This week we got to see LeBron James receive his first of many NBA MVP Awards. Yes, I’ll admit I was wrong in picking Dwyane Wade a couple of weeks ago, but I’m not going to get started on that.
I did, however, select an elite group of NBA players who I think were overlooked in the MVP voting. These five individuals bring a flare to the game that has been underappreciated by fans as well as NBA experts. While the top five vote-getters – James, Kobe Bryant, Wade, Dwight Howard and Chris Paul – were notably impressive this year, here’s who I think got the snub.
No. 5 Darko Milicic
Drafted No. 2 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft – behind some guy named LeBron – ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, Darko Milicic put together another impressive season during 2008-09. Milicic, who averaged 5.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this year, really began to blossom in his fifth NBA season. He helped the Memphis Grizzlies to a 24-58 record, only 30 games out of first place in the Southwest Division. Kudos, Darko.
No. 4 Marco Belinelli
I debated over this one for a little while, but I think Marco Belinelli fits into this list pretty well. The undrafted guard out of Italy averaged just fewer than nine points per game during his 42 games of action this season. He also managed to dish out 2.1 assists. Not bad for a guy who brings in more than $1.4 million each year. But what I like most about Belinelli is his consistency. In his two short years in the NBA, he’s been able to throw the ball somewhere around the rim a total of 410 times, making an astonishing 176 field goals. The next Steve Kerr? Most likely.
No. 3 Fabricio Oberto
For my second big man, I wanted to bring in someone whose stat line jumps off the page and screams M-V-P. The obvious choice was Fabricio Oberto. In his fourth season with the San Antonio Spurs, Oberto proved himself an asset to the team in the paint, averaging 2.6 points and 2.6 boards per game. If someone who is 6-foot-10 and 245 pounds and can put on an athletic show better than Fabricio, I would love to meet him. In my mind, he is worth every bit of his $3.6 million contract.
No. 2 Brian Scalabrine
I think everyone saw this coming, but he is a must-have. Brian Scalabrine, with his curly red hair, clean-cut goatee, topped with a much-needed headband, is quickly becoming a premiere player in the NBA. While it might have taken the USC graduate seven years to reach his prime, there is no doubt he has been the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics during the past few seasons. They even brought in two NBA All-Stars in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to complement his one-of-a-kind game.
No. 1 Luke Walton
This last player has NBA Hall of Fame written all over him. He’s been an absolute asset to one of the best teams in basketball during the past couple of seasons, even though he’s had to share the spotlight with Kobe Bryant. I’m obviously talking about Luke Walton. There is no player who deserves to be in the NBA more than him. Don’t let his 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game fool you – he does deserve to be there. And to be perfectly honest, I think Phil Jackson needs to get his star the ball more often. The possibilities with Walton are endless. He’s got incredible strength and speed, which complements his unlimited shooting range and on-ball defending quite nicely. He’ll be going No. 1 overall in my fantasy draft next year.
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