Why The T-Wolves Will Make The Playoffs This Year

It's been dark days in Minnesota since KG left town. Missing on multiple lottery picks the past few years put the Wolves into a hole. Since Minnesota is not a marquee NBA market, free agents don't flock there. This makes the draft that much more important. GM David Kahn has somehow manged to stay employed despite drafting Jonny Flynn and Wesley Johnson. But now the Wolves enter this season with more hope than ever before. In the West, there are playoff spots for the taking, and Minnesota will take one. Here's four reasons why.

They Have a Legit Star
If you have followed the NBA at all for the past two years, you know by now that Kevin Love is a stud. His rebounding and scoring make him virtually unstoppable. Since coming out of UCLA in 2008, Love has improved in every facet of his game. The best addition to his repertoire is outside shooting (which he can now brag about after beating Durant in the three-point contest). A team leader who has improved every year, Love is clutch and the best power forward in the league.

They Have a Spark Plug
Little was known of 2009 draft pick Ricky Rubio. There was much speculation considering his Spanish league numbers were down and he waited two years before coming to the NBA. But Rubio proved that he can flat-out play. Though not a great shooter, Rubio didn't hesitate in becoming one of the league's best passers. Before tearing his ACL, Rubio was by all accounts the second best rookie. Rubio plays with the flare (and hair) of a young Pete Maravich. The Wolves love what they have in their young Spanish point guard.

They Have a Head Coach Who's Been There
Rick Adelman has lead two franchises to multiple playoff runs. In the early 2000s, he coached a talented Kings team that could have won championships, but never got past the Shaq-Kobe Lakers. Later he was the coach of a Rockets team that featured Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Adelman's Rockets would only win one playoff series, as Yao and McGrady could never stay healthy at the same time. Of all the coaches that have bounced around the NBA over the last 20 years, Adelman is the best one. He will get this group of players to perform together at a peak level.

They Have Guys With Something To Prove
The Wolves selected Derrick Williams number two overall last year. His showed flashes of promise with his superior athleticism, but he could never maintain a high level of play. At 6'8" Williams is a tweener forward, but he would fit best as a small forward. If he can develop a consistent mid-range shot, his power and athleticism should help him become a force at his position. The Wolves also acquired Brandon Roy this offseason. His retirement last year was truly sad for all of basketball, so it's great to see Roy back in the league. If Roy's knees can hold up and he can get back to All-Star form, the Wolves may have gotten him at a huge bargain. Roy will be very motivated playing for a new team this year. Roy is such a respected talent that you just really hope he can stay healthy.  

Utah won't be back in the playoffs next year. This leaves an open eighth spot in the West. The Wolves will be the team to beat for that spot. The Rockets will fight for that spot with their young scorers. The Hornets will also be right there as they have a budding superstar in Anthony Davis and two young stars in Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers. But in the end, the Wolves will take that final playoff spot. They have the star, coach and supporting cast to give Minnesota that long-awaited playoff berth.

                                                                       

How to be Overrated: The Vince and Blake Epidemic

We all remember Linsanity, but what about Vincanity? Air Canada? Yes, this is the same guy who single-handedly ruined the Jason Kidd era in New Jersey. The guy who was overpaid in Orlando and Phoenix and Dallas. Yeah Vince Carter is back. But not really.

The next overrated, athletic hype machine is in full swing. Blake Griffin, now entering his third season, is destined to share as many footnotes with Carter as possible. Right down to the chicken wing. However, there's hope for Griffin to be saved. He can succeed where Carter continually failed. 

Griffin's best hope comes in the form of a 6 foot pitbull who goes by the name Chris Paul. Aside from LeBron and maybe Steve Nash, no one makes their teammates better like Paul. He is a do it all point guard that will get the most out of Griffin. Too bad Paul can't shoot free-throws for him. 

Griffin also benefits from the position he plays. Even with his raw skills, he can still compete against softer defenders such as Gasol, Aldridge and Bosh. Griffin is also a natural rebounder. On the other hand, Vince Carter started his career having to guard old Jordan, Pierce and Kobe. And he has finished his career playing defense (or lack there of) on LeBron, Wade and...still Kobe. 

