Today we are taking a look at the most under-appreciated players on each team that need more respect.
Philadelphia 76ers, De'Anthony Melton
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Melton is a legit DPOY candidate for a contending team averaging 1.9 SPG and causing havoc on the defensive end of the ball. Melton is also averaging double-digit points 11.1 PPG. Melton has been underappreciated since his days with the Grizzlies.
Milwaukee Bucks, Bobby Portis
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Bobby Portis is one of the greatest hustlers in the NBA and his double-double average is here to prove that 14.4 PPG and 10.1 RPG off the bench for most of the season. He's started only 14 games this year and should be a legitimate 6MOTY candidate.
Chicago Bulls, Ayo Dsunmo
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This one was tough but I guess it could go either way between Ayo and Pat Will depending on which way you'd rather go and what type of play style you like. Ayo is averaging 9.2 PPG and knows how to run the floor and offense. In many years to come I think Ayo will be a valuable piece to this Bulls team as long as he doesn't get traded.
Cleveland Cavaliers, Caris Levert
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You don't hear a lot about Caris Levert except for the one 40-point game he and Donavan Mitchell had. Levert averages 12.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 3.8 APG and can get a bucket anytime you ask him to. Levert is the Cavs most valuable trade piece and that's why.
Boston Celtics, Al Horford
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Al Horford brings the experience to the Celtics locker room. Al Horford starts for Rob WIll whenever he's been hurt, and Horford has stepped up to the occasion averaging 9.4 PPG and 6.1 RPG. Don't forget about his 1 block per game. Horford is old, but when you need him he will not show his age one bit.
Los Angeles Clippers, Norman Powell
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Powell is the healthiest leading scorer on the Clippers because he played in most of the Clippers games, and Kawhi and PG13 stats haven't gone into play yet. Powell is averaging 16.2 PPG off the bench. Powell is a bucket and needs to get talked about a lot more.
Memphis Grizzlies, Santi Aldama
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Aldama has been so under appreciated. I guarantee that some of you don't know who he is. Aldama has been big for the Grizzlies when he needs to be hitting clutch threes and at one point he did an eastbay dunk. Aldama has been averaging 9.1 PPG and 4.2 RPG.
Atlanta Hawks,Onyeka Okongwu
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Okongwu is a beast in the paint on the defensive end getting all the blocks and rebounds he has got off the bench. Okongwu has been 9.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG with his 1.2 BPG off the bench. Okongwu is a fun player to watch and has been since high school.
Miami Heat, Caleb Martin
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Caleb Martin has to be one of the most slept-on players in the NBA and the Heat usually have those types of players because they produce so many undrafted players and late-rounders into great role players. Martin off the bench has been averaging 10.1 PPG and 4.9 RPG along with 1.0 SPG so hes a solid player on both ends and needs to get more love from the fans.
Charlotte Hornets, Jalen McDaniels
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Jalen Mcdaniels is on one of the worst teams in the NBA but that doesn't mean you could still be under appreciated. McDaniels is averaging 10.9 PPG 4.1 RPG and leads the team in steals with 1.1 SPG. Jalen has also been one of the two players on the Hornets to play every single game so far this season the other being Mason Plumlee.
Utah Jazz, Jarred Vanderbilt
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On one of the most suprising team so far this season Jarred has been the most suprising and under appreciated player on the team. Vanderbilt is averaging 8.5 PPG and 7.9 RPG along with a steal per game. Vanderbilt is a defensive lockdown and a great huster.
Sacremento Kings, Malik Monk
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I know some of you are shaking your heads saying how is this not Kevin Huerter heres why Monk and him are averaging almost the same stats and Monk hasn't started a single game and Huerter has started all of them. Monk is averaging 13.2 PPG and Kevin is averaging 15.3 is Monk was starting I am sure his would go higher then Kevin and Monks averging more assists and almost same amount of rebounds.
New York Knicks, Quentin Grimes
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Grimes is a solid role player who knows his role and knows what to do when he's out there espically when he is starting. Grimes is avergaing 10.3 PPG 3.5 RPG and 2.0 APG and he's a great hustler and defender.
Los Angeles Lakers, Thomas Bryant
Thomas Bryant has stepped up big when AD is out of the rotation espically in that 31-point game he had eariler this season that lead to a big comeback against the Trailblazers. Bryant is averaging 12.6 PPG and 7.0 RPG which are pretty good splits for a supposed backup center if you ask me.
