OtB is counting down the days 'til the NBA 2009-10 season tips off by ranking the top 50 players in the league. On Sunday there are 44 days left.
When you hear the story of Nenê's dropping his last name Hilario (and true first name Maybner), you immediately think diva. Besides a few early flashes, he's been anything but. Nenê was, in fact, one of the feel good stories of last season. Since his first two full seasons, Nenê's had missed significant parts of every season. In the first game of the 05-06 season his knee suffered all kinds of damage. Then he experienced a testicular cancer scare in the spring of 2008 and undergoing successful surgery. He returned last season to a Nuggets team (sans Marcus Camby) ready to embrace the big Brazillian.
The Skinny: Nenê had a "breakout" year, though it feels odd to say that seven years into a career. It's just that he played 77 games last season, and held down the Nugs interior needs extremely well over that span. At 14.8 points per game and 7.8 rebonds, his stats don't scream essential player, but it was his steady presence that helped Denver to the second spot in the Western Conference. A few subtler statistical measures help to show his effectiveness. He was second only to Shaq in field goal percentage and first in true shooting percentage (which takes into account field goals and three point shooting as well). He was also tenth in offensive rating, which shows the points a player produces per 100 possessions. That means he was in the ranks of the likes of Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Pau Gasol, Lebron James, and teammate Chauncey Billups. The only concern is he's a bit foul prone, but that's a concern for lots of big men.
Nene is a happy guy, originally uploaded by aswitzer.
