Few players have taken the NBA by storm or altered the way teams play the game the way Curry has . He would be forced to retire from the game at 27 years old. 10. Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. 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. 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. Despite having the aura of a rugged workhorse, Kirilenko struggled with durability, usually finishing NBA seasons between 60-70 games played. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. We'll focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. Finley was a no-nonsense small forward that was the perfect complement beside Dirk Nowitzki, had multiple seasons averaging above 20-5-5 per game, and capped his career off with a championship on the 2007 San Antonio Spurs. The Best Athletes Of All Time. Mike Bibby is one of the most underrated basketball players of all time. Last time I did this series, 2 years ago, I had him as the most underrated SF in the league. But despite this, you should know that Jermaine ONeal was a beast. Dating back to his time with the Pelicans, he was an All-Star level . Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. You must be a great player to fit into a team named The Greatest Show on Court. He helped the Kings lead the league in wins in 2001-02, and while he didnt average too many pointsending his career with averages of 11-4-3he made his mark on defense. Others, like Vince Carter and Joe Johnson, are still kicking around the league, but young fans are probably unaware of just how dominant they used to be. Since the Trail Blazers drafted him in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft . Type above and press Enter to search. Here's a ranking of the NBA's top teammate duos throughout league history. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. Brand's best year came in 2006 as an MVP candidate averaging 24.7 points and 10 rebounds while leading the Los Angeles Clippers back into the playoffs. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. Trevor Ariza. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. NBA underrated performers are one of the more challenging lists to rank. 1 of 25. Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. I will say it here and now. Only one year later, Jamison jumped his stats tremendously averaging 19.6 PPG and 8.3 RPG followed by a career-high in scoring at 24.9 PPG. He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). Center from Newark, New Jersey, United States of America. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F.C. Your email address will not be published. He had three All-NBA team selections, two thirds, and a second cap off his individual awards. Career highlights and awards * NBA champion (2011) * NBA Finals MVP (2011) * NBA Most Valuable Player (2007) * 14 NBA All-Star (2002-2012, 2014, 2015, 2019) * 4 All-NBA First Team (2005-2007, 2009) * 5 All-NBA Second Team (2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011) . That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. 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. O'Neal's strongest season came in 2005 by averaging 24.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 2.0 BPG. 4 pick in the 1998 draft, Jamison made the All-Rookie Team with the Warriors averaging 9.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG. I will say it here and now. However, when we look at this year, we can see that it was Rons best statistical start to an NBA season. . He averaged 21.2 points a game that season and would never be the same. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. Yes, but just barely scratching this list. An elite scorer and underrated playmaker, Jason Terry spent the majority of the 2000s playing the role of starting guard for the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks, and the last bit dominating off the bench for the latter franchise. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. Theres been a lot of former all-stars. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. DeMar DeRozan is having an incredible season. 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. With his ability to both score and pass the ball, Miller was must-watch television whenever he was in town. Injuries were a concern throughout Pejas career, especially in the second half of his NBA lifespan. Was he better than he is remembered? During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. 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. The Most UNDERRATED NBA Players Of The 2000s..Welcome back to Sports Savvy. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. Over NY's past three games, Mitchell Robinson is 16-for-16 from the floor & averaging 11.3 points and 12.0 rebounds Per @bball_ref, he is the first player in NBA history to record a double . Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, or his now legal name Metta Sandiford-Artest may surprise some on this list. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. Still, you dont hear much talk about the years the Clippers might have been the championship favorite. Miller had solid shooting numbers for a big man at that time, finishing with career averages of 80.4% from the line and 48.0% from the field. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Read that sentence again. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) Cameron Smith will be the first Players Championship winner since Tiger Woods in 2014 to not defend his title at the Players . But today, we arent talking about Tim, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, or Dwyane Wade. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. Corey Maggette was one of the most consistent scorers during the 2000s. He made the All-Star game and was selected to the All NBA-Third Team. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. Miller would go on to play 5 more seasons with Sacramento. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. Andre Miller was never an MVP candidate or even an All-Star but he was quietly one of the better point guards during the 2000s. Basketball Time Machine Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a . By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. 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. 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. One of the best dunkers in NBA history, Richardson's athleticism often took eyes away from his all-around 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. After taking 2 years to play overseas in Greece, Peja made his NBA debut in the 1998-99 season. