Can you name any other player who only made the all-star game once in his career? In 2009, he earned the 2nd All-Star selection of his career when he averaged 17.7 PPG and helped lead Orlando to the NBA Finals. He tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee after playing just 33 games. It is borderline insanity that Miller was never even honored with an All-Star selection and for that, he is the 3rd most underrated player of the 200s decade. Career Stats: 13.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.7 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Most Improved Player, 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection. For some reason, ONeal was vilified relentlessly for his role in the brawl and his reputation has taken years to recover. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. At 34 years of age, Cassell had his best year averaging 19-3-7, helping the downtrodden Minnesota franchise propel itself to #1 in the Western Conference Standings. He won the Rookie of the Year award with the least games played in history to win the award. NBA Power Rankings: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks Surging into Final He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). Thats not that tough. He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. Career Stats: 13.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.4 SPG, 1.7 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Most Improved Player, 6x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection. People are bound to take notice of him soon after his impressive season with the Raptors. Big Shot. The Top NBA Players Of All Time. Schrempf is often overlooked and considered one of the most underrated players in NBA history. They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. Elton Brand is the most underrated star of the 2000s because he managed to have 2 All-Star Seasons after being drafted No.1 in the 1999 Draft. Bottom Line: Otis Thorpe. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. The most underrated player in fantasy basketball this season has to be Gilgeous-Alexander. You have the heartbreaking series between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals series. Best NBA Players of the 2000s - IMDb Most Overrated NBA Players of All Time. CJ McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. His scoring jumped from 12.9 PPG to 19.0 PPG, and he made his first All-Star Team in 2002 for the Pacers. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. One of the most valuable roleplayers in the early part of the decade, Doug Christie, was a deadeye shooter that brought it at an all-defensive level on the other end. You would have expected Peja to become a lethal off-the-bench shooter, but from 2008 until he retired, he never seemed to get more than 60 games played. The 11 Most Underrated NBA Players of the 2000s | Ventured The most underrated small forwards of the 2018-19 NBA season Im Still Ballin. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1998-2000), Miami Heat (2000-01), Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-03), Boston Celtics (2003-06), Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-07), Miami Heat . For some reason, as time has gone on, fans refer to Zydrunas Ilgauskas as one of those garbage players that LeBron James dragged to the NBA Finals early in his career. . Well focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. That was the year Richardson became a solid 3-point shooter, as he nailed 38.4% of his threes. 12. As one of the best big men in Clippers history, Brand had a superstar season in 2006 averaging 24.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 2.5 BPG. Obviously, we have to mention the Malice at the Palace incident that saw him miss the entirety of the 2004-05 season with Indiana. 1 / 32 OrlandoMagic.com ranks the best NBA point guards from the 2000s. In 2009, he earned the 2nd All-Star selection of his career when he averaged 17.7 PPG and helped lead Orlando to the NBA Finals. Top 20 Most Underrated NFL Players of All Time | TheRichest Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. At his peak, Billups was a serious threat as a scorer, passer, and defender who was the perfect point guard to lead the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA championship. Ilgauskas wasnt the strongest in the post but he made up for it with a beautiful 6to 8-foot jumper that he had a beautiful touch on and was nearly automatic. 5. He averaged 22.8 PPG and led the league with 17.5 RPG, and 3.0 BPG. Mitch Richmond is one of the most electric yet underrated players of the 90s. re: Most Underrated NBA Players (Historically) Posted on 1/14/23 at 11:11 am to Gaggle. He doubled as the leagues premier perimeter defenderwinning the Defensive Player of the Year Awardhaving a rare combination of strength, size, and speed that allowed him to keep up with quicker, smaller guards; and be a physical presence to stop bigger small-forward bruiser type scorers. After being traded to the Sacramento Kings at the end of the 2000 season, he formed a potent shooting perimeter alongside Peja Stojakovi. He was also one of the better offensive rebounders in basketball and led the league in that stat in the 2004-05 season with 299 offensive rebounds. Enter Sam Cassell. Forgive and forget and put Jermaine ONeal in the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. Richardson made the All-Rookie Team in 2001 by averaging 14.4 PPG and 4.3 RPG for the Golden State Warriors. #513 of 1,316. He could dominate the game on both sides from the low block, he possessed a turnaround jumper that was as unblockable as DIrks fadeaway, and he was a defensive nightmare for opponents nightly. