2008 Woodie Awards
Not an all-star… That would be a Rip off
Megan Manley
Issue date: 1/10/06 Section: Sports
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For the past three seasons guard Richard Hamilton has been a vital part of the Detroit Pistons line-up.
He brings heart and fire onto the court every night and nothing has changed so far this season. Although Hamilton does seem to blend in with the other four All-star caliber members of the Piston's starting line, like Chauncy Billups, who seems to be Hamilton's biggest competition for the coveted All-Star spot, his numbers speak for themselves.
This season he is in the top 20 in the NBA in both scoring and free-throw percentage, all the while averaging over 21 points a game, shooting more than 50 percent from the field and shooting a little more than 47 percent from three-point land. It is crazy to me how under- appreciated Rip, as he has come to be known by fans and teammates, is by many NBA fans.
In 2005 Hamilton became the fifth of six players in franchise history to score over 1,000 postseason points.
In the last three seasons he has helped to lead his team in scoring, all the while making the NBA playoffs and earning an NBA Championship title in 2004.
The only other players to hold the same impressive resume are Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, Jermaine O'Neal of the Indiana Pacers, and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks.
To be in such good company and to have never made an NBA all-star appearance is unbelievable. Although not being named an All-star does not seem to bother the calm and collected two guard, his not being named to the team is simply proof that the people are overlooking raw talent and skill for big name players who talk more of a big game than they play.
Rip is consistent and driven. Rip is an All-star. If the people don't open up their eyes and see this amazing talent for what he is and finally give him the All-Star spot he deserves then it will certainly be a rip-off.
So vote early and vote often as the NBA would say and hopefully Rip will finally earn the spot he deserves.
He brings heart and fire onto the court every night and nothing has changed so far this season. Although Hamilton does seem to blend in with the other four All-star caliber members of the Piston's starting line, like Chauncy Billups, who seems to be Hamilton's biggest competition for the coveted All-Star spot, his numbers speak for themselves.
This season he is in the top 20 in the NBA in both scoring and free-throw percentage, all the while averaging over 21 points a game, shooting more than 50 percent from the field and shooting a little more than 47 percent from three-point land. It is crazy to me how under- appreciated Rip, as he has come to be known by fans and teammates, is by many NBA fans.
In 2005 Hamilton became the fifth of six players in franchise history to score over 1,000 postseason points.
In the last three seasons he has helped to lead his team in scoring, all the while making the NBA playoffs and earning an NBA Championship title in 2004.
The only other players to hold the same impressive resume are Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, Jermaine O'Neal of the Indiana Pacers, and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks.
To be in such good company and to have never made an NBA all-star appearance is unbelievable. Although not being named an All-star does not seem to bother the calm and collected two guard, his not being named to the team is simply proof that the people are overlooking raw talent and skill for big name players who talk more of a big game than they play.
Rip is consistent and driven. Rip is an All-star. If the people don't open up their eyes and see this amazing talent for what he is and finally give him the All-Star spot he deserves then it will certainly be a rip-off.
So vote early and vote often as the NBA would say and hopefully Rip will finally earn the spot he deserves.