But there's no excuse for either of these guys. Griffin is only entering his third year and he will improve, but he should tone down the cockiness. As for Carter, his indifference on the court is an example of the 'bad NBA'. At the end of the day, Vince Carter is a footnote and a highlight reel while guys less talented than he (i.e. Paul Pierce and Chauncey Billups) have gone on to championships and emerged as team leaders. 

Everybody loves dunks. You'd be insane not to. But there's more to basketball than throwing down an electrifying windmill. Vince Carter never fully learned that. Let's hope Griffin becomes the complete player he can be. 

Tip for Blake: Checkout Kevin Love. He's the guy you should want to play like. 

And Vince: No tip, but that Olympic dunk was awesome. 

Seriously Dwight?

Dwight Howard recently said, "I never wanted anyone to hate me." This comment comes off as naive when he flip-flopped for the last two years and basically held a franchise hostage. When you get a coach and GM fired, and still aren't happy, haters will come.

It's all good for Howard now. Living in sunny L.A. playing for a top-three team in the NBA. That's why it is easy for him to say things like this. When you get what you want, life is just fine.

Rewind to last year. Howard is unhappy and wants out of Orlando after picking up an option to stay an extra year. Howard never got traded, as deals from Brooklyn, Houston and L.A. weren't good enough for GM Otis Smith and the Magic. Howard asks for Stan Van Gundy's firing.  This happens. Howard then has season-ending back surgery and Magic lose in first round of playoffs.

Summer arrives. Orlando smartly fires Smith, then not so smartly fires Van Gundy. Then Orlando declines Brooklyn's trade offer only to accept a worse off from the Lakers. Hey wait, I thought Smith was fired already. And now we have our 'hero' Dwight Howard acting all innocent, while preparing to dominate this season with the help of guys named Kobe, Nash and Gasol.

Howard has crippled the Magic for the next few years. They will be a lottery team this season and can hopefully find a new face to replace "Superman". The worst thing Howard did was get Van Gundy, a top ten NBA coach fired. While not the most likable coach in the league, Van Gundy is a proven winner and great at the 'X's and O's' of basketball. When your'e a superstar, there's no good way to leave your old team. But there are many better ways than the way Howard did it.

Gangs of New York

Who is the Big Apple's Best Team? 

Now that basketball is in Brooklyn, the Knicks are not the only team in town. With both the Knicks and Nets making offseason splashes, the question of New York's finest looms. Is it the talented, but dysfunctional Knicks, or the brand new Brooklyn Nets? 

The NBA is a superstar league and while both the Nets and Knicks have multiple All-Stars on the roster, the Knicks get the edge in star power because of Carmelo Anthony. With all due respect to Deron Williams, Carmelo is the best player in the city of New York. He is top-five scorer in the league and arguably the best one-on-one player in the NBA. Anthony is also playing with more pressure this season, as he has only won one playoff series in his career. 

Basketball is a chemistry sport, and the Knicks also have the edge there. Carmelo is an ideal fit for Mike Woodson's isolation offense. While he does not necessarily make his teammates better, the rest of the Knicks can function and help win games around Carmelo. Raymond Felton returns in a second stint as Knick point guard, where he played his best basketball in the NBA. Amar'e Stoudemire needs to stay healthy for the Knicks to have an offensive presence inside. JR Smith will be on the outside, hitting timely three's and making athletic plays. But for the Knicks, the chemistry starts with center Tyson Chandler. He is an NBA champion and the Defensive Player of the Year. Deron Williams will have a great year for Brooklyn, but how will Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace fit together? There's only one ball for those three to share. Brook Lopez should have a nice season with his new contract, but overall, the Knicks are more proven and have a slight edge in terms of chemistry. 

