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. 20. 10. His only other individual awards were a 2004 All-Star selection after averaging 16-8-3 with 2 steals and 3 blocks. Fans have a tendency to overlook certain players, and that effect is amplified as years and decades pass. As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. 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. Anyways. And when you peak to the point, you can be compared to the greatest power forward of all time. His only season above 50% from the floor was with the 2009-10 Miami Heat, which isnt anything to write home about for a 611 power forward. 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. He played in just 18 games and then 10 more in 2010-11. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. Still, ONeal was a franchise centerpiece to a team that consistently made the postseason, so he deserves his spot on this list. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. People are bound to take notice of him soon after his impressive season with the Raptors. Would the Clippers have been able to dispatch the Mavericks in the next round? He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. 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. 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. League championships: 0. 6,418 votes. We need to focus on exactly one year of Eltons career that solidifies his place on this list without a thought. In a season sandwiched between two non-playoff years, Elton Brand and the Clippers lost in seven games to the Phoenix Suns. 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. Potential only counts for so much. Enter Sam Cassell. Roy would begin to experience his downfall by 2011, just his 5th season in the league. 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 would improve his scoring over the next few seasons, boosting his scoring to a career-high 23.2 PPG during the 2006 season. 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. In fact, he was voted 4th overall in the 2003-04 MVP race, beating out the aforementioned shooting guard on the Lakers. The Top 10 Most Underrated NBA Players Of The 2000s, Valentina Shevchenko doesnt lose a step just because she fought for a split decision: I really dont care what people say, UFC 285 start time, TV schedule for Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane, Texans divorce from QB Deshaun Watson could affect CJ Strouds court, Texans finish 32nd in Touchdown Wire NFL power rankings, Houston finishes No. 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 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. 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. Latrell Sprewell was a great player. Seth Curry - Brooklyn Nets. He averaged 22.8 PPG and led the league with 17.5 RPG, and 3.0 BPG. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. 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. 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. He was an empty-calories kind of player who put up stats on losing teams and couldnt carry a team to any relevancy. He also has a rare 83-game season under his belt after being traded from Phoenix to Dallas early in his career. Beginning with a Toronto Raptor, and ending with one, Gary Trent Jr. is easily one of the most exciting and most underrated players in the NBA today. Averaging 16.0 PPG, he is one of the most recognizable offensive players for the Clippers over the last 20 years. A look at those who were ranked too high and too low in the preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday Shareef solidified his role as a scoring power forward and was selected as an All-Star in the 2002 season, the lone career selection. 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. , Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. 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. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. And when it comes to the 2000s, well, there are plenty of guys who deserved more love. Still, you dont hear much talk about the years the Clippers might have been the championship favorite. This season encapsulates why Redd isnt any higher on this list. 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. 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. Redd blossomed as a scorer in his 4th season, averaging 21.7 PPG on 35.0% shooting from three. all of who are . NBA underrated performers are one of the more challenging lists to rank. Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. 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. 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. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. The most underrated player in fantasy basketball this season has to be Gilgeous-Alexander. Other Underrated NBA Players for 2021-22. Landers mens soccer closes out the season with a penalty-kick loss to Florida Tech. 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. They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. 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. Can you name any other player who only made the all-star game once in his career? With his accurate 3-point shot and ability to pass the ball effectively, Stojakovidc would be a nightmare for defenses in todays game. Throughout the NBA 's history, there have been many overlooked and underrated players. Brand lasted two more seasons at an elite level with the Clippers before age and attrition took a toll on his body. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. Defensively he was excellent, making an NBA All-Defensive Team three times. 15.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.7 BPG. Cameron Smith will be the first Players Championship winner since Tiger Woods in 2014 to not defend his title at the Players . 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. BYL's Most Underrated NBA Players of the 2000's Follow BYL and comment who we missed out on Who's the Most Underrated?? His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. 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. Usually millions of dollars. