GarageGabs

Five NBA players making a name for themselves this year:

5. David Lee- One of just 11 players in the NBA to average double figures in scoring and rebounds.  Lee picks and chooses his scoring chances and is second in NBA FG % at .606.  To what do we attribute Lee’s presence?  Honestly, playing time, attitude, and Isiah Thomas.  Despite coming off the bench, Lee’s minutes have doubled over last years.  He’s kept things in perspective by saying he doesn’t mind coming off the bench…anything that helps the team.  Lee is actually logging more minutes than Channing Frye and Jared Jeffries, despite not starting.  He’s also getting the 4th quarter minutes.  Unfortunately, Lee has missed the Knicks last 2 games with a sprained ankle.  Really bad timing for the upstart Knicks as they have lost Jamal Crawford as well.

4. Deron Williams- Pronounced DARREN, Deron Williams is pretty close to becoming a household name.   The guy has been flat out sick running the Jazz offense this year, averaging 17.3 points and 9.3 assists per game.  Williams was a decent fantasy fill in type guy last season, but has hit it big this year.  He’s as likely to drop 15 dimes as he is to put up 30 points.  You have to watch him play to understand..he’s totally in control, always patient, never flustered.  Magic Johnson has anointed him the next big thing, and that’s saying a lot.  It doesn’t hurt that the Jazz are playing some pretty good ball.  The 2005 Point Guard Class has turned out pretty well with Williams, Chris Paul, Raymond Felton, and Jarret Jack all playing well.

3. Al Jefferson- Remember when I told you David Lee was one of 11 players hitting double figures in scoring in rebounds?  Al Jefferson is one of them.  Yeah, the Celtics have sucked, but Jefferson has been Mr. Consistent, scoring 14.2 points and grabbing 11 boards per night.  NINE times this season he’s had more than 15 boards in one game.  Double minutes has meant double production from Jefferson.

2. Kevin Martin- Yes, we all saw this coming.  No, we didn’t expect it to happen this quickly.  Personally, I think Martin is an All Star.  20+ points per game, 49% from the field, over 40% from three, decent defense, the kid is a lanky do it all type player.  His minutes are up this year, but it also helps that he is the #1 scoring option on the Kings.  As a scorer, Martin is here to stay.

1. Luol Deng- Give this guy some range and he is going to be deadly.  Keep in mind, this would have been his senior year at Duke.  19 points and 7 boards per game, 52% from the field.  Over the last month or so, he’s right around 22 per.  Seriously, if he adds some range to his already decent perimeter game over the summer, Deng will be a legit All Star every year.  It’s also cool that Deng slightly resembles Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou.