year... ha.

I mentioned Hedo Turkoglu's scoring earlier in the article, but i want you to read this man's average game stats this year and tell me your not shocked: 20ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg, and 2 3pm per game. You read it right, a player on the magic not named Howard or Lewis is going for 20,6,4 per night. 'Nuff Said.

Rudy Gay has developed after his rookie year, but i doubt any of you out there realize how much. Ask yourself who leads the Grizz in scoring this year. Gasol? Miller? How about 21 year old Rudy Gay. With 20ppg, 6rpg, and a steal and 3 each game, Gay has emerged as a top tier player in the L.

I forgot to put this man in my original article, so im coming back now to praise him. Beno Udrih took over at the dish position when Bibby started the season injured. In the 3 months since, Udrih has SAC taking a serious look at dealing long time local hero Bibby, and going with Udrih for the rest of the year (and future of the franchise). So how has the guy you've never heard of performed statistically this year... How about 14 ppg, 5 apg, 4rpg a steal and a 3 per game.. (Hint: still available in most idiot fantasy leagues somehow).

Remember when Marvin Williams was proclaimed as a BUST! Oh why did they waste the 2nd pick on this man. He has done nothing to prove he was worth it. Right? Yeah i guess if you overlook the 17 points and 6 rebounds he puts up for the Hawks on a nightly basis this year. Most Improved Player? Maybe, but i wouldn't overlook anyone above him on this list either... Kobe's great. Lebron is amazing. KG, unbelievable. Wade is explosive. However, if your gonna call yourself an NBA fan, then you gotta recognize the guys who bust their ass every day and night to help their teams, and put up numbers that you thought were reserved for superstars only. Who's the Next diamond in the rough? Decide for yourself.