The Knicks and Nets will both be finishing with about the same record and probably come in around the 3-5 seeds in the East. This year New York will be buzzing with basketball fever and Nets-Knicks could become a great rivalry by the end of the season. For now, the Knicks are the better New York team. They have the best player, the better coach and better defensive presence. While the Nets will surely christen the Barclays Center with their share of great moments, expect the fans in the Garden to be cheering louder this year. 

Today's Reggie Miller

This week Reggie Miller headlined the inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He lit up the league in the 90's with his clutch and prolific three-point shooting. Miller is the greatest Pacer of all time and with all due respect to Ray Allen, he is the greatest three-point shooter of all time. For more on Miller, watch 30 for 30's Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. New York Knick or just click here.

So which three-point sniper today has a chance to become Reggie Miller? It's not an easy thing to do. He must be widely disliked by other fan bases. He must be able to score in bunches. An most of all, he must have a clutch gene and an assassin's mentality come playoff time.

Of all the young guns in the NBA, three guys standout. Three guys that may not set the records of Miller or Allen, but could light up the scoreboard from distance come playoff time. Stephen Curry, Danilo Gallinari and Bradley Beal will be three names who could win a series for their team using their deadly three-point accuracy. Look for these guys to standout from long range this season and well beyond.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors. 
Curry is a proven scorer who battled ankle injuries all last season. A three-point standout ever since his college days at Davidson, Curry's shot translated nicely in the NBA. This year's Warriors team enters the season with more playoff hope than ever before in Curry's time with the team. If Golden State can get in and Curry can get hot, they will have a chance to scare some high-seeded teams.

Danilo Gallinari, Denver Nuggets
Like many European players, Gallinari's has tremendous touch from deep. The Nuggets will be a playoff team again and he will be one of their leading scorers. Known as "The Rooster", Gallinari has improved since coming to the NBA from Italy in 2008. At 6'10", Gallinari is able to shoot over defenders with ease. Denver likes to play in transition and that will set up many open treys for Gallinari.

Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards. 
The third overall pick in this year's draft, Beal will benefit from playing with John Wall. The Wizards are rebuilding, but the talent on the team will translate into playoff appearances in the next couple of years. With Wall's speed on the break, Beal will have his chance to bury open threes. The Wizards have potential for star power with two top-three picks in their backcourt. Not everybody likes teams with star power, which makes Beal a nice candidate to be the next Miller.

End of NBA underground rank

This summers' rankings if the top 50 are in  the books. Hope no one got left out. Stay tuned for more posts everyday such as team previews, player profiles or just stories that catch the attention of fans. The NBA may have an offseason, but this blog doesn't!

NBA underground rank 5-1. Superstars of the Highest Order.

 5) Derrick Rose. Point Guard, Chicago Bulls. 
Rose's injury to open to open the 2012 playoffs was devastating not only for the Bulls, but for the NBA as a whole. It's never good to see such a driven and competitive star go down with a serious injury. Rose will be back mid-way through this year and hopefully will be able to regain his MVP form of 2011. Bulls fans know better than anyone what a franchise superstar looks like, so they love what they have in Rose.

4) Chris Paul. Point Guard, Los Angeles Clippers. 
Paul recaptured the unofficial title of Best Point Guard in 2012. His first year as a Clipper was a great one as he lead them to a playoff series victory. With Paul at the helm, the Clippers will be a contender for years to come. He and the Clips will match up well against the Lakers this year in what could become the NBA's best rivalry. Paul can score but his true value comes through assists and steals. If anyone can get the most out of Blake Griffin and a "cursed" Clippers franchise, it's CP3.

3) Kobe Bryant. Shooting Guard, Los Angeles Lakers. 
Starting a career with Shaq and ending it with Dwight Howard is never a bad thing, but the Lakers success this past decade starts with Kobe. At 34, Kobe is still one of the elite scorers in the league. His clutch shooting and winning attitude will make him a Laker legend for life. Now part of a talent-filled Laker roster, he will have a chance for more deep playoff runs and a chance at that elusive sixth ring.

