He was selected only behind guards Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd, which is the greatest single accomplishment in his career. By signing up, you agree to the our terms and our Privacy Policy agreement. Here are the 10 most underrated stars during the 2000s. Iverson was an MVP, an 11-time All-Star, and a four-time scoring champion . 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. All the most overrated players in the NBA will be featured here to choose from. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. 11. Aaron Mansfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Merrimack College. In 2002, O'Neal won the NBA's Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. 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 averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. 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. I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. After taking 2 years to play overseas in Greece, Peja made his NBA debut in the 1998-99 season. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. 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. He averaged 21.2 points a game that season and would never be the same. 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. 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. Ronald Koeman - Barcelona. Scotty Bags. The Top 17 Most-Underrated NBA Players of All-Time 1. Redd was also a member of the 2008 U.S. mens Olympic basketball team that won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing. 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. 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. Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. 10. #NBA #NBATwitter #BYL #NBAPicks #Goats #Underrated. View Profile View Forum Posts 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. DeMar DeRozan is having an incredible season. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed O'Neal into an MVP candidate. However, when we look at this year, we can see that it was Rons best statistical start to an NBA season. The little brother. Theres been a lot of former all-stars. The 25 Most Overrated NBA Players of All Time - Medium Corey Maggette was the player version of the Los Angeles Lakers/Los Angeles Clippers relationship in that he was the Walmart version of Kobe Bryant. Get ready to relive some of the best moments from the decade of the 2010s with the players who brought them to you. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. 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. 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. Was he better than he is remembered? 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. He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. 6,418 votes. Michael Jordan and Karl Malone greet each other before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 1, 1997, at the United Center. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. Potential only counts for so much. There are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the 2010s. Elton is perfect for this list. The top 25 NBA duos of all time | Yardbarker Thread Tools. 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 . Forgive and forget and put Jermaine ONeal in the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. 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. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. 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. 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. Some players on this list, like Mehmet Okur and Doug Christie, are, sadly, likely unknown to the young NBA fans of today. 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. Richmond scored the 4th-most total points for the entire decade of the 90s , mainly with the Warriors and Kings. 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. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players in History - Bleacher Report As of early May, James and . The top 10 players in the NBA according to ISH posters in August of 2000 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. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. Big Shot. The NBA's 2020-21 All-Underrated Team - HoopsHype Arteta to make 1 change, 'underrated' ace to be benched: Arsenal Giants fans will see an unintended consequence from the pitch clock Underrated? Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. 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) . Lofton was the first player in NFL history to accumulate 14,000 receiving yards. 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. Mike Bibby is one of the most popular and respected point guards in NBA history. 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. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. Not a chance. Seth Curry - Brooklyn Nets. Career: 1989-2002. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. Date of birth: February 1, 1969. 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. 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. The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 2000s 3. 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. Dave McNally went 20-7, 24-9 and 21-5 from '60 to '71. 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. 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. Not only did he start playing precisely at the starting point of the decade after being selected 1st overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 1999 draft, but he proceeded to be one of the most under-the-radar players during his career. #4 of 165. 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. The most underrated scene was ___. The iPad clip I would like to hand How many other players in NBA history have an argument for being both the best paint scorer and overall defender at the same time? 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. Other Underrated NBA Players for 2021-22. Doug Christie. Yet, not all players who saw action at the NBA, the biggest basketball league in the world, are well-known. In his next season, he averaged 22 points per game to go with 7 rebounds. Arguably the coolest aspect of Kirinlenkoss career is his nickname, AK-47, referencing his Russian heritage and jersey number. #6 of 290. 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. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. Legends of the NBA: 25 Best Players of the 2000s The 7 Most Underrated NBA Players Making a Difference This Season That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. Photo: Paul Popper. His true moment in the spotlight happened near the tail end of his career. He also made the All-Star Team and the All-NBA Third Team after a strong season with the Milwaukee Bucks. Nets vs. Knicks: Start time, where to watch, what's the latest 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. www.basketball-timemachine.com. