5. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cavaliers. There were many names for this final spot: Trevor Ariza of the Lakers. Kenyon Martin of the Nuggets. Big Baby Davis of the Celtics. Hell, constantly-chucking Ron Artest nearly took the honor. But we went with Z because he’s painfully slow, does nothing great (but everything good), and we had to have a Cavalier on the list, or there’d be a mutiny.
4. Dhantay Jones, Nuggets. Good, but not great defensive player. Nice dunker. Plays the minutes of a reserve, but starts just so JR Smith can check into the game in his Vinnie Johnson role.
3. Rafer Alston, Magic. Has very good assist-to-turnover stats this postseason (52-to-16), and isn’t shooting terribly from three (32 percent). Our issues are his shot selection (beyond poor) and leadership. If Jameer Nelson were healthy, the Magic would have won this series.
2. Derek Fisher, Lakers. Longtime D Fish fan, so this one hurts. But he’s clearly lost a step, as evidenced by his inability to defend little Aaron Brooks. Plus, he’s lost his shooting touch: Fisher is 3-for-17 in the last three games, and just 1-for-14 against the Rockets on three’s. And he was suspended for this cheap shot.
1. JJ Redick, Magic. Sorry, man. You’ve sculpted those guns quite nicely over the last two years, and at times, when the jumper’s falling, it’s like Duke all over again. But lately, those times have been few-and-far between (3-for-25 in the last four games). On the plus side, the faux hawk looks terrific.