2) Kevin Durant. Small Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder. 
The three-time defending scoring champ is just getting started. Coming off a very tough Finals loss, Durant and the Thunder will learn and get better. The leader of the best young team in the league, Durant can hit any shot on the floor. He cannot be guarded and is now the most clutch player in the NBA. Durant will no doubt bring a championship to Oklahoma City, it's just a matter of how many.

1) LeBron James. Small Forward, Miami Heat. 
LeBron has been the best player in the NBA since 2009, but this season he achieved more than that. After being the standard for regular season excellence, he is now also the standard for postseason excellence. 2012 was essentially a perfect year for LeBron. His MVP, NBA Championship, Finals MVP, and Olympic gold capped off a year not seen since Jordan. LeBron's talent is unmatched in today's NBA. After tasting success for the first time in 2012, LeBron will come back just as hungry this season.

NBA underground rank 10-6. Elites

 10) Kevin Love. Power Forward, Minnesota Timberwolves 
The best double-double man in the NBA, Love has improved every year and is arguably the best rebounder in the game today. His all-around game makes him a dominant offensive force in the league. The leader of an up-and-coming Wolves team, Love is an absolute star and will contend for both the scoring and rebounding titles this season.

9) Dirk Nowitzki. Power Forward, Dallas Mavericks. 
The 2011 Finals MVP may be on the downside of his prime, but he is still a scoring machine every game. After an epic Finals run, Dirk and the Mavs had a championship hangover in 2012. Dallas reloaded this summer and will look to Dirk to lead the new-look Mavs. As unique a player as their is in the NBA, Nowitzki possesses the most unstoppable fadeaway the league has ever seen.

 8) Carmelo Anthony. Small Forward, New York Knicks. 
A pure scorer, Anthony has been known for his playoffs disappointments as much as his offensive talent. The Knicks are committed to winning around Anthony and that should propel him to play the best basketball of his career. A great one-on-one player who can do it all offensively, Anthony needs to breakthrough this year and win at least one playoff series. Look for him to be among the scoring leaders if he can play a full season at the high level he's capable of.

 7) Dwyane Wade. Shooting Guard, Miami Heat. 
The world's greatest sidekick, Flash is a relentless competitor who can take over at any time. Wade is able to get to the line at will and can score several different ways. Whether it's slashing or pulling up or hitting a circus shot, Wade is an elite scorer who can outplay just about anyone on both ends of the court. Look for his chemistry with James to keep improving this year as Miami has stranglehold on the Eastern Conference.

6) Dwight Howard. Center, Los Angeles Lakers. 
The latest great center to head to the Lakers, Howard is the most physically dominant big man in the league since Shaq wore the purple and gold. A specimen athletically, Howard's offensive game is still not fully developed. His rebounding and shot blocking are unmatched. And when clicking offensively, Howard is ungaurdable. This season marks a new chapter in his career. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year seemed destined to be a Laker. The rest of the West should be prepared.

NBA underground rank 15-11. Raw Big Men and Three Point Guards.

 15) Blake Griffin. Power Forward, Los Angeles Clippers. 
A human highlight film, Griffin is still raw after two years in the NBA. Still without an effective mid-range game, Griffin is able to rely on his supreme power and athleticism to be a star in the league. Griffin is a player in development, but his amazing dunks often overshadow some glaring flaws in his game.

14) Andrew Bynum. Center, Philadelphia 76ers. 
After his first healthy season, Bynum has immediately been considered the second best center in the NBA. A double-double machine, Bynum's defense is likely to improve playing under Doug Collins. Though sometimes volatile, he can do everything a center needs to on the court. His free-throw shooting gives him a favorable comparison to Dwight Howard in late game situations.

13) Rajon Rondo. Point Guard, Boston Celtics. 
If Pierce is the heart of the Celtics and Garnett is the soul, let's call Rondo the pulse. He is the playmaker in Boston and the main reason they can still contend in the East. Last year's triple-double leader, Rondo's shooting improved in the playoffs as well. Rondo's continual improvement has made him the most well-rounded point guard this side of Chris Paul.

