Spring Break
Give Some Credit To The Unknowns Of The NBA
Joe Colombo
Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: Sports
There are few exciting things going on in the NBA besides the Houston Rockets and their dominating play this past month. However, as I write this, the Rockets just had their 22-game win streak snapped by the Boston Celtics. On paper, this seemed to be a great match-up and arguably Houston's most difficult home game this season. A close game through the first half, which ended at tied at 40-40, it was all but a certainty that the game would go down to the wire. However, the visiting Celts took charge and outscored the Rockets 32-16 in the third quarter, which led to a complete rout and a 94-74 final, ending the Rockets historic streak.
The Rockets lost their most dominating player in Yao Ming last month, and you would think it's hard to win without a 7-foot-6-inch beast. But the Rockets have prevailed by getting some unrecognized players ample Playing time.
Every team has their superstar, or their No. 1 option, or heck, even their pine-rider. But, there are always those other players who get virtually zero recognition around the league while they bust their hump every night. Well, let's give them some pen.
Here is your inaugural NBA All-Unknown First Team.
Guard: Jose Calderon. Honorably mentioned in my column earlier this year about the league's top point guards, Calderon has done nothing but back up that spot on the list. Acting as chief-and-commander for the playoff-bound Toronto Raptors, Calderon has become Chris Bosh's best friend. Calderon is not only leading the Canadian-based squad in assists averaging 8.5 per, but he is third on the team in scoring at 12.1 points per game. The Spaniard is averaging 10 more minutes this year than last (31-plus compared to 21 minutes), 3.5 more assists per game, and less than one half a turnover more (1.8 compared to 1.4 per game). In just his third season, Calderon has improved his shot tremendously, which lets him hold up three fingers signaling the made 3-ball much more often. He has improved his court vision as well. Calderon can either take the rock to the basket himself, or, with help from Bosh and Jamario Moon, has no problem letting them catch the ball near the hoop for an alley-oop.
The Rockets lost their most dominating player in Yao Ming last month, and you would think it's hard to win without a 7-foot-6-inch beast. But the Rockets have prevailed by getting some unrecognized players ample Playing time.
Every team has their superstar, or their No. 1 option, or heck, even their pine-rider. But, there are always those other players who get virtually zero recognition around the league while they bust their hump every night. Well, let's give them some pen.
Here is your inaugural NBA All-Unknown First Team.
Guard: Jose Calderon. Honorably mentioned in my column earlier this year about the league's top point guards, Calderon has done nothing but back up that spot on the list. Acting as chief-and-commander for the playoff-bound Toronto Raptors, Calderon has become Chris Bosh's best friend. Calderon is not only leading the Canadian-based squad in assists averaging 8.5 per, but he is third on the team in scoring at 12.1 points per game. The Spaniard is averaging 10 more minutes this year than last (31-plus compared to 21 minutes), 3.5 more assists per game, and less than one half a turnover more (1.8 compared to 1.4 per game). In just his third season, Calderon has improved his shot tremendously, which lets him hold up three fingers signaling the made 3-ball much more often. He has improved his court vision as well. Calderon can either take the rock to the basket himself, or, with help from Bosh and Jamario Moon, has no problem letting them catch the ball near the hoop for an alley-oop.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Bro
posted 3/20/08 @ 1:03 PM EST
Can we get some love for Jerome James? Oh wait nevermind.
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