The Nba's Unsung Heroes

Power forward: Steve Johnson, Portland Trail Blazers, 6'10", 235, Oregon State, sixth season.

Career stats: 11.6 points, 5.68 rebounds, .597 shooting percentage from the field, 4.85 personal fouls.

This season: 16.8, 7.51, 540, 4.27.

O.K., we cheated. Johnson, a San Antonio Spur last year, is actually a center, or at least that's where he's playing this season with Sam Bowie injured. Whatever you call him. his low-post moves are among the sweetest in the game—just a notch or two below those of Kevin McHale and Adrian Dantley—and he's always among the league's top percentage shooters. He's not a bad rebounder, either. His presence in the middle has made many observers forget Bowie's absence. "We'd be dead in the water if Steve didn't come this way," said teammate Kiki Vandeweghe.

Actually Chambers was our first choice at power forward, but he played himself off the all-underrated team by becoming an All-Star. Foolish fellow, Still, we're satisfied with Johnson, who is entertaining on offense and an adventure on defense, where he's a personal foul waiting to happen.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Point guard: Glenn (Doc) Rivers. Atlanta Hawks, 6'4", 185, Marquette, fourth year.

Career stats: 11.5 points, 5.75 assists, 2.94 rebounds, 2.02 steals.

This season: 13.8. 9.8. 3.8. 2.27.

In a conference rife with good guards, Rivers was a popular choice. He's the kind of guy whom other players like—tough but not dirty, confident but not cocky, efficient but not unexciting. And as the Hawks' stable of young big men improves, so will Rivers, whose numbers are up in every category after an injury-plagued '85-86 season.