Everybody likes lists, but nobody likes to make a list like this one. Shoals and his Free Darko cohort Eric Freeman have a conversational piece on Fanhouse today about the worst players in the NBA, and a couple former fan favorites from the Green made the list. First up, a guy who's actually had a pretty nice year:
6. Shelden Williams, Denver Nuggets (EF)
EF: He isn't even the best player in his own household.
BS: Hard to argue with him being high on this list. Remember when he used to just rule the post in college? I will never forget that. It was like watching a cat write a book.
EF: His nickname was "The Landlord". I think Atlanta drafted him that year because they wanted to take advantage of the housing bubble. So, in a way, Shelden's career is the story of America.
BS: American masculinity has gone down the tubes.
I think Shelden gets a bad rap for being married to Candace Parker. If he didn't have that "not the best player in his house" (and does anyone really buy that Candace would beat him in 1-on-1? Please.) tag, he very well may not be mentioned. He's averaging 5 pts and 5.5 reb a game this year in 17 minutes, meaning he's (at least by the most basic stats around) a serviceable big off the bench. In more playing time early in the year, he actually was somewhat productive for Denver.
Shel's no All-Star, but he wasn't even the worst forward in recent Celtics history (Mikki Moore…and if you let emotions get the best of you, you might even start throwing Sheed in there).
And now for the second Celtic on the list, a total surprise:
15. Brian Scalabrine, Chicago Bulls (BS)
BS: By far the most talked-about terrible player EVER.
EF: Is he even a professional basketball player? I thought he was a doll.
BS: He likes to mountain bike. And play with slugs.
It's no surprise that Scal is here, but I think it's unfair again. If Celts fans hadn't cheered for him so loudly despite his shortcomings, he never would have reached the level of infamy he did. He was a perfectly suitable as a fill-in, and Doc always praised his basketball IQ. Again, no All-Star, but I'd rather have him than many other guys in the league.
Any recent (or current) Celtics you'd have on the list? I've never been a Von Wafer guy, but I know he's shown flashes to some. If Gerald Green were still alive, I'd throw him somewhere near the top, certainly.
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