NBA Playoffs: Underachievers and Overachievers

by Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

The first round has given us one forgettable seven-game series (Hawks-Heat) and one that may be unforgettable (Celtics-Bulls). Through them all, certain players have stood out and gone above and beyond what was expected of them in the first round. These overachievers, if you will, have shown that the bright lights of playoff basketball do not blind them. They realize their talent is only relative to the concept of the team, and their contribution has everything to do with what the team needs most.

 

Then there’s the other end of the spectrum. Those we thought would or should (due to their incredible talent) help their team more than hurt, or on some nights, embarrass them.

As subjective as it gets, here are my underachievers and overachievers of the NBA Playoffs. Bear in mind that this is more an evaluation of talent relative to current performance. Sometimes the numbers do not tell the whole story.

Underachievers

Josh Smith Atlanta Hawks

At 6’9″ 240 pounds and only twenty-three years old, it seems like Smith has no ceiling. Last year his Hawks took the NBA Champion Celtics to seven games. Many fully expected this youth laden team to perhaps get out of the first round this year behind the likes of Smith.
Smith is averaging about the same numbers from the regular season. His field goal percentage is way down (40%), especially beyond the arc (2-13). This could be due to questionable shot selection and rushing his shots.

But the real reason Smith underachieved is his lack of defensive intensity. Don’t look at his numbers though; he’s averaging 2 blocks and 1.5 steals. Rather, Watch him when Dwayne Wade goes to the hoop. At 6’9″ and able to defend on the perimeter, Smith could be a menace for any penetration. Much of the time, however, he looks more like a matador opting not to fully commit and allowing a clear path to the lane.

Oh yeah – and there is that between the legs dunk that may have fueled the Heat’s fire in game 5. Smith will have to come off his defender and stop Dwayne Wade in Game 7, or it will be an early vacation for the Atlanta Hawks once again.

Stephon Marbury Boston Celtics

He is still a good player. Marbury should be commended because when he does play, he tries to get everyone involved in realization of the Celtic concept. But what was once “never a bad shot” has now become “never shoot the ball.” Often times in the series, he passed up wide open jump shots. His lacked aggressiveness towards the rim, especially during times when the shot clock was winding down. And his on the ball defense is still shaky at best.

Marbury needs to realize that his style of play does not need to be a complete 180 from what it was. He can still play with any guard in the league and right now, the Celtics need someone other than Rondo to attack the basket. If he can contribute in that way alone, I think we’d see his minutes go up and the Celtics better equipped.

Greg Oden Portland Trail Blazers

Considering he is coming off of an injury, he’s still very young and inexperienced, this might not be a good pick. On the other hand, he’s a former high school player of the year, took his college team from first round dud to National Champion contention, and was the number one overall pick in the NBA draft, he should be prepared for lofty expectations.

All of his numbers were down, except for his fouls, which sky rocketed. He couldn’t defend the much more agile 7-footer, Yao Ming. Oden looked almost frail against the Rockets. Watching Yao, it became evident the amount of footwork Oden does not have. His moves have become redundant and limited to the low block. The good thing is he has many more years (hopefully healthy ones) to become a decent 7-footer.
Besides, guys his height take longer than others to develop.

Jerryd Bayless Portland Trail Blazers

Rule no. 1 for point guards: if you have a spectacular season at a top notch school surrounded by NBA caliber players, yet you don’t achieve a .500 conference record – stay in school. Bayless was a great college player who left to early. Whether or not he is getting the opportunity (6 minutes per game in first round), he should have been guiding the Arizona Wildcats to the Elite Eight this year. Stay in school, continue to develop and actually play, then consider entering the draft when you’ve learned to run a team. Stats don’t mean everything in the game of basketball.

For supportive irony, the starting point guard for the Blazers is Steve Blake, former University of Maryland player who stayed all four years and was well known for his passing ability and ability to – ahem – run a team.

Ben Gordon Chicago Bulls

Underachieved? Yes, Ben Gordon underachieved. How can that be said for a guy who averaged 24 points in his series and hit multiple big shots? He is the worst at creating off of the dribble. At 6’3″, he’s often guarded by bigger guys and will often not look to penetrate. Much of his penetration comes in the first three quarters, and he has proven an inability to finish near the rim (though he is very good at drawing fouls and knocking down his free throws).

His fourth quarter game is predictable and easy to defend. One even gets the impression that his teammates know he will not move the ball, as they stand around the arc watching him dribbling east-to-west and chucking up a fade away eighteen-footer. When he does penetrate, he shows he can dish the ball and make good reads. Why should this change so much at the end of the game? I get the impression Gordon wants to establish himself as a “big shot” guy. It didn’t work much of the time and his field goal percentage was horrible most of the series (38% overall).

Gordon, as much as he desires to be, is not a clutch player. He can’t do it night in and night out like Paul Pierce has proven he can. He also doesn’t trust his teammates enough down the stretch. Great talent, fantastic numbers, too selfish and shortsighted during crunch time.

Tracy McGrady Houston Rockets

This is mean, I know. But you have to wonder what McGrady is thinking. Is his team thriving because he was to prone to forcing the issue as a scorer? Or is it that Yao Ming is finally coming into his own? Either way, one can’t help but wonder what an ominous sign this first round series win for the Rockets is going to be for Tracy McGrady in Houston. I guess this is the lifetime underachievement award coronated by the 2009 Houston Rockets.