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. Unfortunately, but very reasonably, he will also be remembered for one incident above any other when he choked his coach P.J Carlesimo.Sprewell was suspended from the NBA for an entire season after playing for the Golden State Warriors for 14 games. The Clippers have always been the runt of LA. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. Show Printable Version; Today, 04:33 PM #1. 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. Richmond scored the 4th-most total points for the entire decade of the 90s , mainly with the Warriors and Kings. 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. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. Miller played 14 seasons in the NBA, mainly for the Kings and Bulls. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. 6. He could force his way into the paint like a running back hitting the hole in the NFL and either finish at the rim easily or find the open man for an easier opportunity. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. 7 min read. Cassell would then lead the way to another franchise turnaround, bringing the Clippersthat featured two players on this listto their then-most successful season in franchise history. 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. 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. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. Designed by profootballspace. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. 4. Arteta to make 1 change, 'underrated' ace to be benched: Arsenal predicted line-up vs Bournemouth,After Arsenal made things look easy in their 4-0 thrashing of Everton, we have tried to call their predicted lineup against Bournemouth. Theres not much else to say about Maggatte. At his peak, he became one of the most prolific scorers in the league and ignited the spirit of the game back in the City Of Milwaukee. Elton deserves this spot. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. 1) Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Wilt Chamberlain. Mitch Richmond, Detlef Schrempf, and Vin Baker are among the underrated players from the '90s. He was a tough forward who played hard-nosed defense and never backed down from any challenge. Well focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. Magic Johnson. 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. 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. 32786 posts. 11. This honestly swayed an NBA championship, costing the Minnesota Timberwolves in their series against the Lakers, in which they were the better team. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. With over a decade of writing articles for sports sites, Eddie Bitar has a unique writing voice that shines through in the latest collection of NBA-related content that captures trade rumors, power rankings, and team news. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. He was one of many roleplayers that was able to fit seamlessly into talented teams throughout his career. 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 was so good that Pacers fans couldrealistically argue that he was the best big man in the league. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. Dave McNally went 20-7, 24-9 and 21-5 from '60 to '71. Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. But for now, Lillard looks like the young PG with the most potential to grow into the best point guard of his era. 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. Schrempf is often overlooked and considered one of the most underrated players in NBA history. He epitomized, you dont know what youve got till its gone.. 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. He averaged 22.8 PPG and led the league with 17.5 RPG, and 3.0 BPG. 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. Cleveland's superstar is regarded as one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history. He also has a rare 83-game season under his belt after being traded from Phoenix to Dallas early in his career. An . As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? Required fields are marked *. 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. O'Neal had a strong inside scoring game, was very active on the offensive boards, and was a capable shot-blocker. 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. 20. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. 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. He helped lead the Magic to a Finals berth in 2009 by being a versatile scorer next to the dominant Howard. Thread Tools. Still, ONeal was a franchise centerpiece to a team that consistently made the postseason, so he deserves his spot on this list. Expectations are high for every player in the league, and the overrated label . Shaq and Chuck don't have the defense, although O'Neal did finish 3rd in the 2000 DPOY. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. And when you peak to the point, you can be compared to the greatest power forward of all time. 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. He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. 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. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. We need to focus on exactly one year of Eltons career that solidifies his place on this list without a thought. For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. 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. As only the No.13 pick, Maggette is one of the most underrated players during his era due to his impact on the Clippers. He could force his way into the paint like a running back hitting the hole in the NFL and either finish at the rim easily or find the open man for an easier opportunity. Required fields are marked *. He would have 5 more dominant scoring seasons for Milwaukee by averaging 23.0 PPG, 25.4 PPG, 26.7 PPG, 22.7 PPG, and 21.2 PPG. Jabbar was from the very beginning of his career being named the 1969-1970 rookie year, Abdul-Jabbar was a 5x MVP, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA, and 8x All-Defensive selection in the 1970s with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers; moreover, he averaged 28+ points, 14+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game and led the Bucks to their first NBA title, winning Finals MVP in . Finley played on two of the premier Western Conference powerhouses over the decade, starting with Dallas and moving to San Antonio after being waived. 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? 