Can Danny?

Whether it is because I supported them before the draft or discovered them while clicking around various NBA games, there are a number of non-Celtics players that I find myself rooting for. They are usually guys who are kind of under the radar but seem to have some definite promise or are veterans who are overlooked. Some guys graduate out of the team (Josh Smith, for instance) when they reach prominence. This squad might change as the season goes on but so far this season, here's my team of interest.

The Starters

C: Javale Mcgee, Washington Wizards: Now I can see why the GM's were hyped up about this kid. He's basically like a tall Gerald Green; super athleticism, lots of energy, doesn't really know what he's doing. Luckily for McGee, he's a center so he can get away with his limited game sense more than a swingman can. I hope he has a better attitude than Green and is willing to work to become a player. I'm not sure if he'll ever blossom to be much more than a solid starting center but as of now, it's fun to watch a guy give it his all and bounce around the court with abandon.

PF: Wilson Chandler, New York Knicks: Zeke might have been a crappy GM and coach but he is one heck of a talent scout. Chandler was his latest find and he has absolutely blossomed in his second year. He showed flashes last year but I never expected him to become a legit starter in the league. He's doing so well at the PF spot right now that he might want to start working on a couple of post moves to balance out his game.

SF: Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers: Thad's game is still a work in progress but he has gotten much better this season and I love the fact that he is always running the floor. Whether it's to start a fast break or to get back on defense, Thad is always sprinting around the court. He seems like the kind of guy that everybody would want on their squad. I'd be surprised if Young (and possibly Chandler) don't graduate from the Brigade this season.

SG: Kelenna Azubuike, Golden State Warriors: Kelenna seems to think he's a big man at times as he simply refuses to let people dunk when he's around the paint. He goes after everyone when they approach and is refreshingly unafraid of possibly ending up on a poster. On the downside, his three point stroke has disappeared so far this season and he's gotten into the Warrior habit of forcing some shots but 'Buike is still my man and someone I wished the C's had signed this offseason.

PG: Kyle Lowry, Memphis Grizzlies: Lowry kind of has a weird gait; he kind of looks like a little school yard bully whenever he walks around. When he plays, he doesn't look much different. Lowry isn't afraid to go into the paint and is someone who fires up the team whenever he enters the game. I think he's better suited for the backup PG position but he's better than Mike Conley. If the Grizz aren't going to play OJ Mayo at the point, they might as well give Lowry a shot at the starting job.

The Bench

C: Brian Skinner, Los Angeles Clippers: Skinner's career is almost over but he never got the recognition that he deserved. He could have been a suitable starting center in the league but he never really ended up in the right situation. As it was, he's a lunchpail big man that does the dirty work and helps his teams.

PF: Mareese Speights, Philadelphia 76ers: I'm not sure why but for some reason I find myself rooting for Speights to pan out. Maybe I'm just tired of talented young big men wasting away their potential but there's something with Speights that I like.

SF: Corey Brewer, Minnesota Timberwolves: Brewer is the anti-Thad right now. He could play himself off the team in a bad way. I still think he has potential to be a solid swingman in the league but he has been pretty much a disaster in his first two seasons. I was thinking he could be a rich man's Bruce Bowen but would now be content if he panned out to be even a poor man's Bowen.

SG: J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets: I'm about to give up on J.R. but I still think he has All-Star potential. It's a shame that he didn't get any offers this off-season because staying in Denver isn't going to do anything for him. He's already behind Dahntay Jones and I have to imagine that it'll take a change of scenery/coach to wake him from his disappointing career.

PG: Javarris Crittenton, Memphis Grizzlies: While former college teammate and early entry Thad Young is ripping it up, Crittenton is riding pine. On Memphis. I don't get it. Hopefully the Grizz will move Conley Jr. and give Critt some more minutes but right now he seems as tied to the Memphis bench as Antoine Walker.

F: Brandan Wright/Anthony Randolph: Wright has made some definite improvements in his game but I'm really not sure how he and Randolph will ever really fit in the Golden State lineup. I have to imagine that these two picks are one of the many issues that has caused a rift between ownership and Chris Mullin.

PG: Bobby Brown, Sacramento Kings: I haven't seen a ton of Brown but what I've seen has been great. An exciting guard with a great shot.

C: DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers: He hasn't played much but I'm rooting for this kid to pan out.