 12) Deron Williams. Point Guard, Brooklyn Nets. 
Entering his eighth NBA season, Williams is finally on a team with a decent supporting cast. Of the score-first point guards in the NBA, he is the best passer. While not blessed with tremendous speed or athleticism, Williams uses his power, shooting and high basketball IQ to be one the the best playmakers in the league.

11) Russell Westbrook. Point Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder.
Under heavy scrutiny the past two years, Westbrook is one of the league's most dynamic scorers. A pure athlete with blazing speed, he takes criticism for questionable shot selection. Coming off a good Finals, Westbrook is a definite star in the NBA. His scoring would be even higher if he didn't play on a team with some guy named Kevin Durant.

NBA underground rank 20-16

20) Pau Gasol. Power Forward, Los Angeles Lakers.
After two disappointing playoffs by Laker standards, Gasol should flourish this season playing with Dwight Howard. The best passing big man in the league, Gasol has perfected his finesse game. He should have more open mid-range shots this year as defenses will look at him as the third option in L.A.

19) Tony Parker. Point Guard, San Antonio Spurs. 
Parker had a terrific season in 2012, leading the Spurs to the West's best regular season record. Parker has been the Spurs best player since winning Finals MVP in 2007 and he regained his All-Star form last year. He is the catalyst for a San Antonio offense that looks to be among the leaders in points-per-game this season.

18) Joe Johnson. Small Forward, Brooklyn Nets. 
Perennially underrated as a Hawk, Johnson joins the Nets this season where the spotlight will be on. As part of a formidable one-two punch in Brooklyn, he will experience the pressure from a franchise that wants to win right now. A silky smooth player who can go it all offensively, Johnson has been a consistent star for many years now. He hopes to continue that with his new team.

17) Lamarcus Aldridge. Power Forward, Portland Trail Blazers. 
A first time All-Star in 2012, Aldridge has been the face of the Blazers for some time now. While continually succeeding on a struggling Portland team, Aldridge is comparable to Chris Bosh's days in Toronto at this point in his career. A good mid-range player who can also attack the rim, Aldrige's skill set makes him a dangerous offensive player in the NBA.

16) Paul Pierce. Small Forward, Boston Celtics. 
The original Celtic can still do it at age 34. Pierce and the Celtics are looking to make another run in their seemingly endless "Boston Three Party" era. A high-volume scorer who gets to the line constantly, Pierce is still among the most clutch players in the NBA. Few players embrace the closing moments of a game like Pierce. A 10-time All-Star, Pierce has already cemented his legacy as an all-time great Celtic.

NBA Underground rank 25-21. Best Players on Good Teams and Third Wheels on Great Teams.

 25) Danny Granger. Small Forward, Indiana Pacers. 
Granger has been the face of the Pacers for a few years now. Since his All-Star season in 2009, Indiana has put more talent around Granger and that showed last year. A reliable scorer and defender, he consistently produces and is the de facto leader of the Pacers.

24) Andre Iguodala. Small Forward, Denver Nuggets. 
Now a Denver Nugget, Iguodala is one of the most complete players in the NBA. An athletic defender who scores, rebounds, and assists, he should fit in perfectly in Denver. An Olympian this summer, Iguodala will be counted on to defend the elite scorers in the West and lift the Nuggets into contention.

23) Rudy Gay. Small Forward, Memphis Grizzlies. 
A supreme athlete, Gay can do it all for the Grizzlies. After an early playoff exit, Gay starts this season with a chip on his shoulder. He is the best player in the NBA to never make an Olympic or All-Star roster. If the Grizzlies can stay competitive in the West, Gay will reap the rewards and recognition.

22) James Harden. Shooting Guard, Oklahoma City Thunder. 
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Harden's scoring would be much higher if he played on a different team. A crafty scorer and gifted slasher, Harden is also an underrated passer. Just 23 years old, expect Harden to keep improving after tasting the Finals for the first time last year. If the Thunder allow him to test free agency, Harden and his beard will be in for a huge pay day.

