My Guys

After five seasons of the "Chevy Tailgate Weekend" block of college football programming on Sun Sports, the so-called "talent" -- me, Brady Ackerman, and Terry Norvelle -- have grown to know each other pretty well.

We have our little in-jokes, our habits, our subtle shots at each other that show up on the air every week. We're like fraternity brothers, or an extended family -- we get on each other's nerves, sure, but it's all in fun.

One of our repeated themes is "Your Guy." Whenever a player makes a bonehead mistake, somebody on the set will holler at someone else, saying "That's Your Guy!" Conversely, when a player has a breakout performance, we all kill each other in our haste to claim him as "My Guy." It's akin to Ahmad Rashad's tired line about "my main man" -- hopefully, without the gratuitous self-indulgence.

Anyway, now that college football is gone and I'm free to think hoops, here's the list of "My Guys" in the NBA. There's no rhyme or reason to this, and no order. Note that if I omit any obvious superstars, it's not because I don't respect their game -- these are simply the players that I would pay to watch, or the players I'll want on my roster when some NBA owner comes to his senses and finally hires me as a general manager. Which should happen any day now.

Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz: If you play fantasy basketball (ahem), you know that Boozer is the ultimate stat hound. Not in a selfish way, mind you -- he simply puts up monster numbers. He's averaged about 22 points and 11 rebounds per game over his last two seasons. Not bad for a second-round pick. Always seems to be around the ball, much stronger than you think, and a great finisher.

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets: At 21 points and 10 assists per game, he's having his best season, and he's the primary reason why the New Orleans Hornets are A. interesting and B. making Dallas and San Antonio sweat in the Southwest Division. His team may be struggling at the gate -- the Hornets have been rumored as a relocation project, with Seattle and Anaheim among the suitors -- but it's not Paul's fault. There's not a team in the league that wouldn't love to have Chris Paul running the offense.

Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: Yes, I know, he's a superstar. He's a lock for the Hall of Fame. He's hardly a stretch to be included on this roster, and he's on everyone's "Best Of" list. I include him because I could watch him play every night. There's just so little that he does wrong. He's a seven-footer who plays below the rim and makes it look pretty. Go ahead, find me another one.

Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors: All he's doing is saving NBA basketball in Canada. That's it. And yes, I just noticed that I have an ACC-heavy roster. Not sure what that means, but I'll look into it.

Richard Jefferson, New Jersey Nets: In seven years in the NBA, all with New Jersey, Jefferson has averaged 17 points and 5 rebounds per game. When healthy, he's a workhorse, averaging at least 35 minutes per game in every season except his rookie year. There's no question that the presence of Jason Kidd has helped R-Jeff's career tremendously, but nonetheless, I love the way he goes about his business. He's also a great locker room quote, which counts for quite a bit in my book.

Mike Miller, Memphis Grizzlies: He's on my list mostly for his jump shot, which is one of the most fun to watch in the league. If I were producing an instructional video on shooting, Miller and JJ Redick would be my co-stars. Plus, he's much bigger than you think, and presents an interesting set of skills. But mainly, I love to watch him shoot.

Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers: Is there any player in the league more directly responsible for his team's surprising success than Roy and the Blazers? Is there any second-year player with more poise? Any young gun who you'd be more comfortable with in a big-shot situation? Have I used enough question marks yet?

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat: Much like Lamar Odom below, I got to watch Wade up close during his rookie season, when I covered the Heat in the NBA Playoffs. He's a cold-blooded killer with exceptional leadership skills. Players naturally flock to him. He's in a category with Kevin Garnett as a superstar who practices and plays every day as if he's in danger of losing his job. The league needs more guys like that.

Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers: I've always had an irrational attachment to Lamar. It goes back to the pre-Shaq days in Miami, when he was a member of the Wade-Haslem-Brian Grant-Stan Van Gundy Heat squad that went into the second round of the 2004 Playoffs. Wade was clearly the best player on the floor as a rookie, but Odom was the glue that held that team together. He's perhaps the most underrated player in the NBA, and his transformation from perceived Head Case to Calming Veteran Influence rivals the career arc of William Shatner among the greatest 180's of our time.

David Lee, New York Knicks: As of this writing, averaging about 10 points and 8 rebounds in less than 27 minutes per game. Were it not for Isiah Thomas's hell-bent mission to ruin everything we ever knew about Knicks basketball and the NBA, David Lee would be a freaking superstar. There's nobody on the Knicks' roster -- nobody -- who will benefit more from a change of scenery than Lee. Once he escapes from Isiah (and mark it down, he'll be out of there as soon as his contract allows), Lee will explode. I'd love to see him in Orlando.

Matt Harpring, Utah Jazz: Of all the players that Orlando has let get away, Harpring is the one that galls me the most -- and yes, I realize the list is long and illustrious (see Mike Miller above). He's just a warrior. Plays hurt, but sticks it out -- at least 71 games in each of the last three seasons, which is remarkable for a guy who's seen more surgery than Michael Jackson. He's the perfect Jerry Sloan player.

Keyon Dooling, Orlando Magic: The epitome of a Professional Basketball Player. Want him to play the point? He'll play the point. Want him to guard the two? Done. Need him to swing to the three? No problem. Whatever you want, Coach. Plays hard, plays smart, and makes his team better. Terrific locker-room guy. He may not have the greatest skill set, but you never have to worry when he's on the floor -- and in this league, that's saying something.

Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers: Love the hair, love the energy, love the exuberance. I also like Tony Battie, but this is one more player I wish the Magic had kept. I can clearly recall saying on the old "Sports Talk Live" show on Sun Sports that Orlando fans would fall in love with Varejao once they saw him -- which never happened, thanks to that trade.

Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards: I've included Agent Zero on my roster for his skill set, which is considerable, but also for his persona, which is pleasantly insane. He makes everything he does entertaining. Takes too many dumb shots, sure, but fun to watch. Plus, you have to love an All-Star who gets as much attention for his blog as he does for his play on the floor.

Robert Horry, San Antonio Spurs: No list of "My Guys" is complete without Big Shot Rob. Fifteen years in the NBA -- he was part of the same rookie class that included Shaq, Mourning, Laettner, Harold Miner, LaPhonso Ellis, Tom Gugilotta, Walt Williams, and Clarence Weatherspoon, among others -- and not only has he outlasted almost all of those players, he has piled up the hardware: seven NBA titles. He was a spectacular interview as a rookie with Houston, and is half of one of the greatest pieces of trivia in league history: from 1994 through 2003, every NBA champion had either Horry or Steve Kerr on its roster. Beyond that, up to and including the Spurs last year, Horry and Kerr won 12 titles in 14 years. My squad needs the winning influence.

The roster above would never happen, of course (thanks to the salary cap), but if assembled, this team would win 75 games a year. These are My Guys.