most underrated nba players of the 2000s most underrated nba players of the 2000s

From there, he developed his offensive game and defensively got more aggressive. 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. 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. Creighton's the favorite, Jay Wright's no longer at Nova, and three more huge coaching changes set up a competitive chase in the Big East He was an empty-calories kind of player who put up stats on losing teams and couldnt carry a team to any relevancy. Billups finished his career a 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team selection, and a 3x All-Defensive Team selection. 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. 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. 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. From2004 through 2009, Redd battled injuries and bumps but still averaged at least 21.0 PPG every season. With talk of which NBA players are the most underrated right making the rounds on social media this week, we thought it would be a good time to come up with our own All-Underrated Team for the . Corey Maggette was one of the most consistent scorers during the 2000s. He would average 20.0 PPG or more for the next 3 seasons and shot near or better than 40.0% from three during that time. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed O'Neal into an MVP candidate. George Hill . 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. Enter Sam Cassell. Actor | Like Mike. 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. He was the baby Bryant from across the LA freeway. To narrow down the list to 10 underrated players in the whole decade is about as tough as it gets. . 7 min read. The following season in 2002-03, he was one of the best seasons of the decade for ANY player. Personally, I believe it is a crime that Wallace is still not a basketball Hall Of Famer. Ilgauskas struggled with injury the first few seasons of his career, missing his rookie season and 4th season with foot issues. 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. These are the most overrated players in NBA history. Gilbert Arenas. He averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 4.0 APG on 45.6% shooting in just 57 games. Jabbar was from the very beginning of his career being named the 1969-1970 rookie year, Abdul-Jabbar was a 5x MVP, 9x All-Star, 9x All-NBA, and 8x All-Defensive selection in the 1970s with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers; moreover, he averaged 28+ points, 14+ rebounds, and 5+ assists per game and led the Bucks to their first NBA title, winning Finals MVP in . He was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, never shying away from a tough matchup or assignments. Even though he never made an All-Star Team, Bibby certainly played like one and he was a major reason the Kings were a problem in the West. 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. 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. 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 . ONeal is an excellent example of the circumstances most players on these lists go through during their careers. The Most UNDERRATED NBA Players Of The 2000s..Welcome back to Sports Savvy. 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 led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. Here is our list of 12 of the most underrated players in the NBA today. 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. Vancouver Grizzlies (1997-98), Washington Wizards (1998-99), Miami Heat (1990-2000), Charlotte Hornets (2000-01) All-Star Games: 2001. 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. Giannis and LeBron? Sacramento picked Pedrag Stojakovi at the 1996 NBA rookie draft while still playing in Greece. 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. 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. Looking at the 2000s specifically, many All-Star caliber players did not get the recognition they deserved. But how many of those players make their first all-star team at 34 years old? 5y. 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 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 spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. I will say it here and now. His mid-range game and three-ball were impeccable as well. 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. With the NBA season approaching fast, there are a few players who haven't gotten the credit they deserve. Get ready to relive some of the best moments from the decade of the 2010s with the players who brought them to you. 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 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. 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. 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. 1. Another is that many of these players are often misremembered for their time and play late in their careers when theyre past their prime, bouncing around to teams and being fitted for jerseys that will probably struggle to sell ten total copies. When coming into the league, there were no expectations for Michael Redd having been the 43rd pick of the 2000 NBA Draft. 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. Richmond scored the 4th-most total points for the entire decade of the 90s , mainly with the Warriors and Kings. He averaged 20.1 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, making the All-Rookie Team. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. The Most-Underrated NBA Players of All-Time. His most valuable skill? Shaq and Chuck don't have the defense, although O'Neal did finish 3rd in the 2000 DPOY. 8. He had a smooth lefty jumper that was as good as anyones in the game when he was on point. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. Richardson was a solid scorer throughout his career and was a very capable defender. The assessment was based on how players performed during this decade and this decade ONLY (2000-2009). I have never seen a Finals MVP and a more impactful point guard be overlooked in NBA history more than Chauncey Billups. Miller was as good as it gets running an NBA offense and he was one heck of a playmaker. 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. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. His only postseason trip was as a role player averaging 12-5 on the 2005-06 Sacramento Kings, who would lose in the first round to San Antonio. Cleveland's superstar is regarded as one of the greatest offensive players in NBA history. 12. Other Underrated NBA Players for 2021-22. The 2005-06 campaign. Even some players who did make it onto that stage, like Rashard Lewis and Richard Hamilton, arent remembered as reverently as they should be. However, when we look at this year, we can see that it was Rons best statistical start to an NBA season. His best season, 2003-04, when he averaged 20-10 and 2.6 blocks, earned him 3rd place in the MVP race. Forget the role in the fight. 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. While Redd played amazingly, the team finished the season with a horrible record28-54. 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. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. Big Shot. Lewis retired with the Miami Heat in 2014, one year after adding an NBA championship to his already impressive resume. He became the first Russian player selected in the first round and made the all-rookie team in his first year. He was one of the top players in the league until Gerald Wallace injured him. Maybe. 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. Six seasons into his career in 2005, Lewis earned his first All-Star selection and first 20.0 PPG season. Agent 0 going into L.A. and dropping 60 on the Lakers. 