Brandon Mebane, California

  
via Day Life

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends. --Anton Ego (Brad Bird)

It doesn't make a lick of sense. Joe Nash had the better career--hands down. Even Rocky Bernard has a much more impressive résumé. But in just 10 games started, I saw something very special in Brandon Mebane. And unlike Bernard or Nash, I feel like I own a tiny, tiny part of it. Because while I was barely alive when Nash began his 15 year career with Seattle, and barely noticed when Seattle drafted Rocky, I studied Bane through the preseason, championed him starting while Chuck Darby floundered, and watched in awe as the long armed, squat and improbably quick rookie transformed the Hawks defense.

Slotted in the 1 beside Cortez Kennedy, who I think would make a fearsome 3, I see the two comprising a Kevin Williams/Pat Williams style impenetrable wall in the middle. Mebane is better now than Joe Nash was in 1992, when he was 32. He has pass rush skills yet untapped, and despite being short, has a weirdly wide frame capable of filling out and getting stronger. It’s not the most logical pick, a reach by any standard, but I’ll take a knock on overall talent to give a nod to one of my all-time favorite Hawks. Give `em hell, Bane!