<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">These are the guys who don't necessarily dominate either the ball, the media, or the highlight shows, yet still have an enormous impact on their team's destinies. These are the guys who can't turn losing or mediocre teams into champions, but who can turn also-rans into serious contenders. The guys who never take a game off. The guys whom coaches love to coach, and with whom other players love to play. 1. Matt Harpring Not even Ron Artest plays more aggressively than Harpring does — both with and without the ball. Harpring is a spot-up shooter in transition and can drive both ways (although he prefers going left) with a surprisingly quick first step. He's been venturing into the low post more than he used to, favoring the left block for right-handed jump hooks or turnaround jumpers. Does Jerry Sloan want him to bust his tail on defense? To pick his spots and jump on the offensive boards? To run, cut, and slash with all his might? And to do all these things while playing under control? Mission accomplished. Although he's not blessed with Mach speed, Harpring routinely leads the league in a category that isn't officially recorded — running down and capturing loose balls. 2. Steven Hunter Hunter is the perfect role player, i.e., one who doesn't need the ball to be an impact player. OK, he can't shoot beyond the shadow of the rim, he doesn't pass well, and at a leansome 7-0, 240, if Hunter walks past a table lamp a keen observer can see his heart beating. But he's very long, very fast, and very athletic. He can run like a guard, bounce all over both boards, and he's a threat to block every shot in the neighborhood. All he lacks is one go-to move, a counter-move, and plenty of gym time. If Hunter keeps working on his total game, don't be surprised if he becomes a borderline All-Star in another three or four years. 3. Raja Bell Bell is quick, active and athletic at both ends. On defense, he delights in pressuring the ball, and playing ball denial on the weak side (which often makes him vulnerable to reversal passes and backdoor cuts). On offense, he can ride the crest of a fastbreak as well as any of his peers, and finishing in rush-hour traffic is no problem. He has worked hard to become a better shooter and, as a result, Bell is extremely dangerous from beyond the arc. Although Bell is not an outstanding passer or ball-handler, his extraordinary work ethic enables him to outhustle any opponents who might foolishly underestimate his abilities and fail to show up with their "A" game. </div> Source Matt Harpring is by far the most underrated. The Georgia Tech product has had some knee problems, but he still does it every year.
Matt Harpring is underrated. He is an experienced player who is a leader for the Jazz, plays hard every night and makes valuable contributions offensively. He has some injury problems, but he will try to play as much as he can.
