^IIRC the MC of Baby Steps isn't overly talented like Echizen, but is a very determined player. Maybe it's a breath of fresh air from, yeah, unrealistic sports anime.
Spoiler for OT:
But I'm kind of addicted to basketball right now, though. I have an idea about a small but very defensive guy (like Gary Payton or Thabo Sefolosha) who pretty much sucks at offense and is therefore a real newbie with lots of potential as an all-around guard. I'm not sure what position should I give him, he reminds of Hinata from RKB (small girl but can take the charge from her matchup). PG and SF aren't good positions for newbie players IMO.
My team consists of: the MC (small defensive guy), the team's ace player (SG/SF Swingman, like Kobe Bryant) who discovered the MC's defensive talent, the stoic Center (much like Akagi), the hot-blooded PF (like Sakuragi or Taiga), and the team's starting PG who serves as a mentor for the MC (who reminds me of Ryota Miyagi). Not sure which team to base this yet, but I'm thinking either present-day OKC or championship-era Spurs.
SD's Sakuragi plays PF, Kuroko's official position is still unknown but can become a pass-first PG, RKB's Tomoka is an SF / Point Forward but is the ace player of the hero team.