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They're not superstars, but these 10 players make an impact

Some eight months from now, every NBA storyline will feature marquee players, because it is those guys -- Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, etc. -- who determine which city has to close off downtown streets for a championship parade. (Good news for New York! It need not worry about this added hassle and can concentrate on its 2012 Olympic bid.) But even the superstars need help en route to collecting the championship trophy, so let this 2002-'03 tipoff column be a tip of the hat to 10 overlooked players, all of whom labor for winning teams.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

P.J. Brown, power forward, New Orleans Hornets: Brown is a coach's dream, a leader in the locker room, an example for young players, a no-holds-barred battler, the mediator to whom the press will go for answers to all the troublesome questions. That kind of guy is a four-star asset only if he can also play ... and P.J. can play. In one game last season, against the aggressive Detroit Pistons, Brown outrebounded the opponents, 20-18. He can defend all three frontcourt positions and will score the points he's supposed to, which has been nearly 10 a game in his last two seasons.

Cliff Robinson, center-forward, Detroit Pistons: It seems a long time ago that Robinson was a mainstay on two Portland Trail Blazer teams that lost in the 1990 and '92 Finals. Later, four seasons of Cliffie's career were spent in Phoenix Sun obscurity. But this is a guy who's always been able to play. He can score from three positions and he's a terrific defender and solid rebounder. He's also a veteran who knows the score: He will be a free agent after this season, so Mr. Robinson is liable to put up some big numbers in his walk year.

Larry Hughes, guard, Washington Wizards: I'm a little reluctant to put Hughes on this list: He's entering his fifth season, is now with his third team and has not shown he can shoot consistently (witness his .403 career field-goal percentage). But I think he's got a lot to offer the Wizards and, more important, so does Jordan. In my opinion, Hughes did a fine job running Golden State's offense last season, but he was made the scapegoat for that franchise's considerable problems. Hughes will do better with better players in Washington, and don't forget that he's a solid defender -- a must for staying on the right side of His Baldness.

Richard Jefferson, forward, New Jersey Nets: Since his team made the Finals last season, it seems odd to include Jefferson on any "overlooked" list. But face facts: Half the free world could barely name the Lakers' opponent. I'm really high on the Nets this year and Jefferson is a major reason. He supplies emotion that the traded Keith Van Horn lacked, he can run the floor, rebound and defend and he worked all summer to increase the range on his jump shot, which might enable him to spend time at two-guard.

Darrell Armstrong, guard, Orlando Magic: Quick! Where did the 34-year-old Armstrong play his college ball? Armstrong is one of those obscure players who has gotten steadily better as his career has gone on. The Magic picked up Jacque Vaughn as a free agent, probably to start ahead of Armstrong and limit his minutes. But if Orlando gets deep into the postseason, you can bet Fayetteville State's finest will get the prime-time PT at quarterback.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Andrei Kirilenko, forward, Utah Jazz: Last season, Wizards coach Doug Collins paid Kirilenko a truly remarkable compliment, saying he used the 21-year-old Russian's defensive technique as a model. Foreign players, never mind rookie foreign players, rarely attract attention for their D. Kirilenko can also handle the ball and he's exciting and creative in transition. Given his talent and work ethic, his outside shot is bound to improve; Alas for the Jazz, it might be next season, after John Stockton has retired and Karl Malone has moved on.

Brian Shaw, guard, Los Angeles Lakers: This selection may look like a bit of a reach considering that the Lakers starters often seem irrelevant in the shadow of Kobe and Shaq, never mind a 36 year old who logged fewer regular-season minutes than anyone on the purple and gold roster, including Mark Madsen. But Shaw is a creature of May, even June. He averaged 16.3 minutes per game in the Finals, six minutes more than in the regular season. With a coach as smart as Phil Jackson, you think that was an accident? Shaw takes care of the ball, gets it to Shaq and Kobe without complaint and will make the open jumper when he has to. He's also returned for this season in terrific physical condition.

Desmond Mason, swingman, Seattle SuperSonics: Mason is best known for having some of the maddest hops in the league, but he's turned into much more than a human jumping bean. He's a hard worker who can rebound and whose increased shooting range (up to 20 feet) has turned him into a genuine two-position player, a small forward and a backcourt playmate for Gary Payton. Now he needs to become a better passer.

Hedo Turkoglu, swingman, Sacramento Kings: Their preseason smackdown with the Lakers notwithstanding, the Kings' most formidable opponent for most of this year will be themselves. More specifically, will there be grumbling about playing time (something that didn't happen last season)? If so, Turkoglu will be a major reason. In my opinion, he's better than starting two-guard Doug Christie and top reserve Bobby Jackson, and, with added playing time, perhaps even Peja Stojakovic, who made the All-Star team last year. The Holy Turk, as he's called by teammate Scot Pollard, can shoot, distribute and defend and he's got guts and confidence, two things the Kings will need in great quantity to get by the Lakers.

Bruce Bowen, forward, San Antonio Spurs: I'm not inclined to rank one-dimensional players too highly and Bowen, a defensive specialist who plays that most offensive of positions (small forward) comes close to being one. But Bowen might be the most valuable 5.4 points-per-game guy in the league. He so relentlessly shuts down his opponent that the Spurs, a team in desperate need of his toughness, were 11-12 in games he missed due to injury last season.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Jack McCallum covers the NBA beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Click here to send a question to his NBA mailbag.

 

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