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. Lofton was the first player in NFL history to accumulate 14,000 receiving yards. Your email address will not be published. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. Who are the 25 Most Charitable Athletes in the World? The problem with most underrated NBA lists is too many of the players are, well, overrated. Career Stats: 14.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.5 BPG. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. In 2002, O'Neal won the NBA's Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a sophomore and was known as a proven scorer averaging 21.9, 19.5, and 17.5 points per game in his three seasons in Columbus. Throughout the NBA 's history, there have been many overlooked and underrated players. That should be considered common sense considering NBA players peak from 25-30 years old. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. Career Achievements: 1x All-Star, 1x All-NBA Team Selection. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine O'Neal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. One of the most outspoken NBA analysts in the media, Stephen Jackson was a player that his teammates absolutely loved. Nine seasons into his career, the former USC Trojan has finally found his stride and established himself as one of the NBAs top guards. . Ronald Koeman of the Netherlands lines up before the UEFA Euro 88 Group 2 match between England and the Netherlands at the Rheinstadion on June 15, 1988 in Dsseldorf, West Germany. 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 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. 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. Of course, we couldnt account for everyone who deserves to be on this list, but below are the most underrated NBA players of the early 2000s. He was one of many roleplayers that was able to fit seamlessly into talented teams throughout his career. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. And when you peak to the point, you can be compared to the greatest power forward of all time. Drafted with the No. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players of All Time. Date of birth: February 1, 1969. 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. He began a stretch of six straight seasons in which he averaged at least 21 points a game. , Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. 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. The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. The 2000s was an awe-inspiring time to grow up as an NBA fan and witness these real-life superheroes hit the court every single night. 1. Malcolm Brogdon might have the quietest 20/6/6 stat line in the NBA. Image via Complex Original. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. 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. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. He would be forced to retire from the game at 27 years old. Expectations are high for every player in the league, and the overrated label . Dating back to his time with the Pelicans, he was an All-Star level . He has been married to Clarenda Harris since September 12, 2006. He had three All-NBA team selections, two thirds, and a second cap off his individual awards. He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. I will say it here and now. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. And when it comes to the 2000s, well, there are plenty of guys who deserved more love. Career: 1989-2002. Even some players who did make it onto that stage, like Rashard Lewis and Richard Hamilton, arent remembered as reverently as they should be. His three years stretch from 2001-04 saw him average 22-6-2, make the All-Star team every year, and even get him a spot on the 2nd Team All-NBA squad. 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. Get the latest sports news from SportsSite about soccer, football and tennis. Obviously, we have to mention the Malice at the Palace incident that saw him miss the entirety of the 2004-05 season with Indiana. 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. 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. Besides the obvious suspension from the Malice incident, Jermaine didnt reach a higher level because of a lack of real playoff success and a subpar field goal percentage for a big man. Actor | Like Mike. Here's a ranking of the NBA's top teammate duos throughout league history. He became the first Russian player selected in the first round and made the all-rookie team in his first year. You had a fashion that today would be laughed at, baggy jeans, shirts, shorts, and fabrics flying down the court. Finally, as with fellow Pacer Ron Artest, ONeal was heavily involved in the Malice at the Palace punishments and suspensions, so the NBA isnt jumping at the opportunity to push Jermaine into the mainstream hivemind. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. 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. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. NBA underrated performers are one of the more challenging lists to rank. Injuries were a concern throughout Pejas career, especially in the second half of his NBA lifespan. 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. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. Richmond scored the 4th-most total points for the entire decade of the 90s , mainly with the Warriors and Kings. 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. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. We dont even have to look at career averages or anything. 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. The Bucks were dealt a huge blow during the 2008-09 season when Redd went down with a knee injury. 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. He epitomized, you dont know what youve got till its gone.. Teams: Nets . 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 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. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. An . People are bound to take notice of him soon after his impressive season with the Raptors. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports. 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. A small core of teams dominated the league in that era. 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's got some recognition since then, but he still isn't as respected as he should. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. He averaged 22.8 PPG and led the league with 17.5 RPG, and 3.0 BPG. Basketball is one of the most loved sports worldwide. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin, The 12 Most Underrated NBA Players of the 2010s, This Millennial Transformed One Rental Property Into A Multi-Million Dollar Empire, 10 Entrepreneurs Share Their Best Beauty Business Tips And Secrets. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. #513 of 1,316. Mehmet Okur - Career Stats : 13.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.7 apg - Best season (2005-06) : 18.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.4 apg - Achievements : NBA Champion (2004), NBA All-Star (2007) - Best years were with the Jazz He could put the ball on the floor and get by defenders relatively easily and it made him a true three-level threat. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. 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. By his fourth season with the Bucks, Allen was gone and Redd was a starter. 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. Seth Curry . O'Neal also won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award that same year. But looking at his career as a whole, Jamison was an All-Star caliber talent. He also set the record for most three-pointers made in a single quarter, with eight, before being overtaken when Klay Thompson made nine. Drafted with the No. This honestly swayed an NBA championship, costing the Minnesota Timberwolves in their series against the Lakers, in which they were the better team. Designed by profootballspace. The little brother. Yet, not all players who saw action at the NBA, the biggest basketball league in the world, are well-known. Unfortunately for Christie, what should have been a fruitful career as a spot-up shooter quickly ended due to a litany of injuries. His best season came in 2002 after being traded to Atlanta. Redd was consistently criticized for his lack of a complete game but his scoring was by far the best part of his game. Sacramento picked Pedrag Stojakovi at the 1996 NBA rookie draft while still playing in Greece. And while many fans will remember the Clippers for continuously being one of the dumpster fires of NBA teams, alongside Sacramento, Minnesota, and others, those other teams have had moments in the spotlight that are remembered fondly. For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. 