This is a list of guys that have flown way under the radar this year, so much that many of our readers and casual fans might not know who some of these guys are. These players may not play the most prominent role on the team, but their effect is greatly appreciated by their respective teams. These guys are very undervalued and all of them possess an important trait that makes each one uniquely valuable.
Jimmy Butler SF Chicago Bulls
Butler, a 2nd year SF out of Marquette, had only averaged around 18 minutes coming into January, but since then has seen that number rise to 27 minutes a game due to injuries and excellent, consistent play. Butler is not a scorer, but an tenacious defender who is crucial to coach Tom Thibodeau's defensive strategy. Butler is only averaging about a steal a game, but is already considered one of the best, up and coming on ball defenders. Butler is one of those pure defense, energy glue guys that every team needs. As a lot of Chicago's focus is on defense, Butler fits right in, devoting a lot of his focus on the defensive side of the ball. Despite not being a scorer, Butler has been efficient scoring, as he has a .494 fg%.
Larry Sanders PF/C Milwaukee Bucks
Sanders, who more people will have heard of, is a monster shot blocker, defender and rebounder. Sanders has seen his minutes double this year (12.4 last year vs 25.6 this year) and with that increased playing time, Sanders has seen his rebounding and blocking soar. Sanders ranks 21st in the NBA with 8.5 rebounds a game, but is 10th in rebounds per 48 minutes, a stat that makes up for minutes discrepancies. Sanders averaged 1.5 blocks last year in 12 minutes per game, so people knew he could block shots. But on only 26 minutes a game, Sanders leads the league in blocks this year, averaging 3.1 a game! He is beating out other notorious shot blockers like Serge Ibaka, Dwight Howard, Roy Hibbert and Josh Smith. Compare Sanders
blocks per 48 minutes with the others and Sanders is averaging almost 2 more blocks a game than all those guys. That is just incredible. Sanders blocking game alone is very valuable. Throw in that he is also a very good defender and rebounder and the fact that he runs the floor extremely well for a guy who is 6'11" and it is easy to see the 3rd year player out of VCU is destined for a long, effective NBA career.
Deandre Liggins SG Oklahoma City Thunder
Liggins is on this list because he is rather efficient is almost no playing time at all. Liggins only averages 8 minutes a game but has seen that number rise since January. Liggins is effective for this Thunder team because he brings efficient . Like Butler, Liggins is a lock down defender, especially on the perimeter where he gives 3pt shooters a fit. He is a fluid athlete, which allows him to move around the floor with ease and is a deadly defender on cut lanes. With that, Liggins is also an efficient shooter from three. Liggins has only taken 10 3's, all taken since January, but Liggins has hit 5 of them and is shooting 50% from three (obviously). Liggins shot 39% from three in college at Kentucky so there is optimism that this shooting is more skill than fluke. One to watch for.
Nikola Vucevic C Orlando Magic
Vucevic, one of the unheralded players acquired in the Dwight Howard trade, has been nothing short of amazing this season for Orlando. With Howard gone and a void at Center, Vucevic has stepped in averaging 33 minutes a game and has not disappointed. The guy is a walking double double. Vucevic does not have a huge presence on defense, but is a terror on the boards, both offensively and defensively. He is 4th in the league in rebounding at 11.3 boards per game. He's in his 2nd year and is only 22. The Magic got a steal! Who would have thought that after seeing the trade? He's averaging 12-11 with a block per game and shooting 52% from the field. Very solid player, emerging offense and defense and already one of the league's premier rebounders. The sky is the limit for Vucevic, who could be a 22-15 guy down the road if the offense stays on track.
Eric Bledsoe PG Los Angeles Clippers
Bledsoe is seeing his stock rise a lot this year as a premier defender and steals master. Outside of those 2 areas of expertise, Bledsoe is an all around guard who can score, dish and rebound. All three of his shooting lines (FG%, FT% and 3pt %) have risen this year due to increased efficiency and better shot selection.
Bledsoe is averaging 9-3-3 in 21 minutes, so there is potential that he can eventually be a 6 rebound/6 assist guy a game very soon if he gets more playing time. His 1.6 steals per game is impressive and even more impressive when you compare it to his steals per 48 minutes. He is 14th in steals as is and is 2nd in steals per 48 minutes, only trailing teammate and fellow steals master Chris Paul. Bledsoe is a huge trade target, many teams looking to acquire him because he has played so well when Paul has been injured. He is one of the rising, shining PG's in the league and his defense/steals has led to some success for the Clippers.
Hope you guys enjoy the article. Leave a comment if you think someone was left off.
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