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. Andrei Kirilenko was a prototype of what the modern-day NBA landscape now values above all else; versatility. He would become an All-Star once more in 2005 averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. On offense, he was a great spot-up shooter and that's why he is mainly known for being a shooter during the Steve Nash era in Phoenix. Peja is one player that would have been awesome to watch in the current NBA era. #6 of 290. In a season sandwiched between two non-playoff years, Elton Brand and the Clippers lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. We have seen a host of very talented yet underappreciated stars during the past 20 years. The 20 Best Point Guards of the Last 20 Years | Complex Injury replacements, lifetime achievement awards, and many players that might not entirely deserve it. He led the league in minutes played for three seasons of his career. Thats right; were talking top player in the league status. George Hill . As one of the original stretch forwards in the game, Lewis used both his size and shooting ability to become a scoring machine. He was a 6'6" shooting guard who could also play the small forward position and had solid defensive skills. Career Stats: 15.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Finals MVP, 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 3x All-Defensive Team Selection. Defensive teamsala the Championship Detroit Pistonsthat dominated to the point the NBA had to change the rules to speed up the game, which helped a dopey-haired small, white Canadian point guard pick up back-to-back MVPs. Despite having the aura of a rugged workhorse, Kirilenko struggled with durability, usually finishing NBA seasons between 60-70 games played. Thats why hes the first name on this list. For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. The 25 Most Overrated NBA Players of All Time - Medium The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 2000s Tracy McGrady. . Tim Duncan: Most underrated athlete in sports history? One last point on Cassell that bumps him higher on this list. In fact, he was voted 4th overall in the 2003-04 MVP race, beating out the aforementioned shooting guard on the Lakers. Arteta to make 1 change, 'underrated' ace to be benched: Arsenal Yet, not all players who saw action at the NBA, the biggest basketball league in the world, are well-known. Honestly, call him the Russian Lebron James. He is incredibly well known; hes played beside Kobe on the Championship Lakers, delivered us with one of the best post-championship press conferences ever, and been a member of the infamous Malice and the Palace. But when we focus on his game, we can see that he was overlooked for his talent, with many casual fans not understanding that at points in the 2000s, Ron Artest was seen as one of the top NBA players in the league. James Harden is the only player in NBA history with 21-game . He is an NBA History buff that details the game from the 1960s all the way up to today. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. The top 10 players in the NBA according to ISH posters in August of 2000; Results 1 to 1 of 1 Thread: The top 10 players in the NBA according to ISH posters in August of 2000. 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. And make it not as a lifetime achievement award or an injury replacement, but during what would be a 2nd Team All-NBA season? In his first season in Los Angeles, he made his first All-Star Team. The sample size doesn't include the '87 playoffs because McHale was playing on a broken foot. As a two-way player and one of the best athletes to ever play the game, Richardson was a gem in his prime. Get ready to relive some of the best moments from the decade of the 2010s with the players who brought them to you. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? 10. His best season, 2003-04, when he averaged 20-10 and 2.6 blocks, earned him 3rd place in the MVP race. Usually millions of dollars. During his 3rd season in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miller led the NBA in assists with 10.9 APG to go with 16.5 PPG and 1.6 SPG. Iverson took the fourth most shots per game in NBA history and is the worst-shooting volume chucker in the modern NBA. In nine of his last ten NBA seasons, James has scored at least 2,000 points. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. The problem with most underrated NBA lists is too many of the players are, well, overrated. Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. He epitomized, you dont know what youve got till its gone.. He made the All-Star game and was selected to the All NBA-Third Team. Still, ONeal was a franchise centerpiece to a team that consistently made the postseason, so he deserves his spot on this list. Of course, there was Tim Duncan and the Spurs who captured 3 championships of their own in the 2000s after winning one in 1999 the year after MJ left the NBA. Here is a look at the most underrated soccer players of all time. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. Cleveland's superstar is regarded as one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history. Magic Johnson. Career Stats: 16.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, Career Achievements: 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. 3. Wilt Chamberlain. Most Underrated NBA Players (Historically) | Page 3 | More Sports #4 of 165. How many other players in NBA history have an argument for being both the best paint scorer and overall defender at the same time? His best season came in 2003-04, Peja averaged a career-high 24.2 PPG on 48.0% shooting overall and 43.3% from three. Who are the 25 Most Charitable Athletes in the World? And when it comes to the 2000s, well, there are plenty of guys who deserved more love. Today, we honor the stars whose legacies have become underappreciated as time has gone on and we get further and further away from their playing days. Even some players who did make it onto that stage, like Rashard Lewis and Richard Hamilton, arent remembered as reverently as they should be. Today, we honor the stars whose legacies have become underappreciated as time has gone on and we get further and further away from their playing days. