The Unsung Heros

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LeBron James, Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Jerry Rice. These players are known as “The Greats”. The ones that reshaped the games.

People are constantly looking for the next GOAT. But what about the players who elevate their game, what about the unsung heroes?

Who are some Unsung Heroes? 

Remember Zydrunas Ilgauskas? No? Well, back in the early 2000s, Ilgauskas was a dominant player alongside LeBron James. He put up points and rebounds. He averaged 13 ppg during his time with LeBron and a career high of 16.9 ppg during the 2005-06 season.

He helped build LeBron up. Before Mo Williams, or Kyrie, or Wade. The Cavs weren’t winning titles left and right back then, but it was just the beginning.

During this time, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker were running the league. As well as Shaq and Kobe, or even Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. LeBron was just starting, and he and Ilgauskas were doing that together.

Just like Ilgauskas, in the NFL, Jeff Saturday is another player who was quietly put to the side in the success of Peyton Manning.

Saturday played for the Indianapolis Colts from 1999-2011 as a center. He protected Manning for 10 years. And the Colts were a well-respected team during this era, going to the playoffs multiple times and winning the Super Bowl in 2007.

I’m not saying that Peyton Manning would’ve been nothing without him, and that Saturday is the reason why he was an incredible QB. No. When people talk about who were or are the GOATS, we forget about the guys who made them great.

What about in today's game? 

Who’s the unsung hero in today’s game? I would argue that Jrue Holiday is an overlooked player, playing alongside Jayson Tatum. Holiday is a strong defensive player who can really help Tatum’s game.

Holiday also plays good offensively, putting points on the board. Last season, he averaged 11 ppg. And this season so far, he’s averaged 16.7 ppg, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists.

Jrue Holiday is almost like how Denis Rodman was for Michael Jordan. Both helped elevate their star player and also made a great career for themselves. But unfortunately, people talked more about them being a “sidekick” rather than their own career.