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. Not related to Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal was one of the best big men in the NBA during his time. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics. The Top NBA Players Of All Time. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. 1. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. He also set the record for most three-pointers made in a single quarter, with eight, before being overtaken when Klay Thompson made nine. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. 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. How many other players in NBA history have an argument for being both the best paint scorer and overall defender at the same time? With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. Usually millions of dollars. Another is that many of these players are often misremembered for their time and play late in their careers when theyre past their prime, bouncing around to teams and being fitted for jerseys that will probably struggle to sell ten total copies. As we entered the 2000s, NBA fans were left with the question of who was going to take over the league after Michael Jordan left Chicago. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. As of early May, James and . 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. 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 . He had a ton of athleticism and scoring prowess in his 6'6" frame, and played the majority of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers. Would the Clippers have been able to dispatch the Mavericks in the next round? He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. Aaron Mansfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Merrimack College. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. Latrell Sprewell was a great player. Despite his demise over the latter course of his career, Redd still averaged 19.0 points per game for his career. In nine of his last ten NBA seasons, James has scored at least 2,000 points. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. Redd was consistently criticized for his lack of a complete game but his scoring was by far the best part of his game. In fact, I dont think I would have him on here if not for having the greatest NBA nickname of all time, Bad Porn.. Landers mens soccer closes out the season with a penalty-kick loss to Florida Tech. Who are the 25 Most Charitable Athletes in the World? To narrow down the list to 10 underrated players in the whole decade is about as tough as it gets. Richardson's ability to help teams defend the perimeter and also score when needed makes him an underrated player during the 2000s. Seth Curry - Brooklyn Nets. And when it comes to the 2000s, well, there are plenty of guys who deserved more love. Roy would begin to experience his downfall by 2011, just his 5th season in the league. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. Mainly known for his part with the Washington Wizards Big Three including Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, Jamison was a consistent scoring star in the NBA. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. Portland athletes have been underrated for a long time, sometimes due to geography, but also because of the early 2000s, which saw casual fans turned away from the NBA team after the ill-fated "Jail Blazers" era that was marred by a string of player arrests, untimely technical fouls, and disastrous playoff meltdowns. Teams: Nets . For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. Scotty Bags. Lewis is considered one of the best second options ever for his time with both the Seattle SuperSonics next to Ray Allen and in Orlando with Dwight Howard. Over time, Kidd improved as a shooter and scorer, so by the year 2000, he was arguably the most well-rounded point guard in the NBA. 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. Vancouver selected Abdur-Rahim third overall, and he immediately became the teams leading scorer. He consistently made a significant impact early on with the Vancouver Grizzlies and was the leading point guard on some really good Sacramento Kings lineups in the early 2000s. 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. Thats right; were talking top player in the league status. Mookie Blaylock. Richardson made the All-Rookie Team in 2001 by averaging 14.4 PPG and 4.3 RPG for the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately for Christie, what should have been a fruitful career as a spot-up shooter quickly ended due to a litany of injuries. As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. . He was never the same. He also made the All-Star Team and the All-NBA Third Team after a strong season with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2004 after averaging 21.7 points and a career-best 5.0 rebounds a game. Top 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season: PG - Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers. He led the league in minutes played for three seasons of his career. One last point on Cassell that bumps him higher on this list. The 2000s-era NBA was one of the more bizarre representations of basketball one could imagine. One year later with the Kings, Miller would have a career year averaging 14.1 PPG and 10.3 RPG while making his second straight All-Star Team. Even in his later years when his scoring dropped, there was little drop-off in Kidd's assist or steal numbers. Anyways. They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. Here is a look at the most underrated soccer players of all time. 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 scored 57 that same season, breaking the Bucks single-game scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Shareef could never take that next step up to consistent superstardom, and despite forming a talented trio alongside Glenn Robinson and Jason Terry, the Hawks never sniffed the playoffs. Michael Redd is another interesting 2000s player. Elton averaged 30-10-4 with 3 blocks per game that series. He is an actor and writer, known for Like Mike (2002), Arli$$ (1996) and Adidas Originals: Superstar - Change Is a Team Sport (2020). 6,418 votes. 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. The assessment was based on how players performed during this decade and this decade ONLY (2000-2009). He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. In a season sandwiched between two non-playoff years, Elton Brand and the Clippers lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. 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. James Harden is the only player in NBA history with 21-game .