Michael Beasley Miami Heat, Thaddeus Young Philadelphia 76ers

Maybe these two are undeserving because they are so young. Watching them play, though, reveals a diminutive understanding of the game, especially for a free range forward. In a span of five minutes, I saw Beasley shoot two thee pointers; one hit the side of the backboard and air ball a shot that was three feet away from the rim. He shot 35.5 percent for the series, though those who disagree will point out his rebounding went up by 2 boards a game. Still, his shot selection was subpar and he simply could not buy a basket on some nights.

I like Young and think he has a lot of promise, but the East has plenty of young upstart big men. He and the other bigs of the Sixers became lunch meat for Dwight Howard. In game 6, with Orlando playing without Howard, Young was a more than disappointing 4-11 from the field for 8 points. Opportunity to step up and he didn’t.

Chris Paul New Orleans Hornets

Paul underachieved because of his turnovers. His scoring was way down (from 22 in the regular season to 16 in the first round), but he nearly doubled his turnovers from the regular season at 5 a game against Denver. The Nuggets played Paul extremely physical and he didn’t respond.

Overachievers

Luis Scola Houston Rockets

If you haven’t watched him play, you’re missing out. The Argentinean will not sweep you off your feet with quickness or an array of ball handling skills, but what he does bring is more fundamental than anything else in the NBA. His shot fake is excellent and at 6’9″, he covers a lot of ground when a defender leaves his feet. He finishes around the basket well and has an excellent mid range game. His shooting percentage was up (60 percent) and as a result averaged nearly four more points a game against the Blazers.

Ron Artest Houston Rockets

As strange as it was to see him and Yao Ming joking about Artest running into the stands after a loose ball, it spoke volumes about the team chemistry right now. And yes, Artest has a lot to do with that. It wasn’t long ago that Yao was very concerned with Ron-Ron coming to the Rockets and perhaps corrupting any chemistry they had.

Artest’s game is like a bigger, more physical Paul Pierce. He is deliberate in his movements, especially with the ball and utilizes his size on both ends. He can be intimidating at times and has embraced the fact that a 7’6″ agile center is not to be ignored in the offense.

Trevor Ariza Los Angeles Lakers

Incredibly efficient, shooting 61 percent from the field. He upped his scoring average from 9 a game in the regular season to 12 a game in the first round. He can knock down open shots, especially from beyond the arc (22-36), and he apparently passed the ball well, averaging just over 4 assist a game – way up from only 1.8 in the regular season.

He’s become a welcome addition to Bryant’s Lakers and, due to his size and speed, continues to serve as a big match up problem for other teams.

John Salmons Chicago Bulls

Salmons showed his worth most when Ben Gordon was not on the floor. He does what Gordon won’t in the clutch – make a read and react to what the defense gives him. When Gordon fouled out of game 6, he was able to get to the rim down the stretch for a big basket. He isn’t an intricate part of the Bulls’ offense, but he makes the most of his opportunities when he gets a touch.

Salmons can also defend. He caused problems for Paul Pierce and forced him away from the basket even though Pierce was extraordinary hitting plenty of big shots. When Pierce did try to penetrate, Salmons was quick enough to cut his lane off and force him away.

Jason Kidd Dallas Mavericks

Kidd only had 3 turnovers the whole series. His scoring average increased by a point and he has, for the time being, rejuvenated a Maverick squad that was once yesterday’s news. His off the ball defense was excellent, as usual, as he averaged nearly 2.5 steals a game.

Dahntay Jones Denver Nuggets

Jones has embraced the defensive mentality of George Karl. He is physical and not afraid to muscle someone around and intimidate. Offensively, he improved a bit by shooting 60 percent from the field, good for an increase from 5 points in the regular season to 8 in the first round. If he and the Nuggets keep a defensive mindset and continue to bully other teams who don’t want to respond, the no. 2 seed could prove to be more than a viable opponent for the no. 1 seed Lakers in the West Finals.

Glen Davis Boston Celtics

What a huge series for the former LSU star. He more than doubled his scoring average from 7 a game to 18 a game, but more importantly he provided a sound inside presence, rather unexpectedly, that the Bulls had to respect. Davis was a bit of a liability on the defensive end, but he made up for grabbing big rebound after big rebound on both ends. He’s no Garnett, but Celtic fans have to be pleased with his series against the younger and quicker Bulls.

LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers

Overachieved? Seems absurd, right? But every one of his teammates’ numbers were down in the series against Detroit. His game, as it has been in every playoff series he’s been in, stepped up and he carried the Cavs to double digit wins in every game in a four game sweep. He treated the first round like the last round and obliterated everything in his path. If this was the Eastern Finals, maybe I’d think differently. But James is showing that he is one of the fiercest competitors who, unlike others (see underachievers), can get it done with or without the help of his teammates.

Aaron Brooks Houston Rockets

He played well, seeing an increase in assists and points. The guy stepped in at point guard when Houston traded Rafer Alston and the team hasn’t skipped a beat. I’m biased towards point guards, but Brooks must be doing something right for the Rockets to have handled Brandon Roy and Portland.

Additions? Disagreements? I’m sure there are both, so feel free to comment and respond.