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. Mike Bibby is one of the most underrated basketball players of all time. My point is that after further analysis, it becomes apparent that the top five point guards, right now . Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. He averaged 20.7 PPG, 22.2 PPG, and 22.1 PPG during those years while missing out on All-Star Teams despite his scoring. Latrell Sprewell was a great player. Jermaine does that by propelling himself to All-Star status with Indiana. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2004 after averaging 21.7 points and a career-best 5.0 rebounds a game. Show Printable Version; Today, 04:33 PM #1. Few players have taken the NBA by storm or altered the way teams play the game the way Curry has . He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. He was also one of the better offensive rebounders in basketball and led the league in that stat in the 2004-05 season with 299 offensive rebounds. 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s, Your email address will not be published. Lofton was the first player in NFL history to accumulate 14,000 receiving yards. Maggette had his best seasons during the 2004, 2005, and 2008 seasons. Again, ONeal might be remembered more for his last season with Golden State, just before the team ascended into the perennial dynasty. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. As only the No.13 pick, Maggette is one of the most underrated players during his era due to his impact on the Clippers. His stint with the Kings started in 2002 where he averaged 17.6 PPG and 5.4 APG over 7 seasons with the franchise. Unfortunately, his fantastic rookie campaign was lost in history behind a similar scoring guard in Allen Iverson, but it was easy to see the skill and talent Shareef possessed. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. Scotty Bags. Here are the teams, odds and spread for Super Bowl 57 matchup, Super Bowl 2023 predictions and picks for each round of the NFL playoffs. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. NBA: The 23 most underrated players from the 90s to present day Aaron Mansfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Merrimack College. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. 7 min read. The Best Athletes Of All Time. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. He drove, he shot, and he played a little selfishly. Sports Mania Asia lists five underrated NBA players between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Pac-12 Mens Football Player of the Week 14 November 2022, Meet the Oregon High School Boys Soccer Stars This Week (November 7-13), College Roundup Monday: SMCC loses Womens Soccer Championship game, Indiana mens soccer wins national seed for ninth straight year The Bloomingtonian, The 3 Big 12 Freshmen in the Recent NBA Mock Draft, Reporter names surprising contender for NBA expansion franchise, MikeCheck: Jackson Jr. thrilled to be back as Grizzlies All-NBA defender looks to debut this season, NBA Players Association could file complaint against Nets Kyrie Irving, Jon Jones predicts hell say and again, Ciryl Gane aims to be the baddest man on the planet after UFC 285 final stare, Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane face off in the final showdown, Caesars Super Bowl 57 promo code gets you up to $1,250 in betting credits, Who is in Super Bowl 2023? One of the best dunkers in NBA history, Richardson's athleticism often took eyes away from his all-around game. But if the languid laziness of a typical baseball game was overrated by the purists who want to keep the three-and-a-half-hour games, it was underrated by the people who forgot just how much the . During his All-Star seasons with Portland, Wallace was a double-digit scorer and rebounder while being a force to be reckoned with on defense. 18 pick in the 2020 draft, there were high hopes for Richardson's career. Other Underrated NBA Players for 2021-22. During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. 32 in Touchdown Wire list, Big Ten 2023 Football Power Rankings Too Soon, ASU Footballs Kenny Dillingham hopes QB room structure will push players, Oregon Football Recruitment: Nyckoles Harbor and Ducks Update, Big 12 Conference Tees 2023 Schedule Release, Know the Foe: Virginia Tech Footballs 2023 Away Opponents, Denver Broncos meet again with Michigan Footballs Jim Harbaugh. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. Designed by profootballspace. Iverson was an MVP, an 11-time All-Star, and a four-time scoring champion . That could not be further from the truth as Ilgauskas was a solid two-way big man who helped LeBron James adapt to the NBA. Last time I did this series, 2 years ago, I had him as the most underrated SF in the league. Legends of the NBA: 25 Best Players of the 2000s Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. At his peak, he had an argument for the best big man in basketball at a time when Tim Duncan and Shaq were still in the league. And when you peak to the point, you can be compared to the greatest power forward of all time. Your email address will not be published. Would the Clippers have been able to dispatch the Mavericks in the next round? That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 2000s And . The 2000s were filled with incredible defenders, lights-out shooters, amazing ball handlers, solid secondary stars, and bench players who were elite at their jobs. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. Three others that could be argued at a higher level (they do get plenty of respect, but perhaps not enough) are Vuc, Brogdon, and Jrue. Bibby had a handle and jump shot that was among the best in his time, and he had tremendous success with Chris Webber in Sacramento. While Redd played amazingly, the team finished the season with a horrible record28-54. Redd shot a career 38.0% from three and his 6 straight years of scoring prowess rank him 3rd on this list. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This season encapsulates why Redd isnt any higher on this list. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. 32786 posts. He would have a few more All-Star seasons with Indiana but after the 2004 brawl in Detroit, the damage had been done to his stance within the league. A team dwarfed by the sheer size, glamor, and continued excellence in the shared city. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. He was never the same. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F.C. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. Your email address will not be published. Me and other NBA analysts and NBA content creators have said it before and we will keep on saying it, Robert Covington is the DEFINITION of the NBA 3&D player. 15 Most Underrated NBA Players Right Now - (2022-23 Updates) View Profile View Forum Posts Including averaging 10 attempts at the line per game when he averaged 22 points per game in his 2004-05 season. Unfortunately for Rahim, he will be remembered for being the centerpiece of this lopsided trade that sent Pau Gasol to Memphis, where he would quickly *not*become one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. Dating back to his time with the Pelicans, he was an All-Star level . 10 NBA Players You Forgot Played For The Los Angeles Lakers For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. NBA underrated performers are one of the more challenging lists to rank. The most underrated scene in 'The Last Dance' was ___. The 14 Most Underrated NBA Players - yahoo.com Fat Lever (#14) was Russell Westbrook before Westbrook. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. He averaged 24-6-3 on a Pacers team that was seen as among the top teams in the NBA and potentially a future NBA champion. During the 2000s, at various times, he was up against the likes of 15 time all-star Tim Duncan, 15 time all-star Kevin Garnett, 14 time all-star Dirk Nowitzki, 10 time all-star Carmelo Anthony, 6 time all-star Pau Gasol, 6 time all-star Amar'e Stoudemire (yes, he got the nod as a forward), 5 time all-star Chris Webber. Thread Tools. After two more seasons, he would win 6th Man of the Year with the Dallas Mavericks in 2004. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. O'Neal would average a double-double over the next 2 seasons in Indiana, and make 5 straight All-Star Teams. Redd was also awarded a 3rd-Team All-NBA spot, giving Milwaukee hope that the young guard could take on the role open with Ray Allens departure. Drafted with the No. This happened because other great players such as Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O'Neal were the faces of the NBA and grabbed all the headlines all the time. Top 5 most underrated NBA players in history Malcolm Brogdon might have the quietest 20/6/6 stat line in the NBA. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. The Best NBA Players Of The 2000s - Ranker 1. Top 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season: PG - Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers. That's why he's the first name on this list. He would have a few more All-Star seasons with Indiana but after the 2004 brawl in Detroit, the damage had been done to his stance within the league. Mike Bibby is one of the most popular and respected point guards in NBA history. The 2000s-era NBA was one of the more bizarre representations of basketball one could imagine. Brandon Roy is one of the biggest what-ifs in NBA history and the little we did get to see of his career left us as NBA fans wanting so much more. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. Playing for a middling Milwaukee Bucks squad throughout the 2000s, he led the team and was a fantastic all-around scorer. Press Esc to cancel. He had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. He could rebound the ball well at 610 tall and his passing and court vision were a perfect recipe for success with how much those Kings teams liked to run. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. Top underrated NBA players of the late 1990s-early 2000s Theres not much else to say about Maggatte. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. These are the most overrated players in NBA history. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. The NBA has done an unfortunately great job of sweeping Jermaine ONeals career under the rug after his role in the infamous Malice At The Palace. McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. From 2001-2007 ONeal made six straight All-Star games while averaging a stellar 20-10 with 2 blocks per game. The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1960s, The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1970s, The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1980s, The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 1990s, The Best NBA Player From Every Team In The 2010s. That could not be further from the truth as Ilgauskas was a solid two-way big man who helped LeBron James adapt to the NBA. He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. Career Stats: 19.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. Career Stats: 16.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, Career Achievements: 2x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. To narrow down the list to 10 underrated players in the whole decade is about as tough as it gets. Even in his later years when his scoring dropped, there was little drop-off in Kidd's assist or steal numbers. Richardson was a solid scorer throughout his career and was a very capable defender.