In my opinion, the most important aspect of an NBA head coach's job is managing his rotation. That said, my following list identifies the most valuable players who are being underutilized by their coaches and/or under-appreciated by analysts and fans.
Let's get right to it...
However, in his limited opportunities within Brad Stevens' rotation, "Hump" has showcased the energy, hustle, strength and rebounding ability that got him paid by the Nets. This year's Celtics aren't a particularly talented group, so they could use more of Hump's positive two-way contributions.
9. Wes Johnson, SF, Los Angeles Lakers: With half of Mike D'Antoni's team listed on the injury report, Wes has been able to lock down consistent playing time with the Lakers. What do I like about his game? He's the type of athletic, rangy small forward who would get a lot more attention on a contending team.
Here's an obscure example: Remember Tariq Abdul-Wahad, the starting shooting guard who played in the Kings lineup with Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber and Vlade Divac? At the time he was consistently referred to as, "The best on-ball perimeter defender in the league." That's because the Kings were an elite team at the time, and many of their games were nationally televised.
Well, that's the kind of player Johnson is, but better. If he played for the Heat, Thunder or Spurs, you'd be hearing more about him. He's long, super athletic, versatile and explosive. Only negative is his perimeter shooting ability has actually declined since college.
That being said, Tim Hardaway Jr. has been a bright spot whenever the opportunity has been presented to him. He's passionate and confident on the court, driving and shooting with conviction and decisiveness. Hardaway's treatment is yet another example of why the Knicks have the worst management in the league, possibly in all of professional sports.
As a team going nowhere fast, why wouldn't you wanna start this kid and play him 28-38 minutes a night? Why wouldn't you want to develop one of your only decent, homegrown players? Why is it necessary to give minutes to washed up vets like Udrih and Prigioni?
The basketball logic simply isn't there. Woodson should be starting Hardaway, Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony, Andrea Bargnani and Tyson Chandler on a nightly basis. You have your two franchise players, Melo and Chandler (if Melo decides to hang around), two homegrown guys in Shump and Hardaway and one wild card in Bargnani. Anyway, Hardaway has been one of the only bright spots for New York's laughingstock of a basketball team.
And yet, as the Pelicans continue to grind near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, head coach Monty Williams cannot seem to find minutes for this consistent sharpshooter. I used to like Monty Williams as a coach, but I've been very underwhelmed by him this season. He's failing to realize that without Ryan Anderson (severe injury), the Pelicans need floor spacing for Tyreke Evans and Anthony Davis. They also need the threat of the three-point line.
Right now the Pelicans' offense is too one-dimensional. Morrow could be the answer to their scoring troubles.
Simply put, Reggie Evans is one of the best rebounders of the last decade. Always in the right position, always boxing out and playing with maximum effort on both ends of the floor. When the Nets are stagnant (which unfortunately, has been quite often), Evans is the perfect player to call upon to create second-chance points and spark the sometimes-apathetic home crowd in Brooklyn. I think Kidd should start Evans and veteran swingman Andrei Kirilenko.
4. Gerald Green, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns: What a bizarre career this explosive dunker has had. Drafted in the first round by the Boston Celtics, he never seemed to find his niche and eventually ended up in the NBDL for an extended stint. How a guy with this kind of athleticism and scoring ability could end up in the D-League, is beyond me.
Gerald was rescued by my Nets a few seasons ago, and he responded in the second half of the season by becoming our second-best player after Deron Williams (Brook Lopez was out for the season). The Indiana Pacers took notice and signed him to a nice free agent deal, but once again he couldn't seem to find a role. But this season, in the same score-first bench role he played for the Nets, Green is thriving for Jeff Hornacek's Suns, who are one of the league's most pleasant surprises.
Gerald's a good kid who just wants the opportunity to show what he can do. I'm glad he's getting that opportunity once again in Phoenix.
2. Nate Robinson, G, Denver Nuggets
1. Timofey Mozgov, C, Denver Nuggets
Notice any similarities here? The overarching problem is Brian Shaw.
Shaw has been viewed as a head coaching prospect for quite some time now, but he's severely mishandled his rotation during his rookie season as the commander of the Denver Nuggets. I've watched double-digit Nuggets games on NBA League Pass this year, and until their recent blowout of the Lakers (when he cut down on the rotation and played Robinson and Mozgov more), I noticed Shaw's team running into the same roadblock every, single game -- they couldn't close effectively because he had the wrong players on the floor.
Every game had the same script...the Nuggets would be right in it for three quarters, then the fourth would roll around and everyone would stand around expecting Ty Lawson to create everything. There are two problems with that strategy: (1) That's too much responsibility for Lawson, and he doesn't always want it, and (2) Denver's offense was so stagnant, predictable and easy to stop. So where do Nate-Rob and Mozgov come in?
Well, throughout his career, Robinson has consistently been one of the most undervalued players in the NBA. He is a good ballhandler, excellent playmaker and shot creator, and he has the unshakable confidence that I've only seen in the likes of megastars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. You will never have to worry about Nate-Rob losing faith in his own ability. The kid is a warrior and he's always made big shots when given the opportunity (just ask the Nets about their playoff series against the Bulls last year). Brian Shaw is just starting to realize that he needs Robinson's explosiveness and playmaking ability.
But people know about Nate Robinson, that's why he's #2 on my list.
Timofey Mozgov, on the other hand, is a little known player. You probably won't believe me when I tell you that he's one of the most skilled big men in the world. I'm really not kidding.
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Mozgov has raw size (7-1, 250 lbs) but he's incredibly athletic considering his stature. He runs the floor extremely well and is highly effective at both ends. He has the most underrated and overlooked low post footwork in the game, with the ability to finish beautifully with both hands. He's also shooting 72.5% from the free throw line, while other young bigs like DeAndre Jordan and Andre Drummond are bricking freebies in the 40% range.
Mozgov could be a low post superstar if he played in an era where the guards stayed committed to getting the ball into the paint. He's that good. I think Shaw's beginning to realize what he has in Mozgov as well. He and Robinson should both be starting for the Nuggets. Maybe then, they'd get back in contention.
HONORABLE MENTION
Terrence Jones, F, Houston Rockets: Starting to get some love; I don't think he's as undervalued as he was earlier in the season.
Will Bynum, G, Detroit Pistons: Always puts up nice numbers when given the opportunity; never gets a consistent opportunity unless teammates are injured.
Marreese Speights, PF/C, Golden State Warriors: Started off undervalued by Mark Jackson, but has since earned the minutes he deserves. May have something to do with the Jermaine O'Neal injury.
Tony Wroten, G, Philadelphia 76ers: One of the quickest guards in the league. Needs to play alongside MCW consistently.
Andrei Kirilenko, SF, Brooklyn Nets: Since his return the Nets have played with better energy, continuity and success.
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