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. This honestly swayed an NBA championship, costing the Minnesota Timberwolves in their series against the Lakers, in which they were the better team. #NBA #NBATwitter #BYL #NBAPicks #Goats #Underrated. I will say it here and now. 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. 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. Get the latest sports news from SportsSite about soccer, football and tennis. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. That was the year Richardson became a solid 3-point shooter, as he nailed 38.4% of his threes. Peja Stojakovi. He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. As the all-time and single-season leader in technical fouls, how could he not? Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. After taking 2 years to play overseas in Greece, Peja made his NBA debut in the 1998-99 season. Even with Minnesota, Cassell also owns a space in a potential worst trade of all time discussion, being moved, along with a first-round pick, from Minnesota in 2005 to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers. Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports, Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, Career Achievements: 1x Rookie of the Year, 3x All-Star, 2x All-NBA Team Selection. Even Basketball-Reference.com doesnt give the man a prayer. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. In his first season in Los Angeles, he made his first All-Star Team. Photo: Paul Popper. His scoring jumped from 12.9 PPG to 19.0 PPG, and he made his first All-Star Team in 2002 for the Pacers. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43 rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. Drafted with the No. Nick Mac is an NBA Writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism. 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. Scottie Pippen is #15 on this list and would have been much higher a decade ago, but recent lists have been very kind to Pippen and have listed the versatile defensive small forward in the top twenty of all-time (which we believe is way too high for a player with his numbers).. COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Thats right; were talking top player in the league status. Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. In his next season, he averaged 22 points per game to go with 7 rebounds. By signing up, you agree to the our terms and our Privacy Policy agreement. 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. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. As a two-way player and one of the best athletes to ever play the game, Richardson was a gem in his prime. Scotty Bags. 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. 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 . 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. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. 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. The following season it came to fruition as Billups not only led the Pistons to a title but won Finals MVP in the process. By his fourth season with the Bucks, Allen was gone and Redd was a starter. The man consistently dropped games in which he earned anywhere from 30-50 points in 2021 and 2022. 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 . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My name is Hayden, and I'm a digital marketing consultant. 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. 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. Redd shot a career 38.0% from three and his 6 straight years of scoring prowess rank him 3rd on this list. Seth Curry . But today, we arent talking about Tim, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, or Dwyane Wade. He's got some recognition since then, but he still isn't as respected as he should. 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. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. 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. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. Here were some of . We have seen a host of very talented yet underappreciated stars during the past 20 years. Thread Tools. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. He is an actor and writer, known for Like Mike (2002), Arli$$ (1996) and Adidas Originals: Superstar - Change Is a Team Sport (2020). Vancouver selected Abdur-Rahim third overall, and he immediately became the teams leading scorer. His three hasn't been falling . Jackson's role in the Warriors upset over the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks will forever be remembered. You have the heartbreaking series between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals series. Sports Mania Asia lists five underrated NBA players between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Oh, and Google his insane back tattoo. With the impressive season he just had with the Raptors, people are bound to take notice soon. One year later, he joined the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 14.9 PPG on 35.8% shooting from three. And make it not as a lifetime achievement award or an injury replacement, but during what would be a 2nd Team All-NBA season? During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. In every season in which he started over 60 games for one of his 9 NBA teams, he earned at least 6.0 APG. 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. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. 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. 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 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. 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 also made the All-Star Team and the All-NBA Third Team after a strong season with the Milwaukee Bucks. 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. 7 min read. He was a nightmare for defenders to stop and an even bigger one to try and score on in the paint. Center from Newark, New Jersey, United States of America. 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. 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. Was he good enough that its a travesty that his name isnt among the great scorers in the history of the NBA? Championships: 0. 