keep an eye on these almost sleepers
Some lesser known players that are getting noticed around the league:
- Luther Head: with T-Mac out with back problems and Rafer Alston struggling "Loother" has been stepping up big time and has been giving the Houston Rockets another scoring option, he is solid from three point land (47%) and loves to drive to the basket making Wesley, Barry and Moochie Norris expendable
- Travis Outlaw: now that Reuben Patterson has been dismissed from the Blazers squad (a la Terrell Owens) expect Outlaw to get some more minutes as he spells the injured Darius Miles off the bench, he might not put up the same kind of offensive numbers but should contribute to the "team"
- Boris Diaw is slowly working his way into the starting lineup on the strength of his versatility (think of a better passing Shane Battier), as he does it all and gives the Phoenix Suns an entirely different look on the floor as he plays the guard, forward and even center positions all the while filling the stats sheet with his assists rebounds and almost 11 points per game
- Jose Calderon: a point guard that contributes over six assists a game coming off the bench is almost unheard of but this European point guard is impressing many across the NBA as he refuses to turn the ball over and continues to push the ball up the floor looking for either a streaking teammate or his own shot (which he will find eventually probably around the same time he learns to master the english language)
- Austin Croshere / Nick Collison: differing only in age (5yrs) yet similar in looks, size and statistics, these two hard working forwards would be welcome additions to any team across the league as they do the dirty work and often are seen as extensions of the coach's mindset on the floor
- Salim Stoudemire, the 2nd round pick and cousin of Damon Stoudamire, has become known as a 3pt specialist giving the Hawks an added threat from outside shooting 42.4% and averaging 1.5 per game from beyond the arc and averaging a more than welcome 11.2 points per game
- James Jones was given the opportunity in Indiana last season (through a series of unfortunate events) and showed that what he does well is primarily shoot the three. Phoenix took a chance on him this year and the trend has continued as he forces the opposition to stretch the defense with his perimeter shooting (41.4%)
- Bobby Jackson is giving the Grizzlies some solid contributions in limited minutes as a backup point guard to Damon Stoudamire and is using his veteran experience to average 11.0 points per game
- Sarunas Jasikevicius, the Euro export is shooting 50% from 3pt land is averaging 9.2 points with a steal a game and (due to Tinsley's groin injury) has made his way into the Pacers starting lineup
