He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. In 2002, O'Neal won the NBA's Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. 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. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. For those of us that remember ONeal at his peak, we remember an undersized two-way beast for the Indiana Pacers who helped them nearly capture a championship in his heyday. Basketball is one of the most loved sports worldwide. During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) Yes, but just barely scratching this list. Required fields are marked *. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. The most underrated player in fantasy basketball this season has to be Gilgeous-Alexander. You had a fashion that today would be laughed at, baggy jeans, shirts, shorts, and fabrics flying down the court. He won the Rookie of the Year award with the least games played in history to win the award. In fact, I dont think I would have him on here if not for having the greatest NBA nickname of all time, Bad Porn.. Redd blossomed as a scorer in his 4th season, averaging 21.7 PPG on 35.0% shooting from three. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. Wallace helped to revolutionize the power forward position forever with his ability to spread the floor and shoot the ball He could play any role that a team needed him to. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. The 5 most overrated players in Madden NFL 23, including the Eagles' Darius Slay Jr. View 5 items Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. all of who are . Even though he never made an All-Star Team, Bibby certainly played like one and he was a major reason the Kings were a problem in the West. Redd was consistently criticized for his lack of a complete game but his scoring was by far the best part of his game. Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. Most Underrated NBA Players (Historically) | Page 3 | More Sports Arteta to make 1 change, 'underrated' ace to be benched: Arsenal Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. 10. He would average a double-double over the next 4 seasons, and by his third season, he was a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. A look at those who were ranked too high and too low in the preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday He would average 20.0 PPG or more for the next 3 seasons and shot near or better than 40.0% from three during that time. Michael Redd is another interesting 2000s player. Answer (1 of 3): Dirk Nowitzki. And . 1. Peja Stojakovi. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. 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. 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. He led the league in minutes played for three seasons of his career. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. 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. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. 15.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.7 BPG. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. After being traded to the Sacramento Kings at the end of the 2000 season, he formed a potent shooting perimeter alongside Peja Stojakovi. 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. One of the best dunkers in NBA history, Richardson's athleticism often took eyes away from his all-around game. Richmond scored the 4th-most total points for the entire decade of the 90s , mainly with the Warriors and Kings. Richardson's ability to help teams defend the perimeter and also score when needed makes him an underrated player during the 2000s. He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. Thats why hes the first name on this list. But despite this, you should know that Jermaine ONeal was a beast. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. Peja is one player that would have been awesome to watch in the current NBA era. Thread Tools. Career Stats: 19.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG. Mookie Blaylock. Neither made an impact, with Lionel Chalmers never playing another NBA game. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. 2008-09 Upper Deck MVP #206 Danilo Gallinari RC ($2.50) Gallinari has had multiple seasons with All-Star caliber production, with his best numbers coming during the 2018-19 season when he averaged . Of course, this was never true with the likes of Shaquille ONeal and Tim Duncan hanging around, but the conversation wasnt an insane one to have. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. 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. Lofton was the first player in NFL history to accumulate 14,000 receiving yards. If the season ended today, he'd be second in the NBA in fantasy points per game, but few think of him . A lethal gunner from range, Stokakoi was one of the first NBA players to bomb away from range who hit a high percentage of their shots. 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. He finished his career averaging 5.5 three-point attempts per game in an era that was just startingto see the actual value of the deep ball. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. By looking at individual statistics, team impact, and skills during their era; we have compiled a ranked list of the best stars who went underappreciated during their time. The draw of Finley was his consistency and availability. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. He didnt have the chance to display his scoring prowess during his first season in Milwaukee since he was playing behind the great Ray Allen. 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. DeRozan may be cementing his status as the best player in franchise history in front of our eyes, but say he belongs in the MVP conversation and most NBA fans will laugh at you. 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. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. Davis recorded 3 different seasons with at least 20.0 PPG and 2.0 SPG as one of the more dynamic point guards in basketball. He epitomized, you dont know what youve got till its gone.. , Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. In 2002, ONeal won the NBAs Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. Shareef solidified his role as a scoring power forward and was selected as an All-Star in the 2002 season, the lone career selection. He would become an All-Star once more in 2005 averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. 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With only one more high-scoring season under his belt, 22.7 points per game, Redd would suffer a torn ACL and MCL injury that would significantly impact the rest of his career. Due to a knee condition that basically deteriorated his knee cartilage as time went on, we were only able to experience 3 real years of his peak. He made his mark from deep and, with an increase in playing time, averaged 11.4 points per game while shooting 44% from beyond the arc. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. We need to focus on exactly one year of Eltons career that solidifies his place on this list without a thought. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. I say yes. Career Stats: 17.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG, Career Achievements: 3x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. For the first 12 seasons of his career, Miller was a consistent 15.0 to 17.0 PPG scorer but he really made his impact as a passer. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. His best seasons come while playing for teams that arent popular or mainstream. The play at power forward saw him have a couple of All-Star seasons. Nick Mac is an NBA Writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism. This reputation caused many to forget just how imp[actful Wallace was on the basketball court. Alex Novick, NBA.com Global Editions (): Quick, name the only player other than David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon to average at least two . 8 Most Expensive Kevin Garnett Basketball Cards, Title 15 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World. His true moment in the spotlight happened near the tail end of his career. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. Richardson was a solid scorer throughout his career and was a very capable defender. Bibby's best season came in 2006 where he averaged 21.1 PPG and 5.4 APG for the Kings squad that finished with a 44-38 record. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? My point is that after further analysis, it becomes apparent that the top five point guards, right now . Required fields are marked *. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. Like many on this list, the 2003-04 season was the best of Rons career. 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. Michael Jordan and Karl Malone greet each other before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 1, 1997, at the United Center. 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. Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. 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. His only postseason trip was as a role player averaging 12-5 on the 2005-06 Sacramento Kings, who would lose in the first round to San Antonio. Cameron Smith will be the first Players Championship winner since Tiger Woods in 2014 to not defend his title at the Players . Glen Rice was a three-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. . Obviously, we have to mention the Malice at the Palace incident that saw him miss the entirety of the 2004-05 season with Indiana. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. Elton deserves this spot. Due to a knee condition that basically deteriorated his knee cartilage as time went on, we were only able to experience 3 real years of his peak. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. His best season, 2003-04, when he averaged 20-10 and 2.6 blocks, earned him 3rd place in the MVP race. Top 5 most underrated NBA players in history Top 20 most underrated footballers of all time: who are they? He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. 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. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. Would the Clippers have been able to dispatch the Mavericks in the next round? The Most UNDERRATED NBA Players Of The 2000s..Welcome back to Sports Savvy. 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. 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. Potential only counts for so much. Mike Bibby is one of the most popular and respected point guards in NBA history. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. Jermaine does that by propelling himself to All-Star status with Indiana. In his first season in Los Angeles, he made his first All-Star Team. Again, ONeal might be remembered more for his last season with Golden State, just before the team ascended into the perennial dynasty. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. Your email address will not be published. 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. Poll of the Day: Who is the NBA's most underrated player since 2000 The most underrated scene was ___. The iPad clip I would like to hand Some players on this list, like Mehmet Okur and Doug Christie, are, sadly, likely unknown to the young NBA fans of today. These are the most overrated players in NBA history. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. He was the baby Bryant from across the LA freeway. Underrated? He peaked in 2007 when he averaged 26.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. Due to the emergence of other superstars like Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, LeBron James, and Tracy McGrady, many other solid players who had massive success in the decade have flown under the radar as time has gone on. 1. Still, with his peak year coinciding with his healthiesthe appeared in 78 gameshe led the Utah Jazz in total points, points per game, total rebounds, rebounds per game, blocks, blocks per game, steals, steals per game, free throws made, free throws attempted, three pointers made, and three-pointers attempted. 6. Corey Maggette was one of the most consistent scorers during the 2000s. Drafted with the No. Teams: Charlotte Hornets (1998-2000), Miami Heat (2000-01), Cleveland Cavaliers (2001-03), Boston Celtics (2003-06), Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-07), Miami Heat . In fact, Kirilenko was born in Izhevsk, where the weapon was first manufactured. Mike Bibby is one of the most underrated basketball players of all time. The Bucks were dealt a huge blow during the 2008-09 season when Redd went down with a knee injury. The Top 17 Most-Underrated NBA Players of All-Time As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. Career best stat line: 19.6 points, 9.1 assists, 41% 3PT (1989-90) The Cavs always had their hearts broken when running into Jordan, in the late '80s and early '90s, but Price was also one of . 50 Most Underrated NBA Players of All Time. In the Finals against the Lakers, Billups averaged 21.0 PPG, 5.2 APG, and 3.2 RPG in the 5-game series to win the championship. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. 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. The Golden Age of Point Guards - Medium The Most Underrated NBA Players Of The Early 2000s Even Basketball-Reference.com doesnt give the man a prayer. The 11 Most Underrated NBA Players of the 2010s | Ventured The 14 Most Underrated NBA Players - yahoo.com With his ability to both score and pass the ball, Miller was must-watch television whenever he was in town. Redd returned the following season but re-injured the same knee tearing the ACL again. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. Elton is perfect for this list. You have Kevin Garnetts MVP and Western Conference Finals season with the Wolves.