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 has been married to Clarenda Harris since September 12, 2006. For some reason, ONeal was vilified relentlessly for his role in the brawl and his reputation has taken years to recover. 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. If the season ended today, he'd be second in the NBA in fantasy points per game, but few think of him . Press Esc to cancel. The play at power forward saw him have a couple of All-Star seasons. His presence on the early 2000s Kings teams was a perfect fit that put them over the top as a contender at the time. 1969-1971 . Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. 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. 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. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. In the 2000 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks got lucky when Ohio State's Michael Redd fell all the way into the second round. During his early days in Seattle, Lewis took a bit to develop into the shooter and scorer he went down as. Glen Rice was a three-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. . Finley played on two of the premier Western Conference powerhouses over the decade, starting with Dallas and moving to San Antonio after being waived. That's why he's the first name on this list. 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. To narrow down the list to 10 underrated players in the whole decade is about as tough as it gets. O'Neal also won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award that same year. Davis can be credited with sparking the We Believe Warriors to an upset win over the No. Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, or his now legal name Metta Sandiford-Artest may surprise some on this list. That season he averaged 16.2 PPG and it was clear that the Pistons had their championship point guard. There are dozens of underrated players most folks forget. He averaged a career-high of 26.7 points a game during the 2006-07 season. Elton averaged 30-10-4 with 3 blocks per game that series. Redd had led Ohio State to a Final Four as a . Redd fell behind Ray Allen on the depth chart and barely appeared during his rookie season but came on strong in his sophomore campaign. Malcolm Brogdon might have the quietest 20/6/6 stat line in the NBA. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. Date of birth: February 1, 1969. Bottom Line: Otis Thorpe. Three others that could be argued at a higher level (they do get plenty of respect, but perhaps not enough) are Vuc, Brogdon, and Jrue. 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. Here are the 10 most underrated stars during the 2000s. 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. Since the Trail Blazers drafted him in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft . He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. Forget the role in the fight. 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. 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. Just 3 seasons later, he would become a 20.0 PPG scorer and an automatic 40.0% shooter from deep. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. The Clippers have always been the runt of LA. 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. Again, ONeal might be remembered more for his last season with Golden State, just before the team ascended into the perennial dynasty. 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. 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. Last time I did this series, 2 years ago, I had him as the most underrated SF in the league. www.basketball-timemachine.com. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2004 after averaging 21.7 points and a career-best 5.0 rebounds a game. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. 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. Philadelphia 76ers Premier League UFC Television The Real Housewives of Atlanta The Bachelor Sister Wives 90 Day Fiance Wife Swap The Amazing Race Australia Married at First Sight The Real Housewives of Dallas My 600-lb Life Last Week Tonight with John Oliver 10 James Lofton. Mitch Richmond is one of the most electric yet underrated players of the 90s. Including averaging 10 attempts at the line per game when he averaged 22 points per game in his 2004-05 season. He tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee after playing just 33 games. 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. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. Agent 0 going into L.A. and dropping 60 on the Lakers. He was never the same. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. Davis can be credited with sparking the We Believe Warriors to an upset win over the No. He was a scorer, plain and simple. With the trade of superstar Ray Allen, the Bucks fell off as one of the NBAs top teams, but the leading role was filled by Redd, who went on to average 21.7 points en route to his only All-Star appearance. During his time with the New Orleans Hornets for 3 seasons, he averaged 20.2 PPG, 8.1 APG, and 2.0 SPG. 19. Read that sentence again. Nine seasons into his career, the former USC Trojan has finally found his stride and established himself as one of the NBAs top guards. Luckily for this list, his two all-star appearances occurred within the decade when he made the cut in both the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons. He led the league in minutes played for three seasons of his career. 10. My point is that after further analysis, it becomes apparent that the top five point guards, right now . Wallaces impact was truly measured when he was acquired by the Detroit Pistons midway through the 2004 season. 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. 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. 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. Despite his demise over the latter course of his career, Redd still averaged 19.0 points per game for his career. His 2000s were spent with the Utah Jazz, playing alongside Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. 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.
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