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. He won the Rookie of the Year award with the least games played in history to win the award. 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. Still, you dont hear much talk about the years the Clippers might have been the championship favorite. With Indiana, Jackson was part of a tough crew featuring Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal that was also involved in the Malice at the Palace. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a . He ended his career with a well-deserved championship with the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. We present our all-time underrated teams, those great teams which don't receive their proper respect in the historical archive. Show Printable Version; Today, 04:33 PM #1. James Lofton is one of many cases of players being in the Hall of Fame and nevertheless being vastly underrated when compared with others who played the position. Magic Johnson. Forget the role in the fight. Alex Novick, NBA.com Global Editions (): Quick, name the only player other than David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon to average at least two blocks . These players tend to make their presence felt different than your average superstar, whether . As we entered the 2000s, NBA fans were left with the question of who was going to. 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. Finley played on two of the premier Western Conference powerhouses over the decade, starting with Dallas and moving to San Antonio after being waived. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. Expectations are high for every player in the league, and the overrated label . 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. His best seasons come while playing for teams that arent popular or mainstream. Who is fantasy basketball's most underrated player? re: Most Underrated NBA Players (Historically) Posted on 1/14/23 at 11:11 am to Gaggle. 10 James Lofton. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. He is an actor and writer, known for Like Mike (2002), Arli$$ (1996) and Adidas Originals: Superstar - Change Is a Team Sport (2020). There are dozens of underrated players most folks forget. Peja is one player that would have been awesome to watch in the current NBA era. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. 8. 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. Top 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season: PG - Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers. With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 2010s 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. NBA on Twitter: "Jarrett Allen. Look out. https://t.co/1pomQZMAZK For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. The Most Underrated NBA Players Of The Early 2000s 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. 18 pick in the 2020 draft, there were high hopes for Richardson's career. Mookie Blaylock. 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. But looking at his career as a whole, Jamison was an All-Star caliber talent. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. 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. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. The 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season - Hoops Habit James Harden is the only player in NBA history with 21-game . Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Maybe. Who are the 25 Most Charitable Athletes in the World? McCollum voted most underrated player since 2000. Designed by profootballspace. The Most UNDERRATED NBA Players Of The 2000s.. - YouTube Top 5 most underrated NBA players in history He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. A team dwarfed by the sheer size, glamor, and continued excellence in the shared city. 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. 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. Poll of the Day: Who is the NBA's most underrated player since 2000 Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. I will say it here and now. 4. 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. Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. He was an entertaining player, scorer, and consistent all-star-level talent in the 90s. 17.9 points, 2.9 RPG, and 1.9 APG. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. I will say it here and now. He was a tough forward who played hard-nosed defense and never backed down from any challenge. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2004 after averaging 21.7 points and a career-best 5.0 rebounds a game. 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. Richardson was drafted by the Clippers and had his best season in 2004 with the team averaging 17.2 PPG. Peja Stojakovi. The assessment was based on how players performed during this decade and this decade ONLY (2000-2009). Well, that counts for something, right? Elton Brand was one of the most underrated players of the 2000s. 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. Now, I could go up to as many as 25 maybe 30 players that are forgotten stars from the 2000's but i'm only going to focus on 12, enjoy. 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. 10 NBA Players You Forgot Played For The Los Angeles Lakers Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. Top underrated NBA players of the late 1990s-early 2000s He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. 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. Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. He began a stretch of six straight seasons in which he averaged at least 21 points a game. Elton Brand was a special big man on offense and on the boards, and he was one of the most underappreciated players during his time. Get the latest sports news from SportsSite about soccer, football and tennis. He tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee after playing just 33 games. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. 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 would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. He averaged a career-high of 26.7 points a game during the 2006-07 season. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F.C. While you probably wouldnt be able to get away with that nickname in the NBA today, it still earns him an easy placement on this list. An . The players listed here may be relatively unknown, underappreciated, or underrated in terms of not making the elite lists of other football raters. 12 Forgotten/Underrated Players of the 2000's | Hardwood Amino Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. Redd was consistently criticized for his lack of a complete game but his scoring was by far the best part of his game. Few players have taken the NBA by storm or altered the way teams play the game the way Curry has . 15 Most Underrated NBA Players Right Now - (2022-23 Updates)