| 14 April 2010
Today's Unsung Player Day! I bet you didn't know that. Heck, I didn't even know that until my friend Don from With Malice introduced myself and others to the unheralded holiday.
Basically Unsung Player Day is one day each year when basketball bloggers or fans of basketball are encouraged to write a piece about a player that doesn't get as much attention as they deserve. Usually these players don't see the court much, but for one reason or another the person writing feels they should get a little more publicity.
With my first ever Unsung Player Day I have decided to choose Josh McRoberts of the Indiana Pacers. McBobs, how most Duke fans like to refer to him, is a very gifted, athletic athlete (yes, I know that sounds weird) that hasn't really gotten his chance to shine in the pros.
Coming out of high school McBobs was recognized as one of the greatest basketball players in the country. He had accolades that included 2005 McDonalds All-American Player of the Year, 2005 McDonald's All-America Game MVP, 2005 Parade All-America Basketball Team, and 2005 National High School Coaches Assn. Senior Athlete of the Year. He was considered to many as one of the best basketball players to come out of Indiana in a long time.
After high school he transitioned to Duke in what many people thought would be a player who could put the Blue Devils back in the national title spotlight. The spotlight never shined. In his freshman year, McBobs averaged 8.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 blocked shots. Solid numbers for his first year and a very promising future ahead. McBobs went into his sophomore year with a lot to prove and his follow up campaign helped him average 13.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
Josh left Duke early to enter the NBA draft. After watching every single Duke game I thought it was the correct decision. He was one of my favorite players on the team, but it just didn't seem like he was ever going to get over that hurdle and become the leader on the team. He had spectacular dunks and some great plays, but his jersey was never going to be raised from the rafters. It wasn't that he had a bad Duke career, but he underachieved in the fans minds. I mean it's not like he was as bad as Casey Sanders or anything, but we just knew there was so much more that McBobs could bring.
The draft came around and he got drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in the 2nd round with the 37th pick overall. A year later he was traded to his hometown Indiana Pacers in what I hoped would be the new chance for him to really show his abilities.
He's gotten a few more chances there, averaging 4.3 points, 1.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds this year, but he still has many hurdles if he wants to be on an NBA roster for many years to come.
McBobs has the ability and talent to really excel in a role player position on many NBA teams. His size and his athletic skills are not seen often, especially from a white guy. I think will really help him succeed is his attitude. Always a player who plays hard, but not a player who complains often. He will pass the ball up in any situation if he feels like it's the correct move and he wants to make the people around him look good even if he doesn't. He's still young, if he would've stayed at Duke, this would actually be his rookie season.
On this Unsung Player Day, I root for Josh McRoberts, not to be the amazing star at Duke with so many aspirations, but to be the best player he can be in the NBA. There's nothing wrong with that.
