RealGM Darlings

[jourdy]

You know who they are - those that could do no wrong, are fan favorites, have awesome personalities, have great potential, and just flat out good. Any of or a combination of those.

Who, on the top of your heads, hold this title (through the years)?

For me it's the following:

2004-2005: The RealGM Darling title definitely belonged to Nash when he made Phoenix relevant again, as well as making them fun to watch.

2005-2006 = Dirk (pre-finals). I'm a Mav fan but I still laugh at the notion when some claimed Dirk could arguably be better than KG and TD. Wade (pre-finals) was also adored by many, including me. No ego + great finishes at the basket.

2006-2007: Deron Williams, Monta Ellis. They were heralded as amongst the best upcoming point guards of the NBA.

This year, my vote goes to Dwight, Chris Paul, and Kobe. It's like the whole board (except for a slight few) conspired to label them as the best in everything. Also Bynum prior to his injury. Laker and non-Laker fans alike were talking about him every day.

My list is no way perfect, I'm sure I'm missing out a lot of candidates.
Who you guys got?

[damo[23]]

thethief.

A darling on so many levels.

[Teddy KGB]

Matt Barnes after last year. Haven't heard of him yet this year.

[MagicMadness]

You know who they are - those that could do no wrong, are fan favorites, have awesome personalities, have great potential, and just flat out good. Any of or a combination of those.

Who, on the top of your heads, hold this title (through the years)?

For me it's the following:

2004-2005: The RealGM Darling title definitely belonged to Nash when he made Phoenix relevant again, as well as making them fun to watch.

2005-2006 = Dirk (pre-finals). I'm a Mav fan but I still laugh at the notion when some claimed Dirk could arguably be better than KG and TD. Wade (pre-finals) was also adored by many, including me. No ego + great finishes at the basket.

2006-2007: Deron Williams, Monta Ellis. They were heralded as amongst the best upcoming point guards of the NBA.

This year, my vote goes to Dwight, Chris Paul, and Kobe. It's like the whole board (except for a slight few) conspired to label them as the best in everything. Also Bynum prior to his injury. Laker and non-Laker fans alike were talking about him every day.

My list is no way perfect, I'm sure I'm missing out a lot of candidates.
Who you guys got?

Aha! I know exactly what you're talking about. Every year there is a player or two (or three) whom the majority of RealGM latch on to. In fact, I was just thinking about this during Dwight Howard's performance in the Slam Dunk contest. He's definitely one of "those guys" for the '07-'08 season here on RealGM. The hype will slowly fade away and then someone else will take over his spot as newly appointed "omg!" guy. Same with Chris Paul. Kobe is kind of alway been in the spotlight though, his hype/popularity has remained relatively constant throughout (though this year, he's definitely back to being higher up on the top shelf).

What happens is that a player breaks out, and then everyone is like "Wow, this guy can ball! He's the future!", then the hype fades as everyone comes to expect the stats that the player puts up night in and night out, so it's off to find the next breakout star.

Amare Stoudamire was another "It Guy" around these parts as well.

[youngLion]

Certainly on the Raps board, and elsewhere as well Jose Calderon has developed quite the following. Usually pass-first types are popular, whereas guys who are perceived as chuckers (esp. at the 1 spot, Marbury, Baron Davis, ect), regardless of their effectiveness (see: BDiddy last night) get a lot of flack.

[floris_]

Obviously Chris Paul.

[HarlemHeat37]

Kobe doesn't count..his fans have been saying he was better than Jordan before he even entered the L..

I'd probably have to say me..Laker fans line up to share their opinions with me..

[Mr McDunkonu]

Dwight Howard. You'd think he could actually shoot or play defense.

[hermes]

bynum is a big hit
howard, paul, KG

[b-ball forever]

2 seasons ago it was Travis Diener, last season it was Bargnani/Kevin Martin, this year it's Toine/Calderon

[Alex_De_Large]

paul is probably the player who had less critics in the last months, so he is 20072008

[theTHIEF]

thethief.

A darling on so many levels.

thank you sir...and so true...

[loserX]

This year? At least on the Boards I frequent, Josh Smith and Jose Calderon.

[MagicFan3]

It's not our fault that Paul, Kobe, and Dwight have been the best players in the league this year...

Calderon certainly would be there too, although I think that's justified. He's a good player and, from what I've seen, a good guy too.

[Optimism Prime]

Rockets board - Bonzi Wells.

People over there are acting like we just traded a prime Hakeem or something, not a bad-attitude player who's likely gone after this year.

[theTHIEF]

what happened to that Bonzi/Adelman relationship? i thought they were best friends and Bonzi was going to be around for awhile...