1 of 25. 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. He was never the same. He averaged a career-high of 26.7 points a game during the 2006-07 season. O'Neal would average a double-double over the next 2 seasons in Indiana, and make 5 straight All-Star Teams. Mike Bibby is one of the most popular and respected point guards in NBA history. 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 menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. Despite having the aura of a rugged workhorse, Kirilenko struggled with durability, usually finishing NBA seasons between 60-70 games played. 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. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. Gary Trent Jr. is easily one of the most exciting and underrated players in the NBA today, starting with a Toronto Raptor and ending with one. 3. Defensively he was excellent, making an NBA All-Defensive Team three times. You have Kevin Garnetts MVP and Western Conference Finals season with the Wolves. 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. Thats why hes the first name on this list. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, or his now legal name Metta Sandiford-Artest may surprise some on this list. With his ability to both score and pass the ball, Miller was must-watch television whenever he was in town. 32786 posts. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. Again, ONeal might be remembered more for his last season with Golden State, just before the team ascended into the perennial dynasty. 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. Tracy McGrady. 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. Even Basketball-Reference.com doesnt give the man a prayer. . Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. Jermaine does that by propelling himself to All-Star status with Indiana. Roy would be named an All-Star the following 3 seasons and averaged 21.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, and 1.1 SPG 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. 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. 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 . He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. 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. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. O'Neal had a strong inside scoring game, was very active on the offensive boards, and was a capable shot-blocker. From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. 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. #4 of 165. He peaked in 2007 when he averaged 26.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. He was a two-way mastermind who had a knack for coming through in a games biggest moments that earned him the nickname Mr. Before this career year, Cassell bounced around as a competent floor general, never finding a true home with a team and playing for eight franchises over a nineteen-year career. 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 . #NBA #NBATwitter #BYL #NBAPicks #Goats #Underrated. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. 8 Most Expensive Kevin Garnett Basketball Cards, Title 15 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World. By signing up, you agree to the our terms and our Privacy Policy agreement. Top 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season: PG - Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers. Mike Bibby is one of the most underrated basketball players of all time. 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. 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. 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. 6,418 votes. He was a scorer, plain and simple. 20. Cleveland's superstar is regarded as one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. This reputation caused many to forget just how imp[actful Wallace was on the basketball court. Jackson's role in the Warriors upset over the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks will forever be remembered. Sports Mania Asia lists five underrated NBA players between the late 1990s and early 2000s. These players tend to make their presence felt different than your average superstar, whether . 15.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.7 BPG. The draw of Finley was his consistency and availability. Was he good enough that its a travesty that his name isnt among the great scorers in the history of the NBA? As of early May, James and . Jackson is mainly known for his stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. Here are the 10 most underrated stars during the 2000s. 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. You have the heartbreaking series between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals series. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. 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. For some reason, ONeal was vilified relentlessly for his role in the brawl and his reputation has taken years to recover. Latrell Sprewell was a great player. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. 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. 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. 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. This reputation caused many to forget just how imp[actful Wallace was on the basketball court. 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. As only the No.13 pick, Maggette is one of the most underrated players during his era due to his impact on the Clippers. Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. Get ready to relive some of the best moments from the decade of the 2010s with the players who brought them to you. 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. 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. Vancouver selected Abdur-Rahim third overall, and he immediately became the teams leading scorer. He was one of the top players in the league until Gerald Wallace injured him. 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. Tracy McGrady was born on May 24, 1979 in Bartow, Florida, USA. 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. Wilt Chamberlain. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. How many other players in NBA history have an argument for being both the best paint scorer and overall defender at the same time? From 2001-2007 ONeal made six straight All-Star games while averaging a stellar 20-10 with 2 blocks per game. In his first season in Los Angeles, he made his first All-Star Team. 6. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. The Rise of Paul George Can he bring a championship to LA. His jump shooting was his strongest attribute but unfortunately, his career took a dip after suffering injuries that never made him the same player after the 2009 season. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. Neither made an impact, with Lionel Chalmers never playing another NBA game. His best statistical season came in 2006-07, with a career-high 26.7 points per game. Richardson's ability to help teams defend the perimeter and also score when needed makes him an underrated player during the 2000s. But today, we arent talking about Tim, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, or Dwyane Wade. 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. You can reach him via email:aaroncmansfield@gmail.com. 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. 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. 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. Iverson took the fourth most shots per game in NBA history and is the worst-shooting volume chucker in the modern NBA. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. Many superstars surfaced at this time but perhaps none bigger than Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers who led them to 3 straight titles at the beginning of the decade. The Most-Underrated NBA Players of All-Time. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive. 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.

Missouri Trespassing Laws, Is Lightsource Bp Publicly Traded, Strawberry Banana Moonshine Mash Recipe, Articles M