23) Chris Bosh. Center, Miami Heat.
The forgotten member of Miami's big three, Bosh had a nice NBA Finals after missing a chunk of the playoffs. A 7-time All-Star, Bosh's defense has improved since joining the Heat. While struggling sometimes, it's still impressive that he has been able to put up big numbers while playing with James and Wade. Now a champion, Bosh's confidence will be higher than ever heading into the season.

NBA underground rank 30-26

30) Al Jefferson. Center, Utah Jazz.
After breaking through and finally making the playoffs for the first time in his career, Jefferson hopes to lead the Jazz further this season. Jefferson has been one of the most consistent centers over the last five years, always averaging around 20 points and 10 boards a game. He is one of the best big men in the game today to never make the All-Star game, but that could change this year.

29) Ty Lawson. Point Guard, Denver Nuggets. 
After trading Carmelo Anthony in 2011, the Nuggets were in need of a rising young star. They found that in Lawson. One of the fastest players in the league, Lawson is the catalyst for a very entertaining Nuggets team. An explosive scorer, he played the best basketball of his career in the 2012 playoffs.

28) Zach Randolph. Power Forward, Memphis Grizzlies. 
Before Memphis, Randolph was known as a talented scorer, but also an off-the-court risk. That all changed in the 2011 postseason. He lead an upset over top-seeded San Antonio and emerged as on the the best players in those playoffs. After missing most of 2012 with an injury, Randolph will be needed if the Grizzlies want to make a deep playoff run this season.

27) Josh Smith. Forward, Atlanta Hawks. 
Josh "J-Smoove" Smith is a player that keeps improving. Always a great athlete, Smith has now become a complete player. After career highs in scoring and rebounding last year, he is on the verge of making his first All-Star team. With the departure of Joe Johnson from Atlanta, it's conceivable that Smith could average 20 points a game this season.

26) Luol Deng. Small Forward, Chicago Bulls. 
The ultra-consistent Deng is coming off his first All-Star season. A great shooter and defender, Deng may have to raise his game even more this season. Without Rose, teams will look at him as Chicago's best player. Deng may have to learn to take more defenders off the dribble if he wants to be a go to guy every night.

NBA underground rank 35-31. Shooting guards and Uncle Drew.

35) Monta Ellis. Shooting Guard, Milwaukee Bucks. 
At this point, teams know what to expect from Ellis. He is a score-first guard who can go for 40 on a given night. Now playing for the Bucks, Ellis is in an explosive backcourt with Brandon Jennings. Similar to his time in Golden State, he is part of a high scoring guard duo that is asked to take the majority of his team's shots.

34) Arron Afflalo. Shooting Guard, Orlando Magic. 
As the main compensation for Dwight Howard. Afflalo heads to Orlando as the best player on his team for the first time in his career. He is a good 3 point shooter who will defend the opposing team's best perimeter player every night. More will be asked of Afflalo this year as he will be the star of what looks to be a bad Magic team.

33) Kevin Martin. Shooting Guard, Houston Rockets. 
Much like Ellis, Martin has averaged around 20 points a game for a few years now. With the Rockets rebuilding, Martin will be asked to keep carrying the load offensively this year. A gifted slasher, Martin's game involves getting to the line and shooting a high free-throw percentage. He shoots 90% from the line, even with an "unorthodox" release.

 32) Kyrie Irving. Point Guard, Cleveland Cavaliers. 
The reigning Rookie of the Year, Irving is actually the only rookie from last season to make this list. The Cavs made a good choice in selecting Irving as he looks to be on his way to multiple All-Star games. While not the caliber athlete of Rose or Westbrook, Irving is a better shooter than both were as rookies. The pressure is on Irving, as he is the heir apparent in Cleveland to...you know.

