Monday, March 31, 2008

Do I Ever Not Have Thoughts Epstizz?

For a fun little exercise, I'm gonna rank the top 10 white American basketball players in the NBA right now.
WARNING: The following may be too underwhelming for children under 13

This list took a while to assemble; the fact is, the guys who do get PT are all relatively similar in production and effectiveness. But let's get started.
The list of best white Americans right now. (If you were to pick a team regardless of position for a game tomorrow, who would I choose....)

1. Mike Dunleavy, Pacers -- Every once in a while when I check ESPN's NBA Scoreboard, I'll see Dunleavy's picture on the top of the page next to a stat line of, oh, 34 points 8 rebounds and 7 assist . What other white guy could go off like that?

2. Chris Kaman, Clippers -- It may have taken him a few years to get going, but in the absence of Brand this year he has put up a staggering 13 boards and 3 blocks a game, to go along with 16 points.

3. Mike Miller, Grizzlies -- Miller was a high draft pick and much was expected from him coming out of Florida. He has had a solid career in the NBA, maybe not quite up to expectations, but a serviceable shooter and defender nonetheless.

4. Brad Miller, Kings -- Miller became an inside force on the once-perennial contender Kings, averaging 15 points and 10 boards for a solid 5-year run. He had a downyear last year, but he has played well this season...well enough to notch this 4th spot.

5. David Lee, Knicks -- The good news: he's heart and soul of the Knicks. The bad news is: that's like saying he's the heart and soul of Eliot Spitzer's Personal-Life Consulting Team.

6. Kirk Hinrich, Bulls -- TheFabFiles reader and friend David Greene once famously said, "I am here because I want to be." Well, Kirk is here because he has to be. There's really no one else. A year ago and he'd be top three. He's had his struggle this year though, shooting just 41% from the floor.

7. Nick Collison, Sonics -- Hinrich's Kansas teammate has had an equally uneventful season, a far more uneventful career.

8. Luke Walton, Lakers -- There are some other guys who may deserve this spot over him, but he is a starter and sometime-contributor for the only contending team on this list. That's gotta be good for 9th when his competition is Matt Harpring, Steve Blake, and Joel Przybilla right?

9. Matt Harpring, Jazz -- Once upon a time he would have headed this list, but the Jazz decided to try and compete, meaning their favorite white American had to find a nice comfortable seat next to Jarron Collins. His minutes per game of the past five season, starting with 03-04: 36.6, 33.1, 27.4, 25.5, 18.1. Maybe Sloan found out he keeps in touch with Jon Amaechi.

10. Joel Pryzbilla, Blazers -- Mr. Irrelevant

1 comment:

Jesse said...

Your prose are as eloquent as my dear friend Edger Allen Poe.