Diamonds in the Rough...

The 2008-2009 Playoffs have had it's fair share of Star Players who are shining bright. Let's take a look at a few of the players who don't get a lot of tv time compared to the Billups, the Kobes, the Lebrons...

Chris Anderson:

Now a lot of casual fans would disagree with me about this rising role player. Chris has been suspended by the league for 2 years for violating the terms of the NBA's Anti-Drug policy (to this day he has not revealed what drug gave him the suspension). He has come back with a straight record and has proved to the league that he "belongs". The Denver Nuggets have signed him cheap but the play of the "BIRD MAN" has surprised even the Lakers.

J.R. Smith

You need a guy to fill it up, J.R. Smith is your guy, this guy can score. He has the handles, plus can shoot the outside 3. Mr. Smith was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets at # 18 and was later traded to the Bulls in the Marcus Camby deal. Chicago traded Smith due to his locker room attitude to the Denver Nuggets. Smith has finally found in Denver and the fans love him along with his coach George Karl who claims that Smith brings a certain edge to the Nuggets.

Mickael Pietrus:

Here's a guy who has been in the league for only 5 seasons, but has played like a 10 year veteran in the 2008-2009 playoffs. An under the radar defender who can run the floor on offense and give you easy baskets or stand on the 3 point line and drain it. This Frenchman is proving his worth and a lot of teams (cough, Toronto Raptors) missed him this season.

Trevor Ariza:

Here's a player that was signed by the New York Knicks on a low salary, who ended up in Orlando and almost out of the league. The Lakers took a chance on Trevor and he is paying dividends in the 2008-2009 playoffs. Key steals in games against the Nuggets to seal the deal. Ariza is a player who will give you a bit of everything, steals, assists, highlights reels, rebounds and a little bit of scoring, best of all, he is long and lanky and can defend his position well.

Players come, and players go, but there are players who step up in the playoffs and let even the casual fan believe they are the best in the world and they belong in the NBA.