 31) Eric Gordon. Shooting Guard, New Orleans Hornets. 
The third and final scoring-only shooting guard in this section, the Hornets made a wise choice in resigning Gordon. He is key to their young, talented core. After missing most of last year, Gordon should be primed to return with his good new teammates. A consistent Gordon will be important if the Hornets want to sneak into the playoffs. I expect him to make his first All-Star team as he will be have the best season of his career with rookie Austin Rivers putting the pressure on him.

NBA underground rank 40-36

40) Greg Monroe. Center, Detroit Pistons. 
After two seasons, Monroe is looking like the next good center to come out of Georgetown. He lead the Pistons in scoring and rebounding last year, and hopes to lead Detroit back to relevance in the East this season. Monroe will be paired with rookie center Andre Drummond as part of a young and talented Pistons frontcourt.

39) Amar'e Stoudemire. Power Forward, New York Knicks. 
After a great first year in New York, Stoudemire struggled last season with multiple injuries. He missed time with a back injury before returning just in time for the playoffs. However, Stoudemire was forced to miss a playoff game after cutting his hand when he punched through a fire extinguisher after a loss to the Heat. New York will need him this year if they plan on moving up in the East.

38) Marc Gasol. Center, Memphis Grizzlies. 
Having long been in his brother Pau's shadow, Marc Gasol enjoyed his best season in 2012. After being an All-Star last year, Gasol and the Grizzlies lost a tough playoff series to the Clippers. A gifted passer for a big man, Gasol's goal this season should be to play more physical. With him as the centerpiece of a good defense, Memphis has a chance to advance further in the playoffs this year.

37) Steve Nash. Point Guard, Los Angeles Lakers. 
Nash may not have been the Lakers biggest splash this summer, but he could very well be their smartest signing. Even at 38, Nash can still pass, shoot and run a high-octane offense as good as anyone. The two-time MVP shot the best percentage of his career last season and will see even more open looks playing in L.A. In an offense with Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard, is there a better man to run the point? I'll let the Lakers pick and roll answer that question. 

 36) Tyson Chandler. Center, New York Knicks. 
Last season, Chandler changed the identity of the Knicks. While coaching changes, Linsanity and Melodrama took over New York headlines, Chandler brought a defensive presence that had not been seen since the days of Ewing. A well deserved recipient of Defensive Player of the Year, Chandler is a proven winner in the NBA and a guy who every team would like to have in the locker room. 

NBA underground rank 45-41

45) Jrue Holiday. Point Guard, Philadelphia 76ers. 
Holiday is coming off a good postseason and looks to keep improving entering his fourth season. He is an above average shooter and defender at his position. Holiday should see an increase in his assists this year, playing with newly acquired center Andrew Bynum.

44) Manu Ginobli. Shooting Guard, San Antonio Spurs. 
As part of the Spurs big three, Ginobli can still get it done. Whether it's starting or coming off the bench, he is able to help the Spurs contend year after year.With three NBA titles to his name already, he hopes to help San Antonio reach another Finals this year. Ginobli's versatility and clutch play make him one of the greatest international players the NBA has ever seen.

43) Kevin Garnett. Power Forward, Boston Celtics. 
Entering his 17th NBA season, few active players have had better careers than Garnett. While the offensive numbers may have declined with age, Garnett can consistently hit the mid-range jumper and will always make the right basketball play. He is the reason Boston has been so good defensively the last five years. If he can stay healthy, the Celtics can make a serious playoff run in the East this year.

42) Demarcus Cousins. Center, Sacramento Kings. 
The volatile Cousins has all the skills necessary to become a great NBA center. One of the game's best rebounders, Cousins is now paired with Thomas Robinson as one of the best young frontcourt duos. If the Kings can move up a few spots in the West, he could see his first All-Star selection this season.

41) Ryan Anderson. Power Forward, New Orleans Hornets. 
In the midst of last season's Dwight Howard drama, Anderson quietly had a very good year in Orlando. Along with being one the the league's best 3 point shooters, he is an underrated rebounder. He was named the NBA's Most Improved Player last season after leading the league in 3's. Anderson is now part of a very promising young team in New Orleans.