Orlando Magic, Cole Anthony
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This one was a toss up between him and Markelle Fultz the PG's of the Magic and Cole is the backup usually and he is coming off the bench. Cole does get love but not as much as he deserves to get. Anthony is averaging 12.0 PPG and 4.1 APG which is leading the team
Dallas Mavericks, Tim Hardaway Jr.
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So this was supposed to be DFS but we all see what happened there but if you have not he's going to the Nets in the Kyrie trade. Hardaway Jr. is a knockdown three point shooter and playing with Luka he will always find you when your open and Hardaway will always knock it down.
Brooklyn Nets, Nic Claxton
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Nic Claxton should be the DPOY leader over JJJ, He leads the NBA in total blocks and with being healthy being a factor for JJJ's BPG Claxton is leading the leaugue. Claxton is averaging 13.0 PPG and 8.9 RPG on a quality Nets team is the third option behind the iso gang (KD and Kyrie).
Denver Nuggets, Bruce Brown
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Bruce Brown can get a tough bucket at anytime but then he'll lockdown the opposings team best player and not allow him to get a bucket. Brown is averaging 11.2 PPG 4.1 RPG and 3.5 APG while also getting 1.1 SPG. Being on Jokic's team helps with the points because he'll get open and Jokic will find him.
Indiana Pacers, AAron Neismith
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Neismith is a knockdown three pointer and just got traded from the Celtics and still doing the things he was doing on that team it just transfered over. AAron Nesmith is averaging 9.6 PPG and 3.7 RPG and should bet getting better on such a young team.
New Orleans Pelicans,Naji Marsharll
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Marshall knows his role and plays to it to perfection a solid role player who can score a bucket averaging 10.2 PPG and 3.7 RPG. Naji will continue to improve and will become better.
Detroit Pistons, Killian Hayes
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Killian Hayes has suprised evryone this season by taking the biggest step of his career. Hayes is leading the team in steals and assist with 5.8 APG and 1.3 SPG also averaging 9.9 PPG or basically 10. I hope Hayes keeps this up because I want him to take this step.
Toronto Raptors, Precious Achiuwa
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Achiuwa is a solid player and always will be this kid is a hustler and knows how to play to his standards.Achiuwa is averaging 10.4 PPG and 6.5 RPG off the bench and might be moved if the Raptors decide to blow it up.
Houston Rockets, Kenyon Martin Jr.
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Kenyon Martin Jr. is almost a gurantee to give you a highlight in almost every game hence why he is in the dunk contest which we all pray that is good this year. Martin Jr. is averaging 11.4 PPG and along with that 5.5 RPG. Martin is a young player on a young team and will continue to improve.
San Antonio Spurs,Tre Jones
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Tre Jones has took a huge step up from last year which he needed to with the Dejounte Murray trade. Tre is averaging 12.8 PPG and 6.3 APG and 1.3 SPG all of which are leading the team except for the points obviously. Tre is going to continue to get better on such a young team and Gregg Poppivich coacing.
Phoenix Suns, Cam Payne
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This one could be anybody because evryone on this team has been injured for a while or still is hurt but I'm gonna give it to the guy who people used to call the worst in the league to now averaging 12.1 PPG on a playoff caliber team. Payne is a bucket and makes his presence known on and off the ball.
Oklahoma City Thunder, Isaiah Joe
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Joe has proved what he can do when he gets minutes Sixers you guys made a mistake. Joe is averaging 8.0 PPG and is shooting 44.4% from beyond the Arc and those numbers are sure to go up.
Minnesota Timberwolves, Jaden McDaniels
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Seems like both of the McDaniels brothers are slept on and are very well ball players. McDaniels is averaging 11.3 PPG and 1.0 SPG and 1.0 BPG wich probably means he is a good defender which he is, he is a lockdown defender and can guard all 5 positions.
Portland TrailBlazers, Josh Hart
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Josh Hart is a solid all around player and is one of the best rebounders if not the best rebounder at his position.Hart is averaging 9.5 PPG and 8.2 RPG which is second on the team for rebounds. I hope Hart does not get traded and stays with Portland.
Golden State Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga
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Kuminga has scored 10+ points in 7 of the last 8 games that the warriors have played.Kuminga has averaged 8.6 PPG and 3.2 RPG. Kuminga is part of this Warriors young core that are excpeted to take over when Curry, Thompson and, Green all leave which we hope will actually suceed.
Washington Wizards, Monte Morris
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Monte Morris has been fairly well with the Wizards after being traded from the Nuggets in the off-season. Morris is averaging 10.5 PPG and 5.4 APG. Morris is succeding really well with the Wizards but I hope that he gets traded and succeds better with a different team.
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