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. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. Show Printable Version; Today, 04:33 PM #1. 3. You would have expected Peja to become a lethal off-the-bench shooter, but from 2008 until he retired, he never seemed to get more than 60 games played. Obviously, we have to mention the Malice at the Palace incident that saw him miss the entirety of the 2004-05 season with Indiana. 6,418 votes. My point is that after further analysis, it becomes apparent that the top five point guards, right now . O'Neal would average a double-double over the next 2 seasons in Indiana, and make 5 straight All-Star Teams. Lewis was one of the NBAs top shooters for years with 8 seasons ranked in the Top 20 for 3-pointers made. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. 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. Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Playing position: Striker. 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. Finley played on two of the premier Western Conference powerhouses over the decade, starting with Dallas and moving to San Antonio after being waived. The sample size doesn't include the '87 playoffs because McHale was playing on a broken foot. re: Most Underrated NBA Players (Historically) Posted on 1/14/23 at 11:11 am to Gaggle. We have seen a host of very talented yet underappreciated stars during the past 20 years. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. 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. The Most Underrated NBA Player of the Early 2000s. As a result, a number of quality players had their careers pass without ever getting exposure on the highest level. As only the No.13 pick, Maggette is one of the most underrated players during his era due to his impact on the Clippers. Ilgauskas deserves so much more respect than modern-day fans give him. Roy was destined to be a star from his first season in the NBA. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and was arguably the best two-way player in basketball. Expectations are high for every player in the league, and the overrated label . The problem with most underrated NBA lists is too many of the players are, well, overrated. Despite sharing the court with Ray Allen early on, Redd carved his own path and should be revered for his unbelievable scoring at his peak. 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. The Best Athletes Of All Time. Would the Clippers have been able to dispatch the Mavericks in the next round? 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. Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. We dont even have to look at career averages or anything. But how many of those players make their first all-star team at 34 years old? With his ability to both score and pass the ball, Miller was must-watch television whenever he was in town. Mike Bibby is one of the most popular and respected point guards in NBA history. 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. I will say it here and now. 25. One of the most outspoken NBA analysts in the media, Stephen Jackson was a player that his teammates absolutely loved. 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. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. He averaged 21.2 points a game that season and would never be the same. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. Despite sharing the court with Ray Allen early on, Redd carved his own path and should be revered for his unbelievable scoring at his peak. Redd shot a career 38.0% from three and his 6 straight years of scoring prowess rank him 3rd on this list. 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. He averaged a career-high of 26.7 points a game during the 2006-07 season. 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. In the 2000 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks got lucky when Ohio States Michael Redd fell all the way into the second round. Despite his demise over the latter course of his career, Redd still averaged 19.0 points per game for his career. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. 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. 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. Still, ONeal was a franchise centerpiece to a team that consistently made the postseason, so he deserves his spot on this list. Image via Complex Original. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. Bibby made the All-Rookie Team in 1999, averaging 13.2 PPG and 6.5 APG for the Vancouver Grizzlies. Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. Jackson's role in the Warriors upset over the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks will forever be remembered. James Harden is the only player in NBA history with 21-game . Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. Jamison would then form part of a consistent team with the Wizards, making 2 All-Star Teams during his tenure there and solidifying himself as one of the best power forwards in the NBA during his time. 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. DeMar DeRozan is having an incredible season. 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. 4. He had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. 10. 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. 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. The top 10 players in the NBA according to ISH posters in August of 2000; Results 1 to 1 of 1 Thread: The top 10 players in the NBA according to ISH posters in August of 2000. 10. 19. Sports Mania Asia lists five underrated NBA players between the late 1990s and early 2000s. Photo: Paul Popper. 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. 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. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. 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. Michael Jordan and Karl Malone greet each other before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 1, 1997, at the United Center. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. 10 James Lofton. Brad Miller was a rare center in the 2000s because he had a consistent mid-range jump shot. Jermaine does that by propelling himself to All-Star status with Indiana. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. 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. As a member of the Indiana Pacers, O'Neal was a very gifted two-way big man. A look at those who were ranked too high and too low in the preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday After taking 2 years to play overseas in Greece, Peja made his NBA debut in the 1998-99 season. This is the plight of DeMar DeRozanhes criminally underrated, and probably will be for his entire career. Right off the bat, you can tell Rashard Lewis is highly underrated simply by his lack of accolades to his name. Unfortunately for Christie, what should have been a fruitful career as a spot-up shooter quickly ended due to a litany of injuries. Wallaces presence propelled Detroit to an NBA championship where Wallace averaged 13.0 PPG and 7.8 RPG on the playoff run. Erteilung oder Widerruf von Einwilligungen, klicken Sie hier: Westbrook vs. KD beef Are They Cool Now? The 2000s-era NBA was one of the more bizarre representations of basketball one could imagine. DeRozan may be cementing his status as the best player in franchise history in front of our eyes, but say he belongs in the MVP conversation and most NBA fans will laugh at you. 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. Championships: 0. 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, he was voted 4th overall in the 2003-04 MVP race, beating out the aforementioned shooting guard on the Lakers. We'll focus primarily on his most impactful seasons, from 2001-2004. 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. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. For some reason, ONeal was vilified relentlessly for his role in the brawl and his reputation has taken years to recover. Billups name never comes up in Top 20 conversations as far as point guards go, let alone Top 10 lists. 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 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. Some players on this list, like Mehmet Okur and Doug Christie, are, sadly, likely unknown to the young NBA fans of today. Jackson is mainly known for his stints with the Indiana Pacers and the Golden State Warriors. Including averaging 10 attempts at the line per game when he averaged 22 points per game in his 2004-05 season. His three hasn't been falling . Roy was impossible to keep up with in isolation. 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. There are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the 2010s. Potential only counts for so much. Center from Newark, New Jersey, United States of America. Cameron Smith will be the first Players Championship winner since Tiger Woods in 2014 to not defend his title at the Players . The Bucks were dealt a huge blow during the 2008-09 season when Redd went down with a knee injury. Glen Rice was a three-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. . He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. Nick Mac is an NBA Writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism. 20. 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. . 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 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. He was so good that Pacers fans couldrealistically argue that he was the best big man in the league. He would lead the league in steals once more in 2007 with the Warriors with 2.1 SPG. 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. This honestly swayed an NBA championship, costing the Minnesota Timberwolves in their series against the Lakers, in which they were the better team. Most Overrated NBA Players of All Time. That's why he's the first name on this list. Peja Stojakovic is one of the better perimeter scorers of the 2000s decade. He is an actor and writer, known for Like Mike (2002), Arli$$ (1996) and Adidas Originals: Superstar - Change Is a Team Sport (2020). Drafted with the No. Not a chance. 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. 50 Most Underrated NBA Players of All Time. Andrei Kirilenko was a prototype of what the modern-day NBA landscape now values above all else; versatility. One of the best dunkers in NBA history, Richardson's athleticism often took eyes away from his all-around game. Maybe. 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. During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace received a bad reputation as its resident bad boy. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. By 2003, Ilgauskas was an All-Star and averaged 17.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG while adding 1.9 BPG. Dating back to his time with the Pelicans, he was an All-Star level . Neither made an impact, with Lionel Chalmers never playing another NBA game. Davis began his career as a member of the Charlotte Hornets. He was a tough forward who played hard-nosed defense and never backed down from any challenge. He was a 6'6" shooting guard who could also play the small forward position and had solid defensive skills. League championships: 0. 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. For the first few seasons of his career, Jermaine ONeal struggled to find a role with the Portland Trail Blazers. 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. In 2002, O'Neal won the NBA's Most Improved Player award by averaging 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. For some reason, ONeal was vilified relentlessly for his role in the brawl and his reputation has taken years to recover. 11. Yes, but just barely scratching this list. 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. Shaquille O'Neal. His best seasons come while playing for teams that arent popular or mainstream. He also made the All-Star Team and the All-NBA Third Team after a strong season with the Milwaukee Bucks. 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. 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. 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. 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. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. Elton deserves this spot. NBA underrated performers are one of the more challenging lists to rank. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My name is Hayden, and I'm a digital marketing consultant. And when you peak to the point, you can be compared to the greatest power forward of all time. He scored 57 that same season, breaking the Bucks single-game scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 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. By the time his 4th season in 2004 came around, Redd was an All-Star and a consistent and efficient 20.0 PPG scorer. Iverson was an MVP, an 11-time All-Star, and a four-time scoring champion . 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. Doug Christie. You have the heartbreaking series between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals series. He was the first NBA player to bring in the big balls dance celebration, injuring his groin. Aaron Mansfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Merrimack College. 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. The Most UNDERRATED NBA Players Of The 2000s..Welcome back to Sports Savvy. His true moment in the spotlight happened near the tail end of his career. Forgive and forget and put Jermaine ONeal in the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. 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. In his best season in 2005/06 with Sacramento, Bibby helped the team make the playoffs, which is . Redd returned the following season but re-injured the same knee tearing the ACL again. 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. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. Ron Artest, Metta World Peace, or his now legal name Metta Sandiford-Artest may surprise some on this list. In fact, I dont think I would have him on here if not for having the greatest NBA nickname of all time, Bad Porn.. 12. All details in the privacy policy. As we entered the 2000s, NBA fans were left with the question of who was going to. Maggette had his best seasons during the 2004, 2005, and 2008 seasons. 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. In fact, Kirilenko was born in Izhevsk, where the weapon was first manufactured. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) 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. Here were some of . If the season ended today, he'd be second in the NBA in fantasy points per game, but few think of him . Other Underrated NBA Players for 2021-22. 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. The most underrated scene in 'The Last Dance' was ___. As a two-way player and one of the best athletes to ever play the game, Richardson was a gem in his prime. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He was so fast with his first step off of the dribble and even faster once he got headed toward the basket. 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. 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. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. 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. Here's a ranking of the NBA's top teammate duos throughout league history. 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. They say the best ability is availability, and Finley did just that. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43 rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. 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. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. Lofton was the first player in NFL history to accumulate 14,000 receiving yards. 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. Defensively he was excellent, making an NBA All-Defensive Team three times. Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. Get ready to relive some of the best moments from the decade of the 2010s with the players who brought them to you. He would be forced to retire from the game at 27 years old. For the first few seasons of his NBA career, Billups bounced around until he found a home with the Detroit Pistons in 2003. From 2001-2007 ONeal made six straight All-Star games while averaging a stellar 20-10 with 2 blocks per game. He blew past defenders and glided through the air and threw down rim-rocking dunks with brutal authority. Mitch Richmond, Detlef Schrempf, and Vin Baker are among the underrated players from the 90s. 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. Basketball Time Machine 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. Well, that counts for something, right? Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. 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. Think about Dennis Johnson of the 1980sthe dude was a five-time All-Star and a Finals MVP. Few players have taken the NBA by storm or altered the way teams play the game the way Curry has . That should be considered common sense considering NBA players peak from 25-30 years old. Yet, not all players who saw action at the NBA, the biggest basketball league in the world, are well-known Not all basketball players are well known, Sports Mania Asia lists the top five most underrated NBA players from the late 1990s to 2000s. He drove, he shot, and he played a little selfishly. Injuries were a concern throughout Pejas career, especially in the second half of his NBA lifespan. . 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. 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. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. 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. He would improve his scoring over the next few seasons, boosting his scoring to a career-high 23.2 PPG during the 2006 season. Who are the 25 Most Charitable Athletes in the World? Tracy McGrady. His best season came in 2002 after being traded to Atlanta. He was one of many roleplayers that was able to fit seamlessly into talented teams throughout his career. Drafted with the No. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F.C. Redd fell behind Ray Allen on the depth chart and barely appeared during his rookie season but came on strong in his sophomore campaign. 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. BYL's Most Underrated NBA Players of the 2000's Follow BYL and comment who we missed out on Who's the Most Underrated??
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