32786 posts. , Owner: (Registered business address: Germany), processes personal data only to the extent strictly necessary for the operation of this website. 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. 19. Out of all the players on this list, O'Neal was the most talented big man and also one of the most underrated players during his time. Designed by profootballspace. We started the decade with Lakers championships and ended with Lakers championships, and yet you can rightfully argue that Tim Duncan was the most important player of the ten years. 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. 18 pick in the 2020 draft, there were high hopes for Richardson's career. For his career, Redd shot 38.0% from three and 44.7% overall. 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. For years now, Jrue Holiday has been widely regarded as the most underrated player in NBA. As the No. Underrated? Career Stats: 13.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.6 BPG. 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. 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. 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. 10 James Lofton. He epitomized, you dont know what youve got till its gone.. He finished with 11,972 points and 2,411 rebounds (3.8 per game). Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina. Aaron Mansfield, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Merrimack College. 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. Jackson would have his best seasons with the Golden State Warriors averaging over 20 PPG for 3 straight seasons. He was selected only behind guards Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd, which is the greatest single accomplishment in his career. Career Stats: 18.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.3 BPG. Here are the 10 most underrated NBA players of the entire 2000s. One year later, he joined the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 14.9 PPG on 35.8% shooting from three. Your email address will not be published. And when you peak to the point, you can be compared to the greatest power forward of all time. all of who are . That's why he's the first name on this list. 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 was one of many roleplayers that was able to fit seamlessly into talented teams throughout his career. Elton Brand led the way with 24-10 as the best player on a championship contender, the 2005-06 Clippers. From 2001-2007 ONeal made six straight All-Star games while averaging a stellar 20-10 with 2 blocks per game. By signing up, you agree to the our terms and our Privacy Policy agreement. 8 Most Expensive Kevin Garnett Basketball Cards, Title 15 Most Expensive Diamonds in the World. 1 seed Mavericks in 2007 but his career was so much more than one season. In an era littered with talented point guards, Baron Davis was among the most exciting to watch play. He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. That needs to begin to change after you read this piece. He was a tough forward who played hard-nosed defense and never backed down from any challenge. A 2000 trade to the Pacers changed everything and almost immediately transformed ONeal into an MVP candidate. He averaged 21.2 points a game that season and would never be the same. Potential only counts for so much. Basketball is one of the most loved sports worldwide. He consistently made a significant impact early on with the Vancouver Grizzlies and was the leading point guard on some really good Sacramento Kings lineups in the early 2000s. 6,418 votes. The most underrated player in fantasy basketball this season has to be Gilgeous-Alexander. He had three All-NBA team selections, two thirds, and a second cap off his individual awards. He was never the same. 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. Redd fell behind Ray Allen on the depth chart and barely appeared during his rookie season but came on strong in his sophomore campaign. After taking 2 years to play overseas in Greece, Peja made his NBA debut in the 1998-99 season. By his fourth season with the Bucks, Allen was gone and Redd was a starter. Injury replacements, lifetime achievement awards, and many players that might not entirely deserve it. After two more seasons, he would win 6th Man of the Year with the Dallas Mavericks in 2004. 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. 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. He peaked in 2007 when he averaged 26.7 PPG on 46.5% shooting. Andrei Kirilenko was a prototype of what the modern-day NBA landscape now values above all else; versatility. 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. 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. Top 5 most underrated NBA players so far this season: PG - Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers. At his peak, Billups was a serious threat as a scorer, passer, and defender who was the perfect point guard to lead the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA championship. Milwaukee took Redd with the 43rd overall pick and the former Buckeye would go on to play 11 years with the franchise. O'Neal had a strong inside scoring game, was very active on the offensive boards, and was a capable shot-blocker. 15.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.7 BPG. Im Still Ballin. 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. Redd became an even more prolific scorer in the seasons that followed. He began a stretch of six straight seasons in which he averaged at least 21 points 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. He led the league in minutes played for three seasons of his career. In fact, Kirilenko was born in Izhevsk, where the weapon was first manufactured. He led the league in steals in 2004 with 2.4 SPG. People are bound to take notice of him soon after his impressive season with the Raptors. He spent 3 seasons with the team and helped them transition to the City of New Orleans. In his best season in 2005/06 with Sacramento, Bibby helped the team make the playoffs, which is . Roy attempted a comeback in 2013 but lasted just 5 games before calling it quits for good. Davis was an explosive point guard who was a blur on the floor in open space. 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. 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. He had a sweet jumper and smooth release that he could knock down from anywhere in front of half-court. His true moment in the spotlight happened near the tail end of his career. Roy was a special talent on offense confirmed by some of the greats such as Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant. 11. He made his mark from deep and, with an increase in playing time, averaged 11.4 points per game while shooting 44% from beyond the arc. He made 3 straight All-Star games from 2002 through 2004 and averaged 21.7 PPG on 48.1% shooting over that time. For some reason, ONeal was vilified relentlessly for his role in the brawl and his reputation has taken years to recover. He would become an All-Star once more in 2005 averaging 16.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.1 BPG. Wilt Chamberlain. 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. Zum ndern Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellung, z.B. Career Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG. We have seen a host of very talented yet underappreciated stars during the past 20 years. . He was also a big reason the Cavaliers were able to make the 2007 NBA Finals, being LeBron James favorite option on offense. During his 3rd season in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miller led the NBA in assists with 10.9 APG to go with 16.5 PPG and 1.6 SPG.