Block Party

With less than a week left in the season, and Andrew Bogut being shut down for more surgery on his injured elbow, it is safe to say that he will lead the league in blocks per game. I just want to bring attention to this because Bogut has come to be one of the most under appreciated players in the game once again after flirting with gaining some notice during the Buck's exciting season last year. Let's face it, not many of us are watching Bucks games this year. They failed to progress from last season and fell into the muddled group of unimpressive eastern conference lottery teams.

Anyone who saw Bogut's injury last season should know how horrific it was. A dislocated elbow, sprained wrist, and broken hand seem to be an understatement after seeing the way his arm flailed about. I am no doctor, but I would dare to say that if anyone twisted a leg the way he twisted that arm they would likely never play professional basketball again. Yet Bogut underwent the surgeries, put the long hours into rehab and was able to play in 65 games this season. Sure, he shot only 44% from the free throw line but consider that he basically played the season with half the use he would normally have on that injured arm and it continually dislocated especially during the free throw motion. Naturally, his scoring was down, but Bogut was able to bring in a career high in rebounds averaging 11.1 a game and led the league in blocked shots at 2.58 per game.

In an NBA world where Kwame Brown and Greg Oden are condemned for not living up to the number 1 overall pick, Andrew Bogut should be praised. Sure he may not be the best player to come out of that draft, but nobody can question his character, his work ethic, or his production at the center position for a team most NBA fans disregard. If Greg Oden was lucky enough to someday develop into the player Bogut is even post-injury, than Portland would be counting their lucky stars.

Lastly, I just want to note a couple observations from looking at the league leaders in blocks.

• Most of the names in the top ten are who'd you would expect if you followed the NBA at all this season, Javale Mcgee, Dwight Howard (third), Okafor, Duncan, Bynum, and yes even Darko should be expected.
  

• Roy Hibbert wasn't only inconsistent in his scoring this year. He spent time at the top of this list during the season but finished 11th.
  

• Dwayne Wade, not surprisingly, was the top guard on the list at 25th.

• Tim Duncan led the league in blocks/foul at 1.19. The closest to him was Javale McGee at .83. Duncan does not cover the ground he once did defensively, but it is so telling that he is still able to block the amount of shots he does while being completely under control and limiting his fouls. Just another way this living legend is taken for granted.

• Also not surprising is the leader in Blocks/per 48 minutes at 4.22: Serge IBLOCKA. Pairing Ibaka and Perkins in the same front court for the playoffs will scare any team not named the Lakers.