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Whether it’s for fantasy or betting purposes, NBA fans are always on the lookout for surprise efforts from under-the-radar stars. It can make all the difference in your fantasy league or sportsbook account.
The NBA is still just starting to roll, heading into this weekend’s action. Here are a few little-hyped players impressing me the most out of the gate:
Mike Conley Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay get a lot of love in Memphis but Conley is rounding into one of the best point guards in the league. The Ohio State product is scoring just under 16 points per game on 45 percent shooting while dishing out nine assist, grabbing 5.5 rebounds and swiping nearly four steals a night. You’d be hard pressed to find another stat line like that in the NBA.
Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Scola is on his way to a spot on the Western Conference All-Star Team. He’s scoring almost 23 points (shooting 50 percent from the floor) and pulling down 14.5 rebounds per game, while providing Houston with some tough interior defense. He’s also found a way to impact games with his passing, dishing out five assists against the Hornets Wednesday.
Jeff Green, Oklahoma City Thunder
Plenty of people poo-pooed Green’s all-around skill set when he came out of Georgetown. The 6-foot-9 forward is starting to settle in to life in the pros and is taking on a bigger scoring role instead of passing off to his teammates. He’s dropping more than 19 points a night for the Thunder while still doing the little things that win games. He scored 19 and grabbed nine boards in a win over Portland Thursday.
Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers
Gordon was a much ballyhooed freshman at Indiana but took a backseat to Baron Davis in Los Angeles. With Davis dinged up and in the dog house, Gordon is making the most of his chance. He’s averaging 20.2 points while shooting better than 49 percent from the field. He’s also making things happen for his teammates, dishing 11 assists in a loss to the Spurs last Monday, while providing some highlight-reel dunks in the process.
Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
The 7-footer out of Georgetown was questioned coming in the NBA, especially his scoring. However, with Pacers coach Jim O’Brien gaining more confidence in his center, Hibbert has become the focal point of the offense. The ball runs through him in the post, where he is scoring almost 16 points per game – fifth among centers. And, now that defenses are respecting Hibbert, he’s passing out the wing and collecting 4.2 assists to go along with his 10 boards an outing.
J.J. Hickson, Cleveland Cavaliers
As is the case with bad teams, someone has to do the scoring. Hickson has stepped up as the Cavaliers’ default scorer, pouring in nearly 18 points a night to start the season. The versatile 6-foot-9 forward is doing it all in just 28 minutes of playing time. His 48-minute efficiency would equal out to 30.5 point per game. He dropped 31 points in 32 minutes against the Hawks the other night.
Who are some other players impressing you with their surprising play?
The NBA is still just starting to roll, heading into this weekend’s action. Here are a few little-hyped players impressing me the most out of the gate:
Mike Conley Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay get a lot of love in Memphis but Conley is rounding into one of the best point guards in the league. The Ohio State product is scoring just under 16 points per game on 45 percent shooting while dishing out nine assist, grabbing 5.5 rebounds and swiping nearly four steals a night. You’d be hard pressed to find another stat line like that in the NBA.
Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Scola is on his way to a spot on the Western Conference All-Star Team. He’s scoring almost 23 points (shooting 50 percent from the floor) and pulling down 14.5 rebounds per game, while providing Houston with some tough interior defense. He’s also found a way to impact games with his passing, dishing out five assists against the Hornets Wednesday.
Jeff Green, Oklahoma City Thunder
Plenty of people poo-pooed Green’s all-around skill set when he came out of Georgetown. The 6-foot-9 forward is starting to settle in to life in the pros and is taking on a bigger scoring role instead of passing off to his teammates. He’s dropping more than 19 points a night for the Thunder while still doing the little things that win games. He scored 19 and grabbed nine boards in a win over Portland Thursday.
Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers
Gordon was a much ballyhooed freshman at Indiana but took a backseat to Baron Davis in Los Angeles. With Davis dinged up and in the dog house, Gordon is making the most of his chance. He’s averaging 20.2 points while shooting better than 49 percent from the field. He’s also making things happen for his teammates, dishing 11 assists in a loss to the Spurs last Monday, while providing some highlight-reel dunks in the process.
Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
The 7-footer out of Georgetown was questioned coming in the NBA, especially his scoring. However, with Pacers coach Jim O’Brien gaining more confidence in his center, Hibbert has become the focal point of the offense. The ball runs through him in the post, where he is scoring almost 16 points per game – fifth among centers. And, now that defenses are respecting Hibbert, he’s passing out the wing and collecting 4.2 assists to go along with his 10 boards an outing.
J.J. Hickson, Cleveland Cavaliers
As is the case with bad teams, someone has to do the scoring. Hickson has stepped up as the Cavaliers’ default scorer, pouring in nearly 18 points a night to start the season. The versatile 6-foot-9 forward is doing it all in just 28 minutes of playing time. His 48-minute efficiency would equal out to 30.5 point per game. He dropped 31 points in 32 minutes against the Hawks the other night.
Who are some other players impressing you with their surprising play?
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